SERMON ARCHIVES

To Covenant

Amy St. Peters | September 25, 2022

As we search for a new minister, we search for what defines us, what binds us, and what inspires us as a faith community. We will unpack the covenants that have shaped us to date and the covenants that will guide us into the future.

Saving the World Ten at a Time

Lois Bartel and Liz Thomas | September 18, 2022

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Creating community is part of our mission as a faith. We explore the place of covenantal small group ministries in the congregation.

Better Together

Rev. Samuel Schaal | September 11, 2022

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“It takes a tribe…” is a familiar saying. It also takes a congregation. And a river of belonging.

We celebrate the Water Communion, a UU tradition. Bring a small vial of water symbolizing the living waters that sustain you.

Justice, Mercy and Humility

Cynthia Baker | September 4, 2022

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Cynthia Baker, Labor in the Pulpit speaker from the Arizona AFO-CIO, considers Micah’s ancient injunction against the contemporary state of workers’ rights and the labor movement.

Stillness in an Age of Anxiety

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | August 28, 2022

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All the philosophies and theologies of the ancient world understood stillness as the most powerful force in the world. In our age of anxiety, how can stillness focus us, root us, and empower us in our work?

Loving the World, Anyway

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | August 21, 2022

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This summer was seasoned with cataclysmic events that thwarted the world as we knew it—Supreme Court decisions, floods and fires, international conflict, more tribalization of politics, even an attack on our own campus. How can we love and serve such a world? Three principles from Stoicism suggest an approach.

Is Giving Stuff Away the Kind of Social Change Jesus Came to Teach?

Jon Katov | August 14, 2022

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Sermon Recording

Brooke Gaunt | August 7, 2022

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Sermon Recording

Amy St. Peter | July 31, 2022

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Sermon Recording

Joanne Thomson | July 24, 2022

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An Improbable Librarian and Our Unlikely Library

Juliet Gustavson | July 17, 2022

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Telling Stories

Rebecca Riggs | July 10, 2022

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Hugh Moir wrote, “stories are the imaginative cement that binds us together as a culture or society”. We will explore the power of stories: what they reach us about ourselves, how they influence our religious outlook.

Sermon Recording

July 3, 2022

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Sermon was recorded from the Service held at the closing of General Assembly for the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations – in Portland Oregon

Upon Reflection

David King | June 26, 2022

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Thoughts, feelings and attitudes related to the ruling passed down from the Supreme Court on Row V Wade striking from the Constitution the Right to Reproductive Freedom that has been covered by Article 14 for 50 years.

Juneteenth: Don’t Hallmark My Holiday

Emrys Station | June 19, 2022

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A look at the creation of Ameika’s newest holiday and how it needs to be protected from becoming commercialized.

The Blessings of Sabbath

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | June 12, 2022

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How are you? “Busy!” is the usual answer. Toward a theology of rest, stillness and discovery.

The Blessings of Imperfection

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | June 5, 2022

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“Practice makes perfect,” we say. “Be ye perfect,” says the Scripture. Turns out, imperfection is the heart of life.

A Memorial to America

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | May 29, 2022

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This Memorial Day weekend we honor those who gave their lives in military service to their country, as well as those who gave their lives in service to their country or cause, whether or not in the military. Bring mementos, pictures, memories of those who you knew and loved, or perhaps those who you admired from afar—any who dedicated their lives to a great cause, including the U.S. military.

A Stream of Light: Unitarianism in America

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | May 22, 2022

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The emergence of a new liberal faith in America was a stream of light that continues to shine, offering freedom of belief while working to heal the world.

Beauty and Justice

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | May 15, 2022

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It’s easy to think of beauty as a concern for the superficial, avoiding the call of justice. Scholar Elaine Scarry suggests that beauty often facilitates just action. The UUCS Choir performs.

Motherhood

Amy St. Peter | May 8, 2022

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On this Mother’s Day Sunday, Amy St. Peter shares diverse reflections of the meaning of motherhood—from being a mother, having a mother, mothering others and being a part of Mother Earth. The UUCS Choir performs.

Beyond Welcome

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | May 1, 2022

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Moving from mere acceptance to engaged inclusion creates a more inclusive bouquet of congregational life.

Awakening to Interdependence

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | April 24, 2022

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We are creatures of the earth, linked in ways known and unknown to all there is. How might we find a spiritual practice in caring for creation?

Awakening to Joy

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | April 17, 2022

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Easter can be a time of waking up to the joy of living from the tombs of despair.

The UUCS Choir performs.

Great Expectations

Juliet Gustavsonl, Guest Leader | April 10, 2022

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What happens when expectations don’t match what is?

Awakening the Breath

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | April 3, 2022

Breathing is the foundation of life. Breathwork wakes up a person, even the conscience of a nation.

The UUCS Choir performs.

Roots of a New Faith

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | March 27, 2022

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First in an Occasional Series of the History of Our Living Tradition

The freedom of our Living Tradition makes it look like an easy faith. But the emergence of Unitarianism in Europe arose out of difficulty and crisis with our forebears imprisoned, executed and forced into exile. From these adversities emerged a new faith on the global stage.

I Believe

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | March 20, 2022

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What is the result of a lifetime of journeying for truth? Members of the recent “I Believe” credo group taught by Julie Wambach share their statements of faith.

Faithful Doubt

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | March 13, 2022

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Religious doubt isn’t just a negative focus on faith. It can help us go deeper to discover a renewed faith.

Holding On and Letting Go

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | March 6, 2022

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What serves us and what does not? What do we hold to and what do we release from our lives?

Beloved Everybody

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | February 27, 2022

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If the congregation seeks to build Beloved Community in the world, then everybody (and every body) should be beloved. How well do we welcome those the world treats as less-than and other-than? How do we “other” others?

Draw the Circle Wider

Guest Speaker – Dr. Mary Rothschild | February 20, 2022

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Should We Love Our Enemies?- A Golden Rule Sermon

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | February 13, 2022

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Is it possible to widen our compassion toward our enemies? How might we see the good in others with whom we
deeply disagree?

Remembering the Future

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | February 6, 2022

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How does the past inform our intent for the future? Our History Wall experience helps us see the future as we reexamine the past.

Being Present

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | January 30, 2022

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Being aware of the really real is a challenge in these distracted days. How might we be intentionally mindful?

Remembering the Future

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | January 23, 2022

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How does the past inform our intent for the future? Our History Wall experience helps us see the future as we re-examine the past.

Intentionally Interdependent

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | January 16, 2022

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Martin Luther King, Jr., Sunday
We honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as we explore his idea of the network of mutuality. Overcoming racism isn’t just overcoming prejudice. It’s being religiously aware of our interdependence and working to build a more just and antiracist society.

History Wall follows at 11:45 a.m. in the Social Hall and continues for the next several weeks.

Living the Question

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | January 9, 2022

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Facing the future with intention is to live the question(s) of life, for us individually, and as a congregation. The poet Rilke advises to trust in the difficult.

An Intentional New Year

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | January 2, 2022

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How shall we live in this new year? What do we hold to and what do we release?

Searching for Truth

David King, Worship Associate | December 26, 2021

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The free and responsible search for truth is one of our deep values. We’ll explore the importance of this search and how it has
been challenged in the past year.

Joy in the Jungle: A Holiday Tale

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | December 19, 2021

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Ah, winter—such a magical time in the jungle. Lights! Decorations! Parties! All the animals are getting into the holiday spirit. Except Jill Panzee. How will she find joy, when she can’t even find a ripe banana for breakfast?

Waiting for Joy

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | December 12, 2021

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In these winter holidays, it’s the surprises in the unexpected places, that remind us of the mystery, beauty and joy of the season.

Harvest the Power

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | December 5, 2021

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Stewardship Sunday
When we gather, our spirit is greater than the sum of individuals. How might the Living Tradition of our faith empower us to
serve each other and the world?

Faith and Sufficiency

Rev. Samuel Schaal, Transition Minister | November 28, 2021

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In the sacred story of Hanukkah, the ancient Jews got eight days of light from a lamp with only one day of oil. How might we find sufficiency in a time of insufficiency?

Perceptions and Transitions

Amy St. Peter, Worship Associate | November 21, 2021

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We are navigating several transitions with opportunities and challenges. Let’s explore what these transitions mean for our personal spirituality, our faith community, and how our perceptions shape them all.