Sermons

Thanksgiving is not simply about receiving the bounty of earth and the blessings of being; it is also about paying our mortgage to those who have gone before and investing in those who will follow. The services will include a child dedication ceremony. If you would like your child or grandchild dedicated during the service, please contact Sara Davidson ([email protected]).

Diwali or Deepavali meaning “rows of lamps” is one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, and includes the lighting of lamps in homes, businesses, temples, and streets. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Join us for a spirited service with Indian dance, music, and percussion!

What is sanctuary? What does sanctuary mean? Sanctuary is a political question but not just a partisan issue. And it is a spiritual question for us all. The service will explore how the aspiration to be a place of refuge applies to each of us in our inner lives, in our religious community, as well as our undocumented neighbors.

Universalism calls us out of ourselves and into the world to love the hell out of this world — into a world filled with far too much hell that desperately needs the life-saving message that we are connected to one another, part of one human family, by an infinite Love that will not let us go. We will welcome new members during the service, and some mystery guests at our 11 am service!  One of whom will be scooping free, very fine ice cream.

There is an alert built into my GPS that lets me know that we are on a new path: "Recalculating!" Maybe I made a wrong turn. Maybe I ran into some construction. Maybe I decided to take a different way. The GPS doesn't say, "Oh no! You're lost!" It simply helps me "recalculate" or "re-envision" a new way for myself. Join intern minister Christin Green for a reflection on the nature of UU faith as lifelong learning to maintain right relations with one another. Let us "recalculate" together in beloved community!

As we celebrate the joy of community and the promise of new beginnings, we will mingle the waters of our inner and outer journeys in our annual water communion ritual and recommit our hearts, minds, and hands to rehearse and embody the vision of the Beloved Community here at Cedar Lane and in the larger world. Please bring the water you have collected over the summer from your travels or kitchen sink for this merging ritual.

“What will you do with your gifts,” asks the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker. “Choose to bless the world,” is her answer. The choice to bless the world is an intentional one that invites us to go deeper within to connect with and nurture the source of love and hope – together. And from that place of connection, to work to heal the world – together.

Memorial Day originally became part of our national calendar in the years after the Civil War as a day to honor the war dead. Memorial Day is complicated. It is complicated in its contemporary manifestations of military prowess and glorification of war.

The question “What shall I do with my life?” is one which, for many, if not most of us, never really goes away. It is a deeply spiritual and unsettling question; and, it is not in the least bit unusual not to know the answer. Join us for reflections on vocation and calling on the 20th anniversary of Rev. Abhi’s ordination into the Unitarian Universalist ministry.

Every person has the capacity to be creative. As we strive for our highest selves, our spiritual selves, we cannot help but be more aware, more proactive, and more creative. Today we’ll celebrate joy of creativity and explore its sacred dimension.