As Americans and as Unitarian Universalists, we talk and sing about the wonders and beauty of individuality and the freedoms that sustain it. At the same time, we talk about diversity and difference and how it too is wonderful and beautiful. How can this be? Can we – as a nation and as a religion – really have both? Can we find unity in our diversity?

This is our Intern Minister's last Sunday with us. Christina Leone, looks back on how she's grown and learned and changed and how our ministry together has been a joyous dance. She reminds us that change is a part of life but it can be a beautiful dance if we are aware of life's lessons.

We believe not in a celestial savior but in a very human one. We are the one's we've been waiting for! We know we have the power to change the social condition of others. We can create communities, neighborhoods and cities we desire-- places that are safe, warm, loving and diverse. We can change our corner of the world! Come hear more.

Demons are everywhere! But the language we use is guarded and indirect. Join me this morning as I explore what one author has called "Demons in a land of plenty."

Today Rev. John catches us up on his summer reading with two books Community--The Structure of Belonging by Peter Block and Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. The insights he learned from these two books, among others this summer, are significantly changing his social justice ministry with UUCA! Check it out...

Chistina has spent the last couple of months with a team of dedicated volunteers planning this year's maiden voyage of Camp Beagle, a Darwin-inspired day camp to be held at UUCA from July 26-30. Come hear what the Camp was about, and how everyone of all ages can “Explore Our World with Wonder.”

This sermon topic was purchased at this year’s auction by Ken Apfel and Caroline Hadley! In response to their prompt, Christina will be examining what it means to be an American in this day and age, as well as how that relates to what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist.

The year is 1540 and a fictional Martin Luther and Francis David (Unitarian religious ancestor) meet in a bar, debate their differences, and affirm their commonalities. What would they think of their religious offspring nearly 500 years later? Christina Leone, Intern Minister, and her friend Chris Halverson, Vicar at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore, struggle together to come to some understanding.

Unitarian Universalists are diverse in their outlook on life, beliefs about death, and understanding of God. So it stands to reason that Unitarian Universalists wouldn't have one single view of prayer. Should we pray? Why? How?

It seems that with every election - even with every crisis or piece of legislation - Americans are given a new vision for our nation, which is often a recasting of the July 4 revolutionary message. Today, members of the amorphous Tea Party are casting another reused vision.