Our Universalist roots began 250 years ago with an affirmation that there is no hell. Today the doctrine of hell is losing ground all the time but some folks still believe in it. We will look at some of the ways theologians seek to save hell, and why our UU tradition doesn't think that's a good idea.

This election cycle is truly different. All kinds of strange things are happening. I will offer some reflections on the weirdness of our politics using the insights of George Lakoff, a linguistics professor who brings his expertise to the world of politics. Why do politicians do the things they do? Maybe on some level it all makes sense.

In a secular world, where do we turn for values, meaning, and defining stories that shape our worldview? For more and more people, the answers are things like Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, The Avengers, The Walking Dead, and so many others. Join Brad Keefauver and your fellow geeks for a Sunday service built around modern fan culture.

Pilgrims have followed "the Way of St. James" since the 10th century. Join Terry Matthews, her niece, and fellow pilgrims on a 150-mile walk and 150-mile bike trek from Lisbon, Portugal to Santiago, Spain and also explore Fatima, Tomar, and Oporto. Get an overview of the area’s history, religion, culture, and people.

"If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him!" This famous saying from Zen Buddhism speaks to how we venerate our view of spiritual truth. When, why and how should one "kill" the Buddha?

"If it doesn't liberate, it isn't theology." Liberation Theology, what's it all about? What happened to it? Why did the Ronald Reagan administration and the Vatican under Pope John Paul II conspire to destroy it?

When I came to this church 25 years ago, it was much smaller, less confident, not so complex, and ready for expansion. Much has changed over these 25 years, but we still maintain our character as an open, loving, and activist community. Today I will share some of what I have learned from these fruitful years.

At our last youth con in St. Louis, the youth group learned about the crisis faced by refugees from Syria, prepared care packages for a group that had recently arrived in the area, and protested against fear. We would like to take this time to share what we learned with the broader congregation and to encourage action to meet this humanitarian crisis.

Today is New Member Sunday when we have the joy of welcoming new members into our community. How do we build genuine community? What is the formula? We will take a look a certain core elements that make for real community, something that is precious in our individualistic and materialistic world.

Today we honor the mothers of our lives and take the opportunity of this special day to dedicate new babies from several church families. What could be more important than a mother? And what could be more joyful than new life? Come and celebrate.