November 18, 2018
The highlight of FCU’s annual Thanksgiving Service is really the Cornbread and Cider Communion. But you really need to be there for that! Here’s my reflection, to share one small piece of the service.
“From Puritan to UU”
November 11, 2018
When I have given a brief overview of UU history to newcomers, there is sometimes still a bit of mystery in the air. Namely — hold on — did modern Unitarian Universalism come from Puritanism? My sermon attempts to explain this phenomenon. Learn about your puritanical spiritual ancestors, and how this history is relevant today. This sermon was preached on November 11, 2018 (Note: The Unitarians and Universalists merged into the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1961. It sure sounds like I say 1969 in the sermon; if so, I misspoke! It was 1961. In any case, most of what I learned about this era of Unitarian history I learned from Prof. David Hall at Harvard Divinity School in the fall of 1994. I will be forever grateful. Any mistakes are my own.)
“Learning from the Blues People”
November 4, 2018
At the UU General Assembly in June 2015 (in Portland, Oregon), Cornel West delivered the Ware Lecture. It was a rousing talk, and he had much to say in appreciation of Unitarian Universalism’s justice efforts. One of the intriguing bits of advice the Dr. West gave, at least to my ears, was that Unitarian Universalists “should learn from the blues people”. West has written (in Democracy Matters) that we should “learn from the blues people how to keep alive our democratic energies” in difficult times. He wrote, “In the face of cynical and disillusioned acquiescence to the status quo, we must draw on the tragicomic”. He talks about “the black invention of the blues in the face of white supremacist powers.” West tells us to listen to the people who formed their music on “the night side of America”—music that is “open to people of all colors”—music that “expresses righteous indignation with a smile and deep inner pain without bitterness or revenge”.
Further recommended viewing:
Cornel West’s Ware Lecture: click here
Selected blues videos shown after the November 4 service: click here
“Is Unitarian Universalism a Religion?”
October 21, 2018
This is my best attempt to answer the “auction sermon” winner’s question: is Unitarian Universalism a religion?
“Would You Harbor Me?”
September 30, 2018
In the Sweet Honey in the Rock song, Ysaye M. Barnwell asks, “Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you?” In this sermon, I talk about what it is to offer safe harbor and sanctuary, particularly to our immigrant and refugee siblings.
“Changes, Fears, Dreams”
September 23, 2018
Just a few weeks into this new settlement, I tried to encourage parishioners to get past fears and to start thinking about changes ahead, even dreams, for First Church Unitarian.
Reflection for “Whole Church” Water Ceremony
September 9, 2018
Like many Unitarian Universalist congregations, First Church Unitarian in Littleton has a Water Ceremony (sometimes called Water Communion) for its ingathering, homecoming Sunday. This was the all-ages reflection that I delivered that day, my first Sunday leading worship as the settled minister of FCU, September 9, 2018.
“So, What Is the Meaning of Life?”
September 1, 2018
I haven’t preached this at First Church Unitarian in Littleton… But this is the sermon your search team heard me preach back when I was a pre-candidate! Follen Community Church in Lexington recorded it when I was there on February 18, 2018, so here it is for the rest of you to watch if you like. And seeing as it’s your big chance to learn the meaning of life, you probably want to watch, right?