Rev. Elaine Gehrmann & Micah Forstein The holidays of Passover and Easter both celebrate liberation: finding new life after being enslaved or entombed. How might we celebrate new life in the familiar, find rejuvenation in the ordinary, and how might we discover resurrection and grace without leaving home?

Robin Jensen & W.A. Ann Jacobson Loyalty — It is not listed as one of the seven heavenly virtues, but nevertheless we hold it in high esteem, and some say it is the most important quality of all. What is loyalty? When and why do we give it? Is it earned or freely given? Under … Continue reading “Loyalty”

Rev. Elaine Gehrmann & W.A. Ray Krise As we celebrate the Spring Equinox, it is a good time to consider the wonders of our earthly home, and our obligations to fulfill our responsibilities as its inhabitants. What might we owe our Mother Earth and our fellow creatures?

Rev. Axel Gehrmann & W.A. Natalie Fryberger These are the well-known words of one of our Unitarian heroes, Thomas Jefferson, immortalized in the Declaration of Independence. But was it indeed self -evident for Jefferson that all people are created equal? From today’s vantage point, of course, it is clear the rights Jefferson envisioned were reserved … Continue reading “We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident”

Rev. Elaine Gehrmann & Susan Panttaja It is often said that Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith. Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray has called the UUA the “embodiment of covenant . . . life-giving, life-affirming and justice-centered.” This morning we will explore what this might mean for us, and consider the promises … Continue reading “Promises, Promises”

Karen Brown & W.A. Sue Ellen Stringer What do you and I risk/gain if we stay where it’s “safe?” What do we risk/gain if we move beyond our fear into what makes us uncomfortable? Some people say that Whites are too fragile to speak up and to hear about racism – and to really “promote” … Continue reading “Stretching Our Comfort Zone and Our Beloved Community”

Susan Panttaja & Celia Barberena & W.A. Natalie Fryberger Sometimes we have to take risks to continue to grow or to achieve a dream. We may risk our security, our privacy, our tranquility. Yet we know that continuing with what is known and comfortable is not an option. Today we will consider the joys of … Continue reading “Living Authentically, Pursuing Our Dreams”

Rev. Axel Gehrmann & W.A. Ray Krise This Sunday marks the kickoff of our annual Stewardship campaign. (Please see page 10 for more information.) Appropriately, it falls on Valentine’s Day – a holiday devoted to love. But what is love? Is love something found at first sight? Is it unconditional? Or do we fall into … Continue reading “Of Love, Loaves, and Fishes”

Rev. Elaine Gehrmann and Worship Associate Bjorn Nilson Representative John Lewis said, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” He called this “making good trouble.” We can see many aspects of our current society that seem not right, … Continue reading “Make Good Trouble”

Bob Sadler & W.A. Natalie Fryberger Different traditions speak of an inner battle between two forces that are present in man: one being practical and more material, and the other raising our awareness to higher realms, “like fire that gives light and rises towards the divine.” This constant battle exemplifies the Human Being, the only … Continue reading “Striking a Balance . . . Human Beings or Human Doings?”