05/23/2010       Standing on the Edge 

As we approach the sweet edge of another summer, how might we think about our life and the challenges that await?  Rev. Tim shares one of his favorite stories, one he tells every couple of years, to help us think of the bridges, beginnings, and endings in our lives.  

05/09/2010       Margaret Fuller: A Woman for All Ages  

On Mother’s Day, we explore the life and legacy of one of Unitarian Universalism’s most influential historical figures—Margaret Fuller. Hers is a story of rebellion and religion. A feminist, writer, radical, and social reformer, Margaret Fuller was truly a woman for all times.  

05/02/2010       Choose to Bless the World 

Does your individual life matter in the great scheme of things? Does your unique personality and passion count for anything? What are you doing with your one wild and precious life? 

04/25/2010       Understanding Islam

How and why was Islam founded? Who was Mohammed, and what was revolutionary about his belief in God? Today, what do we need to know about this major world religion? 

04/18/2010       The Inconvenience of Green    

Blair Howell, Worship Arts Committee Member 

What does it really mean to be green? Our UU seventh principle calls us to affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. As a tribute to both our seventh principle and in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, we offer this spiritually reflective look at some of the many seemingly “inconvenient” things that we as individuals and as a society do, or don’t do, in our everyday lives that may have an impact on our Earth.

04/11/2010       Deep Wells of Happiness     

The Spirit of Life flows through all things, and aches to flow through our lives. How can we open ourselves to the great river of possibility and generosity that surrounds us?

03/28/2010       Lessons Learned in Magic      

Andrew Tripp, Ministerial Intern

In his final sermon here at UUCR, Andrew Tripp shares some of the lessons he has learned in the magic that is Unitarian Universalism, and how he has been transformed by Unitarian Universalism.

03/21/2010       Neon Consciousness      

How does our need to know everything - to “see” everything - compromise our ability to claim deep experiences of the spiritual? Perhaps a good mystery is not such a bad thing! Join us as we turn down the light of reason and see things anew in the liberating obscurity of shadow and unknowing. 

03/14/2010       Who Do You Hate?      

On the surface, Unitarian Univeralists pride themselves on being welcoming and accepting of all people. And yet, folks with an affinity for Jesus or the Christian perspective often say they feel unwelcome and even mocked within a Unitarian Universalist church. The same can be said for Republicans or other political conservatives. Today, we’ll explore the limits of our love.

02/21/2010       Tonglen: Buddhist Breath of Life       

We spend a great deal of energy trying to avoid the pain and suffering within us and around us. What spiritual transformation can occur when we consciously breathe into that which we typically evade? The Buddhist meditation practice of Tonglen provides a key to experiencing powerful transformation, opening our hearts to compassion and kindness. 

01/24/2010       Where the Rubber Hits the Road 

Our Unitarian Universalist faith—and our own good intentions—steer us to lofty goals of tolerance, understanding and kindness, and compassion.  This might make sense in theory—but what happens when the person in front of us annoys the heck out of us?  What about when there are people we just don’t like?  As someone once said, “It is easy to be enlightened on a mountain top; it is a different thing when you are stuck in traffic.”

01/17/2010       The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till       

Join us this Martin Luther King Sunday to hear the all but forgotten story of 14-year-old Emmett Louis Till whose abduction, beating and murder served as a major impetus for America's civil rights movement and led Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to make decisions that changed the course of history.

01/10/2010       A Report From Palestine                  

In November, Rev. Tim made a second trip to witness the conditions in Israel/Palestine and the Occupied West Bank.  From Peace Activists to Hamas members, from Israeli soldiers to former terrorists, he spoke with many Palestinians and Israelis about the increasing tensions facing the region.  In this sermon, Tim shares what he saw and heard. 

01/03/2010       When the River is Ice     

Join us as we celebrate the New Year and point ourselves into 2010.  How will we greet all that awaits in the New Year, and how do we realistically deal with all the challenges we are given?

12/13/2009       Collective Amnesia: How The Arabs Transformed Western Civilization      

Today's sermon will explore the cultural legacy of the Arab world from a slightly different perspective, while also inviting us all to consider "In our own lives, what do we choose to forget, and why?"

11/15/2009       No Such Thing As a Free Search       

One of the biggest misconceptions about our Unitarian Universalist faith is that “you can believe anything you want.”  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Join us as we dispel the great misconception of our chosen faith. 

10/25/2009       Symbols of Faith        

Have you ever wondered what all the religious symbols at the front of our sanctuary mean?  Today, we add six new symbols (including Islam and Paganism) to those that have existed for years.  Come and learn how all these symbols and faiths inform our own Unitarian Universalist tradition. 

10/18/2009       The Spirituality of Play       

There is probably nothing more important for us as human beings than to “play.”  To break out of the rigid, conforming, unrelenting boxes and patterns that we’ve locked ourselves in.  Children know this—their most important developmental task to play with—and in—the world around them.  How can we recapture the truths we’ve unlearned?  Come to this interactive and unconventional service prepared to play, laugh, and reclaim your inner child. 

10/11/2009       Enjoying Guiltless Pleasures        

Andrew Tripp, Ministerial Intern

One night during the Coming of Age trip to Buffalo this past summer we participated in contra dancing. During the contra dance, one gentleman wore a skirt and a fanny pack while grinning like a fool. He was guiltlessly having fun. Guilty pleasures are a small passion of mine. I love seeing people enjoying themselves as they sing and dance in their car while listening to the radio. Some of us would feel ashamed to admit what brings us pleasure and happiness.  Some of us courageously proclaim our love for guilty pleasures like the voyeuristic thrill of American Idol’s first episodes of the season, or my own enjoyment of professional wrestling. Perhaps we can discover ways to feel less guilt about what brings joy.

10/04/2009       Distracted Living       

A timely exploration of the destructive quality of multi-tasking. What happens to our spirituality, our soul and our psyche when we are doing too many things at once? Can we return to simplicity and focused attention? 

9/27/2009       How Nature Heals       

Our Unitarian Universalist faith is rooted in a love for—and relationship with—the wonder of the natural world.  From Thoreau to Pagan spirituality to the “Green” Movement to walks in the woods, Nature calls us to wholeness and renewal.  Likewise, we are called to restore Nature to the natural wholeness from which she is being stripped. 

9/20/2009       To Be Seen

We often hide who we really are, creating and living behind masks that distance ourselves from our true identity. We all yearn to be seen for who we are, as we truly are, and to be accepted and loved just the same. How can the removal of artifice allow us to become more whole? 

9/13/2009       Homecoming Sunday And Water Communion Service

The first service of the church year is our annual intergenerational Homecoming Sunday, as we welcome each other back from summer.  We celebrate our coming together again, and explore the nurturing nature of water and community in ritual, chant, and story. Those who have gathered water from places visited this summer (or from their own kitchen sinks or back yards), bring a few drops along for a traditional mingling and blessing of the waters.  The water is blessed during the service and used for Child Dedications and other rituals throughout the year. 

9/06/2009       Labor Day Is More Than A Day Off

This special Labor Day themed service celebrates the impact that organized Labor has made in this country. We specifically feature the life and incalculable legacy of Walter Reuther, a key labor leader and the late brother of UUCR member Chris Richey. His life story will inspire us and guide our way on.