Sermons

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Michael Collins, Missy Shay, Guy Urban, and the Hand in Hand Hospice Choir! 

Unitarian Universalists place an enormous amount of value on celebrating the kaleidoscope of diverse belief in our communities. This Sunday we will take time to consider when and how a personal search for meaning began to emerge in our faith, and open our hearts to the awe-inspiring beauty of the multitudes. We will also light our third Advent Candle and mark the first night of Hanukkah. See you Sunday!

Led by Rev. Sophia and many gifted guests! All are welcome to this traditional celebration of song and story, darkness and light, reminding us that even in the coldest, hardest times, hope arrives and claims its place, again and again, in legend, in history, and in our own hearts and minds. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to this service of beauty, love, hope, and joy.

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Jean Gauthier, Carrie Miller, and Guy Urban. Let's consider the nature of Awe, which is our month’s theme. When have you experienced it? How did it feel? What in your lives changed as a result? Mysticism, which is at the heart of this season, is also at the heart of Awe–maybe this makes mystics of us all! Let’s come together and explore some of these questions together. As the days grow cold and dark, this is no time to isolate or flit...

Morris Sullivan preaching, with Djalai Babazadeh, Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, and Guy Urban.

This time of year, we are often reminded that we receive many gifts in this life, and we have the opportunity to share our blessings with others. Let’s consider how gratitude and generosity are spiritual practices–gateways leading us toward awakening. We will also honor the first day of the Advent season. 

With Rev. Sophia preaching, and Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Carole Katz, Debi King, Guy Urban, and the FPW Choir!

Let us delight and take comfort in the abundant blessings of Mary Oliver’s poetry this Sunday! What does it stir in us? What does it ask of us? What does it teach us about our faith? Come to church and let’s ponder these questions together. The joy of Mad Libs will make an appearance, and our choir will sing two pieces of music that simply can’t be missed. Don’t make church an afterthought this weekend–good things are in abundance on Church Street, and we miss you when you aren’t here! See you Sunday!

With Rev. Sophia preaching, Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Laura Horn, Guy Urban, and the Harmony Hymn Singers!

As we continue to reflect on our month’s theme of Abundance, one might wonder: what about beauty?  It’s easy to deduce that beauty is in short supply these days, and that cultivating it might even be a luxury. This Sunday we will explore the nature of beauty’s abundance, and learn about its place in spiritual communities, justice initiatives, and a balanced, healthy life. The poet Baron Wormser asks: ‘What would happen if you heeded the admonitions of beauty?’ Let’s try to answer this together! We will also make time to honor the beautiful lives of our transgender siblings who have tragically died this past year for Transgender Remembrance Day. Before the holiday season starts sweeping you off your feet, make time for all the gifts and beauties church has to offer. See you on Sunday!

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Missy Shay, Guy Urban and the FPW Choir!

It’s All Souls Sunday–a time to ritualize the love we have felt for and from those who are no longer with us. We will build an Altar of Remembrance together with photographs and mementos that remind us of this love. In years past I have marveled at the abundance of love we have felt during this service. This seems a right and good way to embark on our month’s theme of Abundance, don’t you think? Our choir will be gifting us with spectacular music, and we are lucky to have drum accompaniment by Matt Calabro! Do yourself a favor and come to church this Sunday!

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Carole Katz, Izzy Tappan-deFrees, and Guy Urban.

We Unitarian Universalists tend to be pretty good at caring for others and the world, and fall a bit short when it comes to caring for ourselves. As we close out the month’s theme of Compassion we will reflect on the transformative power of learning to love, forgive, and compassionately care for ourselves–key ingredients for living our faith and lives fully. We will close worship by singing the beautiful hymn “How Could Anyone?” and receive the blessings of special music offered by Izzy Tappan-deFrees and Guy Urban. How about doing something kind and loving for yourselves: come to church and let your weary heart find rest

Kyle Belmont preaching, with Rev. Sophia Lyons, Charlyn Bethell, Jean Gauthier, and Guy Urban.

What is the relationship between compassion and justice? With the words of Rev. Howard Thurman as a guiding voice, and observations from daily life, we will explore this question as displayed through our public and private lives of faith.

Chaplain Clementina Chéry preaching, with Rev. Sophia Lyons, Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Chuck Dickinson, Laura Horn, Guy Urban and the music of our Choir! How do we live our deepest values in a way that creates belonging, healing, and justice? In this service, Chaplain Clementina invites us to reflect on what it means to “set the table” in our personal, spiritual, and communal lives. Drawing from the principles of Unitarian Universalism and the Peace Institute —love, unity, faith, hope,...