Sunday Promises (MP3)
The Rev. Jennifer Innis
September 5, 2010
As this church explores a new covenant of behavior, let us explore the meaning of covenant. How we are called to live out our promises in actions, not just words?
I Don't Want to Talk About It (MP3)
Jeff Rodriquez, Westside UU Church
August 1, 2010
UUs and other liberal religions pride themselves on being open-minded and willing to hear other viewpoints. But how tolerant are we really? Jeff Rodriguez has some observations on this -- and he wants to talk about them.
Hosea Ballou: A Universalist for Yesterday and Today (MP3)
The Rev. Jennifer Innis
July 25, 2010
Over 200 years ago, an uneducated farmer found a message of hope and became one of the greatest preachers of his time so that no one would miss that message. Let us see what a Universalist from then has in store for us now.
The Empty Chalice (MP3)
The Rev. Jennifer Innis
July 18, 2010
In Unitarian Universalism, there are seven principles, six sources and countless ways to be inspired and informed by the world. But what happens when the chalice feels vacant? Join us for a reflection on this month’s theological theme of "Emptiness."
The Hero’s Journey, Part II (MP3)
John Beckett, Denton UU Fellowship
July 11, 2010
We're all familiar with the myth of the hero. But what happens when the quest is over, and we try to live happily ever after?
From Liberty to Liberation (MP3)
Megan-Dalby Jones, UU Ministerial Candidate
July 4, 2010
Liberal Religion and the Making of America
The Art of Bushwhacking (MP3)
Rev. Jennifer Innis
June 13, 2010
If all paths in religion lead up the same mountain, what happens when we go off the trail? Ready your sunscreen and a water bottle as we begin this "adventure of the spirit."
In Search of the Spirit (MP3)
The Rev. Jennifer Innis
June 6, 2010
Spiritual but not religious? Maybe. Maybe not. Join us this Sunday and the next on a two-part approach to this month’s theological theme of "Spiritual Thirst".
Sharing A Beer with Jesus (MP3)
Rev. Don Fielding
May 16, 2010
Rev. Don Fielding will provide a whimsical and thoroughly imaginary look at Jesus through UU-eyes. Within this reflection, however, Rev. Fielding briefly examines some of the history UUs have had with Jesus. Ultimately, he takes a fresh look at Jesus' message with the hope of finding its significance (if any) for UUs in today's world.
Becoming the Church of Our Dreams (MP3)
The Rev. Jennifer Innis
April 25, 2010
Join us for a celebration of this community of faith and to learn more about its great mission.
The Taming of Hospitality (MP3)
Rev. Jennifer Innis
April 11, 2010
In a world that seems increasingly hostile and threatening, there is a path that can help us overcome that fear and impulse to hide. Part of the path lies in how each of us answers the question, "When was the last time you felt truly welcomed?"
Resurrection: Event or Symbol? (MP3)
Rev. Barbara Morgan
April 4, 2010
The Rev. Barbara Morgan is a Unitarian Universalist minister living in Denton. Before retiring in 2003 from serving as the program minister at Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church in Carrolton, she ministered to congregations in Washington, New York, and Florida. Her Easter message is based on Elaine Pagels' book, The Gnostic Gospels.
Falling from Fruitlands (MP3)
Rev. Jennifer Innis
March 28, 2010
Louisa May Alcott’s account of the failed utopia of her father’s dreams is one of the sleeper hits of Unitarian Universalist history. The story of Bronson Alcott’s Fruitlands has its own lessons for us today.
Living the Promise (MP3)
Rev. Jennifer Innis
February 28, 2010
This congregation lives and breathes and is part of our daily existence because it is we who make it possible. What are the promises we make to renew this treasured place, this light in our lives? What are the gifts of time, talent – and treasure – needed to create and recreate this Beloved Community?
Creation: The True Story of Charles Darwin (MP3)
Rev. Jennifer Innis
February 14, 2010
In honor of Evolution Weekend and a great love story, I offer reflections on the new look at how Darwin struggled to come to terms with his discoveries and the beliefs of his beloved wife. (Warning: This story of Darwin offers radical ideas such as the absence of God.)
Acceptance vs. Tolerance (MP3)
Reverend Jennifer Innis / Joan Massey
January 31, 2010
I hear many Unitarian Universalists speak of how much we should accept people and not just tolerate them. Is this so? When is tolerance acceptable?
What if the Mightiest Word is Love? (MP3)
Reverend Phillip Douglas
January 24, 2010
What did that poet say at Obama's Inauguration? Could she possibly mean that? What would it be like if we meant that?
Justice Everywhere (MP3)
Rev. Jennifer Innis
January 17, 2010
Join us as we begin the New Year with reflections on how the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. calls us to serve the world.
Wild Trust (MP3)
Rev. Jennifer Innis
December 13, 2009
As we are buffeted by the winds of the world, how do we keep both the foundation of what we believe and an untamed heart yearning for hope? Join us for a reflection on spiritual integrity.
When Dreams Are Broken (MP3)
Rev. Xolani Kacela
First Unitarian Church of Dallas
November 15, 2009
The sermon explores how dreams (both dreams of the future and dreams when we sleep) are formed, sometimes shattered or broken, then re-envisioned in order to build better futures.
Amanda Brown and Toni Holland
August 9, 2009
Becoming Prophetic (MP3)
A congregation becomes prophetic by assessing social/civic needs of its time and taking action.
Sue Lowery
March 29, 2009
Our Theological House (MP3)
Do Unitarian Universalists have a theology? Rebecca Parker, president of Starr King School of Ministry says that we do. She uses the metaphor of a house to explain how our ideals can have theology wrapped around them. Join me as I lead us on a tour of that house.
Kathy Smith
March 22, 2009
Celebrating New Life (MP3)
The Spring Equinox provides many metaphors about growth, change and new life.
February 1, 2009
How UUs Pray
Do you pray? Would you share with us? Paul Munger and Kathy Smith will be coordinating our participatory worship service on February 1. The theme is "How UUs Pray."
Dan Levine
August 3, 2008
Scarecrows, Tin Woodmen: Where is the Wizard? (MP3)
The topic will be the pervasive disconnect between emotion and reason in modern Western culture, its harmful consequences, and how we might overcome it.
Kelley O''Conan
July 20, 2008
I Give Up (MP3)
Sometimes with the pressures of everyday life, you just want to throw in the towel. Kelley discusses why giving up could be a good thing.
Jeff Rodriguez
July 6, 2008
Are We Doing this Right? (MP3)
Are we teaching our kids too much about sex? Are we teaching them too little? For all the progress that''s been made in teaching this topic, we adults are still making sex education too complicated -- even for Unitarian kids. Jeff Rodriguez, a member of Westside UU who has nine years of experience teaching sex education, will attempt to simplify things for both parents and teens.
Rev. Phil Douglas
June 29, 2008
The Holy Work of Transformation (MP3)
The work of the church is the holy work of transformation. On his last day of work as the Director of Religious Education at First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church, Phil Douglas preaches on the holy work of the church and how the church has transformed our lives together over the last twenty years.
Rev. Tom Capo
2-3-08
Prejudices: the Everyday and the Malignant (MP3)
We all have prejudices. We develop these as we have experiences in the world. Some of these prejudices we are aware of and some we are not aware of. The more aware we are of them the better we can manage them. But sometimes prejudice can become malignant and destructive. This can happen on a personal, community or even a societal level.
Rev. Craig Roshaven
5-31-09
Rank by Rank
We build on foundations we did not lay.
We warm ourselves at fires we did not light.
We sit in the shade of trees we did not plant.
We drink from wells we did not dig.
Our lives are full of gifts from persons we did not know.
We are ever bound in community.
-Old Celtic Saying
Rev. Craig Roshaven
5-24-09
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
This Memorial Day weekend let us celebrate those who have risked, struggled and sacrificed for the sake of peace.
Rev. Craig Roshaven
4-19-09
What Kind of Church Are We
Rev. Craig Roshaven
3-15-09
When Jesus Became God
Rev. Craig Roshaven
3-8-09
Symptoms of Spiritual Recovery
Rev. Craig Roshaven
3-1-09
The Iowa Sisterhood
In the late 19th century a cadre of female Unitarian ministers came to be known as the "Iowa Sisterhood." They founded and served Unitarian churches in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota.
Rev. Craig Roshaven
2-22-09
Creation Spirituality - The Universe is a Blessing
Creation Spirituality is a socially conscious, earth-centered, unorthodox Christian spiritual system formulated in the 1970s by Matthew Fox, then a Catholic priest. It is grounded in the mystical philosophies of medieval visionaries Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Aquinas, Meister Eckhart and Nicholas of Cusa.
Rev. Craig Roshaven
2-15-09
Stinking Thinking (Cognitive Distortions)
Cognitive distortions are inaccurate thoughts or ideas identified in cognitive therapy and its variants, which maintain negative thinking and help to maintain negative emotions.
Rev. Craig Roshaven
1-25-09
The Life and Times of Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott, best known as the author of Little Women, was also an advocate of abolition, women's rights, and temperance. She was also, not surprisingly, a Unitarian. Most of her stories, novels, have now been republished, widening her reputation beyond that of children's author and bringing fresh critical notice to her work.
Rev. Craig Roshaven
1-18-09
The Patriotism of Dissent
Rev. Craig Roshaven
1-4-09
Looking Forward and Looking Back
The first month of the year, January, was named after the Roman God Janus, who was usually depicted with two heads looking in opposite directions. What are we looking forward to in the future and what do we want to let go of from the past?
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