This summer’s theme is The Dinner Guest Series. Each service leader will choose a person/persons that they’d like to have dinner with and then base a sermon around the teachings of their life. This Sunday’s ‘dinner guest’ is Neil Peart. Led by Leigh Ann Macklin.
Summary:
This sermon explores the life and philosophy of Neil Peart, the legendary drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush. The speaker highlights how Peart’s rejection of fate in favor of human agency and personal responsibility aligns with Unitarian Universalist values. By examining the lyrics to the song “Free Will,” the sermon emphasizes that choosing inaction is still a conscious decision that shapes one’s world. Peart is portrayed as a diligent craftsman who valued privacy and intellectual curiosity over the hollow nature of celebrity. The sermon concludes with a practical communication tool called the REST acronym, designed to help individuals build meaningful connections through intentional conversation. Ultimately, the sermon serves as both a tribute to a musical icon and a call to exercise one’s moral autonomy.