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Love All, Trust a Few, Do Wrong to None

Summary:

This sermon presents reflections on trust, truth, and genuineness. The speaker, a minister affiliated with both the Metropolitan Community Church and the UUA, explores the complexities of defining trust beyond simple truth and faith. Drawing from personal experiences, including challenges faced due to their theological views and sexual orientation, the speaker questions whether truth is always trustworthy. The speaker illustrates conflicting worldviews with anecdotes, like the story of the memorial goat eaten by a village. Ultimately, the speaker proposes that genuineness is a more encompassing definition of trust.

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That Arc Bends Toward Truth, Too

Summary:

This sermon explores the theme of truth and justice through interwoven personal narratives. It begins with the speaker’s reflections on Theodore Parker’s “moral arc of the universe” and the idea that the arc also bends toward truth. The speaker illustrates this concept through the stories of Joe Saul, a man searching for his biological mother, and the speaker’s connection to Joe through genealogy and DNA analysis. Another narrative centers on Moisha Canerovich, a Holocaust survivor whose mother implored him to share their family’s story. These narratives converge when the speaker discovers they are related to both Joe and Moisha, demonstrating the power of truth, memory, and compassion. The speaker then gifts Joe with a memento from his biological mother, an artifact the speaker surprisingly had from their youth. Ultimately, the text suggests that individual actions, however small, contribute to bending the arc toward truth, justice, and compassion.

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Prayer vs. Positive Thinking

Summary:

This sermon explores the connection between prayer and positive thinking, suggesting they are similar approaches to achieving desired outcomes. The speaker argues that both involve focusing intention to influence events, whether through spiritual invocation or the power of the mind. Positive thinking, exemplified by James Allen’s work, is presented as a potent force for shaping reality. The recording also references a study on the effects of prayer on cardiac patients, noting the debate surrounding its efficacy. Ultimately, the speaker concludes that the chosen method, whether prayer or positive thought, is less important than the intention to affect a favorable result. Both methods serve as a way to hope for and expect positive change.

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On the Path to Social Justice

Summary:

This sermon uses the example of Ryan Kaminsky, a young man who sold his possessions to improve the education of Ugandan children, to inspire the congregation to pursue social justice. The speaker connects Kaminsky’s actions to both Buddhist principles and Unitarian Universalist tenets, highlighting the importance of individual action. Further emphasizing this theme, the speaker then focuses on their own passions: supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and advocating for climate change action as a social justice issue. The speaker uses the analogy of a mosaic to illustrate how small, individual actions contribute to a larger goal, encouraging the congregation to find their own “tile” in the fight for social justice. Finally, the speaker connects their personal work in climate change to the urgency and disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

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Becoming Ourselves

Summary:

This sermon discusses finding one’s vocation, drawing heavily on the work of Parker Palmer. It emphasizes the importance of inner listening over willful decision-making, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from aligning one’s deepest longings with the world’s needs. The speaker recounts personal experiences and uses anecdotes from others to illustrate the challenges and rewards of this introspective journey. The process is presented as a spiritual one, requiring both inner exploration and outward action, with community support playing a crucial role. Ultimately, the text advocates for a life lived authentically, finding meaning beyond material success or societal expectations.

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The 47%, the 1%, and Promoting Justice in the World

Summary:

The sermon explores income inequality in America, drawing parallels between the Gilded Age and the present. It critiques social Darwinist justifications for wealth disparity and the lack of opportunity for the poor. Several readings are used to show differing opinions and points of view, including Pope Francis, and representatives from American politics and economics. The author emphasizes the role of political power in shaping the market and the need for a renewed grassroots movement to promote economic justice. They argue that while charity is valuable, addressing the systemic causes of inequality through political action is essential. The text then closes by exploring the different solutions Americans have suggested, including the possibility of a new grassroots political movement.

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Blue Christmas

Summary:

This sermon explores the duality of the holiday season, acknowledging both the joy and the profound grief that many experience, particularly around the anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy. It recognizes the pressure to be happy amidst personal loss and heartache. The speaker grapples with traditional religious explanations for suffering, offering a contrasting perspective of a God present in empathy and comfort rather than divine intervention. The message emphasizes finding personal paths to solace during difficult times, focusing on love and connection as sources of strength. It reframes the holiday wish as a hope for “loving holidays,” prioritizing love and remembrance over superficial cheer. Ultimately, the sermon offers a message of hope and resilience, asserting that even in the darkest times, light and love will return.

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The Fifth Precept and the Twelve Steps

Summary:

The speaker reflects on the Fifth Precept of Buddhism, which encourages abstaining from intoxicants. Initially finding the precept unimportant, recent family struggles with addiction have changed the speaker’s perspective. The speaker combines Buddhist teachings with statistical data on alcohol and drug use, highlighting the pervasiveness of addiction in society, especially among young people, while also noting addiction’s impact on the abuser and those around them. They discuss the concept of addiction and contrast with the cultural acceptance of substance use. Ultimately, the speaker advocates for compassion and awareness, urging a reevaluation of societal norms surrounding intoxicants and sharing details of a documentary to promote understanding and support for those in recovery.

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Another Side of Thanksgiving

Summary:

This sermon presentation examines the traditional Thanksgiving narrative, contrasting it with the harsh realities faced by both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. It highlights the complexities of the “first Thanksgiving,” emphasizing the pre-existing relationships between Europeans and Native Americans, and the subsequent devastation wrought by disease and conflict. The speaker encourages listeners to remember not only the joys associated with the holiday, but also to confront the historical injustices perpetrated against Native Americans. It challenges listeners to acknowledge the “other side of Thanksgiving” by considering the sins of our ancestors and working toward reconciliation and justice today. The presentation ultimately promotes a more comprehensive and compassionate understanding of Thanksgiving, one that acknowledges both the blessings and the burdens of the past.

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What Tribe do You Belong To?

Summary:

The sermon explores the human need for belonging and community. It argues that this need is fundamental to personal and spiritual development. The speaker references psychological and spiritual frameworks, such as Maslow’s hierarchy and stages of faith development, to support this idea. The text then applies these concepts to Unitarian Universalism, highlighting its history in aiding fleeing slaves via the Underground Railroad and its modern role as a welcoming community for spiritual seekers. The speaker suggests finding a place in the community is important for individuals because it provides a sense of purpose and connection to the larger world.