Service

A Ship of Dreams

This church building stands here because a small group of people had a dream they achieved through patient perseverance enduring challenges we can never understand. What is their lesson to us today?

Service

A Ship of Dreams

This church building stands here because a small group of people had a dream they achieved through patient perseverance enduring challenges we can never understand. What is their lesson to us today?

Service

A Place of Dreams and Hopes

This sermon interweaves Langston Hughes’s poem “Freedom’s Plow” with a historical narrative centered on the founding of Mount Olive Methodist Episcopal Church by formerly enslaved people in Gleedsville. The poem and the recounted history illustrate the enduring dream of freedom and equality in America, highlighting the arduous journey from slavery to building a community rooted in faith and self-determination. Despite facing immense challenges and the horrors of slavery, these individuals chose hope and worked diligently to establish their own lives, families, and a place of worship. The speaker emphasizes the resilience, strength, and forward-looking spirit of the formerly enslaved, contrasting historical victimization with their powerful pursuit of the American dream.

Service

Hospitality

Summary:

This sermon explores the concept of hospitality, contrasting social hospitality with a deeper, religiously rooted spiritual hospitality. It traces the evolution of hospitality from ancient religious practices emphasizing welcoming strangers to contemporary applications. The speaker argues that true hospitality involves embracing inclusivity and challenging the fear of the unknown. The core message suggests widening our circle of compassion and recognizing our interconnectedness with all beings. The speaker also proposes two different levels of hospitality, both micro and macro, which help individuals understand the different ways hospitality can be applied in one’s daily life. Ultimately, the sermon promotes hospitality as a transformative practice that fosters understanding and challenges personal boundaries to create more harmonious communities.

Service

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.

Service

How Are The Children

Summary:

This sermon from a Unitarian Universalist church service questions the purpose and effectiveness of their religious education program. The speaker uses anecdotes and rhetorical questions to encourage congregation members to reflect on their roles in nurturing children’s spiritual growth. The sermon highlights the importance of community support for parents and emphasizes the need to prioritize children’s well-being, drawing parallels to the Maasai culture’s emphasis on children. The speaker proposes concrete actions for improvement, focusing on active engagement with children and fostering a supportive environment.