Speaker: Rev. Dan King

Our departing Minister shares personal reflections about the core strengths and persistent issues of our community.

Our Minister shares reflections on how our UU faith has moved beyond dogmatic Christian creeds toward inclusive covenantal relationships embracing diverse spiritual paths.

Our Minister reflects with us on how modern Unitarian & Universalist women are building on their long patterns of prominent leadership in social advancements throughout American history.

Easter: Renewing Life’s Gifts.

Passover – Recognizing the Value of Community

Heretics and radical reformers denied church dogma to nourish the roots of modern Unitarian and Universalist theology. What difference does that make to US, here and now?

The 4th principle of our faith tradition calls upon us to affirm and promote a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” In this Sunday’s service, our Minister asks us to reflect with him on how we might be “responsible” to dispute dogmatic pronouncements and beliefs in “alternative facts”?

We who call ourselves Unitarian Universalists hold ourselves accountable for upholding and promoting certain common principles, including trusting democratic processes, even when it’s difficult. In this week’s worship service, echoing the ancient Jewish tradition of Yom Kippur, our Minister will reflect with us about how we might forgive ourselves for falling short of our highest goals, AND renew our resolve to make optimal ethical choices.

Our Children’s Religious Education curriculum this year will include exploration of selected aspects of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures to offer grounding in the common cultural stories and ethics which are still dominant elements of most of our society.  In this worship service, our Minister will share his own reflections on some historic threads of Unitarians and others who dissented from dogmatic interpretations of that scripture.

Valentine’s Day has become an inescapable tradition in modern times, highlighting how certain romantic ideals are pervasive in our culture. Our Minister asks us to consider some of the reasons for this seasonal observance.

Summary:

This sermon explores the question of love, examining its purpose, underlying mechanisms, and relationship to compassion. It references a contemporary interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13 to define love and explores the neurochemical processes associated with relationship formation, from initial attraction to deep attachment. The speaker cautions that oxytocin, often considered the “love hormone,” can also contribute to prejudice and xenophobia. The central argument is that transcending the potential for hate requires cultivating compassion, especially for those outside our immediate affinity groups, through a mindful meditation exercise.Ultimately, the text posits that compassion, born from recognizing our shared humanity, is the foundation for building meaningful connections and fostering a more inclusive society.