Sermons

Embracing Humility: Willing Love

March 17, 2024
Aimee K. Bryant, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Debuque, Rev. Ashley Harness, Rev. Jen Crow

The Christian Easter story, a vibrant pastiche woven from a tapestry of ancient traditions such as the Osiris myth, serves as a profound backdrop for this Sunday’s series at First Universalist. We delve into the universal themes of birth, loss, and rebirth that have resonated through the ages, exploring how these narratives illuminate the shared human experiences that bind us together. This exploration is an invitation to celebrate life, navigate through loss, and find collective resurgence in the healing of broken hearts and the unity forged from shared meals. Drawing from bell hooks’ wisdom that “Love is an act of will—namely, both an intention and an action,” we engage with the transformative act of choosing love, a cornerstone in building the Beloved Community we envision. As we embrace this month’s theme of humility, we are called to reflect on our individual needs within the vast expanse of community life. Join us at First Universalist this Sunday for a journey that promises to deepen our collective wisdom, cultivate understanding and love, and reinforce our community’s bonds. This series is not just a retelling of age-old stories but a dynamic engagement with the themes that have shaped humanity’s spiritual journey across millennia.

Join us for worship this Sunday, March 17, at 9 and 11 a.m. as we explore our monthly theme, “Expressing Humility.”
In person at 9 a.m.
In person and livestreamed at 11 a.m.

Watch the livestream on Zoom or YouTube Live. You can find the digital Order of Service here. The recording is available for on-demand streaming on our YouTube channel immediately after the service ends.

Zoom webinar ID: 861 805 984

Offering:

Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start:  

In person, immediately after worship 

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you! 

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer. 

We host A Place to Start next on April 7 and 21. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

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Embracing Humility, Embracing Growth: The Wisdom of OWL

March 10, 2024
Aimee K. Bryant, Claire Tralle, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Debuque, Rev. Jen Crow

Join us for a transformative service led by our 8th-grade OWL youth, their advisors, and the worship team, as we explore the impactful journey through Our Whole Lives (OWL) program. “Embracing Humility, Fostering Love: Our OWL Journey” promises a heartfelt glimpse into the courageous conversations and learning experiences that shape our community’s approach to sexuality education. Celebrate the insights, growth, and stories of our youth, reinforced by the dedication of our OWL facilitators, embodying the values of respect, relationships, and responsibility.

This service not only highlights the essential role of comprehensive, judgment-free education in empowering individuals but also reaffirms our commitment to inclusivity, social justice, and the UU principles. It’s an invitation to support, engage, and be inspired by the transformative power of OWL, as we continue to weave threads of understanding and compassion within our beloved community. Join us in fostering a future where every conversation is an opportunity for learning, love, and liberation.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

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Expressing Humility: The Lost Art of Sacrifice

March 03, 2024
Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Kathleen Rolenz

As March unfolds, we are thrilled to welcome Rev. Kathleen Rolenz to our congregation, marking the beginning of a month dedicated to Expressing Humility and exploring how our personal journeys intertwine with the collective needs of our community. Rev. Rolenz, an esteemed voice in Unitarian Universalist ministry and a luminary in crafting worship that resonates deeply with congregants, brings a wealth of experience and insight to First Universalist. Having collaborated with Kathleen during the creation of the second edition of Worship That Works, I am particularly excited about the rich dialogue and exploration her presence promises.

This Sunday, Rev. Rolenz will lead us in contemplating The Lost Art of Sacrifice, a timely reflection as we navigate the solemn periods of Lent and approach Ramadan. In a world often driven by the quest for instant gratification, Kathleen invites us to reconsider sacrifice as a source of spiritual nourishment and unexpected joy. Drawing on her experiences from serving in diverse communities and her profound understanding of liturgy, Kathleen’s sermon promises to be a compelling journey through the complexities of faith, community, and the sacrifices that bind them.

Join us in welcoming Rev. Kathleen Rolenz and immerse yourself in a service that promises not just to explore the depths of humility and sacrifice but also to celebrate the communal spirit that defines our congregation. Let’s gather together to discover the joy and enrichment that humility can bring to our lives and our community.

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

Join us this Sunday, March 3, as we explore our March theme, “Expressing Humility.”

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start – in person, immediately after worship
You can join via zoom after the second service 

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you!

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer.

We host A Place to Start next on March 17 and April 7. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

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The Presence Awakening: Unshackling the Chains of Numbness

February 25, 2024
Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Emberly Hermann-Johnson, Katherine Harrell, Rev. Ashley Harness

This Sunday at First Universalist, we invite you to a special service, “Awakening Presence: A Journey From Numbness to Engagement,” as we explore the transformative power of reconnecting with our emotions and each other. Dive deep into the essence of presence, overcoming the barriers of emotional numbness that hinder our personal growth and communal vitality. Engage in a meaningful exploration of how mindfulness and empathy can not only enrich our personal journeys but also empower our collective commitment to justice and compassion.

As we continue our stewardship campaign, remember that your support breathes life into the heart of our community, helping to revive the emotional nerve endings of our congregation. Join us in fostering a vibrant, engaged, and empathetic community, ready to embrace the full spectrum of life’s experiences together. Your presence and contribution are the keys to unlocking a more present, connected, and lively congregation.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

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Being Present: From Me to We

February 18, 2024

Step into a shared journey, “From Me to We,” this Sunday at 10am. 

In a world that often celebrates the individual, we invite you to explore the strength and beauty of choosing community. This week, we delve into the power of collective action and shared responsibility—a timely reflection in the wake of the pandemic’s challenges. 

Discover how our choices can weave a stronger fabric of support, resilience, and interconnectedness. We’ll explore the transformative potential of moving beyond individualism to embrace the collective—highlighting that our financial contributions are more than just donations; they’re affirmations of our commitment to each other and the world we wish to build together.

Join us for this singular service, where every voice, every contribution, and every heart matters. Together, let’s illuminate the path from ‘me’ to ‘we’ and uncover the real power for social change.

ALL IN: Join us for worship this Sunday, February 18 for a single service at 10 a.m. as we explore our monthly theme, “Being Present.” In person and livestreamed at 10 a.m.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start – in person, immediately after worship

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you! 

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer. 

We host A Place to Start next on March 3 and 17. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

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Being Present: The Love We Make

February 11, 2024
Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Debuque, Rev. Arif Mamdani

How does love find voice breaking from silence and unmasking its truer self? This Sunday, we delve into “Expression of Love: From Silence to Vulnerability.” Through twists and turns of human emotions, the burden of societal norms, and the lens of our digital existence, we explore. Posed with questions of love’s ferocity and authenticity, we ponder even further: How can those of us, unversed in the language of vulnerability, learn to speak it? 

And as this season invites us to consider our stewardship for our community, let us envision our financial contributions as more than monetary, but as meaningful articulations of care that deepen our community bonds. Is there a bridge to be built between open-hearted giving and personal spiritual ascendance? What could a movement for love do with money?

This Sunday, we invite a transformative exploration of love unabashed and free. Amidst this interconnected landscape, we collectively weave a tapestry of honest and vulnerable expressions of love. Let’s journey together in search for understanding. What we discover will surely challenge us to open our hearts and free our hands. Love keeps calling us anyway. Joy is waiting.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

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Tis a Gift to Be Present

February 04, 2024
Aimee K. Bryant, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Nanette Stearns, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Ashley Harness

In a world too often transactional, we’ll explore the transformative power of a gift economy, where joy is the currency we trade and presence is our shared and most precious commodity. When we choose joy, our lifted spirits are just the first palpable sine of a wave that ripples outward in a wash of positive change throughout our whole community and far beyond.

Together, we’ll delve into the sacredness of intentionality in worship, the heartbeats that synchronize when shared narratives bind us, and the art of presence that turns a gathering into a congregation. This service is an invitation to experience the profound joy that arises when we offer our talents, time, and love as gifts to one another—gifts that nurture our communal well-being and empower us to co-create a church that transcends the ordinary. Come, be part of this joyous communion, and let us journey towards a more empathetic and collaborative world, one heartbeat at a time.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start – in person, immediately after worship (option to join via zoom after the second service on the first Sunday of the month)

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 40-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you!

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer.

We host A Place to Start next on February 18 and March 3. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

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Making Space: When Voices Dare to Make Visions

January 28, 2024
Allison Connelly-Vetter, Deb Keller, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Ashley Harness

In the crucible of community, the unique vision of each individual not only reshapes our common goal but experiences a transformation itself. Picture a mosaic, where every piece is indispensable to the whole. Our shared dream materializes as we each offer a piece of our hearts, contributing to a greater design. This dance of unity within individuality beckons you to unearth your unique strengths, to learn how they can enliven our visionary aspirations. It’s about the breathtaking tableau we craft when we are harmonized in purpose and spirit, and how this sense of purpose threads through the tapestry of our everyday existence and builds through us a greater tomorrow. This is our collective mosaic–a pulsing, resonant manifestation of our faith community’s future.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

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Making Space Face to Face

January 21, 2024
Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Ashley Harness

Immerse yourself in this Sunday’s service, a journey into the heart of our interconnectedness. We will ponder the echoes of our third principle, discovering how it nudges us towards a deeper, more mindful communion with ourselves and each other. Prepare to be drawn into the dance of connection, a ballet of souls turning, reaching, growing. Unearth the profound truth that our shared spiritual practices are the glue that binds us into a resilient community. Witness the revelation that our messiahs walk among us, disguised as everyday leaders, ready to shepherd us into a soul-nourishing retreat. This Sunday, we’re not merely gathering – we’re igniting a beacon of blessing, illumination, and inspiration. Join us, and let the dance of turning transform you.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate in the drop-down menu that it’s for the “Offering Plate for the Community” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering.

Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start – in person, immediately after worship
Are you new or new-ish to First Universalist and wondering where to begin? Here’s “A Place to Start!” Whether you’re simply curious or are considering making this your spiritual home, in this casual, 45-minute class, you’ll learn some of the basics of Unitarian Universalism, as well as how to get connected to what you’re seeking here at church. Meet at the front of the sanctuary immediately after the service on a first or third Sunday.

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer.

We host A Place to Start next on Feb. 4 and 18. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

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Making Space to Remember and Revive

January 14, 2024
Paolo Debuque, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Ashley Harness

As winter’s stillness permeates our lives, we gather this Sunday for our annual Service of Remembrance, a sacred ceremony to honor those who have transitioned from our physical realm. Coupled with this, we also pay homage to the indomitable spirit of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., inviting you to embrace the complex and demanding truth of his message beyond his popular portrayal. Through the ritual of candlelight, naming, and remembering, we keep the glow of their values and dreams alive, mirroring the humanist manifestation of eternal life.

In making space for these memories, we are reminded of our shared responsibility in creating and embodying legacy. As we honor Dr. King and our loved ones, we not only acknowledge their impact but also ignite the path for those to come. This act of remembering and making space, allows us to honor the fullness of each other’s stories. Let’s come together this Sunday, to remember, honor, and recommit to this transformative work of making space.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

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Highlighted Events