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Sermons from The Unitarian Universalist Church-Rockford, Illinois.
Episodes
May 9, 2016
May 9, 2016
22 min
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Reflections on the blessings we receive and give in our "mothering" and "parenting" roles - as mothers, children, fathers, grandparents, mentors, and friends, how can we receive the blessings offered as they are, and offer them to others in return?
May 2, 2016
May 2, 2016
26 min
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Our struggles can lay us low, or they can help us become ourselves. How can we make our struggles into a blessing for our lives? Reflections on the story of Jacob at the Jabbock, the meaning of a blessing offered after struggle, and what we call ourselves.
Apr 25, 2016
Apr 25, 2016
17 min
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Reflections on creation spirituality and how understanding the science and sacredness of the universe and the earth can change our lives and save our world.
Apr 19, 2016
Apr 19, 2016
43 min
Rev. Erik Carlson
Rev. Erik Carlson shares a reflection on the theology of ecology and our sacred duty to serve the whole of Creation, including ourselves.
Apr 19, 2016
Apr 19, 2016
9 min
Rev. Erik Carlson
Rev. Erik Carlson shares a reflection on the theology of ecology and our sacred duty to serve the whole of Creation, including ourselves.
Apr 11, 2016
Apr 11, 2016
31 min
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
We celebrate the power of the arts - visual, musical, written, etc. - to connect us to the holy, to each other, to our deepest selves - and to change the world.
Apr 4, 2016
Apr 4, 2016
24 min
Intern Minister Michelle Lattanzio
Michelle talks about being a people of creation through narrative and story. She examines the ways in which we create our personal and cultural worlds through telling stories. Stories have great power: power to create, and power to destroy. As Tim O'Brien has said, "But this too is true: stories can save us."
Mar 28, 2016
Mar 28, 2016
20 min
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
We celebrate Easter, and new beginnings. The mornings brings a new day - a symbol of possibility, hope, and a clean slate. What does it mean to embrace the new day of our lives? Where can we find hope when times are hard, and when some things in our lives and our world seem so messed up?
Mar 21, 2016
Mar 21, 2016
22 min
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
All people, in different ways, suffer. Religions and theologies explain the meaning of this suffering in a variety of different ways - some of which are helpful, and others, I will argue, which are deeply troubling. A celebration of human worth and liberation and a case against "redemptive suffering."
Mar 14, 2016
Mar 14, 2016
29 min
Julie Brock
Racism affects all of us. It hurts those of us who experience violence and isolation due to systemic racism. It hurts those of us who attempt to stand in solidarity with people of color as we witness wounding, mess up ourselves, and strive to figure out our place in the struggle. It also deeply harms those who intentionally perpetuate racism. Whose soul can be healthy while harboring hate?
But how does racism form in our spirit? Can the strength of religious connection, spiritual growth, and the redemptive power of community tend to our spirits while living in a world where some lives matter more than others?
Julie Brock is a candidate for ministry and the Unitarian Universalist intern minister at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Madison, Wisconsin. Julie has deep roots in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan and has been a leader in young adult ministry across the country. Her faith is rooted in love, compassion and radical acceptance. Her ministry is rooted in social justice and the nurturing of community.