Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's Podcast

This podcast from December 22, 2019 begins with a story for all ages read by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage. The book is My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel .  She follows the story with her sermon about how sometimes things don't turn out the way we plan. The theme for December is what it means to be a people of awe. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on December 15, 2019. Reflecting on the teachings and life of Rabbi Abraham Heschel, Rev. Taylor considers our culture's need to engage in more awe-robics. The theme for December is what it means to be a people of awe. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.

On Sunday, December 8, 2019 the Unity Temple Choir, soloists and the Bach Baroque Chamber Orchestra presented the Bach Magnificat in D major. This, one of J.S Bach's most performed works, features five soloists and a five part chorus, beginning and ending with exciting and challenging choral movements. Bach, a master in setting Biblical texts, has crafted a work that shows wonderful attention to t...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on December 1, 2019. Reflecting on the Advent story, Rev. Taylor explores Mary's courage and what sustains her. Are there two angels in the story? Will we step forth like Mary and will we provide the blessing of sanctuary to others? The theme for December is what it means to be a people of awe. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visi...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Fev. Emily Gage on November 24, 2019. In her reflection on paying attention, Emily includes the Museum of Science and Industry, William Carlos Williams, stories about mice and Thanksgiving.  The theme for November is what it means to be a people of attention. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.

Sermon delivered on November 17, 2019 by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor. Often evil is hard to pin down but the impacts of evil are very clear. As evil is human-created hell for other people through either personal action or the structures of society, it matters that we pay attention or else our lack of attention and silence shall allow evil to flourish. The theme for November is what it means t...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on November 10, 2019. During low tide, so much becomes revealed that is typically hidden. Rev. Taylor reflects on the low tide of the soul—challenging times in our lives that especially call for our attention. What does this mean for us as individuals and a wider community? The theme for November is what it means to be a people of attention. To...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on November 3, 2019. What is calling for your attention? Rev. Taylor reflects on how easy it is for our technology to focus our attention to the point that we are no longer attending to what is truly important. The theme for November is what it means to be a people of attention. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.un...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on October 27, 2019. Who are your cloud of witnesses? Have you ever thought about how you are among the cloud of witnesses for others? Rev. Taylor reflects on the wisdom of remembering—remembering those who have gone before us and those who are in need of support. The theme for October is what it means to be a people of belonging. To read about...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Scott Aaseng on October 20, 2019. Crises like the ones we're facing call for radical action. Not necessarily more extreme action, but radical in the sense of addressing the roots of these crises. One of the most radical actions we can take is to talk – and listen – to our neighbors. Rev. Scott Aaseng is the Executive Director of the UU Advocacy Network of IL (UUANI). UUANI...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on October 13, 2019. I hope that each of you can tell a story that helps to answer the question, "Whose are we?" That, at a time when you were in trouble, or grieving, or hurt, you looked around you, and you knew that you were not alone. That you were held by people who loved you for all of who you are. The theme for October is what...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on October 6, 2019. Reflecting on the life work of Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche communities, and Brene Brown's distinction between "fitting in" and "belonging," Rev. Taylor finds the Jewish High Holy Days an apt time to explore the relationship between community and forgiveness. The theme for October is what it means to be a people of bel...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on September 29, 2019. Certain expectations make it possible for us to live in community. What expectations do we have of one another as a religious community as we look toward our future? The theme for September is what it means to lead a life of expectation. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on September 22, 2019. "Expect nothing," Alice Walker writes. "Live frugally on surprise." By this, Rev. Gage takes Walker to mean that we should be open to whatever happens, that we should let ourselves be surprised by what comes our way. Don't get weighed down by expectations—don't spend your time thinking about what might happen...

Sermon delivered by Mony Ruiz-Velasco on September 15, 2019. Mony Ruiz-Velasco is an immigration lawyer, an organizer, and the executive director of Proyecto Accion de Suburba Oestas (PASO) or the Western Suburbs Action Project, an immigration rights organization that is centered in Melrose Park. Mony works to combine legal and organizing efforts to advocate on behalf of immigrant rights and socia...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on September 8, 2019. Rev. Taylor launches our year-long exploration of "Welcoming All," sharing some of the responses from a recent congregational survey about Welcoming All. He shares how we are aiming to create spaces of grace where we can listen and share deeply. The theme for September is what it means to lead a life of expectation. To read...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on September 1, 2019. When visiting the Cesar Chavez National Monument, Rev. Alan Taylor discovered a profound connection to the grape strike of 1965-1971 and connects lessons from the collaboration between Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez with the current work of Arise Chicago.  The theme for September is how do we lead a life of expectation? To...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on August 25, 2019. In a short reflection for Homecoming Sunday, Rev. Taylor reflects on how being present to our discomfort and the discomfort of others can lead us to deeper peace and joy. The theme for August is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.

This podcast from August 18, 2019 includes messages from Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes upon finishing his internship and Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor upon returning from the second half of his sabbatical. This Sunday's service celebrated UTUUC's Homecoming Sunday and the annual Water Communion ritual. As we say farewell to Zsolt Elekes as he returns home to Transylvania, he shares what he has g...

Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on August 11, 2019. Zsolt's sermon focuses on the global mission of Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism. As he is delivering his last sermon as Intern Minister at our congregation, he underlines the importance of global partnership in faith. It is important in ages when walls are built that we build bridges that connect our faith across the ocea...

Sermon delivered by Scott Stabile on August 4, 2019. Scott Stabile is a writer and speaker. He presents daylong empowerment workshops nationally and internationally as an advocate for Love! He has a huge and devoted social media following. He is the author of  Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart  and  Just Love . Learn more at  www.scottstabile.com. The theme for July is how do we...

This podcast from the July 28, 2019 worship service consists of personal reflections by five UTUUC members on their experiences participating in the Beloved Conversations program. In order of presentation, the members are Emma Farrell, Magane Koshimura, Sarah Harmon, Chuck Ruth and Stephanie Kiesling. Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage offers introductory thoughts. Beloved Conversations...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on July 21, 2019. Lots was happening in 1969, including an uprising at a gay bar called the Stonewall in Greenwich Village, which may mark the beginning of the gay civil rights movement. What exactly happened that night? What does it mean for us today? The theme for July is how do we lead a life of presence? To read about our theme-...

This sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on July 14 is a compilation of questions asked by those attending worship that day. Questions were written during the service, categorized by a congregation member and selected as representative of that category. As a way of being fully present with the congregation, Zsolt answered the questions extemporaneously as he read them. The theme for J...

Sermon delivered by Pastor Danny Givens on July 7, 2019. Danny Givens is a heartfelt activist and orator who received a life changing gift of forgiveness from an off-duty police officer he shot during a botched robbery in 1996. Propelled by forgiveness, Danny began his journey toward reconciliation and resiliency prior to his release from incarceration in 2008. He later went on to receive his B.A....