Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's Podcast

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....

Sermon delivered by Andrew Harvey on June 30, 2019. Andrew Harvey has spent 40 years devoting himself to the Rumi Renaissance and to Rumi as the prophet of love of the new universal mysticism. And now, he focuses his passion on the other great universal mystical poet, Kabir the powerful poet of India, loved by Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs but whose vision of the One transcends all religions. In this...

Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on June 23, 2019. In the month of beauty, we are trying to find the beauty in the world, which we can often find in nature. Here, Zsolt raises awareness that the beauty of nature - like the coral reefs, forests and islands - will no longer be observed by the next generations if we are not listening to the climate scientists and we are not hearing th...

This sermon from June 16, 2019 consists of addresses from three UTUUC members who are also fathers. Andrew Thompson, Michael Weekes and Terry Grace share their different perspectives as fathers of preschool, elementary school and adult age children, respectively. The theme for June is how do we lead a life of beauty? To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/...

Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on June 9, 2019. There is beauty everywhere, we just need to observe it. Zsolt reflects on cultural differences in social media use, on how we can observe beauties in the outside world, and our inner world, even in times of sorrow. He also provides his understanding of Pentecost. The theme for June is how do we lead life of beauty? To read about our...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on June 2, 2019. Blaise Pascal wrote: "In difficult times, carry something beautiful in your heart." This sermon considers the beautiful things we carry in our hearts and encounters Emerson, Career Day and youth group trips along the way. The theme for June is how do we lead life of beauty? To read about our theme-based ministry, pl...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Brian Sauder on May 26, 2019. In this message, UT member Scott Metzger talks about his work with the Eco Justice Faith in Action Team. Then, Rev. Sauder explores the theme of curiosity and courage by sharing more about his journey in growing the impact of Faith in Place alongside diverse faith communities such as Unity Temple. Rev. Sauder is the President & Executive Direc...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on May 19, 2019 as part of this worship for all ages. An ode to dandelions, being who you are, and blooming where you're planted. A homily for Flower Communion. The theme for May is what it means to be a people of curiosity. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-conne...

This service from May 12, 2019 was created and presented by the Unity Temple Youth Group as part of the high school seniors' Bridging Ceremony. Youth Coordinator Heather Godbout introduces the service. The three graduating seniors then give their bridging talks followed by remarks from Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage. In order, the seniors speaking are Matthew Layden, Elise Miedlar a...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on May 5, 2019. When we are called to be a people of curiosity, we don't just share in each others' interests, we are called to be open to who we are and who we are becoming, in the fullest sense of the word. When we show curiosity about one another, we are often building and strengthening relationships. And when we seek out others'...

This worship service from April 28, 2019 was created and presented by participants in our Coming of Age program. These ninth graders spent the year exploring their Unitarian Universalist identity, history, spirituality, their feelings and their beliefs. Their work culminates in this worship service where each delivers a personal credo statement that they have developed. Minister of Faith Developme...

This worship service from April 28, 2019 was created and presented by participants in our Coming of Age program. These ninth graders spent the year exploring their Unitarian Universalist identity, history, spirituality, their feelings and their beliefs. Their work culminates in this worship service where each delivers a personal credo statement that they have developed. Minister of Faith Developme...

This Easter sermon was delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on April 21, 2019. Rev. Gage shares, "We are exploring the theme of Wholeness this April at Unity Temple. As I consider the Easter story with this lens—the whole of the Easter story--not just the Sunday morning rising up part, but that which precedes it—it reminds me to honor and celebrate all of who we are. All of i...