Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's Podcast

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on January 13, 2019. What if hope is a state of the mind rather than a state of the world? Then hope is not the same thing as optimism nor the conviction that something will turn out well but that something makes sense. Rev. Taylor explores how this kind of hope makes way for possibility. The theme for January is what it means to be a people of...

Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on January 5, 2019. Zsolt shares stories on what it means for him to be a liberal Christian and possibilities for us all to do the work of justice, love and compassion in 2019. The theme for January is what it means to be a people of possibility. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-...

Sermon delivered by Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on December 30, 2019. Zsolt shares his thoughts about the importance of the Christmas story and the importance of continuing to do the work usually done just around Christmas. The theme for December is what it means to be a people of mystery. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-conn...

Homily delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2018.  The theme for December is what it means to be a people of mystery. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on December 23, 2018. Things happen like that, sometimes. We're just going about our daily business, and then boom--our hearts crack open and our worlds become bigger, and suddenly there's more good all around us. The theme for December is what it means to be a people of mystery. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit ...

This service from December 16, 2018 features the Unity Temple Choir under the direction of Music Director Marty Swisher performing "Luminous Night of the Soul" by Ola Gjeilo, accompanied by pianist Peter Storms and assisted by a string quartet . Reflections by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor and Marty Swisher precede the musical offering. The theme for December is what it means to be a people of...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on December 9, 2018. What meaning does Hanukkah have for us today, especially in the wake of emerging hateful incidents? Rev. Taylor explores this question through story, poetry, and reflection.  The theme for December is what it means to be a people of mystery. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/fai...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on December 2, 2018. Howard Thurman calls us to listen for the sound of the genuine as our one true guide. During this Advent sermon, Rev. Taylor reflects on the importance of taking pause to wait and listen, to enter that place of mystery where the divine is waiting to be born and reborn in our lives. The theme for December is what it means to...

Sermon delivered by Ministerial Intern Zsolt Elekes on November 25, 2018. Zsolt briefly relays the history of the 450-year old Transylvanian Unitarian Church and their struggle with being a theologically liberal religious institution in a more conservative society. He shares what he learned from its history that can help us find the hope and faith necessary for our future mission and being in this...

Reflection delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on November 18, 2018. Linda Hogan reminds us: "Suddenly, all my ancestors are behind me. 'Be Still,' they say. 'Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.' Thoughts on memory, Thanksgivings pasts, and the practice of gratitude in hard times. The theme for November is what it means to be a people of memory. To...

Sermon delivered by SeniorMinister Rev. Alan Taylor on November 11, 2018. On Veterans Day and the centennial of the end of World War I, Rev. Taylor reflects on trauma, recovery and how we all might cope and respond.  The theme for November is what it means to be a people of memory. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on November 4, 2018. Which of the two wolves will we feed—the one of fear and hatred or the one of love and connection? Rev. Taylor reflects on how hate is a not an answer to hate.  The theme for November is what it means to be a people of memory. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on October 28, 2018. Rev. Gage shares that "if your social media feed is anything like mine, there's a series of truly frightening happenings in our world, things that seem big and insurmountable, one after another and another.... And also in my social media feed, there are glimmers of good news--seemingly tiny things that shine lik...

Sermon delivered by our Intern Minister Zsolt Elekes on October 21, 2018. Zsolt shares his experiences of showing up the first time in the United States from Transylvania and how we all are responsible for sharing our own stories and being a welcoming community. The theme for October is what it means to be a people of sanctuary. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unit...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on October 14, 2018. We are capable of creating sanctuary for one another through kindness. The theme for October is what it means to be a people of sanctuary. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections .

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on October 7, 2018. How can tolerance and intolerance co-exist? Rev. Taylor suggests that tolerance is the virtue that makes peace possible and reflects on the challenges of embodying tolerance in this time of intense polarization and intolerance. The theme for October is what it means to be a people of sanctuary. To read about our theme-based m...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on September 30, 2018. If we consider vision as "looking forward together," there is much to reflect on from where this congregation has come and now where it is going, especially in light of toxic masculinity promoted in the halls of power. The theme for September is what it means to be a people of vision. To read about our theme-based ministry...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on September 23, 2018. "Often the most challenged books are the stories that need to be heard the most," they muse on bannedbooksweek.org . Reflections on banned books week, the silencing of stories and why what we share and how we listen matters.  The theme for September is what it means to be a people of vision. To read about our ...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on September 16, 2018. Reflecting on the wisdom of the Jewish High Holy Days, Rev. Taylor explores the nature of forgiveness and provides a contemporary and compelling understanding of atonement. The theme for September is what it means to be a people of vision. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/fai...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on September 9, 2018. What goes into becoming a people of vision, especially when we as human beings are prone to significant blind spots? Reflecting on the documentary America to Me, Rev. Taylor reflects on how we strengthen our muscle of hope as we seek to cultivate our vision of the Beloved Community. The theme for September is what it means...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on September 2, 2018. "Before you tell your life what you are going to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you." Rev. Taylor reflects on the modesty of his grandfather's life in light of Parker Palmer's reflections on vocation. The theme for September is what it means to be a people of vision. To read about our theme-based ministry...

This podcast from August 26, 2018 begins with an introduction to the UTUUC Water Communion ceremony included during each Homecoming Sunday which kicks off the new church year. The introduction is shared by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor, who is returning from a four-month sabbatical, and Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage. Rev. Taylor follows that with a brief reflection for this wors...

Reflections in this podcast from worship on August 19, 2018 were given by congregation members and Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor who participated in the Beloved Conversations program. In order, they are Marsha Borders, Ann Cooke, Jennifer Evans, Elizabeth Freeland, John Freeland and Rev. Alan Taylor. Beloved Conversations is an experiential curriculum that provides a space to re-form/fuse the b...

Reflections delivered on August 12, 2018 by Rev. Scott Aaseng and Rev. Karen Mooney, Elise Miedlar and Frankie Tilbrook. The world is in need of our many hands doing the work of justice. But what is it that we are building as we work? Leaders of three UU justice organizations in Illinois will share their perspectives: Rev. Karen Mooney, Director of the UU Prison Ministry of IL (UUPMI), Rev. Scott...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield on August 5, 2018. We look for voyages - great journeys that give meaning to our lives. But meaning is made in relationship. Sometimes with snakes. Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield is the Program Director for the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation (ISEIF), helping to originate and manage the grants function since 2013. She brings to ISEIF her...