Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's Podcast

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...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Darrick Jackson on July 29, 2018. How do we survive in this changing world? What gives us the strength to keep going, to fight for justice, to be better human beings? Rev. Darrick Jackson is the Director of Education of the UU Ministers Association. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Meadville Lombard Theological School and one of the authors in the book "Centering: N...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on July 22, 2018. Rev. Gage shares that if you're paying attention at all to the news these days, it's hard not to feel disoriented. To me, anyway, it feels like so much is in question. So much is up in the air. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. And sometimes I try and remind myself of that Sun Tzu saying about how in the midst of chaos,...

Reflections offered by congregants Emma Farrell and Alice Ocrey and Rev. Kellie Kelly on July 15, 2018. As part of this Unity Temple Mental Health Awareness Team (MyHAT) service, Emma, Alice and Kellie share how mental illness has touched their lives in the hopes that sharing their stories will help reduce the stigma, increase our understanding and encourage support. The theme for July is what it...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Meg Riley on July 8, 2018. Some stories comfort us with familiarity; others surprise us as they evolve before our eyes. Improvisation, which may appear to go "anywhere" is governed by consistent guidelines which allow evolving stories to be strong, focussed and interesting. How could those practices serve us in everyday life? Meg Riley currently serves as Senior Minister o...

Sermon delivered by Unity Temple congregant and lay leader Chuck Ruth on July 1, 2018. Becoming more conscious is the spiritual imperative of our time. Chuck shares what this means for us and the wider world. The theme for July is what it means to be a people of story. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections  on our websit...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Amy Shaw on June 24, 2018. Unitarian Universalism has a message of good news for the world, and it is too big not to share. Come and join Rev. Shaw as we explore hope and agency in troubled times, and our role in spreading the Word. Rev. Amy Shaw is the settled minister at Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church in Hartland, WI. She was born and raised in Kentucky, and...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Kellie Kelly on June 17, 2018. Rev. Kellie Kelly serves as our Sabbatical Pastoral Care Minister. Many of us live in the future, thinking that we can make time to be joyful once this big stressor, crisis, or change is over. Rev. Kellie reminds us to come back to the present and make time now - make time to savor the mess, to celebrate the mess, to enjoy the mess - to bless...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Dorothy Emerson on June 10, 2018. The 1960s introduced many cultural changes that still influence us today as we continue to struggle with issues of freedom, equality, peace and love. What can we learn from this era about the challenges of creating a culture based on Unitarian Universalist values and principles? The Rev. Dr. Dorothy May Emerson is a semi-retired Unitar...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on June 3, 2018. Rev. Gage says, "Once I start thinking about what some of my favorite things are, the easier it is to think about other ones. That's one of the great things about noticing your blessings: Once you start practicing, you get to be better and better at it. Kind of like most things. There are always, always blessings al...

Sermon delivered by Dr. Michelle Lattanzio on May 27, 2018. Dr. Lattanzio is currently serving as a Hospice Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator in Skokie, IL. Michelle is in Preliminary Fellowship with the UUA and is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School. She holds a PhD in English from the University of South Florida and taught undergraduate classes at USF. She frequently present...

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on May 20, 2018. The tricky part about parenting (or just working with young people) is that it involves other people. People who have their own ideas about who they are and how they want to be in this world. Which is all fine and good and all that. That's the way it should be. Except that sometimes those ideas aren't the ideas that...

This service from May 13, 2018 was created and presented by the high school youth group and celebrates the seniors who are "bridging" to adulthood. The podcast begins with an introduction and reflections from Heather Godbout, UTUUC's Youth Coordinator. Following that, the seniors present their bridging talks written for the service. In order, they are Declan Cawley, Kelsey Libert, Joey Pintozzi, C...