UUFairfax Sermons

Whether we call it spiritual or not, Rev. David Miller invites us to move beyond words into understanding the concept that spirituality is about the connection, meaning, understanding, and transformation that results from attending intentionally and deeply to our lives - the things that fill us with the breath of life.

Faced with all that technology can do in this moment and is likely to be able to do in the near future, guest minister Rev. Rebecca Benner suggests that our Unitarian Universalist values call us to ask these questions: Who do we want to be? How do we want to spend our limited time? What do we value and why? What will help us become most fully ourselves? Full service rebroadcasts: Sun-Tue, 7pm, uuc...

The constant drip of hate, fear, misinformation, gaslighting, and scapegoating have grown into an infection of dehumanization and intimidation, says Senior Minister Rev. David Miller. So, it's time to treat the disease with the strong immune boosting medicines of truth, inclusion, hope, involvement, and love.

At a time when Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's legacy and the true history of this country are under constant assault, Senior Minister Rev. David Miller and Pat Jackson from the Fairfax NAACP underscore the importance of honoring Rev. King's legacy by continuing to share the stories, actions, and work that will ultimately lead to beloved community. Full service rebroadcast, including music, Mon...

In this time of heartbreaking lies, delusion, and denial, Rev. David Miller asks us to practice resistance by continually speaking the truth and supporting each other in building and rebuilding hope.

Because conflict is an inevitable part of our shared humanity, guest minister Rev. Jessica James invites us to explore restorative justice practices as compassionate and transformative ways of meeting and healing conflict in a hurting world. Full service rebroadcasts Mon & Tue, 7pm, uucf.org/streaming .

Guest ministers Rev. Dr. Wayne Arnason and Rev. Kathleen Rolenz explored the "four kinds of forever" - from Brenda Hillman's poem - and what they teach us about time, connection, and legacy in our fleeting lives. Full service rebroadcast Mon & Tue, 7pm, uucf.org/streaming.

Rev. David Miller asks, What are the promises and intentions of us as Unitarian Universalists? These times are asking more from us, including proclaiming to the wider world an alternative to religions that preach the gospel of fear and hate of others. Unitarian universalism is a house of hope that can be a life-affirming force for good. A saving message for a hurting world and a religion for our t...

As Unitarian Universalists, we talk about love being at the center of who we are. So how do we reconcile that with the need to guard ourselves against the exploitation, pain, and injustice in this world? Guest minister Rev. Rebecca Benner explores the challenges of balancing open heartedness with guardedness. Full service rebroadcasts Sun-Tue, 7pm, uucf.org/streaming.

On Sunday, UUCF’s choir lifted up Spencer LaJoye’s Plowshare Prayer, a song that invites us into a timely Thanksgiving question: Who is welcome at our tables? Rev. David Miller reminds us that our UU commitments to love, justice, and compassion urge us to expand our circle of care to include those who have been forced to the margins. Full service rebroadcast Sun-Tue, 7pm: uucf.org/streaming. Plows...

If the defining element of a faith is a daily practice or discipline of some kind, what is that practice for Unitarian Universalists? Rev. David Miller refers to the words of Rev. Galen Guengerich and proposes that practice could be Gratitude. He also proposes that living into that practice can lead us toward fostering a more loving, compassionate world. Full service rebroadcasts Sun-Tue 7pm at uu...

Starting with a retelling of the classic story - The Emperor's New Clothes - Guest Minister Rev. Kathleen Rolenz invites us to explore the role of the truth tellers in our lives, our communities and in our country. Full service rebroadcast Mon & Tue 7pm at uucf.org/streaming.

At some point we will all be ancestors. What will our descendants think of our legacy when they look back on this time? Let's double down on love, compassion, kindness, and service - all necessary to build connection and meaning in this world.

At a time of substantial compassion deficits, how do Unitarian Universalists define and live the value of compassion? Rev. David Miller offers a definition that puts compassion into action - recognizing need and suffering in ourselves and others and working to alleviate it. 

Greed. Ignorance. Anger. They are all - according to Buddhist wisdom - monkeys on our backs. And they are all being fed and celebrated by people in power. So how do we shake these monkeys off our backs and try to live instead with compassion? Guest minister Rev. Dr. Wayne Arnason shares some antidotes.

Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith versus a faith based on creed or doctrine. Our religious practice is based on choosing to be together as we work in the world to build beloved community. It's a living, breathing, aspiration made every day. But what does it look like in our individual and congregational life? Rev. David Miller offers context and perspective. 

At the heart of this Unitarian Universalist faith tradition - based on the evolving understanding of who we are, and firmly expressed in UU values and principles - we are the people of inclusion, not exclusion. That means that we want to have a world in which we can find a way to live together. So, the question is? What are we going to do about our deep disagreements and divisions?

Rev. David Miller invites us to think of ourselves as weavers. "There are and will continue to be real and vitally important opportunities for us to weave. Some will be slow weaving of a beautiful and diverse tapestry. But others may be driven by a rip that needs immediate attention." None of us can weave alone. The need is too big, and we are all needed to connect the threads.

As UUCF and other Unitarian Universalist congregations start a new year with an Ingathering service, is this the time for a renewal of the term “movement” for Unitarian Universalists for this time and these circumstances - a movement of true solidarity with UU values and with each other. Full service rebroadcast, including music: Sun-Tue, 7pm. uucf.org/streaming.

Sermon by Social Justice Coordinator Andrew Batcher: As Unitarian Universalists we put love at the center. Sometimes that means being brave. Bravery might mean protesting in the streets. It might mean caring for loved ones through hard times. It might mean speaking your mind when it's unpopular. In times of fear, our congregation can provide spiritual sustenance through supporting each other to ta...

The broad concepts of Love can be hard to define, but the love of and for our animal companions - while challenging at times - shows us how tangible and evident love can be. More from Rev. Rebecca Benner at UUCF's Animal Blessing service. Full service rebroadcast, Sun-Tue 7pm: uucf.org/streaming.

Senior Minister Rev. David Miller proposes that in Unitarian Universalism, the spiritual and political are intertwined. If we care about the spirit, we cannot avoid concern with the here and now. The healing inside and the healing of the world are wrapped up in one another. Full service rebroadcast Sun-Tue, 7pm, uucf.org/streaming.

As he does each summer, UUCF's Senior Minister Rev. David Miller takes the congregation's questions about Unitarian Universalism, UUCF, and spirituality during the worship service.