November 18, 2018
The unifying themes of this program are justice, love, learning and hope. The messages come from sermons and readings from Unitarian-Universalist sources. The program title comes from a beloved Unitarian-Universalist hymn, “Spirit of Life,” which includes the words, “Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion” and “Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.”
Reinhold Niebuhr’s “Serenity Prayer" is the subject of a sermon by the Rev. Roger Jones on this week's program.
Commentary
Written by Orlando Montoya
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to take the time to thank those of you who see me as I see myself. That’s not easy to do, considering that I don’t even know how I see myself sometimes. But at least you know where I work. It’s been four years since I worked for another radio station. And still people, like last week, tell me how they hear me on that radio station and how they love listening to me there. It’s like someone complimenting an ex, years after you broke up. People see you as your ex. I’m also aware that this, the most annoying form of misidentification of me, is nothing like the misidentification that many other people endure to a far more disrespectful and dangerous degree. This week also brings us Transgender Remembrance Day, honoring those killed for being seen as someone other than how they see themselves. I looked up the list of names to be read at this year’s memorials and it was heart-breaking. I had no idea how many there were, page after page of names of people shot, stabbed, suffocated and beaten. Trans people, African-American people, foreigners. It’s a dangerous time to be seen as someone other than how you see yourself. And how do you see yourself? Well, as I said, that can be hard to express at times. But I know this. You’re human. That means you’re beautiful. You’re worthy of all the best this life has to offer. Thank you for being yourself. Thank you for letting me be myself. And maybe this Thanksgiving, as you gather again with folks you think you know, ask them, in some way, by some dialog, by some activity, to paint you a picture of their beautiful, worthy beings and be thankful they did so.
Sermon
“The Serenity Prayer” (8/26/18)
Rev. Roger Jones
Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
Sermon
“Factions We Love” (11/4/18)
Rev. Gretchen Haley
Foothills Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Collins, Colorado
Sermon
TBD
Sermon
TBD
UUA Principles and Sources
Our liberal faith as defined by the Unitarian Universalist Association
UUA Statements
Messages from the Unitarian Universalist Association
Natural Silence
Used by permission of ListeningEarth.com
Braver Wiser
Used by permission of Braver Wiser, a publication of the Unitarian-Universalist Association
Quest Monthly
Used by permission of Quest Monthly, a publication of the Church of the Larger Fellowship
World Religions
Written by Orlando Montoya
Interfaith Calendar
Written by Orlando Montoya
UU FAQ
Written by John Sias from interviews with Rev. Steve Edington
Published by the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua, NH
