As the dream of world peace once again seems to slip farther away, we can feel frustrated, small, powerless, and frightened. How do we make sense of a world which allows such cruel and unnecessary violence? Join J Sylvan for a meditation on the complex emotions that war can elicit.

Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith. Each congregation creates its own covenant, and members agree to abide by that covenant. But what are the historical and theological roots of the idea of “covenant?” Today we’ll take a look at the concept of “covenant” through the ages as we discover that to be in community with … Continue reading What We Talk About When We Talk About Covenant

During the great Civil Rights movement of the 20th Century, Unitarian Universalists in power fumbled mightily when faced with the chance to support Black leaders. Now, in this renewed Civil Rights moment, how can the lessons of the past teach us as we move forward?

The first Parliament of World Religions at the Chicago World’s Fair was monumental. It was the first time leaders of multiple world faiths convened together to share beliefs and ideas, and in many ways spearheaded the religious tolerance and pluralism we strive for today. But like most of history, in hindsight, well, it’s complicated.

Happy Valentine’s Day–the day we celebrate love! But what is love, anyway? Is it an emotion? A virtue? God itself? Let’s explore what love is (and isn’t) as we learn from the brilliant, recently departed scholar bell hooks, who laid out a new, world-shifting vision in her 2000 book All About Love.

It’s easy to repeat soundbites or go along with the opinions of the majority. It’s much more difficult to give voice to truths we ourselves have noticed, but don’t fit the popular narrative. Winding down our January series on great spiritual women, we’ll take a look at the work of Judith Sargent Murray, an 18th … Continue reading Judith Sargent Murray: The Strength to Speak an Unpopular Truth

We know our culture is fixated on youth, especially when it comes to women and feminine people. How do we get those youth-obsessed voices out of our heads? Continuing our January series on great spiritual women, we’ll take a look at the wildly influential life of 12th century German polymath Hildegard of Bingen, learning from … Continue reading Hildegard of Bingen: The Gifts of Being a Late Bloomer

Why do we want to live well? Is it because we think we’ll get something we want in return? To begin Minister J. Sylvan’s January series on great spiritual women, let’s learn from Lucy Barnes, a Universalist, and Rabi’a al Basri, a Muslim Sufi, as we look at what “doing good for good’s sake” really … Continue reading Set Fire to Heaven: Breaking Free from the Problem of Reward

Transitional Minister J Sylvan will look at what the Bible does and doesn’t have to say about parenthood and choice, and what about it is relevant and irrelevant for us as we fight for reproductive rights.  This service will be held live in the church Sanctuary.  It will also be broadcast live on YouTube.