"Dismantling Perfectionism: Bring it on!" (June 6, 2021) Worship Service

There is a whole set of things that Tema Okun argues are part of White Supremacy Culture in her classic article, "White Supremacy Culture". One of them is perfectionism. Ever since I read that article I've thought most of where and how perfectionism shows up. It was one of the ones that didn't make obvious and immediate sense. And it is the one I am more and more excited to dismantle, take apart, keep some bits of and toss the rest. In our lives of spirit and connection, love and liberated life, I think it is the one that will leverage the most transformation!

This Sunday we'll formally welcome new members with a special New Member Recognition Ceremony. And there will be a special video presentation of this year's Rheiner Award. The Rheiner Award was established by the UUSF Board of Trustees in 1989 to recognize and celebrate a member of this Society for social justice activism and community service.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister
Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Carrie Steere-Salazar, Board Moderator
Sarah Ellerman, membership
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
UUSF Choir
Mark Sumner, choir director
Maria Roodnitsky, soprano
Brielle Marina Neilson, alto
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Gilead Wurman, baritone
Asher Davison, bass
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Jonathan Silk, audio, oos design, drums
Joe Chapot, social media chat
Thomas Brown, Sexton
Amy Kelly, flowers
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032706/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210606VRSSermon.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, June 6, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032624/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210606.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Sunday service of 6th June 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev. Bridget Spain, minister of Dublin Unitarian Church with contributions from Jennifer Flegg, Gavin Byrne and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032603/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/060621-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 6th June 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is senior minister at Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032542/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/060621-address.mp3

Every year, members give Rev. Joanna their questions, and she answers them in this service. Come join us for answers about Unitarian Universalism, Live Oak, and anything else members have curiosity about.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032436/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL6lVtqD6tQ&feature=youtu.be

As humans, we crave togetherness with others. But the key to the happiest relationships (as well as peace within oneself) is learning how to hold healthy boundaries and differentiate between what is our responsibility, and what is the responsibility of others. Come hear what Dr. Murray Bowen, and Johnny Castle from Dirty Dancing, can teach us about this liberating skill.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032353/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLloD6Pq3Y8&feature=youtu.be

Our musicians continue the amazing work they’ve done in our virtual sanctuary, sharing special music in this worship service dedicated to the power of melody. 

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032310/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEKg13i8Ip8&feature=youtu.be

Join us online for a worship service full of music, story, and message honoring our UU tradition of the flower communion. Then after the service, from 11-1, come up to Live Oak for a wandering flower communion on our labyrinth and chalice pathway. In case of rain, the flower communion will be a drive-through event, under the porte-cochere by the Sauber building.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032227/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFSByXYZt7w&feature=youtu.be

Watch the Service: To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032038/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/05-30-31-audio.mp3

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on May 30, 2021. Facing Texas' anti-Trans legislation, what does our faith tell us about our responsibility to respond?

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111032015/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-05-30_Flower_Communion.mp3

"We Shall Not Sleep, Though Poppies Grow" (May 30, 2021) Worship Service

From an 1865 gathering at the Charleston race track through two World Wars to modern day, collectively remembering our dead remains an important ritual for the living. On the 50th national observance of Memorial Day, what have we learned about communal grief in times of war and peace?

Rev. Mr. Barb Greve, Guest Minister
Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Sam King, Worship Associate
Eric Hamilton, guitarist
Maria Roodnitsky, song leader
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
My-Hoa Steger, pianist
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Jonathan Silk, audio, oos design
Joe Chapot, social media chat
Thomas Brown, Sexton
Amy Kelly, flowers
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031909/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210530BGSermon.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, May 30, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031827/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210530.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Sunday service of 30th May 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Andy Pollak, a congregation member of Dublin Unitarian Church with contributions from Denise Dunne, Will O'Connell & Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031805/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/300521-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 30th May 2021. Andy Pollak is a congregation member at Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031744/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/300521-address.mp3

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on May 23, 2021. Conspiracy theories have always been with us. People like to make sense of the events happening in their world. How do you know what's true. Who falls for conspiracy theories, and why.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031554/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-05-23_Why_should_I_believe_that.mp3

Watch the Service: To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031534/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/05-23-21-audio.mp3

"Marge and Barb Have Class" (May 23, 2021) Worship Service

The title of the sermon is a set of words my cousin and I saw spray painted on the side of a falling down old shed on a country road one day in Upstate New York. A good place to leap into a conversation on our obsession, perhaps, with the whole wild notion of "class".

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister
Linda Enger, 8th Principle Testimony
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Brielle Marina Neilson, alto
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Wm. García Ganz, pianist
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Jonathan Silk, audio, oos design, drums
Joe Chapot, social media chat
Thomas Brown, Sexton
Amy Kelly, flowers
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031511/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210523VRSSermon.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, May 23, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031449/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210523.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 23rd May 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is senior minister at Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031429/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/230521-address.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Sunday service of 23rd May 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev. Bridget Spain, minister of Dublin Unitarian Church with contributions from Monica Cremins and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031407/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/230521-mor1.mp3

Assistant Minister Rev. Chris Jimmerson's sermon delivered on May 16, 2021. The stories we tell ourselves both as individuals and as a culture have powerful effects on how we live our lives, make meaning of our world and treat one another. Might some of them be retold in ways that would improve our lives and our world!

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031051/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-05-16_The_Power_of_Storytelling.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 05-16-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111031024/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/05-16-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111030935/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210516.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Sunday service of 9th May 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Pam McCarthy, congregation member at Dublin Unitarian Church with contributions from Paul Murray and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111030909/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/160521-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 16th May 2021. Pam McCarthy is a congregation member at Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111030847/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/160521-address.mp3

"Holding Ourselves Accountable: The 8th Principle and the Future of Our Faith" (May 16, 2021) Worship Service

Paula Cole Jones, a Lay Leader who has been a member of All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, D.C. for decades, was also one of the two authors of the 8th Principle and leaders of the effort to broaden and deepen when we fundamentally hold ourselves accountable for in our Principles.  She and Vanessa "met" over Zoom to discuss and debate some aspects of what the 8th Principle and the work it calls us to as UU's might mean, where we imagine it might take us.  And so we continue our reflection as we prepare as a community to vote on this Principle on June 6th at our Annual Meeting.  

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Paula Cole Jones, Guest Speaker  
Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Maria Roodnitsky, soprano
Brielle Marina Neilson, alto
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Mark Sumner, director/pianist
Jen Hayman, Spirit of life song leader
Amelia Peele, Spirit of life song leader  
Rochelle Rice, Spirit of life song leader  
Gordon Kent, Spirit of life pianist
Gary Penn, Spirit of life video production
Stephen Benson, Spirit of life video production
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Leeland Jones, Sexton
Athena Papadakos, flowers
Chris Curry, cover image
Jonathan Silk, AV, OOS Design


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210516OSWeb.pdf

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111030739/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210516Sermon.mp3

"Arms Wide Open: Parenting as a Spiritual Path" (May 9, 2021) Worship Service

I am a year and a few months from an empty nest, and halfway into a process of pulling together an anthology of writings on the place of children in our wisdom-making living. The book is a project that started as an excuse to go looking for all the gorgeous stories we don't think to tell in the midst of the work and the chores. I want us to hold up some of them together to reflect on our relationship with children as a part of our spiritual paths.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Dennis Adams, Worship Associate
Lori Lai, 8th principle testimonial
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Kate Offer, soprano
Brielle Marina Neilson, alto
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Mark Sumner, director/pianist
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Dan Barnard, Facilities Manager
Athena Papadakos, flowers
Marek Piwnicki, cover image
Jonathan Silk, AV, OOS


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210509OSWeb.pdf

Watch:
https://youtu.be/kIo5IuiSFGs

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111030511/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210509VRSSermon.mp3

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on May 9, 2021. This Sunday we begin revisiting the Buddhist 8 fold path. I am not a Buddhist, but I am fascinated by what I've read and heard. This Sunday we will talk about the way things are, according to Buddhist thought, and why abandoning hope and fear might not be a bad thing.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111030427/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-05-09_Abandon_hope_and_fear.mp3

Watch the Service: To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player. Download 05-09-21 Full Text    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111030356/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/05-09-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, May 9, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111030327/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210509.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Sunday service of 9th May 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev. Bridget Spain, minister of Dublin Unitarian Church with contributions from Aidan O'Driscoll, Gavin Byrne and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/090521-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 9th May 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is minister at Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/090521-address.mp3

"Religious Imagination: What it Means to be a Teaching Congregation" (May 2, 2021) Worship Service

This Sunday marks the final class for our Sunday School program.  Our classes have been virtual – like our worship services – for the whole year. We will take time to celebrate our achievements and honor our Lead Teachers. It’s also a good time to reflect upon the importance of religious education and spiritual growth for the entire congregation. We’ve certainly learned a lot this last year! Rev. Jacks will be joined by Ministerial Intern Meg McGuire sharing reflections on the role of a teaching congregation in shaping beloved community.

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister
Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Sam Hamner, 8th Principle Testimonial
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Maria Roodnitsky, soprano
Brielle Marina Neilson, alto
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Mark Sumner, director/pianist
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Eric Shackelford, camera
Leeland Jones, Sexton
Athena Papadakos, flowers
Jacek Dylag, cover image
Jonathan Silk, AV, OOS, drums


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210502OSWeb.pdf

Music:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210502Music.mp3


Watch:
https://youtu.be/DJbF_tes7ZM

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025733/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210502Sermon.mp3

Guest Speaker Rev. Bill Sinkford's sermon delivered on May 2, 2021. Rev. Sinkford is a past president the UUA and currently serves First Unitarian Portland. When the justice system is bent against black lives, those black lives lose faith in justice until there is proof it is served. They hold their breath, bated and unsure, waiting to finally exhale when justice rings true. We have all been changed, we are all grieving, there will be more lives lost but perhaps there is still evidence for hope.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025646/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-05-02_Waiting_to_exhale.mp3

Watch the Service: To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player. Download 05-02-21 Full Text    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025538/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/05-02-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, May 2, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025442/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210502.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Sunday service of 2nd May 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev. Bridget Spain, minister of Dublin Unitarian Church with contributions from Gavin O'Duffy and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025353/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/020521-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 2nd May 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is minister at Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025332/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/020521-address.mp3

Love is asking us to live our values, be hospitable and inclusive, educate for liberation, restore and repair, and most importantly, to Side with Love. Join us for this special service featuring stirring music, deep-hearted reflection, and moving testimonies from a range of UU leaders.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025306/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgod16_PsZo&feature=youtu.be

If a boundary falls in the forest with no one around, does anyone hear it? Join us for Part 2 of this sermon series, as Rev. Joanna explores the freedom we give to other people by articulating our boundaries.  

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025220/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfhJvbnU4eo&feature=youtu.be

The word “freedom” has been claimed this past year as a justification for doing as one wishes. But is that really freedom?

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025136/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0QZ6cwZpKQ&feature=youtu.be

Happy Birthday, Unitarian Universalism! This is simultaneously a very old and a very young religion. How did we get here?

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025053/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXhJpyQ-pLQ&feature=youtu.be

“Tolerance” used to be one of the unifying principles of our faith. Is it still?

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111025010/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIM6y0kkioo&feature=youtu.be

"Close Enough for Awe: An Earth Day Sermon" (April 25, 2021) Worship Service

It's spring, it's Earth Day. It's a time when it is easy to fall in love with the world. So, let's do that. With a lover's eyes, let's see what beauty, what amazement is right in front of us. And tumble into its spell. And for good reason.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Sam King, Worship Associate
Allen Biggs, Marimba
Tommy Kesecker, vibraphone
Brielle Marina Neilson, song leader
Mark Sumner, pianist
Eric Shackelford, camera
Jonah Berquist, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Dan Barnard, Facilities Manager
Judy Payne, flowers
Navi Photography, cover image
Pete Wong, cover image
Daniel Olah, cover image
Jonathan Silk, AV, OOS Design


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210425OSWeb.pdf

Music:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210425Music.mp3

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111024549/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210425VRSSermon.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 04-25-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111024455/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/04-25-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, April 25, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111024422/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210425.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Sunday service of 25th April 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev. Bridget Spain, minister of Dublin Unitarian Church with contributions from Elaine Harris, Jennifer Grundulis & Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111024329/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/250421-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 25th April 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is minister at Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111024227/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/250421-address.mp3

Assistant Minister Rev. Chris Jimmerson's sermon delivered on April 18, 2021. We, and all that is, are changing, at least ever so slightly, in every moment. We are always becoming something new. Our ever-unfolding, ever-changing nature is inevitable. Our agency lies in the choices we make as to what direction, what path, our becoming will follow. We'll explore the creative, life-giving, life-saving possibilities to which the spirit of love and life, the greater good, call us.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111023524/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-04-18_Pathways_ever_unfolding.mp3

"Becoming Together" (April 18, 2021) Worship Service

Becoming ourselves is a lifelong process. And this practice of continual growth, of waking up to who we are, is one that cannot be done alone. Join Ministerial Intern Meg McGuire, Young Adult Coordinator Joe Chapot, members of the UU Theologies for Young Adults class, and friends, for a service exploring how we grow into ourselves, and how we grow together.

Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Joe Chapot, Young Adult Coordinator
Vanessa Vanderlaan, Worship Associate
Alfie Jang, Worship Associate
Aitana Sierra-Valdes, Worship Associate
Sara Fread, Worship Associate
Audrey McDougal, 8th Principle Testimonial
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Mark Sumner, conductor/pianist
Maddy Gerlach, soprano
Jaime Docherty, guitar and vocals
Asher Davison, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Jonah Berquist, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Dan Barnard, Facilities Manager
Amy Kelly, flowers
Aitana Sierra-Valdes, cover image
Jonathan Silk, AV, drums, OOS Design

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111023349/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210418Sermon.mp3

"Becoming Together" (April 18, 2021) Worship Service

Becoming ourselves is a lifelong process. And this practice of continual growth, of waking up to who we are, is one that cannot be done alone. Join Ministerial Intern Meg McGuire, Young Adult Coordinator Joe Chapot, members of the UU Theologies for Young Adults class, and friends, for a service exploring how we grow into ourselves, and how we grow together.

Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Joe Chapot, Young Adult Coordinator
Vanessa Vanderlaan, Worship Associate
Alfie Jang, Worship Associate
Aitana Sierra-Valdes, Worship Associate
Sara Fread, Worship Associate
Audrey McDougal, 8th Principle Testimonial
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Mark Sumner, conductor/pianist
Maddy Gerlach, soprano
Jaime Docherty, guitar and vocals
Asher Davison, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Jonah Berquist, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Dan Barnard, Facilities Manager
Amy Kelly, flowers
Aitana Sierra-Valdes, cover image
Jonathan Silk, AV, drums, OOS Design

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111023349/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210418Sermon.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 04-18-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111023327/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/04-18-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, April 18, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111023231/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210418.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 18th April 2021. Keith Troughton is a congregation member and lay preacher at Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111023210/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/180421-address.mp3

"Living Purposefooly" (April 11, 2021) Worship Service

Drawing the Fool in the Tarot cards represents new beginnings. We step out into the world with faith in the future, though we don’t know what to expect. The journey requires improvisation and trust, and a willingness to be shaped along the way. It is an invitation to walk purposefooly toward an as-yet unknown destination, also known as coddiwompling.

Carmen Barsody, Faithful Fools
Alex Darr, Faithful Fools
Silena Layne, Faithful Fools
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Brielle Marina Nielson, alto
Ben Rudiak Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Mark Sumner conductor/pianist
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support, OOS
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Lee Jones, Sexton
Amy Kelly, flowers
Alicia Lee Farnsworth, cover image
Jonathan Silk, Sound, video edits, drums

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111001201/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210411FFSermon.mp3

"Living Purposefooly" (April 11, 2021) Worship Service

Drawing the Fool in the Tarot cards represents new beginnings. We step out into the world with faith in the future, though we don’t know what to expect. The journey requires improvisation and trust, and a willingness to be shaped along the way. It is an invitation to walk purposefooly toward an as-yet unknown destination, also known as coddiwompling.

Carmen Barsody, Faithful Fools
Alex Darr, Faithful Fools
Silena Layne, Faithful Fools
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Brielle Marina Nielson, alto
Ben Rudiak Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Mark Sumner conductor/pianist
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support, OOS
Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Lee Jones, Sexton
Amy Kelly, flowers
Alicia Lee Farnsworth, cover image
Jonathan Silk, Sound, video edits, drums

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111001201/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210411FFSermon.mp3

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on April 11, 2021. It appears that our brains are wired to simplify the world for our intake. We assign heroes and villains and we forget to be curious, to ask questions, to get the rest of the story.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111001139/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-04-11_History_is_complicated.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, April 11, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111001101/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210411.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the 1Sunday service of 11th April 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev Bridget Spain with contributions from Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/110421-mor1.mp3

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on April 4, 2021. Join us this Easter Sunday for a sermon about a man who reinvented himself after giving up on people. His name, appropriately enough, was Harold Hatcher. He was a member of the UU congregation Rev. Meg served in South Carolina and he may have touched more lives after he gave up on people than he did before.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111000710/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-04-04_Harold_Hatcher.mp3

"Easter Sunday: Hope is a......." (April 4, 2021) Worship Service

Easter, of course, is about resurrection -- life from places of loss, hope from despair, second chances for the makers of even the gravest of mistakes. And it is about Hope. Hope as a four-letter word, textured, gritty, gorgeous and feather-light. Time to unpack hope.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Tom Dambly, trumpet
Michele Kennedy, soprano
Brielle Marina Nielson, alto
Ben Rudiak Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Mark Sumner conductor/pianist
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom
Lee and Robert, Sexton
Amy Kelly and , flowers
Zdenek Machácek, cover image
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111000610/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210404VRSSermon.mp3

"Easter Sunday: Hope is a......." (April 4, 2021) Worship Service

Easter, of course, is about resurrection -- life from places of loss, hope from despair, second chances for the makers of even the gravest of mistakes. And it is about Hope. Hope as a four-letter word, textured, gritty, gorgeous and feather-light. Time to unpack hope.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Tom Dambly, trumpet
Michele Kennedy, soprano
Brielle Marina Nielson, alto
Ben Rudiak Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Mark Sumner conductor/pianist
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom
Lee and Robert, Sexton
Amy Kelly and , flowers
Zdenek Machácek, cover image
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111000610/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210404VRSSermon.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 04-04-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/04-04-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, April 4, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111000320/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210404.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Easter Sunday service of 4th April 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev Bridget Spain with contributions from Tony Brady, members of Dublin Unitarian Church Choir and Laetare Vocal Ensemble, and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111000158/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/040421-mor1.mp3

the address from the Easter Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 4th April 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is minister of Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211111000115/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/040421-address.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the Sunday service of 18th April 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by congregation member and lay preacher Keith Troughton with contributions from Jennifer Buller & Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110235933/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/180421-mor1.mp3

"The First Steps" (March 28, 2021) Worship Service

Both Passover and Palm Sunday coincide this week. Different and also with one thread that pulls through them both, about the power of the monumental first steps. And the human drive for commitment and consistency on which so much good (and evil) often rests.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate
Gayle Reynolds and Keith Hollon, Annual Operating Fund Drive
Andrés Vera, cellist
My-Hoa Steger, accompanist
Wm. García Ganz, pianist
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom
Thomas Brown, Sexton
Carrie Steere-Salazar, flowers
Casey Horner, cover image(https://unsplash.com/@mischievous_penguins)
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210328OSWeb.pdf

Music:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210328Music.mp3  

Reflection:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/20210328RDLReflection.mp3

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110235445/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210328VRSSermon.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 03-28-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110235413/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/03-28-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, March 28, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110235337/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210328.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the service of 28th March 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev Bridget Spain with contributions from Sheila Hanley and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110235315/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/280321-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 28th March 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is minister of Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110235236/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/280321-address.mp3

Rev. Laura Shennum is a guest in our online pulpit this Sunday. Using the Process Theology concept of harmony, she will explore how we can create sustainability in our relations with each other and the world we inhabit. 

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110235056/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9i8E0VteMY&feature=youtu.be

We have said that we will return to “life as normal” when it is safe. But the whole idea of safety means different things based on our social location. How can we create a world, and a church, where safety may be available to all? 

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110234946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zorKW2-Nd2w&feature=youtu.be

We are a liberal religion, seeking wisdom from liberation theology. Join us this Sunday as we explore the continuum of liberal to liberatory, and the religious challenge laid before us.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110234833/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ8IHF3EaLM&feature=youtu.be

A year ago, Easter brought the dawning realization that our lives might be dramatically changed by the pandemic, and for longer than a couple of weeks. This year, our circumstances are similar … but the hope we now have changes everything.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110234745/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-FkF7L3p54&feature=youtu.be

"Sabbath Redux" (March 21, 2021) Worship Service

One of the first sermons I preached here at UUSF was a sermon on the ancient idea of Sabbath. I think, strangely, it is time to preach it again as work and life merge even more than before and we need a way to reground and refresh spirit and body.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Don Wiepert, Worship Associate
Dolores Perez Heilbron and David Heilbron, Annual Operating Fund Campaign
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Leandra Ramm, soprano
Brielle Marina Neilson, alto
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass and conductor
Wm. García Ganz, accompanist
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom
Thomas Brown, Sexton
Carrie Steere-Salazar, flowers
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210321OSWeb.pdf

Music:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210321Music.mp3

Reflection:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/20210321DDReflection.mp3

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110234335/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210321VRSSermon.mp3

Assistant Minister Rev. Chris Jimmerson's sermon delivered on March 21, 2021. Our commitments are central to our lives, our relationship with ourselves, with others and our world. Yet, we can over-commit, fail to live up to our commitments, find ourselves needing to renegotiate them or even withdraw from them. We'll explore the nuances of our commitments and how they have helped us make it through an extraordinarily challenging year.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110234232/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-03-21_Commitment_creates_connection.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 03-21-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110234207/https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/03-21-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, March 21, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110233938/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210321.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the service of 21st March 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Will O'Connell with contributions from Mary O'Brien, Emily Neenan, Heather Wiencko, Gavin Byrne and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110233831/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/210321-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 21st March 2021. Will O'Connell is a congregation member of Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/210321-address.mp3

"Giving it Up for Lent" (March 14, 2021) Worship Service

I am not one for giving up chocolate or ice cream.  Those kinds of punishing practices never work for me -- I once "gave up soda" for a week and drank more soda in that week than the previous month. But there are some things I'd like to give up. How about you?

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Sam King, Worship Associate
Wonder Dave, Annual Operating Fund Campaign
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Mark Sumner, conductor/pianist
Brielle Marina Neilson, soprano
Leandra Ramm, alto
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom
Thomas Brown, Sexton
Carrie Steere-Salazar, flowers
Joseph Gonzalez, cover image
https://unsplash.com/@miracletwentyone
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210314OSWeb.pdf

Music:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210314Music.mp3

  Reflection:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/20210314WDReflection.mp3

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110233411/https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210314VRSSermon.mp3

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on March 14, 2021. March 15 marks one year since First UU Austin began social distanced worship. Since we've gone inside we have continued to explore, experiment, and expand our understanding of how we exist as a community. We are looking back at this year of rapid learning and seeing how far we have come while honoring the knowledge that we are still in the midst of it all. In this time let us take a moment to observe the world, to feel the wind and the sun, to absorb the promise that there is more good to come. We aren't yet at the end but we are getting there together.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110233339/http://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-03-14_Third_Lap_of_a_Four_Lap_Race.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 03-14-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/03-14-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, March 14, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110233034/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210314.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 14th March 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is minister of Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110232926/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/140321-address.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the service of 14th March 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev Bridget Spain with contributions from Ray Naughton and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110232905/https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/140321-mor1.mp3

"Times Like These" (March 7, 2021) Worship Service

To stand in important moments, in the midst of historic chapters is to do our part. And to wonder about all those historic chapters, and generous, courageous shoulders that came before ours.

Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Gayle Reynolds & Keith Hollon, Annual Operating Fund Drive
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Mark Sumner, conductor/pianist
Michele Kennedy, soprano
Leandra Ramm, alto
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom
Thomas Brown, Sexton
Judy Payne, flowers
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210307OSWeb.pdf

Music:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210307Music.mp3

Attached media: https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210307VRSSermon.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 03-07-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/03-07-21-audio.mp3

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, March 7, 2021.

Attached media: https://web.archive.org/web/20211110232108/https://www.ascboston.org/downloads/podcast/210307.mp3

a collections of readings, prayers and music from the service of 7th March 2021 at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland. Led by Rev Bridget Spain with contributions from Janet Mulroy and Josh Johnston

Attached media: https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/070321-mor1.mp3

the address from the Sunday service at Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland, on 7th March 2021. Rev. Bridget Spain is minister of Dublin Unitarian Church.

Attached media: https://www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/podcasts/070321-address.mp3

Unitarian Ralph Waldo Emerson said that “The one thing in the world, of value, is the active soul.” It is right and necessary to be informed, to struggle with ideas and theology, and to continually work toward doing good and being good. And there also comes a time to let go, and let it be. 

Attached media: https://www.liveoakuu.org/podcast-download/7271/let-it-be.mp3

Live over the past 5 years has twisted our conceptions of the continuum between courage and caution. What does courage look like, in 2021? And how can we live it out as a noble virtue?

Attached media: https://www.liveoakuu.org/podcast-download/7269/take-courage-friends.mp3

It has been a year since Covid-19 caused the “life as we know it” to change. During this time, we have experienced sorrow, fear, ingenuity, and expressions of great generosity. Join us for this special service uniting Unitarian Universalist religious professionals around the country as we bear witness to this anniversary and respond with hope.

Mx. Katharine Childs, Unitarian Church of Montreal
Rev. Matthew Crary, Borderlands Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford, Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church
Aisha Hauser, CRE-ML, Church of the Larger Fellowship
Rev. Walter LeFlore, Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke
Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork
Rev. Darcy Roake, Community Church Unitarian Universalist, New Orleans
Rev. Nathan Ryan, Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge
Kathy Smith, CRE, Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge
Rev. Pamela Wat, First Unitarian Church of Wilmington

Attached media: https://www.liveoakuu.org/podcast-download/7267/our-year-kind-of-apart.mp3

"Love and Accountability" (February 28, 2021) Worship Service

Accountability can sound unpleasant, even scary, but what if it didn’t have to be? Disability justice educator and writer Mia Mingus offers a dream of what accountability can be- one that might support us in living into our work as a congregation.

Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate
Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate
Mari Magaloni, 8th Principle Task Force
Liz Strand, 8th Principle Task Force
Mark Sumner, song leader/pianist
Eric Hamilton, guitarist
Brielle Marina Neilson, song leader
Jon Silk, drums
Eric Shackelford, camera
Shulee Ong, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom
Thomas Brown, Sexton
Judy Payne, flowers
Alex Perez, cover image, https://unsplash.com/@a2eorigins
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits


Order of Service:
https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210228OSWeb.pdf

Music:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/202102028Music.mp3

Reflection:
https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/20210228DJReflection.mp3

Attached media: https://content.uusf.org/podcast/20210228MMSermon.mp3

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on February 28, 2021. We have all been through something very difficult. Whether we lost power and water or just had to watch our family and friends lose those things and not be able to help because we couldn't get out, it has been a very traumatizing time. What does that do to a person's brain? What does that do to a person's energy? What is trauma brain? Do you have that?

Attached media: https://www.austinuuav.org/audio/2021-02-28_Need_a_little_Mercy_now.mp3

Watch the Service: Download 02-28-21 Full Text To enable YouTube provided closed-captioning while viewing the service, click the “CC” icon on the bottom bar of your YouTube video player.    

Attached media: https://whitebearunitarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/02-28-21-audio.mp3