Sunnyhill Unitarian Universalist: Recent Episodes
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills
Select sermons from The Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills, known as "Sunnyhill". Sunnyhill is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Rev. Jim Magaw serves as minister. This podcast is brought to you by Mike Gravitt and Jen McGlothin. Visit our website: www.sunnyhill.org.
In his baseball novel “The Natural,” Bernard Malamud wrote: “We have two lives, Roy, the life we learn with and the life we live with after that. Suffering is what brings us toward happiness.” Whether you agree with this sentiment or not, there’s no doubt that baseball fans tend to be philosophical. This sermon will explore the ways in which key theological concepts are addressed in “the great American pastime.”
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Through personal stories, we’ll explore how music can serve as a powerful through-line throughout our lives. Its remarkable ability to engage both the brain and body fosters healing, strengthens relationships, and creates a sense of belonging. Music also has a unique way of capturing emotions, preserving memories, and connecting us to people and moments long after they have passed. Together, we’ll discover how the soundtrack of your life reflects who you are, where you’ve been, and the people, places, and experiences that have shaped your journey.
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We will celebrate the flower ritual, which was created by Norbert Capek, the founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia, and which honors the beauty and uniqueness of each individual and the bouquet we create by joining together with one another to create communities of justice and compassion.
www.sunnyhill.org
Most of us have experienced moments in our lives when we are caught off-guard by something big for which we were not prepared. In fact, over the past few years, some of us have experienced many such moments. This sermon will offer some suggestions about what to do when you don’t know what to do.
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A reflection on how our lives are shaped by the surprises we never asked for — the wounds, the wonders, and the strange gifts along the way. Through story, science, and the poetry of Naomi Shihab Nye, Will invites us to see our journeys with new eyes.
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In recent decades, John 3:16 has become perhaps the most famous (or infamous) verse in the Bible, and has served as shorthand for a fundamentalist understanding of Christianity. But there are other ways of reading this Bible passage that might lead to a more expansive understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus.
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The Sunnyhill High School Youth Group will discuss the Unitarian Universalist Values that they connect with the most during their time together. We will also celebrate Bridging, which honors our high school seniors as they move into their next chapter of life.
www.sunnyhill.org
If contemporary Unitarian Universalism were to have its own Book of Common Prayer, it would almost certainly include some of the poems of Mary Oliver. This service will explore why one of Oliver’s poems, “The Summer Day,” is especially powerful and relevant.
www.sunnyhill.org
For generations, humanity has been fascinated with the question “Are we alone in the universe?” This fascination has recently been further piqued with the release of government files related to possible extraterrestrial life. In this service, we’ll explore how humanity might change philosophically, existentially, and/or theologically in the event of first contact.
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National holidays in America have largely become occasions for shopping mall sales, sporting events and backyard barbecues. Many of these holidays have also become celebrations of materialism and militarism–and a good bit of narrow moralizing around these themes. How might we honor these holidays while resisting their less savory aspects?
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Curiosity and wonder can be much-needed antidotes to feeling overwhelmed and stuck. Instead of remaining mired in frustration and anger, how might we cultivate a sense of curiosity and a sense of wonder, even in the most challenging of times?
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Much religious discussion focuses on the belief or disbelief in God or a higher power. Today, we shine the spotlight on “I don’t know,” the unsung path of agnosticism.
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As we engage in discernment about next steps for Sunnyhill’s “Be the Future” project, we will focus on how we live into two key aspects of our mission: creating compassion and creating justice. How do we go about living into these aspirations?
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The book of Ecclesiastes famously states that there is “a time to tear down and a time to build up.” Sometimes both must occur simultaneously. In the current era of tearing down democratic processes and social safety nets, it is time to build something new. What are we building together in this congregation, and why is it important, especially now?
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All Souls Day is a time to remember everyone who has died, everyone who has been part of the gathered community. The phrase “All Souls” has a particularly Unitarian connotation because of something that one of our own “saints,” William Ellery Channing, said: “I am a living member of the great Family of All Souls; and I cannot improve or suffer myself without diffusing good or evil around me through an ever-enlarging sphere.” What does it mean for us to be a community of All Souls?
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While we often trace our Unitarian Universalist concept of covenant back to our Puritan forbears, are there other ways of conceptualizing covenant that might be helpful as we create our own covenant? This sermon will consider pirate covenants of the 17th and 18th centuries.
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As we prepare for our Sunnyhill Pumpkin Patch, what are the implied theological underpinnings of this task that builds community within the congregation while also reaching out into the larger community? How might this undertaking represent building alternatives to the dominant culture of self-centeredness and despair?
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Jonathan Murray, intern minister. Our addictive American consumer culture has not only negatively impacted our finances and environment, but it has also damaged our spirituality and compassion for others. Can society transition from an endless pursuit of more stuff to an authentic pursuit of happiness?
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In an era of distrust of virtually all organizations and institutions, what does it mean to belong? How can a sense of belonging strengthen us as individuals and as members of a larger community?
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In the Bible, when Noah built the ark and set out on the journey of a lifetime, what were the promises that were made among those who were on board? In our journey through the stormy seas of life in the 21st century, what are the most important promises we need to make, and how will we fulfill them?
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According to theologian Timothy Gorringe: “[I]n the face of the present global emergency, ark-building might be the task to which theological ethics leads us.” Building an ark, in this context, does not mean giving up on addressing our current problems and simply floating away. Rather, it means making space “for the flourishing of those who are endangered.” How will we build our ark?
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Personal stories will help illustrate the role that kindness plays in maintaining connection and creating community. Kindness is part of the foundation of Unitarian Universalist principles and is a common thread in the tapestry of our Sunnyhill community. This service will explore how we can all practice kindness to create a better world and support each other in difficult times ahead.
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In these times that are growing ever darker it is easy to feel like nothing we do is making a difference, and the energy to fight waning. So how can we resist while ensuring we are still able to live and thrive at the same time? Why is self care, self love and fellowship so important? And what do those things mean when it comes to how we handle fear and despair? Meli explores these questions through her’s and her family’s own experiences at Sunnyhill and through the lens of speculative fiction which has often proven to be a prophetic, and hopeful answer in dark times.
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Unitarian Universalism is sometimes wrongly described as not having its own theology. Although it’s true that there is a great deal of theological diversity within our congregations, we do have our own unique theology—both historically and contemporarily. This service will provide an overview of Unitarian Universalist theology and why it is important to us and to our world.
www.sunnyhill.org
In a bygone era, it was assumed that almost everyone would belong to a religious community of one kind or another, but that assumption no longer holds, as more and more people are unchurched. What are the real benefits of going to church and what does it mean to belong to a church in our own era?
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We all have “should have dones” in our lives, and this sermon deals with whether you truly could have accomplished what you longed for. Whether you saw yourself as an Olympic figure skater or as an international financial expert, could you really have achieved those dreams if you could go back in time? Maybe what “is” is enough.
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For those in our congregation who’s spiritual beginnings were in a different faith tradition, the path to Unitarian Universalism can feel like an epic, and sometimes tumultuous, journey. Mary Pratt, Sunnyhill’s Music Director, will share her own journey from Catholicism and reflect on the strength that comes from sharing our diverse spiritual paths and beliefs with each other.
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Langston Hughes wrote a poem with this title in 1935 as a rallying cry for greater freedom and inclusion. 90 years later it has lost none of its power in calling for an as-yet unborn America that makes real the dream of justice and liberty for all. How can we help make this dream a reality in our own era?
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Music can be a key companion when we are in our darkest hours, a source of magic in relationships, and a source to draw on when it is time to cause “good trouble”. Paul will explore his life experiences through the lens of music and invites you to do the same.
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Being a part of a non-creedal faith, does not mean that we can believe whatever we want—nor does it mean that we believe nothing at all. Rather, it means that we arrive at our own beliefs and religious identities through what Ralph Waldo Emerson called “life passed through the fire of thought.” In this sermon, Rev. Magaw will explore his own faith, life, fire, and thought.
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Unitarian Universalists and other religious progressives tend not to conform to orthodox views and practices. How then can we expect to unite? This sermon will explore this question and others having to do with moving from a culture of identity to one of solidarity.
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Sometimes it seems that there is an immovable stone on the path before us, blocking the way toward any progress. Yet even the largest, most daunting barrier can be shifted, given enough patience, practice and leverage. How might we harness the power of transformative love to move the immovable obstacles before us?
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At this year’s UUA General Assembly, a major change in our bylaws included a new articulation of our “UU Values” that supersedes (and includes language from) our UU Principles, including the 8th Principle that our congregation ratified. This service looks at our central UU Value: love.
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Sometimes we dwell so much on the challenging and difficult aspects of our lives that we forget about all the joy that is available to us. In a world often filled with despair, struggle, and heartbreak, how can we hear and respond to the invitation to joy that the world offers?
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It often seems as though we are living in an era of despair. There are signs of despair all around us—including increased self-harm rates, soaring rates of addiction in various forms, and a general sense of weariness and foreboding. What are the alternatives to despair, and how might we make the turn from despair to possibility?
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In the words of the Ghanaian song “Woyaya,” “We will get there. Heaven knows how we will get there. We know we will.” This sermon explores how to navigate a journey when you don’t know all the twists and turns of path or even what the destination might look like.
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Because it is a creedless tradition that encompasses many different ways of believing, Unitarian Universalism is not easy to explain in just a few sentences. This sermon explores how we might articulate a UU “elevator speech”–a personal description of what UUism means to you that can be shared in the time it takes for an average elevator ride.
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Delight, Connection, and Peace: Gifts of the Forest
Barb completed the sermon writing class taught by Rev. Jim Magaw this spring. Delight, connection with ourselves and other beings, and peace can seem elusive in troubled times. Yet all are freely offered to us when we slow down and notice the gifts of the forest.
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What is the Issue? Social Justice
Rick completed the sermon writing class taught by Rev. Jim Magaw this spring. In his sermon, Rick reflects on the concept of social justice, what it means, and how it might best be approached if we are to be successful in our social justice efforts.
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Jeanne Lofgren completed the sermon writing class taught by Rev. Jim Magaw this spring. Her sermon explores Jeanne’s personal spiritual practices and the ways in which similar practices might benefit everyone.
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Johna Gravitt completed the sermon writing class taught by Rev. Jim Magaw this spring. In her sermon, Johna reflects on lessons that her life has taught her about how to live with hope, forgiving oneself and others, and ultimately finding joy.
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Free Hugs–or Not
Rev. Jim Magaw
Sometimes a hug is exactly what you need. Hugs release oxytocin and lower blood pressure. And hugs can often defuse tense situations. But hugs can also be awkward and problematic. This service will explore the science and theology of hugging.
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Dorothy Kohler completed the sermon writing class taught by Rev. Jim Magaw this spring. Her sermon will feature a reflection about Dorothy’s grandmother and a personal connection to the “Flower Celebration,” a tradition started by Norbert Capek in Prague just over 100 years ago.
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Mary Jo Sonntag completed the sermon writing class taught by Rev. Jim Magaw this spring. Her sermon reflects on the lessons about interdependence that Mary Jo learned on a trip to the Serengeti ecosystem, where she witnessed first-hand both the beauty and the brutality of the natural world.
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As we celebrate Pride, it is important to remember that it was and is both a celebration and a liberation movement, a party and an uprising rolled into one. It’s a time to look back with gratitude to some of the early leaders of the movement and to look at what still needs to be done.
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Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the day when news of emancipation reached South Texas–more than two years after Lincoln’s Proclamation. As an affluent, mostly-white, suburban congregation, why and how is it important and appropriate for us to celebrate this holiday?
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The Sunnyhill High School Youth Group will present the Sunday morning service, which includes a Bridging Ceremony
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Imperfectly Happy
Rev. Jim Magaw
Perfection is the enemy of happiness, among other things. How can letting go of having to be perfect enable us to live more fulfilling and productive lives?
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How is Church Different from a Restaurant
Rev. Jim Magaw
While religious communities share some things in common with commercial enterprises, there are also some fundamental differences. What are the similarities and differences and why are they important to us as members of a religious community?
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The Truth About Parenting
Rev. Jim Magaw
Parenting has never been more difficult and complex than it is today. What are the lessons that all of us might learn from the challenges of being a parent in a world filled with so many uncertainties and dangers?
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Interdependence and Improvisation
Rev. Jim Magaw
The practice of improvisation gives us opportunities to observe and participate in interdependence–one of the most important theological concepts for Unitarian Universalists. What can we learn about interdependence from improvisation? This service will feature improvised live music from our own Reni Monteverde and her jazz combo.
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Everything is Holy
Rev. Jim Magaw
Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of our most famous Unitarian forbears, wrote: “all things are friendly and sacred, all events profitable, all days holy, all [humans] divine.” What does it mean to be part of a faith tradition that seeks the holy not just in certain places but everywhere?
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Any significant undertaking will almost certainly involve significant risk and the possibility of failure. Any venture that is not at least somewhat risky is probably not much of a venture. And vulnerability is a necessary part of any project that is worth doing and is an essential element of success. This sermon will explore risk, failure and success in the context of our congregation’s proposed capital campaign as well as in our personal lives.
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Omnia Mutantur, Rev. Jim Magaw
One of the central messages of Easter (and of most religious traditions) can be summarized in two words: everything transforms. Why is this such an important idea and how can it help us, no matter what our religious beliefs might be?
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Our Universalist forbears believed that it was up to each of us to create something like the kingdom of heaven on earth–to work for justice, to act with compassion and mercy, to be generous in bringing abundance to all, and to love the hell out of the world. What are we doing today to fulfill this same vision?
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The gospel of Mark’s parable of the mustard seed challenges its readers to think about such issues as faith, doubt, and the power of community. What does this parable have to say to us about our own lives and our own era?
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What is the good news of our current era? Is there such a thing as “good news” when we are facing so many grim challenges? This sermon–the first of four inspired by the Gospel of Mark–will explore what it means to be bringers of good news, even (or especially) in dark times.
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One of the greatest challenges in life is paying attention. Sometimes, when things are difficult to experience, we really don’t want to pay attention. Other times, we simply forget. However, when we do pay attention, we’re better able to cope with reality and to appreciate all that is good in our lives and in our world.
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The phrase “my cup overflows” is a translation of the Hebrew phrase kosi r’vaya from the 23rd Psalm. Our spiritual cup often overflows–with joy, with sorrow, with wonder, with worry. What does it mean to live life from a place of abundance and overflowing rather than scarcity and emptiness?
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Dust and AshesRepentance is one of the major themes of the Christian liturgical season of Lent. What does repentance look like in our contemporary context, and is it even a useful concept here and now?
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Community & Connection
Julie Ann Sullivan, Rev. Jim Magaw
What are the benefits of being part of a healthy, thriving community, and what does it take to create and sustain such communities? In this service, we will explore these questions and others.
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As part of a liberatory Reproductive Justice movement, we affirm our commitment to building a world in which all people are able to make choices about their bodies, their health, and their families within safe, thriving communities.
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It has been said that “if you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” While it’s true that outrage and anger are appropriate, necessary, and even productive emotions, it is also true that something more is needed to nurture and sustain social justice movements. How do we bring both our outrage and our love to this work?
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Beyond Hopelessness
Cynicism may be understood as an attempt to protect oneself from the heartache of unfulfilled hopes. While it may be effective in the short term, cynicism ultimately leads nowhere. But how and where are we to find hope in what may seem like a hopeless situation.
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Although we are not often called to articulate them, our most deeply held beliefs about life and the nature of the world can have a profound effect on how we live our lives. We will explore three of these beliefs or rules and how they might guide the way we live our lives.
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What Is Unitarian Universalism?August 27, 2023
Unitarian Universalism is sometimes wrongly described as not having its own theology. Although it’s true that there is a great deal of theological diversity within our congregations, we do have our own unique theology—both historically and contemporarily. This service will provide an overview of Unitarian Universalist theology and why it is important to us and to our world.
www.sunnyhill.org
We all sometimes struggle with what to say or do when a friend, family member or church member is going through a hard time. This service will focus on a few specific guidelines for how to be truly helpful in such situations.
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Losing Our Religion
As fewer and fewer Americans identify as religious or as members of particular faith communities, what are the implications for religion in America, for Unitarian Universalism, and for our own congregation?
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This service, led by longtime Sunnyhill member Dean Hazelton, explores and celebrates the Principles of Unitarian Universalism (including the Eighth Principle recently affirmed by Sunnyhill) through poetry.
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If contemporary Unitarian Universalism were to have its own Book of Common Prayer, it would almost certainly include some of the poems of Mary Oliver. This service will explore why one of Oliver’s poems, “The Summer Day,” is especially powerful and relevant.
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In our current era, it is easy to lose our way amidst the sometimes overwhelming and painful chaos and confusion in our world. It is important in times like these to remember what we are called to do and the place where the world’s needs and our passions intersect.
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This sermon presents a spiritual journey over 70 years involving a search for a spiritual community that provides support, reflection, questions and challenges. This reflection provides an opportunity to consider, “Why am I at Sunnyhill?”
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Everyone, please bring a cut flower or flowers with you this morning to share with others. We will celebrate this ritual, which was initiated 100 years ago by Norbert Capek, the founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia, and honors the beauty and individuality of each individual and the bouquet we create by joining together with one another.
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Today’s service is titled “Patriotism.” In recent decades, we have seen the rise of a new “religious” nationalism that presents itself in the guise of particular brand of “patriotism.” As members of a religious community, we are guided by values that transcend narrow national interests, so it is important to examine the difference between true patriotism (a noble virtue) and extreme nationalism (a dangerous socio-political doctrine).
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Put Love at the Center
Sunnyhill member (and former board president) Josh Broaded will explore Unitarian Universalists values, and the role that love plays in drawing together different people and ideas.
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Being a “welcoming congregation” is not merely an academic exercise or just a nice thing to do. Welcoming our LGBTQIA+ siblings is a life-affirming and potentially life-saving act. In this service we will examine what we can do to work for justice for LGBTQ people while becoming a more fully inclusive and welcoming congregation.
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This is the time of year when graduations, commencements, and other transitions are celebrated. What does it mean to bridge from what has been to what shall be? Why is it important to commemorate such occasions? And what can be learned from occupying these liminal “in between” spaces? This service will include a bridging ceremony for our graduating high school seniors.
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Most of us have experienced moments in our lives when we are caught off-guard by something big for which we were not prepared. In fact, over the past few years, some of us have experienced many such moments. This sermon will offer some suggestions about what to do when you don’t know what to do.
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Improvisational ParentingIn recent decades, there have been numerous theories and methods of parenting put forth by experts and others–many of which may be helpful, but none of which answers every conceivable challenge or circumstance. In the end, much of parenting involves making it up as one goes along. What are the important aspects of improvisational parenting and improvisational living?
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Coming of Age
Credo is a Latin word, which is generally translated as “I believe,” but its literal meaning is closer to “what I set my heart to.” Sunnyhill’s Coming of Age (COA) class will share what is close to their hearts in this service, which is a capstone of the COA curriculum.
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Resistance and Revolution RevisitedApril 30, 2023
As a number of writers have recently noted, resistance in and of itself may not be enough. Our own Declaration of Independence notes that “whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.” When and how do we move from resistance to revolution?
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Life and Music of Nina SimoneApril 23, 2023
Singer, songwriter, pianist and civil rights activist Nina Simone (1933-2003) was one of the most influential performers of her time. Known for her unique musical style and her outspoken social commentary, Simone was one of the most provocative figures of the 1960s. What can we learn from her life and music that is relevant to our own era?
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A Theology of TreesApril 16, 2023
Poet Wendell Berry suggests that we should “stand like slow growing trees / on a ruined place, renewing, enriching it.” How can we live more like trees, and what kind of theology is suggested by the life of trees. We’ll explore these questions and others in this service.
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The Good Samaritan and Collective LiberationWhile we often focus on some of the more obvious lessons of the Good Samaritan, what does the story tell us about systems of oppression? How might we view this tale as a case study in intersectionality and the struggle for collective liberation?
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The Good Samaritan and Crossing Boundaries
At a time when extreme social and political polarization has become the norm, how do we motivate ourselves to reach out across lines of difference? When and how is it even desirable to do so without causing harm to those who are most vulnerable?
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In an era marked by hate-filled rhetoric and shouting matches, what does the story of the Good Samaritan tell us about the power and importance of simple human kindness, and why do we so often forget the power of kindness to heal both the giver and the receiver.
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Strength in Vulnerability
Vulnerability has long been thought of as a weakness–something that we try to hide or deny. But how can embracing our vulnerability become a strength? And why is vulnerability an important part of everyone’s real life story?
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Unitarian Universalism has a long and complicated history working on anti-racism. In recent years, the 8th Principle has called congregations to not only proclaim countering oppression- particularly anti-racism- as a value, but to embody it in every aspect of the work we do. What does it mean to choose this work and what kind of paradigm shift do we need to continue to embrace it. Rev. Sunshine will help begin to answer these questions through story, principled thought, and song.
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The Jewish holiday of Purim is centered around the Book of Esther. How does this story of heroism in the face of vulnerability relate to our own time? What can we learn about Esther that might help us face our own personal and collective challenges?
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Principles and Values
Unitarian Universalism is a religious tradition that emphasizes “deeds, not creeds.” Despite being non-creedal, we have depended on statements like our seven principles to describe who we are and what values are commonly shared among us. How might these articulations of principles and values be changing soon?
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The Unitarian side of our UU heritage can be traced back to the Puritans–perhaps one of the most illiberal and intolerant religious groups in history. How do we reconcile our current commitments to liberation with this narrow-minded strain of our religious DNA?
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The ancient Greeks used six different words for love, while contemporary English has only one. What are the differences among these various conceptions of love, and why is it important for us to understand and practice them today?
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Groundhogs hibernate during winter and emerge in the spring. What occurs during these months of hibernation and why is it important? As human beings, how do the little choices we make–even during times when things are hardly moving–have an impact on our lives and our world?
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What is it that many of us find so fascinating about animals, especially our pets? This sermon will explore the lessons that we can learn from animals who seem to live in a state of pure being, without the filters of thinking or judgment. How can recognizing this essence in others help us to be more open to life just as it is?
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MLK famously said: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” What King was describing was the idea of collective liberation. How might we implement this idea in our own time?
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A reflection on why it is important for religious liberals to study the Bible. Hint: it’s not just to have fodder to use against the fundamentalists. It has to do with being both rooted and open. Aware of where we come from, with the willingness to be transformed by what we find in what might be unexpected places.
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Why is the ritual of lighting a candle or lamp (or chalice) so powerful? What does this simple act accomplish, and how does it connect us with others? What does it signify for us? We will explore these questions by means of several stories from the Jewish tradition in preparation for Hanukkah, which begins later this week.
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Reverence, Wonder and Awe
The Christian liturgical season of Advent is meant to be a time of reflection and experiencing reverence, wonder and awe. Rather than hurrying through this time of year in a mad rush of consumption and exhaustion, how might we make room for quiet reflection?
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A Day of Mourning and Thanksgiving
Rev. Jim Magaw November 20 - 10:00 am
Giving thanks is always important, especially in challenging times when gratitude can sometimes be eclipsed by a sense of impending doom. At the same time, we must not turn away from the reality that a time of thanksgiving for some is a time of mourning for others. How do we hold together these two realities?
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Refuge & ResistanceNovember 13, 2022
In the wake of the elections, it is good to have this church as a place where we can draw strength from one another and where we can work to build resistance to the prevailing culture of fear and hatred in which we currently find ourselves. How might we continue to be a place of refuge and resistance? (This service will also feature the UU Pittsburgh Community Choir, with members from various UU congregations in the greater Pittsburgh area.)
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One of the primary goals of religion is to take us from the profane shallows to the sacred depths of life. How do we undertake this challenging spiritual journey, which sometimes mirrors the path of ever-deepening relationships with life partners and close friends?
In the Christian tradition, All Souls Day has been a time to remember everyone who has died, everyone who has been part of the gathered community. The phrase “All Souls” has a particularly Unitarian connotation because of something that one of our own “saints,” William Ellery Channing, said: “I am a living member of the great Family of All Souls; and I cannot improve or suffer myself without diffusing good or evil around me through an ever-enlarging sphere. What does it mean for us to be a community of All Souls in the 21st century?
Several years ago, a Ken Burns documentary, “Defying Hate,” examined the courageous work of Unitarians Waitstill and Martha Sharp, who helped rescue hundreds of imperiled political dissidents and Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi occupation in Europe. What does it mean to defy hate in our own time, and how do we go about this vital task?
The Biblical story of Job resonates deeply with our time as we experience various trials and tribulations–seemingly without end. How can an understanding of Job’s story help us understand our own predicament and chart a path forward?
With the rise of authoritarianism and neo-fascism not just among fringe groups but also in mainstream politics, it is important to understand and articulate the moral argument against fascism. This service will explore Unitarian Universalism’s historic and contemporary commitment to anti-fascism.
Wild Geese and More Wild Geese
Why do wild geese keep finding their way into poems? This service will explore the meaning and significance of these creatures in the poetry of Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry and others.
This sermon will explore Unitarian Universalism’s unique ecclesiology – how we are together as a religious community. We are rooted in the concept of covenant that traces its source to the Hebrew Scriptures and to the Puritans, but our idea of covenant is fluid and always changing and developing.
Although most of us don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about theology, understanding the theological underpinnings of social and political movements helps us understand the roots and implications of these movements and the ways in which some are toxic and others life-giving.
Third-Person UnitarianAugust 28, 2022
In the 19th-century, many Unitarians described themselves as “first-person Unitarians,” meaning they emphasized only the first part of the idea of the Trinity – God the Father, but necessarily the Son or the Holy Spirit. However, in the 21st-century, it’s possible that the concept of a “third-person Unitarian” may be more relevant. This service will explore contemporary Unitarian Universalist concepts of spirit.
In a bygone era, it was assumed that almost everyone would belong to a religious community of one kind or another, but that assumption no longer holds as more and more people are unchurched. What are the real benefits of going to church and what does it mean to be a member of a congregation in our own era?
The idea of a “day of rest” may seem quaint and outdated–especially in a world that appears to be on fire. But, if we are to be functional and at least somewhat effective as bringers of justice and compassion, we need a day of rest more than ever before. How can we make room for sabbath wisdom in the midst of the many demands of our world?
As Unitarian Universalists we covenant, affirm and promote seven principles. As we pursue the work of creating Beloved Community, can we benefit from the guidance and inspiration of a proposed 8th principle? Join the Sunnyhill Beloved Conversations Team as they share the history of the ever-evolving Seven Principles and introduce the proposed 8th Principle: “Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
Especially during the pandemic, I have found myself reading more about trees and relating to them more deeply. What do trees have to teach us about community and how to live in healthy relationship with one another? Please join me for an exploration of trees’ quiet wisdom.
Dean will explore the ways that we combine imagination, memory and creativity to bring meaning to our lives. The service will feature Dean’s favorite storytelling form, poetry.
DRE Jennifer McGlothin reflects on the last decade of service to Sunnyhill and her own path to spiritual awakening, which is grounded in the resilience and interdependence found in the natural world.
Dolph reflects on his journey from a childhood poisoned by racial slurs and hate speech to the moments, interactions, and friends that guided him toward understanding and compassion for all.
Longtime Sunnyhill member Jean Furlan will be sharing her experience of taking three solo road trips in celebrations of her 50th, 60th and 70th birthdays. Her service will describe the physical beauty of the United States and explore how Jean found meaning in solitude and nature- which is affirming risk-taking as a way to independence.
Join us for the service “Beyond Self-Reliance”, by Rev. John Ballance. This sermon examines the tension between self-reliance, as famously espoused by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the attributes needed to achieve the goal of the beloved community. John has been a member of Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills in Franklin Park since 1982. He has BS and MS degrees in metallurgical engineering from North Carolina State University. He has been a research metallurgist in the steel industry and a copper alloys producer. He served as editor of a technical journal and then as executive director of a professional society for 25 years before retiring in 2008. He attended Meadville Lombard Theological School, receiving a Master of Divinity degree in 2016. He was ordained by his congregation in 2018. His ministry both while in seminary and since has been as a volunteer chaplain in Allegheny County Jail.
Vietnamese Buddhist teacher and activist Thich Nhat Hanh spoke of four mantras “effective for watering the seeds of happiness in yourself and your beloved and for transforming fear, suffering, and loneliness.” This service will examine those mantras and how they might be practiced.
Being a “welcoming congregation” is not merely an academic exercise or just a nice thing to do. Welcoming our LGBTQIA+ siblings is a life-affirming and potentially life-saving act. In this service we will examine what we can do to work for justice for LGBTQ people while becoming a more fully inclusive and welcoming congregation.
Memorial Day began in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War when formerly enslaved African Americans conducted a series of commemorations to express their sense of the meaning of the war. This service will explore the deep roots of Memorial Day and how those roots might change the way we experience this holiday in our own era.
Beloved Conversations is a program for Unitarian Universalists seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice. In Beloved Conversations, we are here to heal the impact of racism on our lives, in order to get free together. Sunnyhill’s Beloved Conversations Team will share their experiences of this program.
The Navaho blessing “May you walk in beauty” seems to imply that beauty plays a central role in our lives, both as a path that we tread and as that which surrounds and enfolds us while we are on that path. In this sermon, we will explore how we might recognize, embrace and engage beauty as a transformative spiritual practice.
For various reasons, Mother’s Day is not a holiday that everyone celebrates. Rather than beatifying or idealizing mothers, this service will look at the importance of supportive, nurturing relationships and how anyone can give or receive such nurturance.
Credo is a Latin word which is generally translated as “I believe,” but its literal meaning is closer to “what I set my heart to.” Sunnyhill’s Coming of Age (COA) class (8th-grade youth) will share what is close to their hearts in this service which is a capstone of the COA curriculum.
Book of Awakening
Drawn from ideas in Mark Nepo’s book of the same name, this service will explore, in Nepo’s words “our ongoing need to stay vital and in love with this life, no matter the hardships we encounter.” How might we go about cultivating this love for life, even when the going is rough?
One of the central themes of Easter is the ultimate triumph of life over death. Even when everything around us seems cloaked in darkness, the potential of resurrection of various kinds still exists for us as individuals and for us as a society. How do we prepare to “rise up” when the time comes?
What does it mean to leave everything behind and unexpectedly set out on a journey toward some unknown promised land? How do our own individual journeys (as well as our collective journey) relate to the stories of Passover?
Perhaps the most countercultural religious message ever is this one: “Awaken!” Our culture tends to lead us toward sleepwalking through most of our lives. This sermon will explore how bringing even the tiniest bit of real awareness to this very moment—in all its horror and beauty—can change us and lure us toward changing the world.
In an era of uncertainty, disease, and social, political and economic volatility, it is good to remember some of the enduring wisdom that has helped inspire and sustain humankind. This service will look at several wisdom stories and what they might mean for us today.
Our current era is certainly characterized by a plethora of dangers, toils, and snares. How can the concept and practice of grace help us meet these challenges and prepare us for an unknown and uncertain future?
John Newton’s words to “Amazing Grace” tell the story of his great change from a man who traded slaves to a man who fought against slavery. How can belief–and especially sudden changes in belief–guide our actions and transform our lives?
Author Anne Lamott tells us, “Grace meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us.” In this first of four sermons on the theme of “Amazing Grace,” we will reflect on the meaning and implications of grace as a theological concept and as a way of living.
Welcome: Rebecca Senneway, Worship Associate
Opening Words: “Grace Meets Us Where We Are” [Gretchen Haley]
Lighting the Chalice:
For the blessing of once again gathering in person and online,
We light our chalice.
For the opportunity to create a more just and compassionate community,
We light our chalice.
For the love that sustains this community and each of our lives,
We light our chalice.
Sermon: “Amazing Grace: How Sweet the Sound,” Rev. Jim Magaw
Hymn: “Amazing Grace”
(1) Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
(2) 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
(3) Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
'tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
(4) When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.
Jazz legend Miles Davis once famously said: “It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note – it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.” Jazz encourages and requires moving forward without entirely knowing where you are going. How might this kind of thinking play out in the rest of our lives?
Welcome: Brad Convis, Worship Associate
Opening Words: Bets Wienecke
Lighting the Chalice:
We kindle our chalice to celebrate:
Courage to face whatever is before us,
Creativity to find new answers,
And community that is formed
Each time we come together.
Sermon Part 1 and Part 2: Rev. Jim Magaw
Extinguishing the Chalice
Closing Words
Conventional thinking puts forth the idea that our current political situation has been caused by the right going further to the right and the left going further to the left. But a closer look reveals a different truth. Why is it important to push back against calls for centrism for centrism’s sake?
Welcome: Krista Stanley, Worship Associate
Opening Words: “It Is Good to Be Together” [Alison Wohler]
Lighting the Chalice: “Blessed Is the Fire” [Eric A. Heller-Wagner]
Blessed is the fire that burns deep in the soul.
It is the fire of reason; the fire of compassion;
the fire of community; the fire of justice; the fire of faith.
It is the fire of love burning deep in the human heart;
the divine glow in every life.
Sermon: "The Myth of Polarization" Rev. Jim Magaw
One powerful metaphor for growth has to do with living our lives in ever-growing orbits–passing over familiar territory again and again but gaining broader insights and perspectives with each orbit. How can we make use of this model for personal and institutional growth and transformation?
Gathering Music: "Venus" from The Planets [Gustav Holst], Carol Karl
Welcome: Mary-Jo Hennesy, Worship Associate
Opening Words: “We Arrive Together Here” [Andrew Pakula]
Lighting the Chalice:
As we kindle this flame,
May it spark in each of us
Connection and commitment
To this living tradition
And to each other.
Order of Service: Jan. 30, 2022
Gathering Music: "Reflections" [Barbara Becker], Carol Karl
Welcome: Bradley Convis, Worship Associate
Opening Words: “We Come to Grow” [Jack Mendelsohn]
Lighting the Chalice: “Multiple Truths” [Julianne Lepp]
May the light of our chalice remind us that this is a community of warmth and wisdom, welcoming of multiple truths.
Hymn: “Wisdom in My Bones” [Heather Pierson]
Story for All Ages: “The ‘Broken Story’ Story” [Christina Leone-Tracy], Jen McGlothin
Special Music: “Be Ye Lamps unto Yourselves,” Sunnyhill Choir Joys and Sorrows: We hold you in our hearts.
Meditation and Prayer
Musical Meditation: “I Know This Rose Will Open”
Sermon: “Wisdom for Our Times,” Rev. Jim Magaw
Hymn: “Jacob’s Ladder” Offering/Offertory: Buddy Rieger
Extinguishing the Chalice: [Elizabeth Selle Jones] We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth, The warmth of community, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.
Closing Words: “Go Forth in Simplicity” [Sam Trumbore]