Topic: Community, Togetherness

“Tolerance is Situation Specific ,” by Wren Monsour

Service Video After listening to the previous sermon series “Building Bridges,” by Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger, Wren struggled with what seemed to be a message of tolerance, even for the intolerable. She came to realize that tolerance is quite different from acceptance, and that what one is willing to tolerate can change from situation to situation. … Continue reading “Tolerance is Situation Specific ,” by Wren Monsour

“Building Bridges Across Diversities: Political Differences,” by The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger

Service video BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS DIVERSITIES: Summer Sermon Series, Part 2 of 4. UU congregations are made up of people holding a wide variety of religious beliefs. In fact, UUism draws from several different faith traditions and we affirm the acceptance and encouragement of diversity. We acknowledge that we need each other and our differences … Continue reading “Building Bridges Across Diversities: Political Differences,” by The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger

Sunday Morning worship from the 2023 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly

The Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Minister of the First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, MI, will lead the 2023 Sunday Service at GA. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti serves as Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a co-editor of “Conversations with the Sacred: A … Continue reading Sunday Morning worship from the 2023 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly

“Flower Communion,” by Tinka Friend

Service Video The Flower Ceremony, sometimes referred to as Flower Communion or Flower Festival, is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. Originally created in 1923 by Unitarian minister Norbert Capek of Prague, Czechoslovakia, the Flower Ceremony was introduced to the United States by Rev. Maya Capek, Norbert’s widow. In this … Continue reading “Flower Communion,” by Tinka Friend

“Holding Fast,” by Rev. Kelly Weisman Asprooth-Jackson

Service video We have all heard the phrase “The only constant in life is change.” Times change, perspectives change, relationships change. In the midst of these shifting references, is it possible for some things to remain authentic and true? In today’s sermon, Rev Kelly writes “A tree needs roots; and it also needs branches.” What … Continue reading “Holding Fast,” by Rev. Kelly Weisman Asprooth-Jackson

“God Makes No Mistakes: Creating Beloved Community for All Our Children,” by Sally Patton

Service video Our UU Principles encourage us to manifest respect for the inherent worth and dignity of each individual; to demonstrate equity and compassion in our relationships; and to accept one another in spiritual growth. In our faith communities, we strive to understand and accept those who may seem to have different perspectives from our … Continue reading “God Makes No Mistakes: Creating Beloved Community for All Our Children,” by Sally Patton

“…the infinite enlargement of the heart…,” by The Reverend James C. Leach

Service video Rev Leach focused this sermon on the principle that we are all part of an interdependent Web of Life, and he reflects on the ways this web of life is important, not only to the survival of our church and the world through pledging, but also the joys that can come from doing … Continue reading “…the infinite enlargement of the heart…,” by The Reverend James C. Leach