Sermons and Services from Bradford Community Church Unitarian Universalist, Kenosha, WI

Service by Rev. Erik David Carlson, Denise Cawley and Alex Poyner on the implications of the coming spring for this time of uncertainty.

Service with Rev. Erik David Carlson, Rev. Dr. Monica L. Cummings, intern minster Denise Cawley and musician Alex Poyner on maintaining caring connections even in a time of isolation.

Intern minister Denise Cawley reflects on that voice still and small that dwells within us all and takes us through writing our own book of inner wisdom.

Intern minister Denise Cawley shares a sermon regarding the fluid gender of God in ancient literature and within our own human physiology. Opening reading by Rabbi Mark Sameth shared by Rev. Erik.

Rev. Erik shares the story of "We Shall Overcome" as told by Debbie Levy and paired with elegant, collage-style art by Vanessa Brantley-Newton and a homily about the importance of art in the struggle against oppression.

Intern minister Denise Cawley touches on the power of a family's love through the story told in the 1995 Dutch cinema classic, Antonia's Line. Opening reading by Mary Oliver provided by Rev. Erik David Carlson.

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, Rev. Erik David Carlson explores spiritual lessons from the world of competitive athletics.

Homily by Rev. Erik David Carlson about the spiritual implications of the winter solstice and our place within the cosmos. Aided by Patti Fitchett reading the words of Rev. Robert Weston.

Homily from intern minister Denise Cawley on the implications of accepting our friends and family of all gender identities.

Homily from Rev. Erik David Carlson on the implications of intersectionality on our justice work from a Universalist perspective.

Bradford UU recognizes the contributions of our young people in homilies from Rev. Erik David Carlson and intern minister Denise Cawley, followed by the Bradford UU Thanksgiving Homecoming litany.

Homilies from Rev. Erik David Carlson and Denise Cawley introduce our membership ceremony. Many thanks to everyone who participated and our record-breaking class of 14 new members!

Our very own Dani Lockwood narrates her play that was acted out during service based on the work of D.J. Conway, followed by a Halloween homily on Samhain by Rev. Erik David Carlson.

Rev. Erik David Carlson explores local and international laws regarding immigration and the moral, spiritual implications of welcoming the stranger.

Bradford UU Intern Minister Denise Cawley reflects on our transgender ministry initiative lifting up the words of transgender leaders in our UU movement.

In this all-ages, interactive worship, we work together to complete puzzles and affirm our individual belonging to the collective spiritual community that is Bradford UU.

Rev. Erik David Carlson examines the text of John 14:9-12 and its implications for later spiritual leaders including Origen of Alexandria and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., referencing the story "The Rabbi's Gift" by M. Scott Peck.

Rev. Erik delivers a homily for the people and animals in attendance for our annual Animal Blessing service.

Rev. Erik David Carlson looks at our quest for happiness and several different ancient and modern philosophical takes on what it means to live a happy life.

Homily by Rev. Erik David Carlson follows member testimonials from Jack Dudley, Joy Latuvnik and Patti Fitchett about what makes Bradford UU so important to them and their lives.

Rev. Erik David Carlson lifts up the contributions of the Revs. Maja and Norbert Capek in the gift of the Unitarian Flower Communion ceremony.

Rev. Erik David Carlson discusses the importance of personal involvement in our political process in the context of Unitarian and Universalist history of advocacy for justice.

Guest minister T.J. Williams-Hauger presents a Christian approach to justice-making movements in the context of Unitarian Universalism, intersectionality and LGBTQ Pride.

In our annual summer service, you get to ask Rev. Erik about anything! Questions not answered in service will appear in future additions of the Quilt newsletter.

Rev. Erik David Carlson reflects on his own experience as a father and the myriad ways we uphold mentorship and education in our society and our Unitarian Universalism, regardless of its sources.

Rev. Erik David Carlson examines several different philosophical understandings of the soul, including those of Immanuel Kant and Ralph Waldo Emerson and their implications for us as contemporary people of faith in the light of LGBTQ Pride.

Rev. Erik David Carlson looks at the societal pressures on personal, physical attractiveness contrasted with the internal beauty we find in ourselves and each other.

Rev. Erik David Carlson explores what it means to be both pro-peace and supportive of our military siblings as Unitarian Universalists.

Our time for all ages story from May 19th, 2019.

In honor of Mother's Day, ministerial intern Denise Cawley discusses Mary Magdalene, feminine spirituality and the female divine's influence on our faith and our lives.

Rev. Erik David Carlson looks at the history of reason, Enlightenment values and Humanism in light of the recent religious and political critiques of science in our culture.

Rev. Erik David Carlson explores the truth of the historical Jesus compared to the Christ many people celebrate at Easter.

Rev. Erik David Carlson speaks about the importance of centering the margins and embracing a diversity of identities when attempting to achieve personal and collective wholeness.

Rev. Erik David Carlson explores the connections we all have to the birth of the Universe, each other, and the great spirit of Love.

Student minister Denise Cawley talks about the simple ways we might incorporate spiritual practice into our lives, little by little.

Rev. Erik David Carlson welcomes spring in a homily about the rebirth symbolism in the springtime.

Rev. Erik David Carlson examines the parallel-but-oft-conflicting paths of democracy and capitalism throughout American history from a Unitarian Universalist perspective.

Rev. Erik David Carlson explores the theme of journey in our lives as it pertains to growth, awareness, immigration and the spiritual practice of hospitality. Opening reading shared by Jennifer Burns.

Student minister Denise Cawley gives our stewardship sermon on the connections and commitments we have to each other and the world.

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, Rev. Erik David Carlson explores the spiritual, cultural and communal nature of competitive athletics in America as illustrated in part with the story of the 2004 Boston Red Sox.

Sermon by Denise Cawley on how to better engage in Unitarian Universalism based in part on the recent work of Kimberly Sweeney on "The Death of Sunday School".

Rev. Erik David Carlson discusses the cultural problem of the false binary and how we have in Universalism a means to address the complexity of our lives.

Unitarian Universalist seminarian and intern minister at the UU Church West in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson shares the importance of embracing and even enjoying the mysteries that surround us and our lives.

Rev. Erik David Carlson explores our human ability to change our minds through the lens of science and religion, constructive dialogue and Christian Mysticism as exemplified by Saint Hildegard von Bingen.

Rev. Erik David Carlson explores the unique intersection between memory and history and our connection to the living generations and our understanding of the future, using the Harry Chapin song "Remember When the Music" as framework for the sermon.

Student minister Denise Cawley, Bradford UU founding-member Kay Wikel, UU historian and storyteller Mary Norris and Rev. Erik David Carlson offer reflections on the 150th anniversary of Unitarian worship space in Kenosha.

Sermon by student minister Denise Cawley on our congregation's connection to the Prophetic Sisterhood and how we might be more welcoming and radically inclusive in our church today.

Did you know the most racially segregated time of the week in America is Sunday morning? What does it say about us as a culture that we are least diverse within our faith communities, and how might we engage across faith divisions in order to do good work in the word? Opening reading by Steve Garnaas-Holmes shared by student minister Denise Cawley, sermon by Rev. Erik David Carlson.

In recognition of Columbus Day and Indigenous People's Day, we will be examining the implications of imperialism and the process by which we judge past actions by current moral standards. Sermon by Rev. Erik David Carlson with opening reading by Rev. Qiyamah A. Rahman shared by Denise Cawley.

In light of the Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh testimonies this week, we explore the origins of sight and how our own understanding of reality depends upon incorporating different perspectives of the truth.

In honor of Labor Day we explore our deep connection to workers' rights and the labor movement in Kenosha and throughout the rest of Wisconsin history. Opening reading provided by Patti Fitchett.