Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst - Sermon Archive

Mothers Day in its original expressions was a liberation and reform movement. In the tradition of effective liberation movements, Mothers Day was centered not on restitution (candy/flowers/gifts) but empowerment. For your reflection, consider this: What do some of the sickest institutions and movements in the world have in common? - Rev. Tim Ashton

T.S. Eliot said, "Where is the knowledge that is lost in information? Where is the wisdom that is lost in knowledge?" Once it was religious philosophy that was supposed to disclose the ultimate nature of reality. Science bulldozed those fragile structures. What's left? Perhaps something much more useful; the accumulated wisdom of how life should be lived. ? Rev. Tim Ashton

We will be dedicating twins to the congregation today. Of course, the questions arise. Why do we do these rituals? What difference do they make? If we follow the question far enough along, we must finally ask: Why do we come to church? Are we reminding ourselves that being good requires or needs constant nurturing and renewal? ? Rev. Tim Ashton

Is it an illusion that we die? We see the flowers in the garden. Year after year they are there. They disappear and reappear and seem the same. It this why flowers and animals are so comforting? We don?t usually recognize them as individuals. So we see the continuity. There are the foxes in the valley; there is always a family of them in that place. They never seem to die. Why don?t we see human life that way? Why don?t we see the continuity? ? Rev. Tim Ashton

"The figure and teachings of Jesus are too often broken down, adapted, and then shaped to fit people's own particular needs and desires. Who was the real, walking, talking, preaching Jess, and what lessons can we take from him today?" With Easter just a week away, this is a timely question. ? Rev. Tim Ashton

Sunday School class will present some lessons from the Story of Joseph in the Bible to ground the morning?s sermon. The kids are learning that life is not fair, but in the end, things will work out if you just give it time. Perseverance is more effective than evil actions and thoughts. In the midst of the Great Recession, I hear a lot of adults pondering these same ideas. ? Rev. Tim Ashton

Just because you can accomplish something, should you? ? Rev. Tim Ashton

? Rev. Tim Ashton

How can you tell you?re having a conversation? The exchange is filled with question and feeling. In conversation people gradually and gently enter into each other?s lives. A relationship grows; and, this is the ?dangerous? part, we become gradually responsible for each other. Conversation may be a defining element of a church community and humanness.. ? Rev Tim Ashton

For this Fantasy Auction sermon was requested a reflection on this idea: Some believe that love is a power, perhaps the power which holds the Universe together. Is love the concrete attraction of the elements of a molecule? And thus, is love another name for god? ? Rev Tim Ashton

The great leader of the civil rights movement forced the transformation our society. Yet many puzzle how Thomas Jefferson could have kept slaves. At the same time there is nostalgia for a past that seemed so much more civilized and well ordered, yet a past so firmly founded on racial inequality. Many of the era were clear that civility came at a necessary cost. Was that cost racial entitlement and knowing your place? ? Rev Tim Ashton

Such a word in our times may bring to mind the image of ?bowing and scraping, offering sacrifices to an idol, or the effort to cajole the gods to gain favor or exemption from bad fate or punishment. So what is it that we are doing on Sunday morning? Shouldn?t our religion be about good values and a well-lived life? ? Rev Tim Ashton

Many think that 'UU Evangelism' is an oxymoron. Critics think UUs don't believe in anything worth evangelizing about and UUs don't evangelize people into our faith. Come find out if these words can ever make sense together and whether you can become a UU evangelist without becoming a moron, oxy- or otherwise. -- Scott Harrigan

We owe a great debt to those who came before. I'd like to share how certain acts of creativity connect to the UU principles and timelessness. -- Jake Marek