Weekly sermons from the pulpit of the West Seattle UU Fellowship. Be inspired from leaders such as Rev. Peg Morgan, layleaders from the congregation, and guest speakers from around the world.
Rev. Alex HoltThis is the second of three services on topics often avoided in our congregations. Addiction to substances or behaviors is very common in the world. How do we as liberal religious people respond to such a pervasive issue as addiction?Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltThere are topics generally not often heard in our congregations. One of them is mental illness even though mental health is a significant challenge in our culture and personal lives. How do we address mental illness in a compassionate way?Listen here.
Rev. Alex Holt"May you live in interesting times" is not an ancient Asian snippet of wisdom but it still speaks to the anxiety in our lives. How can Unitarian Universalism best respond to anxiety and change in a healthy way?Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltThe third Sunday of Advent in the Christian tradition speaks to many symbols. One of them is Service. The Sixth Source reminds us to live in harmony. How do we care for others and for the entire planet?Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltThe second theme of Advent in the Christian tradition is Hope. As we broadly explore the season of renewal how does hope become a powerful reminder of our future? Listen here
Rev Alex HoltThis is the first of four Sunday services using the Advent themes of Faith, Hope, Service, and Love. How do faith and gratitude walk together in our contemporary UU religious tradition?Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltThe Fifth Source is hugely admired in our largely humanist movement. Does religious humanism become so orthodox that it presents us with an idolatry of mind rather than mind and heart?Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltToday the sun rose in red states and blue states alike. Today many are in despair and disbelief in those states. How do we own our feelings? How do we as religious liberals respond to our fellow citizens not as the enemy but as seekers of happiness? Listen here.
Jo Victoria, Representative Unitarian Universalist AssociationAs our Congregation embarks on a journey to call its next minister, Jo Victoria will challenge us to promote inclusive thinking and avoid unfair discrimination during our search process. We will be encouraged to put our Unitarian Universalist values into action as we find the minister who is the best fit for us. This service continues themes explored during a workshop on "Beyond Categorical Thinking" held the previous day.Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltWhat are the Buddhist perspectives on death and the self? Rev. Alex will address this question and offer stories from his own experience as someone whose life is deeply aligned with Buddhist teachings. In addition, this service will offer an "In Memoriam Tribute" to the loved ones of members and friends who passed-on during the year.Listen here.
Rev. David BloomDoes God care who wins elections? If so, what would be the criteria for God's judgment? Or, can we even conjecture that there is a God that is conscious of human behavior and therefore interested in affecting it...or even able to? A favorite speaker at Westside, Rev. Bloom is an American Baptist minister with more than thirty years of ecumenical leadership experience in Seattle on social justice.Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltThis Source reminds us that wisdom is a powerful component of our spiritual development. How can the Third Source help that process?Listen here.
Rev. Anya Drew JohnstonThe notion of atonement is inherently religious, but not at all exclusive to Jewish or Christian practices. Are we to forgive? To make reparations? To become whole? Today I will ask Unitarians and Universalists to consider an approach to atonement that is both rational and heartfelt and, perhaps, the entire reason for religion of any kind.Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltWhat does it mean to be prophetic in this 21st century world? Is it warning us or preparing us for the unknown future? Today we will explore the meaning of the Second Source: "Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love"Listen Here.Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltToday we will consider the First Source of our Living Tradition. How can the rise of the IT (Information Technology) Age still bring mystery and wonder beyond the technology and cat videos?Listen here.
Cecelia Hayes and Jason DourosIt has been 15 years since the 9/11 attacks. This month's Praise Service will provide an opportunity to "hold" our thoughts and feelings about that day in a sacred space and consider how our collective experience has evolved as a result. Reverence, Joyful singing, soulful reflection, and a message of hope.Listen here.
Simon KnaphusThis service will explore transgender justice through a Unitarian Universalist lens. Westside member Simon Knaphus will talk about how growing up Unitarian Universalist made an impact on his journey as a trans* person, and how the Seven Principles call for us to know ourselves and step together into a future abundant with justice.Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltUU's know the Seven Principles quite well but what about the Six Sources? This service will be the first of several to explore the meaning and power of the Six Sources that refresh and nurture the Principles in every generation.Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltThis was a service where anyone from Westside was welcome to submit a question to Alex for the service. He did not see or hear them until the service leader read them nor did he know who is asking the question. Listen here.
Rev. Alex HoltSo called 'pop culture' speaks to the power of change and possibility. So does transitional ministry. Alex will speak on the importance of belief and how the song "Believer" by American Authors can empower our hearts as well as minds.Listen here.
Crystal Zerfoss, SeminarianWe manifest love in the world whenever we build community and foster relationships, whenever we live into understanding and peace, whenever we work together for justice and equality. The arc of the moral Universe bends toward justice, yet it takes the effort of each one of us to shorten the trajectory. My dear friends, we have work to do!Listen here.
Dominique DavisDominique Davis, is Co Director of the 180 Program--a gang and criminal justice prevention program in the greater Seattle area. Dominique dedicates his life to helping youth "turn around their lives" hopefully avoiding the criminal justice system and its lasting negative consequences. Dominique will offer his own compelling story, share with us the reality of the plight of at risk youth in Seattle and King County--especially young Black men, and challenge us to action as a Congregation that has endorsed the Black Lives Matter movement...Listen here.
Rev. Amanda AikmanWhy are habitable exoplanets bad news for humanity? What would it mean to discover that we are not alone in the universe?Listen here.
Rev Amanda Aikman"You are closer to glory leaping an abyss/than upholstering a rut," said poet James Broughton. What are the perils and rewards of risk-taking, and what can spur us to taking more risks in our precious lives?Listen here.
Rev. Barbara CornellPeople with a lived experience of mental illness and addiction, along with their families and friends, often struggle with bias, ignorance, misunderstanding, exclusion and a lack of support and funding for even the most basic of services. As one in five or six people struggle with mental illness or addiction issues, this situation impacts nearly every family in our communities. Rev. Barbara will reflect on her ministry with those who struggle and how our congregations could consider an alternative response to the mentally ill and the addicted with compassionate presence at the foundation.Listen here.
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