Podcasts about unitarian universalists

I went to church this Sunday of my own free will. You read that right! I took a microdose mushroom gummy on Saturday, went down a Unitarian Universalist internet rabbit hole, and then had to go check it out for myself the next morning. As you can imagine, I felt and thought a lot of things, and I'm excited to share them all with you

Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on August 9, 2026. As we continue this second in a series of services on the ways (called "ends") we have prioritized for living our mission as a religious community, we will explore our second end, "We are an intergenerational church that invests in and prioritizes spiritual nourishment for all." As we live out the part of our mission that says we 'nourish souls', this end encourages us to both embrace difference and celebrate unity in order to do so.

We continue our Sunday series, offering some inspiration, perspective and guidance from spiritual and religious leaders around the world. Today, we have a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation with the Reverend Dr. David Breeden, the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis and a longtime humanist minister, author and professor. Dr. Breeden explains what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and a humanist, and how people can find morality, purpose, hope and community without believing in God or an afterlife. He also opens up about his journey from being raised Pentecostal to becoming a humanist, why he believes humans can solve the problems humans have created, and what he thinks happens to us after we die.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our Sunday series, offering some inspiration, perspective and guidance from spiritual and religious leaders around the world. Today, we have a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation with the Reverend Dr. David Breeden, the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis and a longtime humanist minister, author and professor. Dr. Breeden explains what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and a humanist, and how people can find morality, purpose, hope and community without believing in God or an afterlife. He also opens up about his journey from being raised Pentecostal to becoming a humanist, why he believes humans can solve the problems humans have created, and what he thinks happens to us after we die.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our Sunday series, offering some inspiration, perspective and guidance from spiritual and religious leaders around the world. Today, we have a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation with the Reverend Dr. David Breeden, the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis and a longtime humanist minister, author and professor. Dr. Breeden explains what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and a humanist, and how people can find morality, purpose, hope and community without believing in God or an afterlife. He also opens up about his journey from being raised Pentecostal to becoming a humanist, why he believes humans can solve the problems humans have created, and what he thinks happens to us after we die.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our Sunday series, offering some inspiration, perspective and guidance from spiritual and religious leaders around the world. Today, we have a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation with the Reverend Dr. David Breeden, the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis and a longtime humanist minister, author and professor. Dr. Breeden explains what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and a humanist, and how people can find morality, purpose, hope and community without believing in God or an afterlife. He also opens up about his journey from being raised Pentecostal to becoming a humanist, why he believes humans can solve the problems humans have created, and what he thinks happens to us after we die.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we relate to other churches, a wider faith movement, and the rest of our society? We discuss our faithful relationships with one another and the world. Our Questioning sermon series is built around the questions you submitted. Asking questions is at the heart of the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and together we'll explore your questions about worship, our faith, our congregation, and living our values in the world.

Recently, at 95, Ruby Hill spends time reflecting on her life. Two principles stand out: “I cared deeply about the needs of others, and the results were better than I could have imagined.” She also believes that much of her life was shaped by others, beginning with her father's decision that pharmacy should be her career. Ruby married the young man who sat behind her in Dr. Paytash's Chemistry 101 class, when classroom seats were assigned and attendance was taken by name. A year after earning her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and passing the State Board exam, they married. By the end of that decade, they were raising three thriving children. Decades later, inspired by the values of a small Unitarian Universalist congregation, Ruby responded to George Floyd's murder by helping launch a STEM initiative for Black girls that combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with self-care, leadership, and community care. "Beginning with love for ourselves and each other, we can keep learning, know that we all belong, and create hope for future generations." - Ruby HillConnect with RubyEmail: hoopbab@hotmail.comThanks to our Platinum Sponsor AARP Illinois, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 1.7 million members in Illinois, AARP volunteers advocate for better health, financial security, and stronger communities. Visit AARP.org/IL to learn more.

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on August 2, 2026. This Sunday we worship a little bit differently, there is no sermon. Instead, members were offered six intergenerational activities to do throughout the church. This podcast samples one of the activities - Songs of Resistance led by singer/songwriter Sarah Bentley.

What do some of the things we take for granted on Sunday in worship really mean and what do the differences in our worship and other types of worship mean? Questioning – Summer Sermon Series, Sundays, August 2 – 16. Our Questioning sermon series is built around the questions you submitted. Asking questions is at the heart of the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and together we'll explore your questions about worship, our faith, our congregation, and living our values in the world.

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on July 26, 2026. Whether we are talking about an authoritarian crisis or a physical crisis, all of us need each other to survive and thrive. This Sunday Rev. Carrie explores this topic and prepares us for an emergency response. As part of the service, we will all participate in a fire drill, which will be rewarded with great music from Parker Woodland, popsicles, and (possibly) firefighters.

Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on July 19, 2026. Join us as some great folks from our social action team discuss the effective allyship that is so vital to living out our values and mission.

Service delivered on July 12, 2026. Join our First UU Youth Group as they share their thoughts and perspectives on topics that concern them as part of their bridging ceremony into adulthood.

Elizabeth Hunter, Lay Worship Leader, preaching Worship service given July 19, 2026 Prayer by Elizabeth Hunter, Lay Worship Leader https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Lay Worship Leader Elizabeth Hunter asks: what does it mean to worship? Our world is a vibrant tapestry of different traditions and faiths, many of which have influenced our UU practice. Witnessing other places and forms of worship can illuminate our values, what we hold worthy, and what we mean when we use that word. Elizabeth Hunter and her husband, Jason Merrill, have been members of First Parish since 2010 and their child, Alice, has grown up in this community. Elizabeth has previously served as a Worship Associate and Youth Advisor and on the Committee on Ministry and Shared Ministry Committees. The family recently spent six months traveling together around the world during Alice's Gap Year, exploring and making connections through seventeen countries.   Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July, and August of 2026, the Pink Haven Coalition will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations, queer associations, and individual justice-lovers who are working together to create networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are.. We know that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. We proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Havens' work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. Learn more at their website: https://www.pinkhaven.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching Worship service given July 12, 2026 Prayer by Loren Gomez, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Rev. Erica returns from part one of her Sabbatical! Join us this Sunday as she preaches about something she rediscovered (but hadn't felt in ages) during her time away …. boredom! What can boredom teach us? When does spiritual itchiness require action? When does it invite us to sink deeper?   Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July, and August of 2026, the Pink Haven Coalition will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations, queer associations, and individual justice-lovers who are working together to create networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are.. We know that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. We proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Havens' work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. Learn more at their website: https://www.pinkhaven.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber speaks of a “load‑bearing structure”—the steady, grounding force that holds us when life feels unstable. For her, that structure is God and the salvation she found in Jesus: “For me, Unitarian Universalist principles and values have long served as one of those stabilizing structures. Over time, I've come to understand that such support can take many forms, so long as they help us remain upright through trauma and change. The Karpman framework of the Drama Triangle and the Empowerment Triangle has become one of those supports in my own ministry. I have seen how often groups, including congregations, become caught in the cycle of victim, persecutor, and rescuer, and how transformative it can be to shift into the roles of creator, challenger, and coach. This framework can be grounding, helping us to remain compassionate, clear, and centered during trauma‑impacted work.” Rev. Dr. Jane Davis grew up in a Southern Baptist family and first discovered Unitarian Universalism more than forty years ago. After a 25‑plus‑year career as an engineer in the nuclear power industry, she answered the call to ministry in 2015 and enrolled at Meadville Lombard Theological School. She completed her ministerial internship at First U in 2020, and was ordained by this congregation in 2021. She went on to serve as a community minister in a Program Manager position with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Project ECHO. She was granted Full Fellowship in February 2026, and completed her Doctor of Ministry in May 2026. Music: Lydia Clark

Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on July 5, 2026. Join us for the first in a sermon series exploring the spiritual significance of the ways (called "ends") through which we as a church have committed to living our mission. This Sunday, we will contemplate the first of our four ends: We are a collaborative, pluralistic church living our values and mission in the greater world, achieving together what we can't do alone.

Loren Gomez, Lay Worship Leader, preaching Worship service given July 5, 2026 Prayer by Mary Babic, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 The idea of being there for children, listening to them and accepting their gifts, is crucial to parenting, in classrooms and in schools. But it does not need to end there. Join this week's Lay Worship Leader Loren Gomez to explore how listening and acknowledging others with skillfulness is a transformative two-way street that can pave the way for a life of Faithing. Loren recently retired from 32 years in public schools as a school psychologist. She continually runs into former students and families. Loren is spending her time in the mountains and in the yoga studio and creating connections in community. At First Parish she is a Worship Associate and a member of the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Committee.   Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July, and August of 2026, the Pink Haven Coalition will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations, queer associations, and individual justice-lovers who are working together to create networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are.. We know that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. We proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Havens' work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. Learn more at their website: https://www.pinkhaven.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on June 28, 2026. What do Care Bears, Pride, spirituality, and UU theology have in common? According to Rev. Carrie, a lot. Join her to see how she makes that argument.

Why do church search committees so often struggle to find the right pastor? In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. talks with novelist Michelle Huneven about her acclaimed novel Search, a witty and surprisingly insightful look at the dynamics of a church pastoral search committee. Although fictional, the novel captures many of the real-world challenges congregations face as they discern leadership, navigate competing priorities, and wrestle with their own identities. The conversation explores why churches are often drawn to charismatic candidates, how institutional blind spots shape hiring decisions, and why healthy congregations begin with self-awareness rather than simply searching for the "perfect" pastor. Huneven reflects on the parallels between church searches, university hiring, and other institutional decision-making, highlighting how group dynamics, consensus, and competing visions of the future influence outcomes. They also discuss declining church attendance, denominational structures, diversity, congregational governance, and the enduring tension between preserving tradition and embracing change. Along the way, Huneven shares practical wisdom from her own experience as a novelist, teacher, and occasional preacher about creativity, leadership, and the writing process. Together they explore: Why church search committees often struggle to discern the right leader The appeal—and danger—of charismatic candidates How group dynamics shape congregational decision-making Institutional health and leadership transitions Consensus, conflict, and competing visions for the future Why healthy churches are marked by self-awareness Michelle Huneven is the author of six novels, most recently Search and Bug Hollow. She teaches creative writing at UCLA. Among other honors she has received a James Beard Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She lost her house in Altadena, California in the Eaton fire so, while rebuilding, she lived in Los Angeles with her husband, dog, and talkative African Gray parrot.   Mentioned Resources:

Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given June 28, 2026 Prayer by Mary Breen, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 In an individualistic society, it may be tempting to focus on one's own identity and one's own issues. Dominant forces are more than happy to oblige by pitting one group against another. Join Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, in person and online this Sunday to explore how we might we use our collective forces to advocate for each other during these difficult times.   Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July, and August of 2026, the Pink Haven Coalition will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations, queer associations, and individual justice-lovers who are working together to create networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are.. We know that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. We proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Havens' work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. Learn more at their website: https://www.pinkhaven.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Unitarian Universalism has sometimes been accused of failing to provide sufficient comfort & guidance during the crises of life. This sermon series will refute that view, providing both theists and atheists with a (not the!) Unitarian Universalist approach to these common human struggles. We will draw from the ways “process theology” aligns with UU principles of relationship, interconnectedness, love, and ongoing revelation/evolution. This week we'll consider the questions “Why are we here?” & “How then shall we live?” Music: Lydia Clark

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on June 21, 2026. You can't throw a rock without learning about the harm that patriarchy plays in the lives of women and children, but what we don't often think about is how patriarchy impacts men and boys and the many obstacles it places between them and their full humanity. Join Rev. Carrie as she uses Father's Day to explore the impact of patriarchy on men and how we might use our understanding to help us do the work of liberation.

Diane Taraz, Lay Worship Leader, preaching Worship service given June 21, 2026 Prayer by David Klingsberg, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Inspired by John Lewis' urging to make waves, First Parish member Diane Taraz explores times in our history when resistance to injustice was aided by uplifting songs, including "Wade in the Water," "Bread and Roses," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." As we face our own time of crisis, we hear how others have troubled the waters and hoped for the rise of justice.   Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July, and August of 2026, the Pink Haven Coalition will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations, queer associations, and individual justice-lovers who are working together to create networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are.. We know that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. We proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Havens' work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. Learn more at their website: https://www.pinkhaven.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Patrick Dolan, Employment Lawyer at Conti & Dolan, joins Jon Hansen to discuss the case of a Unitarian Universalist employee who went against her company and what she claimed. Patrick shares how the company was challenged, the Pope commenting on AI and seeking religious exemptions in general. For more information, visit www.contidolanlaw.com or call 312-332-7800.

News and Updates: Religious Exemption from AI at Work: A North Carolina software engineer secured a faith-based workplace exemption from using AI, citing her Unitarian Universalist beliefs. Employment lawyers warn Pope Leo's encyclical could trigger a wave of similar requests, and employers who dismiss them risk Title VII discrimination lawsuits. Estonia Gives Students ChatGPT: Estonia distributed free, customized ChatGPT accounts to nearly 20,000 high school students, using a Socratic version that refuses to complete homework for them. Stanford and OpenAI are measuring the cognitive impact, with early results expected later this year. Amazon AI Shopping Search: Amazon's updated app now generates AI images of clothing and home goods as you describe them in the search bar, helping users find real products that match what they're envisioning — similar to a feature Google launched in AI Mode last year. Anthropic Engineers Inside the NSA: The Financial Times reported Anthropic embedded roughly six engineers inside the NSA to deploy its Mythos cyber model for offensive operations — the same model it calls too dangerous to release publicly — while simultaneously suing the Pentagon over military use of its other AI models. Microsoft Build 2026 Highlights: OpenClaw stole the show with a live demo proving new Microsoft Execution Container guardrails successfully blocked an AI agent from deleting user files. Microsoft unveiled an agent-first PC vision called Project Solara, with Jensen Huang declaring the PC has evolved from a personal computer to a personal AI. Microsoft MAI Models Disappoint: Microsoft launched four new in-house AI models at Build 2026 — covering reasoning, image generation, transcription, and voice — but independent testing found none outperform competitors, with Claude and Gemini still leading across every category tested.

Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on June 14, 2026. Building the Beloved Community and living into our full potential as individuals are far from exclusive pursuits - each requires the other. Our ability to flourish as individuals is bound up in creating communities and societies rooted in a fierce love that recognizes our sacred interdependence.

Rev. Carolyn Patierno, Adjunct Minister, preaching Worship service given June 7, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Join us for our final in-person worship service of the program year as Rev. Carolyn Patierno asks: How does faith carry us to higher ground especially in times when we feel we are desperately treading water? What does that mean as UUs? The First Parish Intergenerational Orchestra and the First Parish Choir, with accompanist Ken Seitz, will offer music as we bid farewell to this program year.   Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July, and August of 2026, the Pink Haven Coalition will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations, queer associations, and individual justice-lovers who are working together to create networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are.. We know that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. We proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Havens' work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. Learn more at their website: https://www.pinkhaven.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

What does it mean to be inspired? In this opening sermon of our summer series, Inspiration, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter reflects on creativity, soul growth, and the lifelong process of becoming. Through the stories of Kurt Vonnegut, ancient understandings of inspiration as breath, and a Unitarian Universalist vision of spiritual growth, this sermon invites us to pay attention to what gives our lives meaning and what calls us forward. What inspires you, and how might it help you become more fully yourself?

Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on June 7, 2026. Join Rev Chris, Sol, and our Chalice Camp participants for this much-loved Unitarian Universalist ritual where we bring flowers to add to the large bouquet we create and take a different flower with you, symbolizing both the unique, sacred beauty of each of us and the even greater beauty we create when we share that sacred uniqueness with one another.

Unitarian Universalism has sometimes been accused of failing to provide sufficient comfort & guidance during the crises of life. This sermon series will refute that view, providing both theists and atheists with a (not the!) Unitarian Universalist approach to these common human struggles. We will draw from the ways “process theology” aligns with UU principles of relationship, interconnectedness, love, and ongoing revelation/evolution. This week we will touch on concepts of pain, suffering, evil, and freedom. Music: Lydia Clark.

Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given June 7, 2026 Prayer by Bill Licea-Kane, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 How do we claim and own our gender as it is? During Pride month, let's take time to celebrate all the ways we are seen and known in the fullest expression of our gender!   Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July, and August of 2026, the Pink Haven Coalition will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations, queer associations, and individual justice-lovers who are working together to create networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are.. We know that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. We proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Havens' work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. Learn more at their website: https://www.pinkhaven.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

The mural of spiritual symbols which forms the backdrop of our worship has formed and informed this congregation for 62 years. Christine will tell us about some of its history, its many meanings, and how it can remind us of who we are as Unitarian Universalists. The Puppets will also have some opinions to share. Music: Tom Godfrey, jazz guitarist. Christine was the minister of First Unitarian from 1988-2017. She still helps out around the place when asked, but mostly enjoys participating as a member of the congregation.

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on May 31, 2026. There is what we aspire to be....the utopian vision of how we can be, and then there is the often harsh and painful reality of people's lived experiences. Inspired by Jose Martinez's powerful work "Voces Olvidadas," Rev. Carrie explores what it means to expand our capacity to hold what we are working for while also holding reality, especially the realities that are living in so much suffering.

COA Youth & Mentors, with Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education Worship service given May 31, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Carolyn Patierno, Adjunct Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 At First Parish, we honor the passage from childhood towards adulthood through our Coming of Age program for 8th graders. Join us to hear them share their Credo ("I believe") statements. As another cohort passes through the "Arch of Love," we celebrate all the people who have contributed to our multigenerational community. The service will be accompanied by music from the First Parish Bell Choir and First Parish Choir.  Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For May 2026, The First Pioneer Valley Dream Center will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish.  The First Pioneer Valley Dream Center, based in Springfield, MA, provides essential services like food and clothing at no cost to struggling families and individuals from all walks of life. Living their call to love and serve God and others, their goal is to inspire hope and empower lives. One of their services is to provide purpose-driven volunteer work to the residents of the local correctional facility where one of our First Parish members was housed recently. This member nominated the organization in recognition of their excellent work and in gratitude for the care and support they offered her during her service at the Dream Center. Learn more at their website: https://firstpvdreamcenter.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Rev. Carolyn Patierno, Adjunct Minister, preaching Worship service given May 24, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Carolyn Patierno, Adjunct Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 As the nation honors the war-dead, it is as important to honor the way of peace, especially in this war-torn time. Join us this Memorial Day weekend as Adjunct Minister Rev. Carolyn Patierno reflects on peace in this moment.  Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For May 2026, The First Pioneer Valley Dream Center will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish.  The First Pioneer Valley Dream Center, based in Springfield, MA, provides essential services like food and clothing at no cost to struggling families and individuals from all walks of life. Living their call to love and serve God and others, their goal is to inspire hope and empower lives. One of their services is to provide purpose-driven volunteer work to the residents of the local correctional facility where one of our First Parish members was housed recently. This member nominated the organization in recognition of their excellent work and in gratitude for the care and support they offered her during her service at the Dream Center. Learn more at their website: https://firstpvdreamcenter.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text "fpuu" to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on May 24, 2026. The board of First UU Church of Austin has been listening to the congregation about your dreams for the church and the differences it might make in our community and our world. Join us as the board president Karen Neeley and the Rev. Chris talk about your exciting vision for what comes next.

With many of our foundations in reason and Enlightenment-era thinking, Unitarian Universalists often struggle with mystery. We're often averse to things we might perceive as stories and beliefs that present as "supernatural." But what if "real" and "not real" is a false binary? Perhaps we're not asking the right questions when it comes to grappling with the unexplainable. About Cameron Young (they/them) Cameron is a lifelong Texan and Unitarian Universalist- prior to assuming the position as Lead for the UUA Southern Region Congregational Life staff, Cameron worked as field staff since 2019. Before joining the UUA, Cameron served as a lifespan religious educator in Fort Worth, Texas. Cameron has a Bachelor of Music from Louisiana State University and a Master of Divinity at Brite Divinity School where they graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the Sexual and Gender Justice certificate and the prestigious Walker Preaching Scholarship- they are currently a candidate for UU Ministry. A professional musician and classically trained singer, Cameron has performed in numerous operas and musicals, is a member and co-founder of the singing group Uptown Carolers and recorded with Grammy award winner Leon Bridges on his debut album. In their spare time, Cameron is an avid traveler, diehard fan of DFW sports teams, and devoted coffee drinker.

Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on May 17, 2026. You have probably heard the old "truism" that "Curiosity Killed the Cat", but did you know that there is a lesser-known version that says, "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back." What if curiosity can feel risky, but actually holds the key to both individual and collective liberation?

After some chatter about the recent UAP file dump from the Department of Defense and the skepticism surrounding a purported Epstein suicide note, we welcome Adrienne Hill and Dave Thomas to talk about last week's WeCanReason and SkeptiCamp New Mexico. If you've ever wondered what goes into a smaller, regional get-together for skeptics, this is a good primer. These low- or no-cost, more intimate gatherings are playing a bigger and bigger role in skeptical outreach and community building. And, we admit, in the midst of all the serious topics in current events that require our skeptical toolkits, a weekend away to talk about cryptids, ghosts or UFOs (along with world events) can be a fun refuge! How much work is it to hold one, and when should planning start? We go over ways to energize volunteers, publicize an event, gather speakers, plan a field trip, and ally with other communities like humanists, magicians or Unitarian Universalists.

Join us on May 21st at 6:30pm for a panel on Radicals, Realists, and Repression: The State of Activism in the US. The panel will feature Prof. Thomas Zeitzoff, professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University and author of “No Option, But Sabotage,” Prof. Omar Wasow, Assistant Professor in UC Berkeley's Department of Political Science, longtime environmental campaigner and organizer, and co-host of the Green and Red Podcast, Scott Parkin and Jason Myles, host of THIS IS REVOLUTION>podcast.RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/radicals-realists-and-repression-the-state-of-activism-in-the-us/https://actionnetwork.org/events/radicals-realists-and-repression-the-state-of-activism-in-the-us/We've been in the midst of a serious rollback of first amendment protected activities. States are passing anti-protest legislation, police are increasingly militarized, surveillance is being drastically increased on activist groups and the Trump administration is turning activism into terrorism. BUT, we are also seeing new large-scale resistance from the massive No Kings and May Day mobilizations to fierce resistance to ICE in Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, communities and movements are fighting back.The anti-AI Data Center movement has blurred political divides across the country. Activists are not only marching in the street and disrupting authoritarian forces, but actions at Tesla dealerships, Kimberly Clark warehouses, the offices of corporate war profiteers and other locations show a radical edge to today's resistance.This panel discussion will focus on the state of activism in the United States from its radicals to its realists, how the state is responding with repression, and understanding why movements and activists make the choices they do. WHERE: The Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists; 1924 Cedar St. Berkeley CAWHEN: May 21st, 2026. Doors open at 6:30pm. Event begins at 7pmVirtual viewing: We'll also be live streaming the event on our YouTube Page. Just RSVP to receive details on how to watch.RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/radicals-realists-and-repression-the-state-of-activism-in-the-us/Bio// Thomas Zeitzoff is a professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington DC. His research focuses on political violence, social media, and political psychology. His most recent book is No Option But Sabotage: The Radical Climate Movement and the Climate Crisis (Oxford 2026). His work has appeared in many of the leading political science journals, and he is also the author of Nasty Politics: The Logic of Insults, Threats, and Incitement (Oxford, 2023). Bio// Omar Wasow is an Assistant Professor in UC Berkeley's Department of Political Science. His research focuses on race, politics and statistical methods. His paper on the political consequences of the 1960s civil rights movement was published in the American Political Science Review. His co-authored work on estimating causal effects of race was published in the Annual Review of Political Science. Previously, Omar co-founded BlackPlanet.com, an early leading social network, and was a regular technology analyst on radio and television.Bio//Scott Parkin has been a campaigner and organizer in social justice and environmental movements for over two decades. He is the Organizing Director at Rainforest Action Network and has led campaigns against Wall Street banks, mountaintop removal coal mining and the Keystone XL pipeline.Bio// Jason Myles is the host of THIS IS REVOLUTION>podcast with bylines in Current Affairs Magazine,Damage Magazine and Black Agenda ReportEvent hosted by the Green and Red Podcast, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists' Social Justice Committee, Mt. Diablo Rising Tide and Oil and Gas ActionNetwork

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on May 10, 2026. The origin stories of Mother's Day were a cry for peace and an attempt to acknowledge the work of nurturing that goes unrewarded in a patriarchal society. While the day has become about the physical act of bearing and/or rearing children, the origins speak to something more radical, the transforming power of nourishing and providing care. Rev. Carrie unpacks this holiday and any gifts it might have for us.

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on May 3, 2026. If we hold values such as equity, interdependence, and justice, what are we obligated to do when we encounter situations that violate those beliefs? And what do we do when we feel overwhelmed by the number of situations that violate our beliefs? Can we do anything? Rev. Carrie explores these questions through the lens of May Day using our UU values.

Notes: Our first road trip stop is Kingston, Ontario in Canada, where I got to meet up with three delightful songleaders – and we sang SO many good songs over the weekend! It was impossible to narrow down to one, so this episode is a three-fer, and you get three very different songs, one from each songleader. You hear us playing; making up harmonies on the spot, trying to get the words in the right order – this is an unrehearsed, “what-can-happen-when-you-put-four-people-who-love-songs-into-one-room?” kind of moment. We had such a good time doing it and hope you get to catch our joy as you sing with us.   Song 1: Lifted Music by: Wendy Luella Perkins   Songwriter Info: Wendy Luella Perkins founded SOULFUL SINGING (singing meditation for all) in 2002. An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, she shares "short-on-words, long-on-meaning; easy-to-learn, hard-to-forget" songs in the oral tradition. Soulful Singing fosters depth and uplift, resonance and healing, connection and community.  Enjoy singing in community? Had a fourth grade teacher who told you to mouth the words? Dedicated shower singer? Shy about singing out loud? Love to belt it out? Committed chorister? Everyone is warmly welcomed into the circle of song. Wendy Luella strongly believes that connecting with our singing voices has beneficial effects on many, many areas of life, including enhancing our capacities to trust ourselves and to learn and grow with others.  Back in March 2020, Wendy Luella, who is based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada responded to the call of our times by taking Soulful Singing online "for a couple of weeks until this whole pandemic thing blew over". She has been singing via zoom every single morning at 9am, and Thursdays at 6pm (ET) since then. EVERYONE is welcome to attend these gatherings. More than 200 of her original Soulful Singing songs are available on tiktok @wendyluellaperkins. She is also working on an online song library of her original songs. Find out more at info@wendyluellaperkins.com.    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Wendy for recording and/or performing permission. When sharing in a money-making venture, like a workshop, class, or performance, please contact Wendy for permission and rates.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Intro: 00:04:42 Start of teaching: 00:09:40 Start of reprise: 00:47:37   Links: Wendy's website: www.wendyluellaperkins.com Soulful Singing with Wendy Luella: info@wendyluellaperkins.com   Nuts & Bolts: slow 4; major, unison, harmonies optional   Song 2: Present Moment, Sacred Moment Music by: Steph Drouin   Songwriter Info: Steph Drouin (she/her) is a community song leader, singer, songwriter, and Expressive Arts Therapist based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. For over a decade, she has guided people of all abilities into easeful, joyful, and healing singing experiences. She has helped sow the seeds of community singing throughout Toronto and across Ontario with groups such as Sing for Joy, and in 2019 founded her own social enterprise, Fiercely OK. Through Fiercely OK, Steph offers weekly in‑person and online song circles with her partner, Paul Barton, as well as special events with visiting artists such as Coco Love Alcorn and Luke Wallace - all in the spirit of nourishing a vibrant, connected singing community. Her most recent project includes co‑creating Kingston Pop Choir with Paul. Informed by a lifelong relationship with anxiety, Steph writes and teaches songs that help people embrace their full, messy humanity and stay connected to their sense of being OK. She is known for her warm, playful presence and her ability to create spaces where people feel safe to show up exactly as they are. Steph completed the Community Choir Leadership Training program and Lisa Littlebird's Flight School in 2018, and is a graduate of the three‑year Expressive Arts Therapy program at the CREATE Institute. In 2024, she moved back to Kingston to be closer to family and to share her gifts with her home community.   Sharing Info: Steph says: "I encourage (and am trying to remember to practice) a slow culture of learning and sharing songs - taking time to embody the notes, rhythms, and stories behind them, and to build relationships with the people who wrote them. Please take your time and enjoy singing this song, and if you feel moved to share it, please do. You have my permission!  Keep it as close to the original as you can to start. If your group wants to play with adding other layers or harmonies later, this is most welcome. This songs invites being in the present moment; whatever comes out being in the moment while singing this song belongs in it! I just ask that the song be taught first as it came to me (and my nephew). If you would like to teach it differently from what you heard on A Breath of Song, please reach out. I encourage forms of reciprocity that align with your gifts and context. Here are some I love: - Tell me or show me what it was like to share the song with your community. It's fun to see how songs travel!  - Come sing with us (Paul and me), in person or online. Learn the songs directly from us and hear their stories. This feels important - it means so much when folks carry the songs with an intimate sense of their origins and intricacies. - Song swaps! If you also write songlets, let's exchange. I love being in meaningful song‑sharing relationships with other song leaders. This kind of reciprocity feels alive and good. - Financial reciprocity. If you have room in your budget or are making oodles of money (more than a living wage), we'd love for you to send a little our way. For non-performing groups, folks generally send $25-50 per song or $1 per singer (whichever is greater). Performing or recording rates would be a little higher. For Canadians, e‑transfer works well; otherwise, Wise is my preferred option. - Follow and share our work. Join the Fiercely OK mailing list, follow us on social media, and help spread the word to folks who would enjoy what we offer. - Patreon. I'll be adding my songs to Patreon this year, and I'd love for you to join me there as a monthly patron. If you have any other ideas, send them my way!"   Song Learning Time Stamps: Intro: 00:14:01 Start of teaching: 00:20:03 Start of reprise: 00:48:30   Links: Join the Fiercely OK Mailing List! https://forms.gle/97Y9hQn55HHL1kHP7  Website: https://www.fiercelyok.ca/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephdrouin3973  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiercelyok/ & https://www.instagram.com/therestlessinchoirer/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiercelyOK/  Join our online song circles! The next series begins May 11th, 2026. https://www.fiercelyok.ca/online-weekly-song-circles  If you're ever in the Kingston-Toronto area, come sing with us in person! We offer weekly song circles and a monthly pop choir in Kingston, and occasional workshops in Toronto. I'll be getting my songs up on Patreon this year. There's nothing up there yet, but you can be the first to get updates here: https://patreon.com/fiercelyok?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, mixolydian, 3-layer song   Song 3: I Am Grateful Deep Down Music by: Paul Barton   Songwriter Info: Known by some as a musical “wizard,” Paul makes clever use of his education in Jazz guitar and experience as a professional musician to help song circles run seamlessly. His songs, infused with his passions for the environment, community, and mental health, are among the most requested songs in the Fiercely OK singing community. His simple melodies carry deep truths right to the heart.   Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Paul always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved. The best way to support Paul's songwriting is on Patreon.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Intro: 00:31:56 Start of teaching: 00:32:45 Start of reprise: 00:49:04   Links: Paul's website: https://www.paulbarton.ca/  Paul's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/paulbartonmusic    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, major, harmonized   Extra links:  Lone Wolf by Steph Drouin and Aimee Ringle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SFrSkZ-0Hs  Thich Nhat Hanh: “Present moment, wonderful moment” https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/710946/present-moment-wonderful-moment-revised-edition-by-thich-nhat-hanh/9781952692239  500 Days in the Wild https://tctrail.ca/dianne-whelan-documentary/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21899380530&gbraid=0AAAAABzGiwLd2QCJzToHLUN4HbIpFlKx_&gclid=CjwKCAjwtcHPBhADEiwAWo3sJpemebM5-j0FsOefQ1hxcS4-spp7nBB2-QlQnybCRxiX9UxcfU5bQxoCO68QAvD_BwE Present Moment, Sacred Moment movement video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZedwiqraNQ   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on April 26, 2026. Rising authoritarianism. The climate in crisis. War without reason or remorse. Racism, misogyny, and bigotry unbridled. Democracy, equality, justice seemingly at threat in so many places. And, of course, our dreams for our own individual life can sometimes feel at risk also. And yet, what if creative potential, our own and the world's, is still virtually limitless? What if, through all the chaos, we are being lured toward possibilities that we have not yet dared to dream? What if we are being called to create something new?

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt's service delivered on April 19, 2026. This Sunday we celebrate all our volunteers who keep our church alive in a million different ways and make it possible for us to live into our mission. Our theology teaches us about the inherent worthiness of all and the beauty of our interdependence. In this church, when we put those beliefs to work, we generate beautiful things both inside and outside the church. Together we nourish each other, we journey with each other through transformation, and we do the work of building the beloved community.

Guest speaker Dr. Elias Ortega's service delivered on April 12, 2026. Dr Ortega explores how the Love Ethics of our Universalist tradition extends a radical welcome to a world marred by deep divisions, conflict, and growing uncertainty. Our shared Unitarian Universalist tradition invites us to choose Love as our guide in our relationships with one another and the world. This is a daring faith. A faith of a radical welcome where justice-seeking and justice-making lead to healing, transformation, and community.

Questions about what to say to a confused four-year-old grandson whose father is telling him there are hundreds of gods, why it's difficult to persuade a Mormon or Jehovah's Witness, and how to engage someone who claims to be Christian yet attends a Unitarian Universalist church.   How do I respond to a confused four-year-old grandson whose father is telling him there are hundreds of gods? Why is it so hard, when having a discussion with a Mormon or Jehovah's Witness, to help them understand and set them free with the truth of the gospel? How do I engage someone who claims to be a Christian yet attends a Unitarian Universalist church?

Rev Carrie Holley-Hurt and Rev Chris Jimmerson's service delivered on April 5, 2026. Rev. Chris and Rev. Carrie challenge each other with questions about this time that is so sacred to so many. Join us as we seek to understand and experience Easter in a Unitarian Universalist theological context.

This Unitarian Universalist Easter sermon, "Above the Fold" by Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter, follows a reporter arriving in Jerusalem after Jesus' death, trying to gather the story for his readers. As he speaks with ordinary people, he hears how Jesus changed lives in simple but powerful ways. People became more generous, more compassionate, and more aware of one another. Through these encounters, the reporter begins to see that the true story lives in the way people carry forward what they learned. The sermon speaks about resurrection as something we experience in everyday life. It shows how love, kindness, and small acts of care can bring new life into the world. Rev. Kanter invites us to reflect on our own lives and consider who might need our attention, help, or compassion. The message is a call to live with an open heart and to take part in the ongoing work of bringing hope and love into the world.