Love, Hope, and Remembering

Aug. 2, 2020 sermon. Guest speaker Christopher Peters, a surgeon and former political candidate, discusses some of the negative aspects of campaigning, and especially his positive experiences serving as the state coordinator for Braver Angels. Braver Angels is a national volunteer organization dedicated to reducing political polarization, fostering civil discourse, and helping all Americans find common ground in the political sphere.

Oct. 4, 2020 sermon. Reflections on Indigenous Peoples Day by Rev. Diana Smith.

Nov. 22, 2020 sermon. In this Thanksgiving service, Rev. Diana Smith reflects on how we can find hope, healing, and gratitude in this time of pandemic and reckoning with white supremacy.

Sept. 20, 2020 sermon. “You must meet the outer world with your inner world or existence will crush you,” says spiritual teacher Mark Nepo. Developing practices where we can meet the world with our hearts is all the more needed in these pandemic times. UUS Community Minister Lois Cole shares lessons in resilience from her ministry as a hospital chaplain at the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Dec. 13, 2020 sermon. Rev. Diana Smith reflects on how our sense of hurry and desire for quick results helps perpetuate systems that are oppressive, non-inclusive, and anti-democratic. Practicing stillness can help us better align ourselves with the larger goals of justice we seek.