Best Unity Church Unitarian Podcasts (2025)

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Bless the World, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, August 24, 2025 32:56

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In the last of our series on membership at Unity Church, we consider our work beyond the congregation, as we ask each other to “let the compassion that rises from doing your work within and among lead you to bless the world.” In this anxious age, what does it mean to be a blessing? This sermon podcast begins with a reflection from Worship Associate…

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Go Deep, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, August 17, 2025 31:35

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The second expectation of membership at Unity Church is that our members will “develop the skills of small group intimacy that let you go deep quickly with strangers.” Among this community, the skills of connection deepen our ties and begin to connect our personal practices and lives with the broader world. This sermon podcast begins with a reflect…

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Keep Your Balance, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, August 10, 2025 24:00

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Members of Unity Church are asked to “develop a personal practice that helps you find and keep your balance.” What is it about practice that improves balance? Is there value to these practices outside of an instrumental result? How does personal practice set up the rest of our lives together as a community?…

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Fire in Our Bones, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, August 3, 2025 17:47

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What does it mean to be Unitarian Universalist in this moment? In an anxious age, it is not sufficient for us to retreat from the world into intellectual contemplation. Instead, our faith calls us to engage, fully, with our souls, each other, and the world around us.By Unity Church-Unitarian

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How Shall We Be Known? Unity's Act for the Earth Team, July 27, 2025 13:46

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Alana Howey | Anna Newton | Lisa Burke Unity's Act for the Earth Community Outreach Ministry Team With chaos all around us, action grounded in spiritual practice can help us move forward. Anna Newton, Alana Howey, and Lisa Burke, members of Unity’s Act for the Earth Team, will share their approach to this work. This service begins with a reflection…

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Building Power to Meet the Moment, Rev. Terri Burnor, July 20, 2025 18:28

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The question we need to be asking in our justice efforts is what are we building together, not what are we doing. Weaving relationships, growing capacity, grounding in our values — these are what build power and make a difference over the long-haul of change. Rev. Terri Burnor (she/her) is Executive Director of MUUSJA (the Minnesota Unitarian Unive…

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Living in this Moment, Rev. Laura Smidzik, July 13, 2025 24:31

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As the world around us changes at a rapid and discouraging pace, how do we keep ourselves grounded and continue to build resilience for the years ahead? What practices both spiritual and otherwise do we need to establish and maintain in order to continue to live lives of integrity, service, and joy?By Unity Church-Unitarian

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Pollinator Perennials: The Spiritual Practice of Noticing What You Notice, Peggy Lin, July 6, 2025 22:46

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by Worship Associate Dick Buggs. Most summer Sundays, Peggy Lin can be found at "dirt church": digging around in the dirt in her home gardens. Called two winters ago by Act for the Earth to overwinter pollinator perennials, she hasn't looked back. This Sunday, she'll reflect on the spiritual practice of …

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Pride in Passing, Isaac Fried, June 29, 2025 12:42

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By Unity Church-Unitarian

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Prophets Speak Love, Rev. George Anastos, June 22, 2025 24:36

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It is no secret that mainline churches are rapidly losing members. In fact, research shows that, religiously speaking, the only category where there is growth is among the "Nones" — those who have no church affiliation and don't want one. Yet Unity Church–Unitarian is growing. What are we doing that is different? What are we offering that people wa…

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Folklore Fatherhood, Ari Giles and Veronica Nordeng DeVillez, June 15, 2025 25:21

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This sermon podcast is a reflection on Father's Day through a series of stories by Worship Leader Ari Giles and Worship Associate Veronica Nordeng DeVillez. Find the whole service on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZyPcmo-d_3w?si=3jhjHdkr3TlFC6j3By Unity Church-Unitarian

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This Joy That I Have, Rev. Lara Cowtan, June 8, 2025 14:03

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At Rev. Lara Cowtan’s final worship service as Unity Church’s Minister of Congregational Care, we gather to reflect on her ministry in Saint Paul, to celebrate community and care, and to practice opening to what comes next. View the whole service on Unity's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/Cf2KCcHW0qk?si=vDNdJG5fIHqX3IlY…

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Improv as Spiritual Practice, Rev. Meg Riley, June 1, 2025 22:23

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Meg Riley serves as co-moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Chief Governance Officer of the Association. Come hear how the practice of improv has shaped her service, and become a spiritual practice. Watch the full service on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/_RmTQBA4-GE…

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Decoration Day, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, May 25, 2025 24:34

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection offered by Worship Associate Sarah Cledwyn. Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer, as school graduations start and Unity Church moves to a single service on Sunday mornings. This morning we’ll explore the holiday’s origins as Decoration Day, a ritual of remembrance created in the aftermath of the Am…

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All Our Fullness, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, May 18, 2025 18:42

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This podcast begins a reflection by Worship Associate Dick Buggs, continues with excertps from Unity's All Our Fullness project, and concludes with a homily from Rev. Oscar. Unity’s annual Flower Ceremony was developed over a century ago by Unitarians in Prague, who created a ritual to affirm the beauty and diversity of community in a time of risin…

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A Woman's Work, Rev. Lara Cowtan, May 11, 2025 21:39

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This podcast begins with a reflection offered by worship associate Veronica Nordeng DeVillez. The sermon is delivered by Rev. Lara Cowtan. The promotion of gender equality was woven into the fabric of the United Nations from its beginning in 1946 with the establishment of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The CSW is instrumental in promo…

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Arthur Foote Music Sunday Reflection, Lorelee Wederstrom, May 4, 2025 5:00

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Arthur Foote Music Sunday will include selections by Francisco Guerrero, Osvaldo Golijov, Ernani Aguiar, Johann Sebastian Bach, Craig Hella Johnson, Abbie Betinis, and Alysia Lee. To hear the music please visit our YouTube channel. This podcast is the reflection offered by worship associate Lorelee Wederstrom. Complete Sunday services are on Unity'…

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The Sound of One Hand Clapping in a Noisy World, Rev. KP Hong, April 27, 2025 34:49

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by Nelson Moroukian, Unity's Religious Education Program Assistant, and excerpts of the credos of Unity's Coming of Age class of 2025 read by Coming of Age Facilitators Claire Cooke, Stu Alger, and Kelley Loughrey. The sermon is delivered by Rev. KP Hong, Minister of Faith Formation. Coming of Age Sunday…

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Be Joyful, Though You Have Considered All the Facts, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, April 20, 2025 25:26

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This sermon podcast begins with A Story for All Ages by Rev. KP Hong, continues with a reflection offered by worship associate Ari Giles, and ends with a sermon by Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair. Wendell Berry writes: Expect the end of the world. Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts… practice resurrection. On…

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Called Out from Among Us, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, April 13, 2025 19:36

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection offered by worship associate Charlie Caswell. Unitarian Universalist ministry is "called out from among" the membership of our congregations. Our tradition celebrates shared ministry, and we recognize and commission a whole range of ministries, from newly installed ministers to groups of volunteers doing…

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Just Breathe, Rev. Lara Cowtan, April 6, 2025 25:33

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This week's sermon podcast begins with a reflection from worship associate Betsy Hearn, which is followed by a guided meditation led by Rev. Oscar. Grounding ourselves in embodied spiritual practices in order to find our balance, heal and engage with the world has long been a role of religious community. Once central to Christian self-understanding…

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Between Cowardice and Recklessness, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, March 30, 2025 19:54

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Anna Newton. Courage, to Aristotle, is a virtue located between two vices: cowardice and recklessness. In times that call for great courage, but also great discernment, how do we chart a course between obstacles, and in doing so live courageously?…

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Defying the Nazis: A Call for Courage, Rev. Lara Cowtan, March 23, 2025 19:33

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection from worship associate Chris Russert. On the precipice of World War II, a time when most Americans were turning a blind eye to the growing social injustice and totalitarian threat in Europe, the Unitarian Universalist Association — alerted to the dire situation by their fellow congregation in Prague — wa…

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Holding Hands, Walking with the Wind, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, March 16, 2025 23:21

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This podcast includes a reflection offered by worship associate Sara Ford. If you would like to listen to the musical piece by Elizabeth Alexander that Rev. Oscar refers to at the beginning, please visit our YouTube channel. dJohn Lewis and the other leaders of the American Civil Rights movement were clear about the relationship between power, rela…

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Organizing as Spiritual Practice, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, March 9, 2025 17:04

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In his landmark "Rules for Radicals," Saul Alinsky cautions organizers to practice the skills of being heard. “Lacking communication,” he writes, “I am in reality silent; throughout history silence has been regarded as assent — in this case assent to the system.” Organizing, like any spiritual practice, is a discipline with tools and methods develo…

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Barnraising, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, March 2, 2025 20:55

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For years, Unity Church has joined with other congregations around the Twin Cities and the world is proclaiming the dignity of each person, and the need for fair and affordable housing in our community. Housing is an issue that lives at the intersection of the individual and collective: what makes a house a home is deeply personal, but we all have …

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Emeth: The Truth of Each Other, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, February 23, 2025 27:51

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This sermon podcast begins with a Story for All Ages by Rev. KP Hong. The word in Hebrew for truth, emeth, is related to the verb amam: to support and make firm. Emeth is inherently relational; we depend on each other for support, and to understand the world. Can we understand truth in isolation, or are we dependent on each other?…

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Truth, Lies, and (Re-)Conciliation, Rev. Lara Cowtan, February 16, 2025 24:43

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This podcast begins with a reflection from worship associate Meg Arnosti. Indigenous communities around the world were gravely impacted by The Doctrine of Discovery, a pronouncement by the Catholic Church and the policies of colonial domination by European countries that were used to justify dominion over lands that were not inhabited by Christians…

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Aletheia: That Which Is Revealed, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, February 9, 2025 20:29

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This podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Charlie Caswell. Truth is not simply a dry recitation of facts. The Greek word for truth, aletheia, suggests an unveiling; it was used to describe a curtain coming up at a play, revealing the truth of the story. What truths are revealed to us today?…

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Veritas: The Truth Is Out There, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, February 2, 2025 27:38

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection offered by worship associate Anna Newton. The first generation of Unitarians in America preached that reason was the primary tool for understanding the truth of the world around us. Veritas, the Latin word for truth, gives us “verifiability,” the idea that truth is a description of external reality that …

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Yes, And, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, January 26, 2025 31:03

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The questions answered in this sermon were posed by the congregation at the beginning of the service. Music and ministry both exist in the relationship between structure and improvisation. This Sunday we will consider both, in an extemporaneous reflection from piano and pulpit.

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Love Implementing the Demands of Justice, Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, January 19, 2025 20:26

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Founded in 1940, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has served as a beacon of liberal religion in the world, and the possibilities that exist when we connect faith with action. On the day before the 2025 United States presidential inauguration, we will hear from Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, president of UUSC, about the work of the com…

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The Growing Edge, Rev. Lara Cowtan, January 12, 2025 25:28

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection offered by worship associate Chris Russert "Look well to the growing edge! All around us worlds are dying and new worlds are being born; all around us life is dying and life is being born." — Howard Thurman Often this phrase is used to explain a painful moment or failure, an uninvited or unwelcome “oppor…

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Tolling of Bells, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, January 5, 2025 21:13

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Join us for Unity Church’s annual service of remembrance for the members of our community who have passed away in the last year. This sermon podcast begins with eulogies offered by Rev. Lara Cowtan and Rev. Oscar Sinclair.

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Will It Be Enough?, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, December 29, 2024 20:07

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This podcast begins with a reflectin offered by worship associate Peggy Lin. The story of the Maccabean revolt is the inspiration for the Jewish festival of lights, Hannukah. The miracle at the heart of the story is simple: lamp oil that appeared to only be enough for a night lasted for eight days. But even in simplicity, the story holds meaning fo…

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The Road to Bethlehem, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, December 22, 2024 7:16

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At the start of the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph are internally displaced refugees, traveling from their home in Nazareth to be counted in a census for a far-away imperial capital. By the end of the story, they are fleeing their homes as refugees, looking to start a new life in Egypt, away from political violence and oppression. In 2024 in St. …

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The Waiting Time, Rev. Lara Cowtan, December 15, 2024 22:58

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection offered by worship associate Sara Ford. In the Christian calendar, Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of the Christ child. The story from first century Palestine tells us that with the birth of Jesus comes hope, love, the undoing of the status quo: a new reign of peace on earth. I…

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Be Not Afraid, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, December 8, 2024 16:39

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“My Soul Magnifies the Lord,” Mary tells the Angel Gabriel in the gospel of Luke. The song she sings next is a vision of a world that might be, one where the mighty are thrown down, the hungry are fed, and the beloved community arrives. What lessons do her words hold for us, 2000 years later?

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Gifts and Wounds, Ari Giles, December 1, 2024 16:29

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How do we build hope from the gifts and wounds we carry with us, while also navigating the fear of change?

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Let Us Say, Grace, Rev. Lara Cowtan, November 24, 2024 19:24

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On this Thanksgiving weekend, we consider the traditions from around the world and at our own tables of offering words of gratitude. How do these rituals provide opportunities for deepening and growing in our spiritual and personal relationships. What is grace? How can we give and receive it in our lives and the larger world?…

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Anchored Over the Horizon, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, November 17, 2024 19:24

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Vaclav Havel, the Czech statesman and literary figure, wrote that hope “…is an orientation of the spirit, an orientation of the heart; it transcends the world that is immediately experienced, and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons.” How do we anchor ourselves to hope, even when it exists beyond our vision, on the other side of the horizon?…

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What's Next?, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, Sunday, November 10, 2024 23:38

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Anna Newton. What can we say, in the aftermath of an election? How have the church’s commitments changed, or have they? How do we balance the uncertainty of this moment with the certainty of faith?

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If You Can Keep It, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, November 3, 2024 17:29

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“Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” “A republic, if you can keep it.” Benjamin’s Franklin’s words at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in September 1787 have obvious relevance in 2024. The first Unitarians and Universalists in the United States came from the first generation after the American Revolution, and f…

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The Only Constant, Rev. Lara Cowtan, October 27, 2024 16:17

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We have heard it said, the only constant is change, and that there is no growth, no growing forward without letting something go and embracing change. Sometimes a door must close in order for a window to open, but how do we navigate this kind of loss, these decisions about what and when to let go in order to be open to new possibilities? Anatole Fr…

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More of Who You've Always Been, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, October 20, 2024 21:33

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Betsy Hearn. Dan Hotchkiss writes, “Congregations create sanctuaries where people can nurture and inspire each other — with results no one can predict. The stability of a religious institution is a necessary precondition to the instability religious transformation brings.” How do we …

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Seeds of Joy, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, October 13, 2024 24:52

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Join us for Celebration Sunday, as we gather to celebrate Unity Church and commit to a joyful year together. Unitarian Universalist congregations depend on the support of their members for everything from religious education and kitchen volunteers to legacy giving and ongoing financial support. How do we root our gifts to the church in our spiritua…

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Re-Imagining the World, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, October 6, 2024 22:15

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Pop culture is full of dystopian stories. In a time of climate change, war, and political uncertainty, dystopia feels near at hand. Even as they grapple with the consequences of the suffering and destruction, authors from Octavia Butler to Becky Chambers can help up to imagine a better world. What are the tools of storytelling that might help us im…

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Salve, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, September 29, 2024 30:53

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by Chris Russert, worship associate. In 1348, a community of monks in Sienna opened the doors of their abbey to serve as a hospital during the plague. Seven hundred years later, the abbey exists as a picturesque ruin, popular with tourists and filmmakers. What are the risks of hospitality, and why do we …

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Whose Are We? Rev. Lara Cowtan, September 22, 2024 24:36

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Meg Arnosti. The ancient question, “Who am I?” inevitably leads to a deeper one: “Whose am I?” because there is not identity outside of relationship. You cannot be a person by yourself. To ask, “Whose am I?” is to extend the question far beyond the little self-absorbed self, and wond…

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Who Belongs? Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, September 15, 2024 27:00

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This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Anna Newton. Unitarian Universalists are rightly proud of width and breadth of our institutional welcome. But who decide who is welcomed? Who belongs? What are the systems that we can either critique or build to deepen our understanding of welcome?…