Past Sermons 
Date added
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Take Nourishment for the Journeynew!
- Sep-01-2010
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delivered on 29 August 2010
In this sermon, Erika reflects on journeys – especially how we begin them. How can our journeys reap spiritual depth?
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The Mayonnaise Boat: Reflections on Growing Up UU
- Aug-27-2010
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delivered on August 22, 2010
Most Unitarian Universalists come to our religious movement as adults, far outnumbering “cradle” UUs. Live Oak Board member Elizabeth Teare discusses what we can learn about our faith from the story of someone who grew up inside it, as a 5th generation UU.
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Expensive or Expansive
- Aug-26-2010
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delivered on August 15, 2010
On Aug. 18th, Emily’s daughter will celebrate her first birthday and Emily will celebrate her first “Mama-versary.” Emily reflects on how her maternal instincts surprised her: they governed how she cared for her daughter, but they also fostered a self-awareness and self-care that was so healthy it felt indulgent. Why does it sometimes take caring for someone else for us to realize that we need to care for ourselves? And why do we forget that sometimes caring for someone else IS caring for ourselves?
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The Life You Can Save
- Jul-27-2010
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delivered on 25 July, 2010
This month, Rev. Erika invited the congregation to read and discuss Paul Singer's book The Life You Can Save, a plea to end abject poverty worldwide. Is this really possible? What would be required of each of us to do so? In her sermon, Erika explores what "poverty" really is, shares a recent internal financial struggle, and invites you to share in one small way that we can each make a difference in the world.
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Thirsty for Justice
- Jul-08-2010
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delivered on 4 July, 2010
In April, Arizona’s governor signed SB1070 into law. In May, Rev. Erika joined thousands of protesters in Phoenix to rally against SB1070 – and Arizona’s other oppressive new laws… yet 7 other states are considering similar legislation. What would “justice” look like in our country’s conflict over immigration? How do our religious values inform this thirst for justice?
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Not Just a Piece of Paper
- Jul-08-2010
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delivered on 20 June, 2010
In mid-June, closing arguments begin in Perry vs. Schwarzengger (otherwise known as “the Prop 8 trial”). This trial has raised questions about the history and meaning of marriage, and invites all people of faith to develop religious language around marriage equality. In her sermon, Rev. Erika shares her thoughts -- and a personal confession -- about how and why marriage equality is a religious issue for UU’s.
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Which Came First - The Nurse or the Unitarian Universalist?
- Jul-01-2010
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delivered on June 27, 2010
In this sermon, Annie will share her personal journey as a Registered Nurse of 35 years, explaining how the values of nursing that she holds most sacred are closely aligned with the values of the UU faith.
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Margaret Fuller
- May-24-2010
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delivered on 23 May, 2010
No fancy title to this sermon -- just a straightforward exploration of Margaret Fuller's life, and the paradoxes and contradictions that her life contained. This sermon was delivered on the bicentennial of Fuller's birth.
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Mother's Day: Callings
- May-14-2010
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delivered on 9 May 2010
In this sermon, Rev. Erika Hewitt reflects on the calling to motherhood (and parenthood), exploring the tension inherent in mothering.
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A Religion of Imagination
- May-05-2010
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delivered on 25 April, 2010
In this sermon, Rev. Erika explores the fundamental role of "imagination" in Unitarian Universalism. How does our religious imagination inform us, and why is it a moral imperative? What are the risks of failing to imagine as vividly as we might?
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Secret-Keeping
- Apr-14-2010
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delivered on 14 March, 2010
Are secrets always bad? When does confidentiality turn into secret-keeping? Whose secrets do we keep, and why? In this sermon, Rev. Erika considers the power of keeping -- and spilling -- secrets.
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The Impossible and the Laughable
- Apr-05-2010
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delivered on Easter Sunday: 4 April 2010
Thomas Merton wrote, “…there is a point when religion becomes laughable. Then you decide that you are nevertheless religious.” In this Easter sermon, Rev. Erika invites you to celebrate the impossible and the laughable. What would it mean to decide that you are “nevertheless religious” as a Unitarian Universalist?
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All These Joys, All These Sorrows
- Mar-13-2010
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delivered on 7 March, 2010
What’s the purpose of worship? Why do we share this hour together? Moreover, how does our candle-lighting serve our individual needs, as well as our larger, shared purpose? In this sermon, Rev. Erika invites the congregation to remember our shared purpose, as well as the tender hearts that we bring to our beloved community.
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(UU) Myth-Busting
- Jan-20-2010
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delivered on 6 December, 2009
Without knowing it, we UUs create and – if we’re not mindful – perpetuate certain myths. From “you can believe anything you want” to “we prize individualism,” Rev. Erika uses this sermon counter some of these myths with (what UU leader Michael Durall calls) Helpful Heresies.
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"Healthy Struggle"
- Jan-18-2010
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delivered on 10 January, 2010
Is "healthy struggle" an oxymoron? Not at all! In this sermon, Rev. Erika explores the questions that underlie our struggles, pointing to the growth they signal.
