Sermons on Society & Culture
The Vulnerability of Protest
Everytime we push back against the oppressive forces in our culture, we are vulnerable. Everytime we speak the truth to power (or to anyone, really) we are vulnerable. Join us on Sunday as Rev. Lee Anne explores how embracing vulnerability may be our greatest superpower.
In the Names of Love
While we say that we love our families and friends, we also say we love ice cream. Are we equating our deepest and most profound relationships with our gastronomic preferences? The Greek language has at least 8 different names for love—each pointing to a precise and unique relationship between the lover and the loved. Join us as Rev. Lee Anne Washington explores what we mean when we use the word “love.”
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Books: a Precious Freedom and its Challenges
Shutta Crum served for thirty years as an educator and a librarian. She is also an award-winning writer of books for children and poetry for adults, who was awarded the Michigan Library Assoc. Award of Merit as youth librarian of the year (2002). She’s taught at the high school and college levels, and under the auspices of the Mich. Council for the Arts.The author of thirteen picture books, three novels, two collections of poetry, and more than 140 published poems,…
The Wonder of Love Made Manifest
Sometimes it’s simple, some might say small, loving gestures that inspire a sense of wonder. Join Rev. Lee Anne and Penny Reid as they share two inspirational stories of just such wondrous gestures of love.
The Power of Poetry to Lead, to Heal, and to Call Us to Community
Recently, one of our national leaders was lambasted when she quoted a line from a poem during a crisis moment for the country. And yet, poetry is EXACTLY what we need during our times of need. The poetic use of words, oratory, and voice can claim our souls like no other when we are floundering, emotionally and spiritually, as individuals or as a country.
Dancing in the Rain
Rev. Lee Anne explores recognizing and understanding our blessings.
The Powerful, Capable, Wise & Wealthy Woman
Rev. Lee Anne Washington celebrates International Women’s Day through a fresh engagement with the Bible’s book of Proverbs.
What Happened to Civility?
Today, we look at the practices of Kindness and Civility; sadly all too often absent from our daily lives. In what ways have kindness and civility eroded from our society over the years–and more importantly, how can we embrace our better selves and carry those tenets forward into the world?
Believing in the Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person: How Hard Is That?
Part two of our 2021 series on Living our UU Principles. This week we hear from Blanche Williams on our first principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. With a background in literature, music, and information sciences, Blanche Williams earned a doctorate in psychology from the liberally-minded George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She has worked as a clinical psychologist in various settings across several states and now serves patients, families, and treatment providers at Baptist MD Anderson…
Father’s Day
Listen to Blanche Williams, Penny Reid, and Jeff Funkderburk as they talk about fatherhood.