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Sermons

This is a full list of sermons presented at UUCCSM since mid-1999. Links to sermon texts are included when made available by their authors. Audio recordings are also available for most sermons presented after September, 2007 by our staff ministers and others directly affiliated with our church (just click the speaker icon next to each sermon where it's available*). Audio from guest speakers is posted only when we have their permission to share it.

Hard copies of sermons by Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae are available in the church office. Contact office assistant Sibylla Nash at office@uusm.org if you have a request.

"Leaving Room for Hope: Sermons for Uncertain Times," a book of Minister Emerita Judith Meyer's sermons, is available here.

**Please Note: Video recordings are available for sermons with a small TV icon showing at the bottom of the sermon listing. Just click the icon to watch the service.**

Why We Need a New Sanctuary Movement
Kent Wong, UCLA Labor Center

These times of need call for people of conscience to stand with immigrant families as their security is threatened by government action.  Joined by immigrant youth leader Hugo Romero, Kent Wong will offer thoughts on what faith communities can do to support families that are being torn apart by unjust immigration enforcement.

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Don't Be Afraid to Stand Out
Gabriella Rosco, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice

 Exploring ways to use individual gifts and talents to take a needed stand against all forms of hate, oppression, fear and injustice. In difficult times, people say, "somebody should do something!" Let's be those "somebodies". 

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Heart and Soul: A Contemplative Worship Service - 5 p.m.
Monthly Theme: Yearning
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robbins, Joyce Holmen and Karen Hsu Patterson
Heart and Soul - A Contemplative Worship Service
Second Sundays
5 to 5:45 pm in the Sanctuary
 
Heart and Soul services are led by the Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, Joyce Holmen, and Karen Hsu Patterson. With singing and instrumental music, poetry, statements and questions, silence and sharing, we’ll explore monthly worship themes.
 
Sunday, July 9 – What Does It Mean to Be a People of Resistance?
Sunday, August 13 – What Does It Mean to Be a Community of Yearning?
The Intersection of Faith and Social Justice
Janis Spire

Janis Spire, President and CEO, Alliance for Children's Rights, shares on how her spiritual practice enabled her to realize her mission and have the confidence to lead the Alliance for Children’s Rights which protects thousands of abused and neglected children in Los Angeles every year. It is crucial to first develop a true appreciation of ourselves, which in turn gives us the courage and compassion to embrace others who are suffering and take humanistic actions that actually change our own lives and those of our neighbors and ripple out to our communities and world.  

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A Fine Juggling Act
Rev. Silvio Nardoni

Juggling is an ancient art, still practiced by many, and at its highest level a source of wonder and amazement. This sermon explores the social dimension of juggling, and how improvisation allows for individual creativity while working within defined constraints. In other words, it’s about community.

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Comfort in Difficult Times
Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels, Temple Beth Shir Shalom

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The Secret of Life
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Minister Emeritus, UU Church of San Diego
You will have to come to the service to hear the secret. But the secret is at the core of all the great Wisdom Traditions.
 
[Note: no audio recording is available for this service.]
Can We Make Room Enough for Love?
Ian Dodd
Unitarians are proud to say they “stand on the side of love”. But what side is that? When we granted others the right to love who they choose, was it conditional upon making that love follow existing societal norms? Did acceptance come at the price of conformation? Or can we broaden our definition of love and loving relationships to include those that challenge the traditional norms? Can we make room enough for love?
 
[Note: No audio recording is available for this service.]
Heart and Soul: A Contemplative Worship Service - 5 p.m.
Monthly Theme: Resistance
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robbins, Joyce Holmen and Karen Hsu Patterson
Heart and Soul - A Contemplative Worship Service
Second Sundays
5 to 5:45 pm in the Sanctuary
 
Heart and Soul services are led by the Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, Joyce Holmen, and Karen Hsu Patterson. With singing and instrumental music, poetry, statements and questions, silence and sharing, we’ll explore monthly worship themes.
 
Sunday, July 9 – What Does It Mean to Be a People of Resistance?
Sunday, August 13 – What Does It Mean to Be a Community of Yearning?
Lifted Voices: Singing as Direct Action for Unification and Change
Dr. Zanaida Robles, Director of Music
Join us on Sunday, July 9th when our Director of Music Dr. Zanaida Robles will preach a sermon on "Lifted Voices: Singing as Direct Action for Unification and Change."  We use our voices as channels for connecting to the spiritual power within and around us. Our singing voices have worth not because they are "beautiful" or "skillful," but because each voice is unique and has the power to touch hearts and minds.

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