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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.**

The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of the Divine
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae

ONE SERVICE AT 10:30 am online only

Our Unitarian Universalist tradition embraces religious wisdom from many sources. Although the Hebrew and Christian sacred texts have been at the foundation of our tradition, other texts such as the Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism have also played an important role in shaping our liberal tradition. Come join us and learn more about the Hindu tradition and this beautiful sacred text this Sunday!
 
 
Footprints
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins

For most of our lives we focus on our futures: What are our goals? What is next? There is a point, however, when we might begin to think about our legacy. What is the body of work for which you will be remembered? What are your footprints? And where will people find them?

The 8th UU Principle
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae

ONE SERVICE AT 10:30 am online only

We hold our seven Unitarian Universalist Principles — from affirming the inherent worth and dignity of every person to respect for interdependent web of life — as strong moral guides. An 8th Principle has been proposed and adopted by many congregations that affirms the work of anti-racism and anti-oppression as central to our journey towards spiritual wholeness. Come learn more about the proposed 8th Principle as we honor Martin Luther King, Jr., Day this Sunday.

Proposed: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” [source: 8thprinciple.org] 
Jesus' Ministry of Anti-Oppression
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
Jesus said he was called to give good news to the poor.  This might mean that he intended to minister to those who are poor in attitude, poor in spirit, or poor in self confidence.  Jesus said he was called to give freedom for prisoners.  This might mean the prison of self limitation, the prison of narrow mindedness, the prison of negativity and scarcity in your thinking. Jesus said he was called to give recovery for the Blind. What are your blinders? What do you miss?  What do you choose not to see?  What do you fail to acknowledge?  This Sunday we will look at the ministry of the Historical Jesus to see how his work informs our values for social justice and anti-oppression.
Spiritual Report Cards
Michael Eselun
**IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE**  Congregational attendance in the sanctuary on Sundays is temporarily suspended in light of the rapidly spreading COVID variant. Only staff and worship leaders will be permitted in the building for everyone's safety.  So please join us online at 10:30am for our regularly livestreamed service. We hope you have a safe and Happy New Year!
 
How many of us live our lives as if there will be a report card at the end of the term? What would constitute an “A” grade in your book, spiritually speaking? And does it matter? We welcome back oncology chaplain and popular guest speaker, Michael Eselun, who will explore these questions.
 
Michael Eselun serves as the chaplain for the Simms-Mann/UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology. Two-time TED-X speaker, Michael speaks extensively to healthcare professionals, patient populations, and faith communities across the country. He has also worked as an activist/educator addressing anti-LGBTQ bias in the larger community for over 30 years. In recognition of having lived a meaning-driven life, Michael was inducted into the UCLA-Semel Institute Eudaimonia Society. His website is www.michaeleselun.com.  
Where is the Joy?
Monthly Theme: Opening to Joy
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
It’s the day after Christmas. Where is your joy? Perhaps in the midst of your warm afterglow, or the ennui of another disappointment, or the internal conflicts that arise when there is so much social pressure to give, you are ready to contemplate the need for self-compassion. If you are in charge of your own TLC (tender loving care) what is it going to look like? Finding Joy in caring for yourself — how might you do that?
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Monthly Theme: Opening to Joy
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
Dancing with your shadow in the Season of Lights.  A star appears in the night sky, angels visit shepherds, and a poor child is born in a manger. Come hear the ancient story and consider its meaning to our lives and our world. It may stir our imaginations and warm our hearts this winter season. Our special Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be livestreamed from our sanctuary at 7 pm. There is limited seating available for those who register with the office in advance.  On Christmas Eve, the offering will go to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.
 
UPDATE 12/14/21:
 
We have decided to increase the seating capacity to allow for 20 members and friends in the Sanctuary and 10 in Forbes Hall, in addition to our staff members and choir. Unfortunately, as we are still in the transitional phase of the pandemic, we have to restrict in-person attendance to members and friends. We require vaccination, well-fitting masks, and social distancing while on the church campus. 
 
Don’t forget your mittens! It will likely be cold in both spaces as we have to open the windows and doors to provide good ventilation, so please dress warm and come prepared for a chilly but moving holiday service. 
 
You can register to attend with the church office on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need to send Cyndee Hayes a picture of your COVID-19 Vaccination Card (and vaccination cards for everyone in your party), if you have not done so already, to register to attend in person. You can use this form to RSVP.
 
Our Online Candlelight Christmas Eve Service is accessible to all of our families and friends, so we hope to be with you virtually, if not in person, this year on our Facebook Page or through YouTube. 
 
Vaccine Boosters 
 
We encourage everyone to speak with their healthcare providers about the appropriateness of receiving a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccines to help protect you and the larger community. Waning antibodies means many of us no longer have the protection we once did and it makes sense to boost protection this holiday season if you haven’t already. A booster shot is not yet required to attend in-person services and meetings, but we encourage you to consider it with your healthcare provider. 
 
May we all be open to receiving the joy of beloved community this holiday season! 
 
Sources of Our Liberal Faith
Monthly Theme: Opening to Joy
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
Born in the liberal Christian tradition, with roots in Judaism, Unitarian Universalism has blossomed to include many sources of wisdom. Come learn more about the sources of our liberal faith and the religious diversity you’ll find in any UU community.
Forgiveness: Restitching the Fabric of Society
Monthly Theme: Opening to Joy
Joshua Lewis Berg
What does forgiveness mean? Why do we forgive? Can we forgive even after great harm? How do we come back into beloved community when covenant is broken? In our deeply divided society, where reacting in defense has become almost instinctive, making forgiveness second nature seems more important than ever for radical healing. From the most atrocious breach of trust to a simple white lie, let us consider the necessity of forgiveness.
 
We welcome Joshua Lewis Berg, who was born and raised in the Detroit area but has called Southern California his home on and off for more than a decade. As a humanist celebrant since 2015, he has officiated many celebration-of-life ceremonies. He was also a board member of The Humanist Society. From 2019-2021, he served as the Ministerial Intern at Northwest UU of Southfield, MI, and he has preached in dozens of congregations across the country. From January through May, he will serve as the 1/4-time minister for Emerson UU Church in Canoga Park, while the Rev. Matthew McHale is on Sabbatical. In May, Joshua will graduate from Meadville Lombard Theological School with a Master of Divinity and then be ordained a UU minister in June.
Cultivating Gratitude and Joy
Monthly Theme: Opening to Joy
Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray
The Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray invites us to consider how we practice gratitude and find joy in the midst of the holiday season. Please join us for this special service in partnership with our denomination, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA).
 
Our distinguished guest began her six-year term as president of the UUA in June 2017. As president of the Association, she is responsible for administering staff and programs that serve its more than 1,000 member congregations. She also acts as principal spokesperson and minister-at-large for the UUA. Susan brings a strong focus on mission and strategic planning to her leadership at the UUA as it works to dismantle systems of white supremacy.  As president, and as a life-long Unitarian Universalist, she has emphasized that this is no time for a casual faith and no time to go it alone.