An inergenerational service.
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.**
We Carry Each Others' Hearts
Monthly Theme: Prayer
Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur & Catherine Farmer Loya
Praying Our Lives
Monthly Theme: Prayer
Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
This Body of Work
Monthly Theme: Simplicity
Rev. Judith Meyer, Minister Emerita
Rev. Judith Meyer, Minister Emerita, returns to the pulpit with worship leader Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur. Every stage of life poses challenges, but retirement age, whether we remain employed or not, seems to demand something entirely new from us. Rev. Meyer has been retired over five years. She will share with us what she has learned, as well as what she must keep learning, now.
Now is the Time (MLK Sunday)
Monthly Theme: Simplicity
Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
In the Beginning
Monthly Theme: Simplicity
Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
The Hope Jar
Monthly Theme: Simplicity
Jason Cook
There's a lot of talk about making the world a better place, but what exactly does that mean? And how do take action that truly helps people who may be very different from us? Guest preacher Jason Cook will explore how we go about creating a foundation of hope for the important work of building beloved community.
Jason Cook is currently the intern minister at the Anaheim Unitarian Universalist Church. He is pursuing his Masters of Divinity Degree at Meadville Lombard Theological School, where he is the recipient of the Bradburd Scholarship for Ministerial Excellence. He has also served Aids Services Foundation of Orange County as a state-certified HIVcounselor. After attending the University of Southern California, Jason worked in the arts before finally accepting the call to Unitarian Universalist ministry. He is married to Lawrence Ingalls and they live in the diverse community of Santa Ana where they have been engaged in social justice work for many years.
"The Turning of the Year"
Monthly Theme: Joy
Rev. Jim Grant
One service only at 11:00 a.m.
Services at 9am and 11am resume on the first Sunday in January
UUSM’s tower bell will ring out the old and ring in the new with Guest Minister Jim Grant, an affiliate minister from the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. Rev. Grant will preach on “What do you mean by ‘worship’?” On Sunday mornings, Unitarians celebrate our lives, our values and our hopes. Although we might not all worship “God” during this time, we approach our worship with reverence.
"All is Calm, All is Bright" - Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Monthly Theme: Joy
DeReau K. Farrar, Catherine Farmer Loya and Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
UUSM welcomes all as we gather for candlelight services on Christmas Eve. At 6:00 pm, Music Director DeReau K. Farrar will conduct the adult choir in presenting Chrsitmas music from several cultures. At 8:00, Mr. Farrar and UUSM soloists will sing the Christmas music of Bach.
Minister Rebecca Benefiel Bijur will deliver a message evoking the spirit of the season at these moving services of candlelight and song.
If you would like to be a reader at a Christmas Eve service, please contact Rev. Rebecca at minister@uusm.org.
NEW! Festive Family-Friendly Christmas Eve
Monthly Theme: Joy
Catherine Farmer Loya and Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
Forming a new tradition, UUSM Director of Religious Education Catherine Farmer Loya and Minister Rebecca Benefiel Bijur invite families to this informal and fun afternoon service. Children will rejoice with holiday music from Music Director DeReau K. Farrar and friends, plus a sing-along of old favorites.
Early Unitarians promoted the Christmas tree as the symbol of the shared family Christmas, along with the values of love, generosity and the kindly nurture of children. Young visitors may bring an ornament to donate to our community tree, and will take away an ornament to cherish at home.
Las Posadas Pageant / 20th Anniversary Friendly Beasts Celebration
Monthly Theme: Joy
Catherine Farmer Loya and Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
Audience participation makes this rollicking portrayal of the Christmas story so different. UUSM borrows from the Latino tradition of Las Posadas to retrace the journey of the Holy Family and the birth of Baby Jesus. On-the-spot volunteers from the audience, young and old, will “improvise” the pageant’s key roles and, of course, raise the star on high.
UUSM Minister Rebecca Benefiel Bijur and Catherine Farmer Loya, Director of Religious Education, will coordinate the fun and deliver the morning message: Treasure the promise that the coming of each new life and each new journey brings.
At the conclusion of the service, we will celebrate the 20th annual arrival of the Friendly Beasts, a beloved tradition of UUSM children. Friendly Beasts from years past (and perhaps their children) will join today’s youngest church members in song.