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Atonement is a powerful spiritual response to causing harm to others. With reference to the contemporary novel and movie version of Atonement, I will explore atonement as a spiritual path
that is potentially available to all of us.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
When you read anything Rachel Carson authored, you know she was remarkably skilled at conveying her fascination with the magic of all life forms. Both scientist and writer, Rachel Carson is credited with bringing the environmental movement into being. Come learn more about this humble person whose tenacity and intellect make her one of Rev. Dottie's favorite heroes.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
Last year I focused some attention on theology—and especially on liberation theology and process
theology. In this sermon I will share my own understanding of God.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Cyndy Stiehl and Roger Bertschausen team up for another sermon exploring the intersection between music, poetry, and spirituality. This time they turn their attention to the poetry of Walt Whitman and his celebration of the different kinds of human love.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
This question is frequently posed to Unitarian Univeralists and others who approach life with a primary focus on THIS life rather than the afterlife. This sermon will explore morality and ethical decision-making without the threat of eternal punishment.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
Premiering in 1913, Igor Stravinsky’s ballet “The Rite of Spring” is one of the most significant
masterpieces of the twentieth century. Because of its adventurous departures from the musical norms
of the time and its inclusion of pagan themes, the premiere in Paris was so controversial that the
audience rioted. I will use the music and the remarkable story of the ballet’s debut as a jumping off
point for a brief consideration of spring and Easter.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Not long ago I turned 45. By any standard, this age feels like it qualifies as “middle age.” This will be a personal sermon sharing my perspectives of this middle season of life. There will be some looking back and some looking forward, so the sermon hopefully will be of interest to young adults and elders in addition to the folks who join me in the middle.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Each of us has encountered life experiences that were beyond our control and extremely painful. Such times have the capacity to hobble us – or to deepen us. It is with very good reason that so much artistic expression and theological reflection has been focused on the art of finding a way to reconcile our hearts and these harsh realities.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
Rev. Dottie Mathews
Many things can get in the way of our hearing our call, or cause us to hear the wrong call. This sermon will explore the variety of hindrances to hearing our call that we might encounter.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Come one and all for this most unusual and lively service: dogs, rats, humans, cats, fish, birds,
snakes, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and many more species are all welcome! The service gives us a chance to celebrate the non-human animals in our lives, and to introduce them to our Fellowship friends! The service is also for all ages—there will be no children’s program at either service, though nursery care as always will be available at both. The theme will be lessons on being that we can learn from our canine friends. This will be the first of a two-part series: Next year’s Pet Sunday sermon will focus on the Tao of Cats.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
This service centers on simplifying life as part of a spiritual journey.
Dave Gerlach
Maternal nurturing wasn't available for all of us as children. Many of us have been challenged to find that sort of care and support in other relationships long after we've reached adulthood.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
As we approach the fourth anniversary of the Iraq invasion and daily witness its repercussions, we are increasingly mindful of the shadow the U.S.’s power casts across the globe, for good or for ill. Join Dottie as she explores the impact of our own American History on the national psyche and soul.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
In this sermon, Dottie will share her experiences and deep earnings while on the Southern Civil Rights Tour – retracing the steps of the marchers and activists long ago, from Memphis to Selma to Montgomery and Birmingham and back again. Decades have passed …. yet, how shall we measure the changes in our society and in our souls?
Rev. Dottie Mathews
Rev. Dottie Mathews
This sermon will set the stage for the sermon series by focusing on the rich meaning of the concept of "call."
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
The publication in 2007 of Mother Teresa's private writings revealed a woman who was often tormented by doubt and even utter desolation. Her heartfelt expression of doubt is a jumping off
point for us to contemplate the place of doubt in the spiritual journey.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
To conclude the series, I will share my story of call. The questions I will consider include: What have I felt called to do and be in my life? What has hindered and helped me hear my call? My hope is that in sharing my story of call, I’ll help you get in touch with your own story.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
The first time I heard the word "Tao" was in tenth grade when I wrote a paper on Eastern Religions for my Comparative Religions class. From that day to this, I have been inspired and challenged by the concepts of this ancient, enigmatic faith. This message will share some of what I’ve learned through the years from the Tao Te Ching and some of the practical wisdom I believe it offers our world today.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
Process theology continues to be a very significant theological movement. Because it is very
congenial to Unitarian Universalism, it resonates strongly with many UUs—including me. In a
nutshell, it looks at God/Goddess/The Divine as a verb more than a noun. This sermon is the
latest in this year’s focus on theology.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Hearing and heeding one's true call is a spiritual task. This sermon will explore some spiritual practices and exercises that can help us discern our call.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Individual religious metaphors are among my favorite building blocks of religion. Close to my heart these days are the absolute mutability of hills, cogs, webs, and ripples. What metaphors reveal to you clearer images of the world?
Rev. Cynthia Johnson
Rev. Cynthia Johnson
Depression impacts our lives, our families, and our society in countless ways. This will be a conversation from a pastoral perspective – not a clinical one. It will be a sharing of some of what I have learned as I have provided support for many people dealing with this issue, and the ways it has touched my own family.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
This weekend culminates with our Annual Meeting and special congregational meeting to consider calling Dottie. This feels like a good weekend to talk about where the Fellowship is heading as well as the obstacles in our path. In some ways the sermon will be a State of the Fellowship report, but my focus will really be more on the future than the present
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Our Universalist spiritual ancestors were far more concerned with including everyone in God's realm than in drawing lines between who is in and who will be left behind. Their wisdom continues to offer challenge and transformation to all of us who are descendents of Universalism.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Remembering those who gave their lives in service to our country is particularly important—and complicated—in the midst of an unpopular war. In this sermon I will honor Memorial Day by reflecting on the challenges of remembering.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Our Universalist spiritual ancestors were far more concerned with including everyone in God's realm than in drawing lines between who is in and who will be left behind. Their wisdom continues to offer challenge and transformation to all of us who are descendents of Universalism.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Advent is often referred to as the time of waiting – a time of expecting and anticipating that which is coming. In our own lives, waiting can often be an uncomfortable and unwanted place to linger.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
The first part of a 5 part series. A brief history of the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Heavenly Virtues.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
The question of how one finds happiness in life has long fascinated - and plagued - humankind. How
do "United Statesians" (as my son likes to call us) rank when compared to others? After all, this
pursuit is one of our inalienable rights according to the Declaration of Independence!
Rev. Dottie Mathews
Liberation theology takes Jesus’ message of radical inclusion of poor and other marginalized people and runs with it. For me encountering liberation theology powerfully reminds me of this message, and asks what I’m doing in my life to help in the liberation of oppressed people. In this season of celebrating the birth story of Jesus, I find it helpful to remember his message, too.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Each year the Fellowship joins many Unitarian Universalist congregations around the world in celebrating the Flower Communion.
Revs.Bertschausen & Mathews
Reverend Roger Bertschausen discusses the meaning of courage with respect to spirituality.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
It is a matter of faith for me that community is a necessary part of a healthy and whole spiritual life. Spirituality isn’t limited to community or congregation—it can very powerfully be experienced,
for example, alone in nature. But I believe our spiritual lives — and our lives in general — are incomplete without being grounded in a community.
The day after this weekend our nation will once again celebrate the life and work of the man who
did so much to further the great task of freedom and justice begun in the Civil War: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The following day the first African American president of the United States will be inaugurated. And then a few weeks later we’ll celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. This feels like an opportune time to think about Lincoln and why his story and words and accomplishments and failures still have such a powerful impact.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
When UU congregations gather, we often begin by lighting a chalice. What might this mean for us
together? What can it symbolize for you? The unpredictable dance of the spirit supported upon a
base of reason? The light of individual freedom held up for the world by a solid caring community?
Rev. Paul Beckel
Bill Maher's movie Religulous and recent books by Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard
Dawkins have taken aim at the idea of God and religion in general. I will attempt to defend the
possibility of God and the possibility of religion's goodness against these withering attacks.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
More and more people around the world are recognizing global warming as the most significant challenge facing humanity today. Much of the challenge has to do with science, sustainability, and economics. But it is also partly a spiritual challenge. There’s an aspect of the spiritual challenge of global that is particularly tricky for those who are deeply convinced that global warming does pose a very serious threat to humanity and the world. The sermon will focus on this particular challenge.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Door County artist Craig Blietz introduced Spaces Between, his current exhibit at the Fairfield Center for Contemporary Arts in Sturgeon Bay, this way: "Between action and consequence, perception and reality, exists the zone within which we spend the majority of our time, ever unsure of the narrative." How do we live the unfolding narrative of our individual lives within the unfolding narrative of the real world? The Rev. Johnson was a long-time member of Fox Valley UU Fellowship and is now retired from the UU ministry.
Rev. Cynthia Johnson
So, how does one begin to dive into the philosophies and practices of Buddhism in this life? Well, here's
a riddle that I'm sure will clear it all up for you: What does a person have to do to become a Buddhist?
Answer: absolutely nothing.
Jennifer Straight
How many times have you read or heard a version of this statement: Marriage is a sacred institution,
ordained of God from before the foundation of the world? This message will explore the history of
marriage as a both a civil and religious rite -- and how it has changed over the years.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
All Souls Day on November 2nd provides an opportunity to remember the dead whose lives continue to give us strength and wisdom. I will share about some of the souls who continue to impact my life in rich and wonderful ways in spite of the fact that they are not physically here. And I will invite you to remember some of the departed souls who continue to enrich your lives.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Because of the candidates, this presidential election is shining a spotlight on where we are as a culture regarding racism, sexism, and ageism. This will be the focus of my election sermon. In the tradition of nineteenth century Unitarianism, this sermon will be a non-partisan exploration of some of the deeper issues in this election cycle.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Our creedless faith has no requirement for us to set apart one day as holier than another - and yet we come together again and again to experience and celebrate our community. What is the
spark of life that brings us here week after week? What is it we are seeking?
Rev. Dottie Mathews
If I were to ask any of you if you would like to be considered "ordinary" by your peers, I imagine that most of you would emphatically say, "Absolutely not!" Who would want to be
known for their ordinariness?
Rev. Dottie Mathews
