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DocumentsDate added
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
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
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
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
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
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
I have pondered for a long time the mystery of Buddhism’s doctrine of “No-Soul.” It is time to devote a whole sermon to this intriguing and illuminating doctrine.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Each of us faces a fundamental spiritual challenge: figuring out who we really are at the core. To lead an authentic life, we continually need to answer the question “Who are you?” This was a very frequent theme in Greek mythology. The ancient Greeks have some hints about this spiritual challenge.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Writers and sages have long told us that "you can never go home again" but we know that there are
times when life pulls us into unexpected routes that sure can FEEL like a homecoming. Join with our
new Assistant Minister, Dottie Mathews, as she explores what it means to return to this faith community -
to be together again for the very first time.
Rev. Dottie Mathews
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
The first part of a 5 part series. A brief history of the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Heavenly Virtues.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
Diverse spiritual writers such as the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and the Christian theologian Marcus Borg have written comparisons of the Buddha and Jesus. In this sermon I’ll explore some of the commonalities as well as the differences in these two spiritual giants. This sermon will coincide with our religious education program’s focus on prophetic men and women as one of the sources of our UU faith.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
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
Reverend Roger Bertschausen discusses the meaning of courage with respect to spirituality.
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
I'll kick off my sermon series with an overview of ancient Greek mythology and its foundational place in the Western imagination. I'll also explore how Greek myths might continue to speak to
us about our lives and spiritual journeys three millennia later.
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
The Irish band U2 has had a long and distinguished run. It’s easy for the remarkable activism of
the band’s lead singer, Bono, to overshadow the band’s musical accomplishments. Not
surprisingly, the values and vision embodied in Bono’s activism permeate the music. His work
impacts the music, and no doubt the music impacts his work. What are some of the important
messages and wisdom expressed in U2’s music?
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
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
From the beginnings of recorded religious history, women have given voice to their unique religious and spiritual experiences in ways both traditional and revolutionary. During the upheaval of the Protestant Reformation, these voices were, to a great degree, silenced or marginalized. By listening for those voices of the past, women and men can hear a challenge to again give expression to the interior stirrings of Spirit for the sake of their own growth and the good of our mother the Earth.
Ann Barker
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
This service centers on simplifying life as part of a spiritual journey.
Dave Gerlach
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
Each year the Fellowship joins many Unitarian Universalist congregations around the world in celebrating the Flower Communion.
Revs.Bertschausen & Mathews
The fourth part of a 5 part series. The Seven Deadly Sins.
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
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
This sermon will set the stage for the sermon series by focusing on the rich meaning of the concept of "call."
Rev. Roger Bertschausen
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
