Sermons on Society & Culture
What Happened to Civility?
Today, we look at the practices of Kindness and Civility; sadly all too often absent from our daily lives. In what ways have kindness and civility eroded from our society over the years–and more importantly, how can we embrace our better selves and carry those tenets forward into the world?
Believing in the Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person: How Hard Is That?
Part two of our 2021 series on Living our UU Principles. This week we hear from Blanche Williams on our first principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. With a background in literature, music, and information sciences, Blanche Williams earned a doctorate in psychology from the liberally-minded George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She has worked as a clinical psychologist in various settings across several states and now serves patients, families, and treatment providers at Baptist MD Anderson…
Father’s Day
Listen to Blanche Williams, Penny Reid, and Jeff Funkderburk as they talk about fatherhood.
Baby, We Need a Barn-Raising
Pandemic isolation has had a deep impact on mental health and community dynamics. How can we show up with authenticity—virtually and in person—as we continue to exercise caution due to COVID-19? Rev. Erin Walter reflects on spiritual resources for mental health and our calling to community care, drawing inspiration from music, Mr. Rogers, and more.
Your Really True Story
Linda Hart Green muses on how our stories help us make sense of the world and of ourselves.
Special Collection: Read USA
Our speaker is Terrence Freeman, newly appointed CEO of READ USA. UUCJ has done a special collection to sponsor a READ USA book fair for the students of Arlington Heights Elementary School for the past 5 years. The book fairs allow each student to choose three new books for summer reading. The book fairs will be conducted in person or virtually this year depending on how the students are attending school. UUCJ is the only faith-based organization that has sponsored…
The Thrill of Victory & The Agony of Defeat
For several years these words were the lead-in for ABC’s Wide World of Sports, but they have application to our entire national life. On this Super Bowl Sunday Rev. Paul Johnson looks at the positive and negative features of our national mania for competition.
Looking Back. Moving Forward.
Donna Janesky looks back at 2019 — its tumultuous events as well as those who have left us.
Refugees are Mothers Too
In this Mothers’ Day sermon, Basma Alawee recounts the daily life of refugee mothers, and gives us ways that we can help refugees in the Jacksonville community.
Turning Silver Into Gold
Donna Janesky discusses aging, ageism, and growing old with self-acceptance and grace.