Unfolding Faith: Sermons from Foothills Unitarian

Genesis of an Uprising: A Conversation with Dr. Dan McKanan (Shortened Sunday Service Version)

Dr. Dan McKanan, Ralph Waldo Emerson  Unitarian Universalist Senior Lecturer at Harvard Divinity School, and Rev. Sean Neil-Barron discuss the relationship between our religion and the American progressive tradition. They explore how people rise up seeking to come to terms with America’s white supremacist and colonialist legacies, and how the current trend of increasing economic inequality affects progressivism across religion and politics.

Homily: What is the Uprising Right Now | Rev. Sean Neil-Barron | November 15th, 2020

Rev. Sean Neil-Barron invites us to consider what faith and trust guide us when we struggle to see beyond political whims - when we struggle to see the long arc of history bending toward justice.
 
Rev. Sean encourages us to awaken courage and break free from the seduction of sameness. He encourages us to keep faith that this day could be something different - to keep faith that we can be a part of true transformation.

Guided Meditation | Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink | November 15, 2020

Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink leads us in a centering and connecting meditation. Rev. Christopher Watkins Lamb enhances the meditation with music.

"When is the Night Over?" (11/8/20)

Rev. Sean Neil-Barron reframes our present moment, exploring America not as a divided nation, but rather as a wounded and traumatized nation in need of healing. Referencing Rev. Theresa Soto, Rev. Sean reminds us that "all of us need all of us to survive,” and there are no winners or losers in beloved community.
 
Read Rev. Theresa I. Soto’s Litany “All of Us Need All of Us to Make It” here: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/litany/all-us-need-all-us-make-it

"End Game" (11/8/20)

In the wake of the election, Rev. Gretchen Haley draws on Netflix hit series "The Queen's Gambit" to explore why winning is not the end game. She discusses the value of embracing a beginner's mind and the imperative to remain firmly rooted in our faith that there is no such thing as individual liberation.
 
Visit the Moments & Movements Series web page for relevant spiritual practices: https://foothillsuu.org/momentsandmovements/

"Anatomy of a Moment" (11/1/20)

Rev. Sean preaches about the meaning of a moment.

"How We Eat the Stars" (10/25/20)

Rev. Gretchen Haley begins our new worship series, Moments & Movements, with this homily titled “How We Eat the Stars.” She preaches that we are connected to the universe and the universe is connected to us, that we are a part of a larger movement that began before us, and will continue on long after we are gone.
 
You can read the written text of this homily on Gretchen’s blog and the full exchange between the young activist and Thomas Merton here.

"UU the Vote" (10/18/20)

Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen is a Community Minister and works with the National Bail Fund Network as their Immigration Bond Coordinator. She joined us live on Sunday morning for our special UU the Vote worship service.
 
Rev. Elizabeth talks about how voting is just one part of the democratic system. In fact, it is the last part. She tells us about the need to organize, donate, protest, and demonstrate our UU values all season, not just on November 3rd.
 
Get involved with UU the Vote at https://www.uuthevote.org/get-involved/. Learn more about Rev. Elizabeth at https://www.uua.org/offices/people/elizabeth-nguyen.