First Unitarian Universalist Church Of Austin

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on February 10, 2013. A Juicy Slice of UU History: Theodore Parker, "The arc of the Universe bends toward justice," he said. Parker was a Unitarian minister, a tireless and militant abolitionist, and a proponent of women's rights.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on February 3, 2013. When you think of God as female, how does that change thoughts and feelings about God? When you think of God as a huntress, what kind of stories does that evoke? How would people, animals and the planet be affected by this picture of God?

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on January 27, 2013. The Eightfold Path. Buddhism teaches that there is a way to overcome suffering by coming to an understanding of the way the world is, and by living in a certain way. There is no requirement that you believe in it, they say, you just try it to see if it works.

Guest speaker Marisol Caballero's sermon delivered on January 20, 2013. Evangelical minister Rob Bell, in his book, "Love Wins," articulates the concept of God's unconditional love, and he has been widely condemned for it by the evangelical community. Join us as we explore Universalism's history and delve into why this idea still causes such an uproar.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on January 13, 2013. What does forgiveness entail? Does one have to "forgive and forget?" How do we forgive ourselves? Another sermon having to do with our Covenant of Healthy Relations.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on January 6, 2013. It is good to begin the new year by clearing out old regrets and resentments. We toss those things into the fire and get a fresh start.

Guest speaker Andrew Young's sermon delivered on December 30, 2012. Since the 1930s Unitarian churches have slowly moved away from God centered worship. In an effort to not offend newcomers and non-theistic members most of our congregations are unwilling to use the language of divinity in our services. Is there a place for God in Unitarian Universalism?

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on December 23, 2012. The holidays are an unmitigated delight for some, and a hard time for others. For most of us they are a mixture of feelings, memories, hope, beauty and family. The Blues express longing and determination. We'll talk about having the blues, and playing the blues.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on December 16, 2012. The Christmas Story. Costumes are laid out for our children to choose what role to play in the pageant.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on December 9, 2012. Hanukkah is coming, one of the many celebrations of the return of the light to the northern hemisphere... Whose light could you rekindle? Who rekindles yours?

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on December 2, 2012. In our culture we have to make straight As, be partnered up with an attractive person, raise children who are accomplished and useful, have a good job, and stay healthy and strong. What use is failure?

Marisol Caballero's service on November 25, 2012. Kermit T. Frog's famous ballad, "The Rainbow Connection," has had a profound impact on my life, my theology, and my call to ministry. As I age, I have begun to recognize that Jim Henson's words and characters have helped form so many of us in similar ways. This sermon will celebrate the wisdom of this unexpectedly prophetic man, who together with his puppets, continues to help change the world more than 20 years after his death.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on November 18, 2012. One of the spiritual practices I enjoy is the practice of gratitude. I don't always remember to do it, but it's easy and, in my experience, it changes things immediately.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on November 11, 2012. Wynton Marsalis writes: "To improvise means to find your own way of intelligently using what you have in order to improve your environment; to swing means to maintain equilibrium with elegance, to be resilient; and to play the blues means that no matter how tragic a situation may be you have the capacity to conquer it with style." UU theology and practice is very much like jazz.

Guest Minister Brian Ferguson's sermon delivered on November 4, 2012. Albert Einstein was one of the great thinkers of the 20th century and knew a lot but said "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Our Unitarian Universalist religious tradition places great emphasis on the use of reason to interpret our experience to derive meaning in life. But the solutions to some of the most difficult intractable problems in our lives seem to lie beyond our experience and reason. This worship service will explore what possibilities could be open to us if we make imagination a bigger part of our religious life.

Marisol Caballero's inter-generational worship service on October 28, 2012. The Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives and personalities of our loved ones who have died. We celebrate and remember loved ones (pets included) who have died. A congregational ofrenda (altar) honors their memory. We briefly share the name of the deceased and our relationship to them. We bring items to place on our ofrenda, such as a favorite food, drink, photograph or another item that represents who they were and what they loved in life.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on October 21, 2012. Using a story from an ancient Hindu text, we'll talk about how a faithful bitterness toward a person, a place or a religious tradition can keep you as connected as you would be if you loved that person, place or tradition.

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on October 14, 2012. Another part of our Covenant of Healthy Relations says that we promise "to make our church a safe place to express our deepest fears and our greatest joys." What makes a place safe? How do you know abuse if you see it? What are its patterns and methods? How do you stop it?

Rev. Meg Barnhouse's sermon delivered on October 7, 2012. The Springsteen song ends "Well this train carries saints and sinners... losers and winners...." Can First UU be that kind of train? What would it look like for our faith to be rewarded? What does it take for the bells of freedom to ring?

Marisol Caballero's sermon delivered on September 30, 2012. We pride ourselves in being open and affirming toward all, yet it seems many people still do not know of our existence. Why are UUs so shy about talking about where we attend church? This sermon challenges us to be more willing to share our faith.