Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring

Sermons 2003

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2003
December 7, 2003 Deciphering The DaVinci Code Rev. Elizabeth Lerner	If you haven’t read the bestselling thriller, The DaVinci Code—it’s not too late! Here’s your heads-up to take the chance to bone up prior to this morning’s service. We will review the surprising themes and issues raised by the book, including the “true” significance of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity.
November 30, 2003 The Nature of Human Nature William Hartung	We all think we know what Human Nature is. We all have ourselves as the prime examples. And we certainly do a lot of "people watching" so we think we know what is going on with others. But a new understanding of the nature of Human Nature is dawning. It is unfolding in ways very different from what we have assumed. Come join us and be changed.
November 2, 2003 Thinning the Veil (Samhain) Rev. Elizabeth Lerner and Doneby Smith, Reading	This holiday, tied to All Soul’s and Halloween, is an important and rich element in the turning wheel of the liturgical year. Come learn about its eternal themes and potential importance for all of us.
October 26, 2003 Faith and Freedom Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner	Most of us are familiar with civil liberties as a political issue, but what makes this a religious issue? Well, part of why it’s a religious issue for UUs is that we voted on it as an issue of concern at our UU General Assembly—but there’s more to it than that, especially in terms of our free faith tradition. Come learn about why, ultimately, no pulpit can ever be fully free of politics!
October 19, 2003 Red, White, and UU Rev. Cynthia L.G. Kane	Rev. Cynthia Kane, a Navy lieutenant and one of the few UU chaplains in the armed services was interviewed for the recent UU World issue on Embattled Faith. Her thought provoking comments in that article lead the worship committee to invite her to lead a sermon here at UUCSS.
October 12, 2003 Another Thing We Don’t Know, or Completing Hitler’s Work Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner	We are proud to be a congregation, and part of a movement, that draws people who are searching for integrity in their faith and ethical responses to contemporary religious and world challenges. But in drawing so many people from other traditions we have also then the responsibility to understand why their journeys may be complex, even painful, as they join our fold. One example of this is in the frequently untold dynamics of rejection and abandonment often experienced by Jews coming to UUism. Closing out the Jewish High Holy Days, our sermon this Sunday will be an honest and possibly difficult look at this element in a UU life of faith.
September 28, 2003 Rosh Hashanah and the Sermon on the Amount Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner	In the midst of the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and as we kick off our annual canvass, this service will explore the ties between fresh starts, spiritual renewal, and community vitality. Much as autumn requires much of us, and much as UUCSS also asks our investment on many levels, imagine life without the turning of the year, and each other to turn to. A fresh take on timeless themes, with rich music from our choir.
September 14, 2003 Dionysus and Apollo Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner	This morning’s service will explore the dichotomy and relationship of Dionysus (the Greek god of wine, revelry and chaos) and Apollo (the Greek god of sunlight, music and reason), in terms of their significance in history and tradition for, you guessed it, UUism! Chaos, order, light, dark, men, women, public and private spiritual experience, praxis and catharsis… we'll consider it all, or as much as we can in the course of our worship.
September 7, 2003 Water Communion Ingathering Homily Rev. Elizabeth Lerner	Our annual joyful reunion when we come together to share again in the blessing of community - and share water from the locations of our summers! This is an intergenerational and highly participatory service. Don’t forget a vial/jar/bottle/smidge of water from your summer adventures—and virtual water is acceptable if you didn’t get any at the time. Songs, music, fun and spirituality… it's all here!
August 10, 2003 Choosing Between Bread and Stones Rev. Dennis Jones	The Bible is filled with symbolic language reflecting what we need as we grow spiritually and physically, as well as what we can offer to others, especially our children. Sometimes in focusing on one particular need, we overlook other needs. Thus, in order to be proper providers, we must be clear about what is being requested and expected of us. The Rev. Dennis Jones is the Director of Pastoral Ministries at Riderwood Village in Silver Spring, Maryland.
June 8, 2003 Flower Communion Sunday Rev. Elizabeth Lerner and Mandy Jacobson, R.E. Director	One of our most beloved UUCSS traditions, this intergenerational service incorporates flowers, song, readings, history into an experience of richness and connection that send us into the summer. Also featured will be our brand new, commissioned piece, making its world debut in honor of UUCSS’ 50th year, performed by the choir. Don’t miss this special experience, and please bring at least one flower per person.
June 1, 2003 There Is Neither Jew nor Greek Rev. A. Elizabeth Lerner	We come to UUCSS, and to our larger faith of Unitarian Universalism, from many origins, and carrying with us many needs, hopes, and expectations. Our service this morning will examine what we sometimes forget as we share our journeys across not always difference, but sometimes—even more challenging—sameness.
May 25, 2003 Gratitude for the Come-From-Behind Horse Rev. Elizabeth Lerner	The who? The what? Which come-from-behind horse? Only one way to find out! This Sunday we’ll celebrate our proximity to Pimlico racetrack and being in the midst of the annual Triple Crown of horse racing: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes. We’ll explore this unlikely setting for inspiration, exaltation, and the renewal of Keats’s insight: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.” All children and youth begin in their classrooms.
May 11, 2003 Mother’s Day Rev. Elizabeth A.Lerner	Mothers—such a potent theme, it’s even a topic for discussion by our Inreach groups. This is our annual opportunity to honor and reflect on an aspect of this holiday that touches on so much that is powerful and essential in human experience.
April 20, 2003 Easter-Passover Intergenerational Service Rev. Elizabeth A.Lerner	As they do in the bible accounts, Easter and Passover fall at the same time this year. This service for all ages will explore their history and themes in music and words, symbol, and story. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about how they are related and crucial to our Judeo-Christian heritage. All children and youth are invited to the intergenerational Easter service. Nursery, toddler, and pre-school classes will be held as usual.
April 6, 2003 It Has To Be Believed To Be Seen Rev. Elizabeth A.Lerner	What can religious vision really promise our world, ourselves, our church? Borrowing the title from a line in a song by U2, we'll look at the role of faith in our interaction with, and commitment to, the world and each other. (And maybe we'll hear a little U2…)
March 23, 2003 Blessing of the Animals Rev. Elizabeth A.Lerner	Our annual intergenerational extravaganza, songs, readings, blessings—and best of all, your animals together with you in the sanctuary! This somewhat informal service celebrates the love and inspiration that animals offer us in life: especially, of course, our pets. Please bring your pet, leashed or otherwise contained, to the service. Some floor seating will be available, so bring a blanket if you’d like to take advantage with your family, pet, etc. All children and youth are invited to this intergenerational service.
March 16, 2003 Poetry as Scripture Rev. Elizabeth A.Lerner	Too often, perhaps, Unitarian Universalism dismisses traditional scripture from our liberal religious tradition because it contains elements that we reject. And my own response has been often to preach to reclaim scripture, or at least bits of it, so that we don’t lose entirely such a rich and important body of religious understanding. Balanced with that is the often religious inspiration or insight available in some poetry, some ancient, some very contemporary. Our service this Sunday will sample some of these and explore such relationships between words, old and new, and our souls.
February 23, 2003 To Be and How to Be— That’s Really the Question Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner	For all congregations, one of the pressing and ever-present issues is how to be a religious community. What does it mean to be a congregation, an intentional community, one that worships, serves, searches and shares together? And most importantly, what does that way of being require of, and offer, each of us? Our UUCSS Right Relations committee will be sharing some perspectives on this together with Rev. Liz, and we will be dedicating and welcoming a number of new infants and children to the congregation.
February 9, 2003 Mind the Gap Sunday Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner	Our umbrella organization, the Unitarian Universalist Association, is beginning to help all congregations learn about how to nurture our young adults, so that UU'ism remains a vital location for people 18 to 35, time when we often lose folks, at least temporarily. The funding for the education and program help is partly coming from congregations - like us! Come hear Rev. Liz and some of UUCSS’s own young adults speak to the meaning of our faith for them—participants will include Maria Paoletti, Anna Molpus and Paul Iobst.
February 2, 2003 And Speaking of God… Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner	GOD—what a touchy three letters. How we say it, spell it, honor or deny God—all that we associate with God—are all very live challenges for Unitarian-Universalists. Some of us are offended or hurt by even talking about God; some are offended or hurt by not talking about God. Why are we like this, and how can we deal together given this powerful, divisive, important, complicated, ever-present issue/presence/idea/reality/illusion/ inspiration/distraction?
January 26, 2003 Holding Pain Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner and Megan Foley	We all experience deep pain, sometimes overwhelming, sometimes lasting. How do we endure, and how do we live with experiences and losses that challenge all that we hold dear and believe in? This Sunday, our theme will be exploring the ways we experience and hold pain in our lives. Rev. Lerner will share the sermon with Megan Foley, a fairly new member of UUCSS, whose father’s recent violent death in Jordan is part of the motivation for her share in this service. This Sunday, we also recognize our newest members during the service and coffee hour.
January 19, 2003 Hearing the Call Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday Rev. Elizabeth A. Lerner	Our annual tradition, a service dedicated to ongoing reflection and commitment to the challenges Dr. King set us which still persist today. A special, important event in our worship year, join us as we deepen our journey towards justice and caring for all.
January 12, 2003 Something Like a Star Rev. Elizabeth A.Lerner	This Sunday’s topic will be about one of UUism’s best-kept secrets: an extraordinary little island called Star, off the coast of Portsmouth, NH. The island is full of history, beauty and stories, and most unexpected of all; it's a UU retreat center. This service will tell some about this powerful, beautiful site and what happens for our faith there—maybe you can be part of it!
January 5, 2003 Mentoring: Our Duty to Our Children, Our Gift to the Community Kevin Drewery	Hillary Clinton popularized the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s a very nice phrase that makes a great sound bite, but how do we, as UUs, do our part to implement it? Two examples are the “Coming of Age” programs and mentoring. Each of these programs, singly and jointly, gives our youth opportunities to establish healthy connections with adults in our congregations. Ideally, these programs allow youth to see how adults incorporate the seven principles into their lives, helping them to become even better members of the church and of the community at large. This service will focus on why this is such an important responsibility, and how our youth, our congregations, and our communities benefit from the active support and participation of each of us.