Index of Selected UUCM Sermons

June 14, 2009: “Last Dance”

by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley.
Today we will celebrate the last service led by our interim minister, Lisa Presley.

June 7, 2009: “Nothing ”

by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Our lives are sometimes filled with so much stuff that we don’t always understand or appreciate the value of Nothing. And for many years, there wasn’t anything known as Nothing. So today we’ll explore the reality of Nothing.

May 31, 2009: “Leftovers”

by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Our time together is running short . . . and so what are the leftovers that we’ve stored in the fridge? What is left to do, either together, or in your future? How do we deal with the orts?

May 17,2009: “A Complete Seminary Education in 20 Minutes (Abridged)”

by Charlie Dieterich (Divinity student, Starr King School for the Ministry). Don't have time to go to seminary? We don't bother with the stuff you'll just forget anyway. Come learn the stuff you'd remember after you are ordained. From sex to death to hell, it's all in there.

May 10, 2009: “Next Steps”

by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. By now, your immediate future should be known—but there’s always the question of what to do next. This is true not only in congregational life, but in our individual lives too. How do we understand the past and know what those next steps should be? How do we move forward?

April 19, 2009: “Question Box Sermon”

by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. We UUs are people of the question: we always want to know more, and we always have questions bubbling up in our minds. This Sunday, I’ll answer your questions. No question too big or too small. Please start submitting your questions (with your name attached) no earlier than April 1st—I’ll answer them in the order asked. You can e-mail them, send them by post, or drop them off at UUCM. No questions accepted by phone, and I always reserve the right to answer your question privately!

March 29, 2009: “Yearly Spiritual”

by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Every year, we’re told that we should have an annual physical examination to make sure all the parts are working right, that our cholesterol is at the right level, and that the heart is ticking along. So what would it look like to have a yearly spiritual, to check up on how we’re doing religiously?

March 22, 2009:“United Trees Nibble Crunchy Dharma Happily” by Garrick Linn, Janette Morrow and the UUCM Sr. High Youth Group. This service will be about the tension which sometimes exists between communalism and individualism. We will invite our congregation to explore this together by creating some spontaneous poetry (the title is an example) along with laughter and reflection around striking a healthy balance between them.

March 15, 2009: “Apples and Snakes ”

by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. The church word series continues with an exploration of sin—what is it, where did it come from, how do we live with it, how original is it, and the like.

March 8, 2009: “Turtles and Transformation” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. This past month saw the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, the “creator” of evolutionary theory, and Abraham Lincoln. The publication of Darwin’s book “On the Origin of the Species” transformed our understanding of so much. The Civil War did likewise. Today we’ll explore these men and how their lives touched ours.

March 1, 2009: “Two Worlds” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. We live in the midst of two worlds—the world as it is, and the world as we’d like it. These days, as we look at the economic situation around the world, those worlds may seem even further apart than we’d like. So how do we survive, and how can we practice generosity?

February 22, 2009: “Bliss” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Last year I promised a sermon on happiness and bliss, and then I got sick and didn’t deliver.So today, I will provide what I didn’t last year. What is happiness, and where do we find it? How does it shape our lives?

February 8, 2009: "This Special Calling" by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Continuing the Church Word series, and in preparation for the upcoming announcement of your ministerial candidate, today I will reflect on the nature of ministry and ministers.

February 1, 2009: “What If It Isn’t So? ” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Last spring, Maggie N. won the right to put words into my mouth by being the highest bidder for a sermon of your choice at the Service Auction. And what Maggie wants to know is what difference does it make if, as some archeologists state, few if any of the Biblical stories really took place? What if it isn’t so—what does that do to the foundation of our religious and secular worlds? Come and find out!

January, 25, 2009: “Getting the Name Right” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. As we welcome our newest members in this service, I’ll reflect upon what it means to get the name of Unitarian Universalism “right.”

January 11, 2009: “Church Word: Salvation” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Salvation is often at the heart of a religious movement. It answers the questions: What happens when we die, and what can I do to make the best of it? Today we will explore what salvation means to Unitarian Universalists.

December 14, 2008: “Church Word: Atonement” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. What does atonement mean? Have you atoned for whatever you’ve done? When do we need to atone, and what suffices? These are just some of the questions we’ll explore today as we continue our “church words” series.

December 7, 2008: “Entering Dark Times” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. With the traveling of the seasons, every day seems to be shorter, every night, longer. In many climes, all about is dying, going into hibernation, shutting down. It is natural that at this time of year, our thoughts to go loss, to death, to grief. Today I will speak about that journey in our lives, what it is that can help us through our grief-filled times.

November 16, 2008: “ ’Tis A Gift To Be Simple” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. With the winter holidays almost upon us, it is a good time to reflect on their meaning—and how we can prepare ourselves for the on-coming onslaught! I will reflect on the important meanings, how to take care of ourselves in the midst of it all, and what are the greatest gifts we can give each other.

October 26, 2008: “Grace” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. The second in my “church words” series, today I will explore grace. What is it? Is it real? What does it make possible? What is its role in our lives? Is there a place for grace?

October 19, 2008: “Reflections on Other Worlds” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Too often I live only in particular worlds: those of UUs, Americans, Marin-ites, Michiganders, political liberals. But there are other worlds out there that I too seldom visit: non- UUs, non-Americans, political conservatives, and other countries. This sermon will be a reflection on my literal and figurative travels of the past few months—China, Tennessee, non-UU and conservative realms. I wonder what I’ve noticed, and more to the point, what I’ve learned.

September 28, 2008 “Growing Older: Reflections on Changing Society ” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Each and every day, we are growing older. But how we grow older, and what we do with our aging can be very different—in which direction do we travel? Today I’ll trot out some of my curmudgeonly thoughts and ideas, and perhaps some new ones too, as I look at the questions of how we want to be as we age along, both individually and as a congregation.

September 21, 2008: “Wherever Two or Three, or Perhaps Alone” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. This year I will be doing a sermon series, one a month, on what I call “church words”— words used in a variety of ways by different religious groups, and by the public at large. It will be a chance to investigate those words, their meanings, and what they mean for Unitarian Universalists in particular. This month I begin the series by exploring worship.

September 14, 2008: “To Know It Again” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Time and again, and time after time, we do the same chores, the same tasks, the same business again. Time after time, we do things we enjoy, and things we don’t. But how often do we look into the heart of these repetitive acts, and examine the rhymes and reasons. This morning, we will begin this exploration of the old familiar.

August 31, 2008: The DNA of Modern Monotheisms by Jim Linford. In a world beset by many monotheisms, ecumenical scholar Bede Griffiths observes that “each religion has to undergo a death and resurrection – a death to its historical and cultural limitations and a resurrection to a new life in the Spirit.” Can understanding monotheistic origins help us transcend them?

August 24, 2008: “When Life Happens” by Suzi Musgrove. Sometimes things in life don't go according to plan. Many times there are small, insignificant things; but sometimes the things that don’t go according to plan are big things, events that can change your life in unexpected ways. We all have our wishes and expectations about where our lives will lead; but when events happen that we have no control over, sometimes we find that we're introduced to beautiful experiences we'd never have imagined.

August 17, 2008: “Human Nature: That Which We Are Put In This World to Rise Above ” by Noah Griffin. Noah Griffin, writer/lecturer/composer and "aspiring human being," asks how far human nature has advanced in terms of our spiritual growth and understanding.

August 3, 2008: “Wake Now Compassion ” by Charlie Dieterich, Student at Starr King. Charlie Dieterich, beginning his third year at Starr King School for the Ministry, is doing a summer internship in the chaplaincy at the Palo Alto VA Hospital where he has been listening to the life stories of veterans from many religious traditions. How can we be present to those of different beliefs? What happens when we are?

June 29, 2008: “Health Care Reform: Is It Like Pushing a Rock Uphill?” by Dr. Steven Schroeder. Dr. Schroeder is a faculty member at UCSF Medical School and former head of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He will talk about health care reform, and suggest some reasons why it has been so elusive over the years.

May 25, 2008:“Saints, Communists and the Rest of Us” by The Rev. Robert Warren Cromey. "When I fed the poor, they called me a saint. When I asked why the poor are hungry, they called me a communist." There is a big difference between social service and social action. Service is food kitchens; action is changing laws and living conditions so hunger no longer exists.

April 20, 2008:“What About God?” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. In most religious traditions, God is at the center. But what about Unitarian Universalism, where we have no set creed, and where the responsibility for belief is in the individual? What about God? Second in Theological Exploration Series

April 13, 2008: “Not About God” by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. A theological revolution happened in Unitarian Universalism in the 1940s and 50s—something that has left deep marks on our Association. But what is the history of humanism? First in Theological Exploration Series

March 30,2008: A Rite of Spring by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. It’s taken me years to admit out loud that I love sports. By now, spring training is underway, and soon the Giants and the A’s will be out on the fields. What is it that we can learn about life from a simple nine-inning game? Come and find out.

March 9, 2008: Significant Choices by Bob Miess, PCD Ministerial Settlement Representative. In life, as persons, and as a congregation, we sometimes come to moments when we must make significant choices. What makes a choice significant? How does the significance of a choice affect the way we approach the choice? What strategies might we use to improve our chances of a “successful” choice? What does “successful” mean when we’re talking about significant choices?

March 2, 2008: Weaving our Web by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. We Unitarian Universalists often talk about the interdependent web of existence, yet rarely do we talk about how that web is woven together, nor both how fragile and strong it is. This morning as we begin the annual stewardship campaign, I will explore the nature of webs.

February 24, 2008: Hear Nothing, See Nothing by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Unitarianism and Universalism, and our current UUism, are optimistic religious traditions. We believe in the worth of every person. We believe that people are basically good. For too long we’ve ignored wrestling with evil. This morning I’ll begin wrestling with this angel.

February 17, 2008: Leftover Love by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Valentine’s Day has come and gone. So what is it that we do with love after the roses have faded and the chocolate’s been consumed?

February 10,2008: Deep Yearning by the Rev. Stan Stefancic. The philosopher Jacob Needleman maintains that philosophy has a heart. There is a deep yearning in the human heart that is nourished by “real philosophy,” and without that nourishment we starve intellectually and spiritually. It is the striving for understanding of and connection to the mystery and awesome reality of being alive in the world.

February 3, 2008: The Children by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Most of the time when we hear the stories of the Civil Rights era, we hear the stories of the adults who shaped the movement. But there were many, many children who were actors in their own right. This morning I will explore their contributions to the movement.

January 20, 2008: What Are You Looking For? by the Rev. Tom Traylor. What are we looking for in our individual and shared spiritual journeys? How can we gain greater clarity? This Sunday we will consider the value of a clear sense of spiritual purpose and direction and look for inspiration in the spiritual and ethical vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 13, 2008: The “G” Word by the Rev. Lisa Presley. Although there is much conversation about god in our congregations, this morning I’ll be discussing that other “g” word—growth. What does it mean for congregations to begin, or continue, talking about growth? And what is growth, after all?

January 6, 2008: Tangled Threads by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. As Unitarian Universalists, we have no set creed—rather, we have so many different views of religion and the answers to the big questions. This morning I’ll explore some of the threads we weave together in our religious communities.

December 16, 2007: Spending Your Soul by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. By this time of the holiday season, you may have completed your search for the perfect holiday gifts for everyone. You may have spent every penny you’re going to spend. So this morning I’ll focus on spending something else—our souls. Where do we play them out? Where do we give them away, and where do we stint ourselves in their spending?

December 2, 2007: Anticipation by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is both a time of hectic scurrying and a time of anticipation and waiting. Within the Christian tradition, it is known as Advent, a time of waiting for what will be next. It can also be a hard time, especially if we are alone or far from home. How do we balance this mix, and, more particularly, what is it that we are waiting for?

November 11, 2007: Eleventh Hour, Eleventh Day by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Armistice Day. Remembrance Day. Veterans Day. All three of these names have been used to describe November 11th. Today I will be looking at this day, what it stands for, and how we live in a world where we desire peace, but where it rarely seems to come.

November 4, 2007: More Precious Than Gold by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. For years, gold has been seen as one of the most precious things on this universe. I contend that there are many things more precious than gold—and this morning I’ll be talking about at least one of those!

October 14, 2007: Weaving the Web by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. As UUs, we talk about the value of the interdependent web of existence, and how we are all connected. This morning I will reflect on these themes as we join with hundreds of UU congregations to celebrate Association Sunday.

October 7, 2007: Fooling Around by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Did you hear about the UU who wanted to change the light bulb? Today we’ll take a lighter look at Unitarian Universalism, and our place within the fold. What road are we taking, and where might it take us? And is there room for laughter along the way?

September 30, 2007: Harry Potter, Balaam's Ass & the Future of Marin by Rev. Betty Pagett. Reflections on real community, sustainability and the role of faith congregations.

September 16,2007: Turn, turn, turn by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. We are in the midst of the most holy days for the Jewish community. It is the time between the New Year and the Day of Atonement. How do these holy days effect us, and what can we learn from our religious neighbors?

September 2, 2007: Day of Labor, Day of Rest by the Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley. Labor Day marks the “official” end of the summer season, but there is also deeper meaning to our work and our play. We will explore these deeper meanings as we mark endings and beginnings.