Arvid talks about the fourth step in the twelve steps to live a compassionate life; Empathy.
Arvid references to Karen Armstrong's "12 Steps to a Compassionate Life" to reflect upon self-love and self-worth and how low self esteem is, essentially, self-hatred and that self-hatred is self-centered. He encourages the congregation to appreciate who they are so they can obtain self-knowledge.
We have also included the Meditation Arvid referenced; the Buddha's "Four Heavenly Realms" below.
"A Slick Hatchet Job on Ayn Rand"
Arvid uses novelist Ayn Rand and her extreme ideals to put politics today into perspective to show how politicians have in similar ways followed suit and adopt Ayn Rand’s ideology.
Ken discusses Universalism, its roots and what it means to be Unitarian Universalist.
"Welcome to Your New Adventure"
Arvid and Kathleen offer their sentiments on the State of our Church.
"The Virtue of Transcendence and the Necessity of Freedom"
"I Shall Be Human Yet"
Arvid has returned from Sabbatical and in his first sermon back, he shares with us the "Steps to Compassion" and discusses the secret to life; which he says is the Golden Rule. He talks about how every faith has this rule as their core value, "do unto others as you would like them to do unto you."
"From Here We Grow . . . First Church, a Great Cause"
Kathleen discusses Spiritual Maturity with respect to giving and graciousness on this Celebration Sunday, where we kick-off our new Operating Budget campaign. Download the accompanying handout (pdf).
Our Affiliate Minister, Jim Grant offers worship this morning with a play on the title of the piece our JUUL Tones sang earlier in this Service, entitled "Distinctions." Rev. Grant talks about Spiritual Maturity and how even Atheists have spirituality and in order to find Spiritual Maturity you have to search beyond traditional distinctions.
Kathleen talks about the deep layers of spiritual maturity and how that term does not have to deal with a deity. Today Kathleen explores the "maturity" of spiritual maturity and how maturity is not just getting older, instead she sees maturity as taking the opportunity to ever change who we are and how we engage with others.
Kathleen elaborates on Sue's sermon from last week and talks about how each of us has the potential for Evil, and how the opposite of Evil is not as simple as "good." She talks about how much more complex the opposite of Evil is and how we can conquer Evil through clarity, courage and love. Download the accompanying PDF.
Intern Sue uses this month’s Worship Theme, Evil to discuss the concept of evil and how UUs are reluctant to use the term evil, and instead try to see the good and worth in every person.
"The Virtue of Temperance: What's Love Got to Do With It?"
Kathleen talks about the term temperance, how its meaning has evolved throughout history and how temperance and moderation are essential to truly know and love one’s self. Download the accompanying PDF.
"With Hearts, and Hands, and Voices"
Our pulpit guest this week, Jason Shelton, talks about the uniqueness of our UU Worship Services.
Today's Service, our Associate Minister, offers another sermon in her series on virtue. She talks about justice through beauty and discussed the need for reflection.
Rev. Kathleen and our Journey Toward Wholeness Team discuss through three very different skits, entitled: "Hidden Disabilities," "Curry," and "Oppression Olympics," various ways that how we speak to each other and what we say, may not be intended to be, but can be hurtful and harmful to others.
Today's Services Arvid spoke about the Shootings in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, January 8, 2011.