Crystal Zerfoss, Seminarian
How do we practice responsible gratitude, honoring the gift of our shared experience, acknowledging that all we have is an extension of what others have done for and given us, gratefully naming our place in the interdependent web of all existence.
Listen here.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
"A House with Two Masters" Oct. 25, 2015
Rev. David Bloom
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about our ultimate priorities. "No one can serve two masters," he said. "You cannot serve both God and wealth." We live in a society that is obsessed with money, with "making it," usually meaning to get rich. How do we negotiate between our society's emphasis on wealth and the clear demands of religious faith to work for justice for those who live on the economic and social margins?
A treasured visiting speaker at Westside, the Reverend David Bloom is an American Baptist minister with 38 years of ecumenical leadership experience in Seattle on social justice issues.
Monday, September 28, 2015
"The Day All Lives Will Truly Matter" September 27, 2015
Marcus Green
As racial matters continue to grip our national conversation, it's becoming ever common to ask what role each of us can play in dismantling the systems and structures that stubbornly exacerbate racism in our country. In that destruction, it is important for us to identify that racist outcomes can exist without racist people, or else we can unfortunately replicate what we're attempting to destroy. As a faith tradition who holds sacred the dignity of every human being, this sermon will challenge all of us to first look deeply inside ourselves before joining together in solving one of the greatest human rights issues still plaguing our country.
Listen here.
As racial matters continue to grip our national conversation, it's becoming ever common to ask what role each of us can play in dismantling the systems and structures that stubbornly exacerbate racism in our country. In that destruction, it is important for us to identify that racist outcomes can exist without racist people, or else we can unfortunately replicate what we're attempting to destroy. As a faith tradition who holds sacred the dignity of every human being, this sermon will challenge all of us to first look deeply inside ourselves before joining together in solving one of the greatest human rights issues still plaguing our country.
Listen here.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
"Twilight Zone" September 13, 2015
Crystal Zerfoss
Come explore the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition. Seattle University student and UU seminarian, Crystal Zerfoss, will lead us on a journey into the dimension of imagination.
Listen here.
Come explore the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition. Seattle University student and UU seminarian, Crystal Zerfoss, will lead us on a journey into the dimension of imagination.
Listen here.
Monday, August 17, 2015
"The Language of the Heart" August 16, 2015
Viveca Monahan
The literature around spiritual psychology and the human heart consistently discusses two kinds of knowing. There is scientific knowing, which is linear, analytical, rational, verbal and mechanical. And there is poetic knowing or poesis, which is holistic, intuitive and has depth. The heart "perceives" while the brain "knows." Language creates images. What we name a thing, becomes that which we named. The heart has its own language that rises to the surface just when we need it most. This access requires only that we silently ask. And then patiently wait.
Listen here.
The literature around spiritual psychology and the human heart consistently discusses two kinds of knowing. There is scientific knowing, which is linear, analytical, rational, verbal and mechanical. And there is poetic knowing or poesis, which is holistic, intuitive and has depth. The heart "perceives" while the brain "knows." Language creates images. What we name a thing, becomes that which we named. The heart has its own language that rises to the surface just when we need it most. This access requires only that we silently ask. And then patiently wait.
Listen here.
Monday, July 27, 2015
"OK, Now What?" - July 26, 2015
Rev. Grace Simons
Westside UU is moving toward a new church year, but things have changed! Can we approach a new situation in ways that increase the chance of success? What factors can help us navigate a transition most productively? Why can't this just be easy?
Listen here.
Westside UU is moving toward a new church year, but things have changed! Can we approach a new situation in ways that increase the chance of success? What factors can help us navigate a transition most productively? Why can't this just be easy?
Listen here.
Friday, July 24, 2015
"God and the 'What' of Unitarian Universalism" July 19, 2015
Rev. Barry Andrews
So much rides on what we understand God to be - not only our own spiritual well being, but the future of Unitarian Universalism as well. The stakes are high. We aspire to live a spiritual life in keeping with our Unitarian Universalist principles. We would like to see Unitarian Universalism thrive. But what kind of faith is it that has no object? We can answer the who, how, why, when and where of spirituality, but, seemingly, not the what. Without a sense of a "what," worthy of reverence, I fear that Unitarian Universalism will become a dead end in the evolution of religion.
Listen here.
So much rides on what we understand God to be - not only our own spiritual well being, but the future of Unitarian Universalism as well. The stakes are high. We aspire to live a spiritual life in keeping with our Unitarian Universalist principles. We would like to see Unitarian Universalism thrive. But what kind of faith is it that has no object? We can answer the who, how, why, when and where of spirituality, but, seemingly, not the what. Without a sense of a "what," worthy of reverence, I fear that Unitarian Universalism will become a dead end in the evolution of religion.
Listen here.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
"Welcoming the Stranger: Immigration Stories" July 12, 2015
Rev. Amy Moses Lagos
Reverend Amy Moses-Lagos will share from her experiences working with immigrants in diverse settings from Texas to California. She will discuss ways in which immigrants' stories can inform our approach to this complex issue.
Listen here.
Reverend Amy Moses-Lagos will share from her experiences working with immigrants in diverse settings from Texas to California. She will discuss ways in which immigrants' stories can inform our approach to this complex issue.
Listen here.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
"Lust-Phobia, Dogmas Grounded in the Fear of Lust from the Virgin Birth to Same Sex Marriage" June 28, 2015
Keo Capestany
The absurd cult of virginity, rooted in the history of the church is still very much present in so-called purity programs that promote fear and shame of sex.
Listen here.
The absurd cult of virginity, rooted in the history of the church is still very much present in so-called purity programs that promote fear and shame of sex.
Listen here.
Monday, July 6, 2015
"Reflections on Islam" July 5, 2015
Imam Jamal Rahman
Jamal Rahman is a popular
speaker on Islam, Sufi spirituality, and interfaith relations. He is a
Muslim Sufi minister at Seattle's Interfaith Community Sanctuary, adjunct
faculty at Seattle University, and since 9/11 has been collaborating with Rabbi
Ted Falcon and Pastor Don Mackenzie --known as the Interfaith Amigos---touring
the country sharing the message of spiritual inclusivity. This will be Jamal's
third visit to Westside.
Listen here.
In this holy month of Ramadan, let
us reflect on spiritual insights and practices to open heart and expand
mind.
Listen here.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
"My Charge to Westside" June 21, 2015
Rev. Peg Morgan
At ordinations and installations of ministers, someone gives the "charge" to the congregation...their best advice for moving forward...Today I will charge you with my best hopes for Westside's future.
Listen here.
At ordinations and installations of ministers, someone gives the "charge" to the congregation...their best advice for moving forward...Today I will charge you with my best hopes for Westside's future.
Listen here.
Monday, June 8, 2015
"My Three Sermons" June 7, 2015
Rev Peg Morgan
'They' say ministers really have only three sermon teachings that are preached in different ways. What do you think mine have been?
Listen here.
'They' say ministers really have only three sermon teachings that are preached in different ways. What do you think mine have been?
Listen here.
Monday, June 1, 2015
"To Grow, To Learn, To Say Goodbye" May 31, 2015
Kevin Lawson, Intern Minister
It is time to review the year of a ministerial internship! Reflections on growth into ministry, lessons learned and how it is we never stop growing, and learning. T.S. Eliot compels us, "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." Dolly Parton sings, "We've come full circle, and yet we've just begun," come and share in my final service with you as your ministerial intern.
Listen here.
It is time to review the year of a ministerial internship! Reflections on growth into ministry, lessons learned and how it is we never stop growing, and learning. T.S. Eliot compels us, "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." Dolly Parton sings, "We've come full circle, and yet we've just begun," come and share in my final service with you as your ministerial intern.
Listen here.
Monday, May 18, 2015
"Restorative Justice" May 17, 2015
Kevin Lawson
What is it to work towards
wholeness and recovery, opposed to punitive and additional detriment? Is there
inherent worth and dignity enough to go around? As UU's how do we work for
justice, holding the tension of seeking recovery from injury, along with
accountability for wrong doers? What is our role with respect to some of the
social justice issues present in our communities and society currently?
Monday, May 11, 2015
"Only One Rule According to Hafiz" May 10, 2015
Rev. Peg Morgan
On this Mother's Day, it seems a
good day to speak of wisdom, wisdom that we would want to pass on to children;
and no better source than the poetry and spiritual wisdom of Sufi poet Hafiz. Let's
listen to the wisdom of this mystic as he weaves his way through ideas about
children, life, religion and purpose. Come be prepared to be delighted!
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
"To Be Called" May 3, 2015
Rev. Peg Morgan
Today we will consider what it
means to be called to something that is bigger than ourselves alone. And what
does it take to hear the call?
Monday, April 27, 2015
"What Do I Mean When I Say I'm _______? A Discoursive Exploration of Race, Racism, and Racial Identity" April 26, 2015
Westside UU Youth
This fall, the youth group started
out to do a year-long exploration of how to be a powerful force for social
justice in the world. Then Ferguson happened and our conversation turned to
matters of race and racism and all the social dynamics we saw unfolding in our
country and community. Our conversation deepened into a powerful journey into
our own racial identities (self-identified and projected) during which we
continually asked, "And what does this ask of us to do and be in the
world?" This service grew out of our ongoing work to unpack, understand,
and respond compassionately to the reality of systemic racism in our
country.
Monday, April 20, 2015
"The In-Between Time" April 19, 2015
Rev. Peg Morgan
What does it mean to be in a time when you are waiting and wondering, a kind of liminal time? After 40 years in the wilderness leading the Israelites, Moses gave his last speech to his people...knowing he could not go on with them to the promised land, but hoping they would remember the covenant. What covenant does Westside have to be loyal to? Are there some lessons for Westside as our congregation enters a distinct in-between time?
Listen here.
What does it mean to be in a time when you are waiting and wondering, a kind of liminal time? After 40 years in the wilderness leading the Israelites, Moses gave his last speech to his people...knowing he could not go on with them to the promised land, but hoping they would remember the covenant. What covenant does Westside have to be loyal to? Are there some lessons for Westside as our congregation enters a distinct in-between time?
Listen here.
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