Worship & Preaching
Scroll down for sermon links.
We worship for many reasons, including but not limited to the desire to find that quiet place of peace deep within ourselves, to connect with God, to find intellectual stimulation, to find pathways to spiritual and emotional growth, to find that play of joy and happiness deep within ourselves, and to connect with the prophetic voice within ourselves, calling us to create a more just world, calling us to action. More deeply, we all gather on some level to connect with that which is sacred to us, be it intellect, be it quiet, be it joy, be it God. We gather to connect with the sacred, we gather to try and make meaning in our lives, and we gather to connect with something that is greater than ourselves, whether that be simply the gathered community on any given Sunday morning, or the divine. How that space is shaped then, is of vital importance.
My goal in creating worship is to weave together the elements so as to present a meaningful, cohesive whole. Worship should be inclusive, making all who are present feel welcome, and it should be mindful of the emotional and spiritual ebb and flow it is creating. Most importantly, people should feel connected. Just like we are drawn into a good movie or a great book, good worship draws us in, helps us leave everything else behind for a few moments, and connects us on some deeper level. Connection comes sometimes through tradition, ritual repeated over and over, year after year, and sometimes through the trying of something new, that opens doorways we never could have imagined. Connection comes also through the presence and healthy vulnerability of your worship leaders.
My goal in creating worship is to weave together the elements so as to present a meaningful, cohesive whole. Worship should be inclusive, making all who are present feel welcome, and it should be mindful of the emotional and spiritual ebb and flow it is creating. Most importantly, people should feel connected. Just like we are drawn into a good movie or a great book, good worship draws us in, helps us leave everything else behind for a few moments, and connects us on some deeper level. Connection comes sometimes through tradition, ritual repeated over and over, year after year, and sometimes through the trying of something new, that opens doorways we never could have imagined. Connection comes also through the presence and healthy vulnerability of your worship leaders.
While I believe the minister to be ultimately responsible for the shape and quality of weekly worship, I also believe in having more than one voice on the chancel on Sunday mornings. We are a faith tradition with many people, many opinions, and many theologies, and my sermons and our services in general are more creative and have more depth when they reflect not just my ideas, but the ideas of many. I thus would look forward to collaborating on a regular basis with worship associates or a worship team in the creation and leading of Sunday services.
Another important point of collaboration is in the selection of music for the service. I look forward to working closely with a talented Music Director in picking hymns and music that bring warmth, connection and joy to our worship. A musician myself, I have a deep appreciation for the power of music to connect with our feelings and our spirits, and to take us places beyond our regular experience. Good, coordinated musical selections help shape a worship service, adding resonance and depth to the spiritual mix. A strong choir, the voice as instrument, is a beautiful sharing of talent and spirit. I would hope to offer a variety of music, both instrumentally and stylistically, so as to further enrich the worship experience.
Preaching is of course also an essential component of the worship service, and it is an art to which I have devoted much time and study. A good sermon relies on careful reflection, deep thought, and good writing. There are also many important technical aspects, such as managing the emotional arc, making sure to include a place where the congregation can connect with you, and usage of story or metaphor to make your message easier to remember and understand, to name a few. The level of presence and healthy vulnerability that the minister brings to the pulpit also matters a great deal. A balanced sermon and service ideally engages both the head and heart.
Another important point of collaboration is in the selection of music for the service. I look forward to working closely with a talented Music Director in picking hymns and music that bring warmth, connection and joy to our worship. A musician myself, I have a deep appreciation for the power of music to connect with our feelings and our spirits, and to take us places beyond our regular experience. Good, coordinated musical selections help shape a worship service, adding resonance and depth to the spiritual mix. A strong choir, the voice as instrument, is a beautiful sharing of talent and spirit. I would hope to offer a variety of music, both instrumentally and stylistically, so as to further enrich the worship experience.
Preaching is of course also an essential component of the worship service, and it is an art to which I have devoted much time and study. A good sermon relies on careful reflection, deep thought, and good writing. There are also many important technical aspects, such as managing the emotional arc, making sure to include a place where the congregation can connect with you, and usage of story or metaphor to make your message easier to remember and understand, to name a few. The level of presence and healthy vulnerability that the minister brings to the pulpit also matters a great deal. A balanced sermon and service ideally engages both the head and heart.
I was quoted in the "Our Worship" section of the sixth edition of the Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide. Click here to see. |
Worship Materials Published on the UUA's Worship Web Invocation: Wind, Water, Sun Meditation: Embodiment & Sexuality Sermon: Black Lives Matter |
Sermons
"Holy No" October 19, 2025 | Video
The Buddhist Loving-Kindness meditation ask us to offer care and compassion to someone we're in conflict with or to someone who is a challenge for us in our lives. This is a good practice, and, at this time in our country's history, compassion alone is not enough. Something more is needed to pair with compassion - we need boundaries too. We can offer love, care, and compassion to those who are causing harm, as long as we also know that we can, will, and are saying "no" to their harmful actions and behavior. Compassion and boundaries, when put together, give us the opportunity to offer a "holy no."
The Buddhist Loving-Kindness meditation ask us to offer care and compassion to someone we're in conflict with or to someone who is a challenge for us in our lives. This is a good practice, and, at this time in our country's history, compassion alone is not enough. Something more is needed to pair with compassion - we need boundaries too. We can offer love, care, and compassion to those who are causing harm, as long as we also know that we can, will, and are saying "no" to their harmful actions and behavior. Compassion and boundaries, when put together, give us the opportunity to offer a "holy no."
"Loving the Questions" January 12, 2025 | Video
Having the answer to a question can feel so good, especially when it's an important question that's linked to our beliefs. But... sometimes our answers change over time, even as the questions remain. In Unitarian Universalism, we value this sometimes evolution of our answers, as part of our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Questions have the power to shape the future of our faith.
Having the answer to a question can feel so good, especially when it's an important question that's linked to our beliefs. But... sometimes our answers change over time, even as the questions remain. In Unitarian Universalism, we value this sometimes evolution of our answers, as part of our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Questions have the power to shape the future of our faith.
"Meeting Needs" April 14, 2024 | Video
Life and relationships are often very nuanced and complex. Underlying so much of our interactions and our behaviors is one very simple concept: meeting needs. We all have needs, and much of what we do in our lives is geared towards meeting our own needs, or towards helping other people meet their needs. If this is true - what impact does it have on how we live our lives? Within this framework, how do our Unitarian Universalist values call us to be? And how can this perspective help us find compassion and empathy for others?
Life and relationships are often very nuanced and complex. Underlying so much of our interactions and our behaviors is one very simple concept: meeting needs. We all have needs, and much of what we do in our lives is geared towards meeting our own needs, or towards helping other people meet their needs. If this is true - what impact does it have on how we live our lives? Within this framework, how do our Unitarian Universalist values call us to be? And how can this perspective help us find compassion and empathy for others?
"Who Packs Your Parachute?" May 21, 2023 | Video
America has an individualistic culture, and we Unitarian Universalists can sometimes be individualistic in our religious communities. Freedom of conscience is one of the pillars of Unitarian Universalism, and, sometimes that tips over into individualism. Interdependence is one of our core values though, one that often is under-explored.
Note: this Sunday there was a special Wisdom Story that led to an invitation in the Closing Words for the congregation to come forward and paint a fingernail as a reminder of our interdependence.
America has an individualistic culture, and we Unitarian Universalists can sometimes be individualistic in our religious communities. Freedom of conscience is one of the pillars of Unitarian Universalism, and, sometimes that tips over into individualism. Interdependence is one of our core values though, one that often is under-explored.
Note: this Sunday there was a special Wisdom Story that led to an invitation in the Closing Words for the congregation to come forward and paint a fingernail as a reminder of our interdependence.
"Yes We Can!" April 10, 2022 | Video
Climate change is one of the many significant challenges of our times. Making a difference can seem hopeless or pointless at times. And even if it's not hopeless, it's easy to feel powerless as individuals to create any meaningful change. There's hope though! The good news of climate change resilience may already be happening and there are indeed things we can do, spiritually and practically, to do our part to make a difference.
Climate change is one of the many significant challenges of our times. Making a difference can seem hopeless or pointless at times. And even if it's not hopeless, it's easy to feel powerless as individuals to create any meaningful change. There's hope though! The good news of climate change resilience may already be happening and there are indeed things we can do, spiritually and practically, to do our part to make a difference.
"Integrity of Spirit" February 13, 2022 | Video
We tend to think of integrity as an ethical and moral construct, indicating a person or people of high moral character who do the right thing. Integrity has much more to offer us though, when we examine it through a lens of spirituality and our emotional systems. We talk about importance of personal integrity - we should also consider the value of structural and cultural integrity.
We tend to think of integrity as an ethical and moral construct, indicating a person or people of high moral character who do the right thing. Integrity has much more to offer us though, when we examine it through a lens of spirituality and our emotional systems. We talk about importance of personal integrity - we should also consider the value of structural and cultural integrity.
"The 99 Names of God" November 26, 2021 | Video
There is much that is sacred and holy in this world - the items, people, and experiences that help us connect to something larger than ourselves. While there are many ways that people talk about what is sacred in their lives, Islam's 99 names for god is unique in the religious canon. Different names for what is holy offer different perspectives, which in turn offers us insight into that which is most important to us in our lives.
There is much that is sacred and holy in this world - the items, people, and experiences that help us connect to something larger than ourselves. While there are many ways that people talk about what is sacred in their lives, Islam's 99 names for god is unique in the religious canon. Different names for what is holy offer different perspectives, which in turn offers us insight into that which is most important to us in our lives.
“Our congregation in Tahlequah so anticipates your coming to lead our services...we talk about it at least a week ahead and our attendance even rises! You captivate the children as well.
You are refreshing, challenging, and your services prove very rewarding.
How fortunate we are to have you come regularly visit us as a guest preacher. Thank you!”
- Judith Anderson, Member, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tahlequah, Tahlequah, OK