Sermon Archive
Democracy as Community
Healthy Democracy is a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that works to elevate the voice of citizens in their democracy and to improve the quality of public discourse on issues that matter. Healthy Democracy's flagship program, the Citizens' Initiative Review, brings randomly selected and representative panels of citizens together to objectively evaluate ballot measures and give voters information they can trust. Their newest group of programs, Democracy as Community, focuses on the urban-rural divide, working to enhance the ability of Oregonians to hold the tensions inherent in a diverse democratic society in a way that strengthens rather than destroys the civic community. Service led by Robin Teater, Executive Director of Healthy Democracy.
This service is part of our Social Justice Theme for the year of Voting: A Year of Democracy and will include a special collection for Healthy Democracy.
Blowing Smoke
A program on New Year's resolutions. Many of us know that the Universalists were leaders in the movement to abolish slavery in our country. Did you know they also advocated first Temperance, then Prohibition of the use of what they called "ardent spirits?" What do "spirits" have to do with habits that sometimes seem to enslave us, habits that we would like to change? Service by Rev. Craig Moro
Annual Hymn Sing
At this winter time of the New Year, there is nothing so warm and cozy as a service where we sing hymns together, particularly those that bring us joy and hope for the days ahead. We will have some hymns picked out ourselves for sure, but you might also come with some favorites and requests. Service led by Wy’east Member Debra Tomsen.
Christmas Eve Service at 5pm
Join us for a "traditional" Christmas Eve Service at 5pm. This will be an intergenerational service filled with stories and singing and candlelight. Service led by Wy'east Members.
Winter Solstice - A Time of Reflection
This service centers around the darkest time of the year that comes before the return of light. Wy'east congregants will share poetry, words, and music with the hopes of a heartfelt connection around this time of reflection and renewal. Service led by various Wy’east Members and Friends.
One Hit For Two
Some years ago the final installment of Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather trilogy arrived at movie theaters. It was a “hit”—pun intended, given its famous depictions of gangland murder. This film about a strong (crime) family was released near Christmas, at a time of year when families gather. It shows us one way for a family to use its strength. But what are some other ways in which families, including church families, can be strong? Rev. Craig Moro will ask us to ponder this question together
Celebration of Light
Our children will once again be presenting the Winter Pageant, which features them in adorable costumes acting out the solstice stories of eight different religious traditions. This Wy’east creation celebrates how we all find meaning in the darkness of winter, no matter which stories are told and which holidays we observe. This pageant coordinated by Anders Liljeholm and other religious educators.
In Tambourines and Dances…
“Shibboleths” are catch-words we use to help us determine who is "one of us" and who is not. How are shibboleths used today, and what do they really mean? This sermon will pay special attention to the religious challenge of the Other—perhaps the definitive problem of our times. Let's see what the story of Jephthah’s Daughter teaches us about how to meet this challenge. (We may also see an extraordinary dance by an extraordinary dancer!) Service by Rev. Craig Moro.
Annual Bread Service
Each autumn, we pause to give thanks for the food we gather from the earth. In this service, we’ll hear stories from four of our members about a loaf of bread, how the bread connects to their personal history, and the meaning it holds for them. This is an intergenerational service and our children and youth have a contribution to this service as well. During our abbreviated social hour we will share the bread.
Sing a Silly Song with Me
Surprise! According to the Bible the first hymn was not sung in praise of God. Rather, it was in praise of human connection, body to body, like so many songs that we sing today. Was it just a silly little song—popular now but soon to be forgotten—or something more profound, a real “keeper”? Come and decide for yourself! Service led by Rev. Craig Moro.