Sermon Archive

CHRISTMA S PRESENCE—THE SIMPLEST OF GIFTS
No regular service today, but Wy’east will not be “closed for the holiday.” We’ll have the building open and ready to
receive those who want to be someplace bigger than home but smaller than the world out there on Christmas morning.
Bring some food, some stories, or just bring yourself. You can even wear your pajamas as we open our presence together.

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

Social Hour: Join us for refreshments after the service.

Marc Jolin has been a legal services attorney; the director of JOIN, a local street outreach organization; and is now the Director of A Home for Everyone and the newly created City County Joint Office of Homeless Services. He’ll speak on why so many people are un-housed in the Portland area; what is being done by local government, non-profits, and faith
communities to address the crisis; and ways that we can help at both the direct service and policy levels.

Listen to the Sermon

A meditation on the classic tale by Dr. Seuss. “The Grinch hated Christmas, the whole Christmas season!” Why is such a happy time so difficult for the Grinch? Let’s squeeze into a heart that is two sizes too small and hear what makes it tick. Then let’s watch and see how it grows! Sermon by Rev. Craig Moro.

Listen to the Sermon

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. Then, during social hour, they’ll share these loaves with all of us.

Listen to the service

In this Thanksgiving sermon, a young man wearing a worn, thin shirt meets a group of worn, thin men on a beach during a food shortage—and learns a few things about gratitude. Sermon by Rev. Craig Moro.

Listen to the Sermon

Fariborz Pakseresht, the Director of the Oregon Youth Authority, will speak on five leadership elements he uses in his work: the power of impression, understanding the difference between power and force, the illusion of control, the power of love, and the necessity of purpose. He’ll be available during the social hour after the service to discuss these further if you so choose.
Listen to the Sermon

We pledge in our fourth UU principle to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. A “free” search sounds inviting, but what about that “responsible” part? Let’s search for it together in the sands by the Bay of Bengal. Sermon by Rev. Craig Moro. (This sermon is the second part of a series that concludes on Nov. 20.)

Listen to the Sermon

Alberto Moreno, the Executive Director of the Oregon Latino Health Coalition and the Chair of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs for the State of Oregon, will speak on his experience of being a person of Mexican-American heritage here. Alberto is also a poet and photographer, so this talk will not be textbook or dry.

Social Hour: Join us for refreshments after the service.

Listen to the Sermon

“As we move in an ever expanding world wide communications system, we’re losing our capacity to connect with one another person to person and the intimacy that comes from relying on community for our needs. Connection and community lead us to more happiness and joy in our lives. Why don’t we just design a world where that is how it is?” Service by Sally Custer, communications consultant.

Listen to the Sermon