Sermon Archive
Gifts and Offerings
Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti reminds us that after all the storefront Santas and sappiness, the doctrinaire posturing and nonstop advertising, the real thing is still there, waiting to get through to us: Christmas. When it does, it can almost seem like a miracle!
By Rev. Moro
Celebration of Light
In the spirit of innovation demanded by 2020, we have reimagined our annual Celebration of Light service. In more usual times, our children would regale us with adorable costumes and antics in their annual Winter Pageant, acting out the solstice stories of eight different religious traditions. This year, show writer & producer Anders Liljehom, will tell the story of the creation of this production celebrating how we all find meaning in the darkness of winter, no matter which stories are told and which holidays we observe. A few members will share their stories of celebrating holidays.
Service coordinated and led by Anders Liljeholm.
In Praise of Eggs and Oysters
There are important reasons why eggs and oysters have shells, why brains have skulls, and so on. We could also say there are reasons why shells “have” eggs or oysters, why skulls “have” brains, why nails have fingers and teeth have tongues and lips! The Dr. Seuss classic Scrambled Eggs Super sets up this morning’s meditation on hard and soft, and why we need both to support our lives.
By Rev. Moro
Wy'east Virtual Potluck
Join our virtual service Sunday at 10:30am.
Click here to link to the Zoom service.
Meeting ID: 275 194 110
Phone in: (669) 900-6833
Wy'east Trans Day of Remembrance: Loving better
November 20th marks the 21st annual Trans Day of Remembrance. Over 30 trans people were killed this year, and countless more continue to be endangered by white supremacy, sexism, and the criminal justice system. As humans, and especially as UUs, we must ask how we can love better, and show up for the living in ways we haven't before.
In this service, we'll be hearing from a few people in Portland's trans community whose voices I respect so darn much. They'll be sharing what it means to celebrate and fight for trans folks; what community care looks like to them; and what's been nourishing, joyful, or exhausting. I'll be sharing some local organizations we can support and, if there's time, what I've learned this year about loving better too.
Led by Wy'East Member Jack Kostylo
Join our virtual service Sunday at 10:30am.
Click here to link to the Zoom service.
Meeting ID: 275 194 110
Phone in: (669) 900-6833
Get Set... Bake!
When is bread more than bread? Just remember a time when you couldn’t get it. When is a baking show much more than a baking show? When it does such amazing, humanizing work, and it spreads around the world, like the Great British Baking show does. Zoom in today for this pre-Thanksgiving service!
By Rev. Moro
Soul Circle
Local and national elections will be over and, hopefully, the results are in. At this tense, important time in our history, we wanted to make space for how everyone is feeling. For our third participatory "Soul Circle" service, based on the small group ministry concept of Chalice Circles, we will all have the opportunity to reflect and share deeply.
How are you? How are the people in your community feeling? What would you like to see happen? What are you worried about?
We will begin with an introduction to the topic and some quick guidelines. We'll then break into circles of 4 or 5 people, each with a volunteer facilitator to track the time. After about 20 minutes, we'll all come back together for Joys and Sorrows to conclude the service.
This service will be led and facilitated by Wy'east members & friends.
*This service will not be recorded for our sermon archive.
Join our virtual service Sunday at 10:30am.
Click here to link to the Zoom service.
Meeting ID: 275 194 110
Phone in: (669) 900-6833
Hansel, Gretel, You, and Me
This classic folktale allows us to explore trust between human generations, and to challenge those who would drive a wedge of fear between us. Something to think about on the day after Halloween. Something to think about when Election Day comes on Tuesday!
By Rev. Moro
Improv For Life
Bring on the joy! Wy’east member Ruth Jenkins invites all to this fun service to learn how to use games and skills from the world of improvisational theatre to connect, communicate and work together with resilience. This is NOT about performance. It is focused on listening, accepting, and supporting one another. We will be playing games from applied improv that have been adapted for Zoom.
Join our virtual service Sunday at 10:30am.
Click here to link to the Zoom service.
Meeting ID: 275 194 110
Phone in: (669) 900-6833
A Mile in Their Moccasins
“Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their moccasins.” You’ve probably heard that expression before, and may have assumed that these are words of Native American wisdom. They’re not, but they have something to teach us about how and why our current season of protest on behalf of racial justice has continued for so long.
By Rev. Moro