Ministry

Introduction

Sermons

My Long Elevator Speech

My Short Elevator Speech

Words For Worship

A Call To Worship

A Chalice Lighting

A Covenant for Meetings and Gatherings

My Books on Spirituality

Forms of Service

Sunday Morning Worship

The Earth Circle

The Meditation Circle

Introduction

I am an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister and currently the Director of Ministry at the Barre (VT) UU Church.

On this page you will find many of sermons, writings, and projects relating to ministry.

Sermons

(Click on the word above to go to my Sermons page)

Guest Sermons (2020-2022)
UU Concord (MA) Sermons (Summer 2022)
UU Chelmsford (MA) Sermons (2022-2023)
Barre UU (VT) Sermons

My Long Elevator Speech

We come from the joining of two religious traditions:

Unitarianism and Universalism.

We believe in a shared religious experience,

Even if we don’t share the same religion.

And,

We believe in the value of every individual

Even if we don’t share the same values.

Thus,

We believe not in the enforcement of creeds,

But in the enrichment of the seeker.

In short, we believe in love.

My Short Elevator Speech

We are a non-creedal religion

Who lifts the Believer

Rather than the Belief.

Words For Worship

A Call To Worship

Let Us Gather

by Kenneth P. Langer

Let us gather here together in love and compassion.

Let us worship through our minds

As we seek to know each other more deeply

And work to understand the mysteries of the world we share.

Let us worship through our hearts.

As we seek to be welcomed and accepted

Let us first extend those gifts to others.

Let us worship through the work of our hands.

Let us work together to build a just world–

A place where we can be safe and free together.

Let us worship not in servitude but in reverence

As we recognize the sacredness of all people, all beings, all things.

Let us worship not in fear but in opening

All the windows to our soul

And let in the light from which we all share.

Let us worship through singing and dancing

Through sharing our laughter and our tears

Through the strength of a community of beneficence.

Let us gather now to worship in love and compassion.

A Chalice Lighting

The Burning Brilliance

by Kenneth P. Langer

From the burning brilliance of the stars

To the twinkling spark of the passion of life

That shines within us all,

We light this chalice.

Let its flickering flame remind us

Of our common desire for

Compassion, comfort, and community.

And at least as long as it may glow

Let it be a beacon of truth and meaning; joy and solace.

And may we be the congregation of peace and understanding

That we dream the world can be.

A Covenant for Meetings and Gatherings

As participants of this meeting, we covenant to:

Conduct ourselves with integrity and respect,
Act in accordance with our values,
Support one another, and
Hold ourselves accountable in our actions.

A Prayer

A Prayer for These Times

Let me find peace within

So that I may be calm throughout.

Let me find silence within

So that I may find compassion throughout.

Let me be reminded that some things

Are worth waiting for.

Let me be reminded that the journey

Is more important than reaching the destination.

Let me see that the non-doing

Is as much a part of life

As the doing.

Let me be reminded that

It is in these moments of holding on

That I can find quietude and renewal.

It is within these times of inaction

That I can find rest.

It is in these times of emptiness

That I can become full.

A Benediction

As you leave this place remember these things:

You are unique but you are not special.

You are respected yet you must still be respectful.

You are always welcome though you must also be welcoming.

You are honored so long as you seek no harm.

You are loved unconditionally so long as you seek no conditions.

You are here in our hearts even when you are not here.

Go in peace, be in peace, return in peace.