Sermon

You may be coming back into more active congregational life and reacting to all that has changed. What’s next for your congregation? What’s next for Unitarian Universalism? Join Rev. Dr. Megan Foley from the Central East Region of the UUA for an exploration of the opportunities that this era can present.

• Sermon Video (MP4, Vimeo)
• Sermon Video with captions on screen (Vimeo) (MP4)
• "This Time When We Might Be Flying" Sermon Transcript (PDF)

Readings

Theodore Parker Quote (Adapted)

“Is there [a] difference between [this time and the centuries that have come before it], to warrant the belief that our notion [of Unitarian Universalism] shall last forever?...Jesus tells us, his Word is the word of God, and so shall never pass away. But who tells us, that our word shall never pass away? That our notion of his Word shall stand forever?...How fleeting, is what man calls great; how lasting what God pronounces true.”

Parker, Theodore. “The Transient and the Permanent in Christianity,” delivered at the ordination of Rev. Charles C. Shackford on May 19, 1841. Published in Three Prophets of Religious Liberalism: Channing, Emerson and Parker, introduction by Conrad Wright. Boston: UUA Press, 1986.

It’s stepping into the unknown; it’s taking the road less traveled. This time reminds me of the “When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for you to stand upon or you will be taught to fly.”

― Patrick Overton, The leaning tree: [poems]

Reading 588, Gray Hymnal:

For Everything A Season, Ecclesiastes 3

For everything there is a season

And a time for every matter under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to seek, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to throw away;

A time to tear, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time for war, and a time for peace.

Story: “We’ll See” (attributed to a Chinese fable)

Once upon a time, there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years.

One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically, “you must be so sad.”

“We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses.

“How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed! “Not only did your horse return, but you received two more. What great fortune you have!”

“We’ll see,” answered the farmer.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. “Now your son cannot help you with your farming,” they said. “What terrible luck you have!”

“We’ll see,” replied the old farmer.

The following week, military officials came to the village to conscript young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “Such great news. You must be so happy!”

The man smiled to himself and said once again.

“We’ll see,”

Music

Please check into the copyrights on these before using:

• Change is Coming (YouTube)
• This Joy (YouTube)
• The keep going song (YouTube)
• Things Can Only Get Better (YouTube)
• Love is the water that wears down the rock (YouTube)

Hymns

• 183 The Wind of Change Forever Blown
• 146 Soon the Day Will Arrive
• 155 Circle Round for Freedom
• 157 Step by Step the Longest March
• 187 It Sounds Along the Ages
• 357 Bright Morning Stars
• 1011 Return Again
• 1022 Open the Window
• 1015 I Know I Can
• 1017 Building A New Way