2025 Sermons

"The Tenets of Humanism"

To be human is to inherit systems of oppression. This Sunday, members of Tapestry’s Racial Justice Task Force speak about the work of unlearning some of our internal racial biases and working for a more just world. Rev. Dr. Kent Doss then summarizes the tenets of Humanism.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
June 1, 2025

"Yes And..."

Rev. KC Marie Pandell shares how her background in theatre inspires her ministry.

Rev. KC Marie Pandell
May 25, 2025
"Faithful Imagination"

One of the tools of theological exploration is imagination. Much of our religious life and science operates in the world of unseen forces. This Sunday, we practice using metaphor and imagination to describe what we know is real, but beyond simple description.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
May 11, 2025
"A Force More Powerful"

Nonviolent resistance to injustice is not only a moral and political commitment, it's also a spiritual one. What can the history of nonviolence as a philosophy and a strategy for leading change teach us as Unitarian Universalists in these uncertain times?

Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
May 4, 2025

"Joyful Resistance"

Joy can be a powerful act of resistance. Parades, dance parties, feasts, and puppets have all been strategies for pushing back against oppressive powers. This Sunday, we honor the role of joy in defending our freedom and consider how we might plug into the party.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
April 27, 2025
"Life After Life"

The joy of resurrection and new hope is not reserved for one moment or one person. This Easter Sunday, we honor the pivot points of reinventing our lives. In honor of hope and resurgence of life, we celebrate Flower Communion. Please bring a cut flower on Sunday morning to contribute to our flower ritual

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
April 20, 2025
"The Thread"

Popular guest speaker and UCLA oncology chaplain, Michael Eselun will reflect and explore the idea of a single thread that may run through our entire lives—what it takes to find it, what is our relationship to it, and how it just might help us make sense of the whole journey thus far.

Michael Eselun
April 13, 2025
"Time to Laugh, Dance and Embrace"

The writer of Ecclesiastes has reminded us for over 2000 years that there is a time for everything. This Sunday, honor the need for joy even in our times of challenge and loss.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
April 6, 2025

" Church and State"

If we lose our right to choose, we risk losing the very foundation of our democracy. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents the government from creating or establishing a religion, and thereby prevents the power of the government from expanding beyond civil matters. The First Amendment also protects people’s right to worship however they choose, or to not worship any God at all.

Rev. Celia Young
March 30, 2025
"Trust in Times of Change"

“Nothing is certain but death and taxes,” according to Benjamin Franklin. We do what we can to prepare for the uncertain possibilities

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
March 23, 2025
"The Strength You've Always Had"

Public speaker Cesar Cardona speaks at Unitarian Universalist Church Tapestry on self-trust, exploring how modern mindfulness studies and Buddhist philosophy align to cultivate inner confidence, clarity, and resilience. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and meditation, he will reveal how self-trust is built through awareness, emotional regulation, and interoception (trusting the body's signals). Learn how science and ancient wisdom come together to help us navigate uncertainty and strengthen our inner compass.

Cesar Cardona
March 16, 2025
"Mirrors in the Earth"

For 200,000 years, humans thrived in interdependence with our neighbors and the Earth. This Sunday, we deepen our trust in the more-than-human world and our ability to return to mutuality. We also will have a special Blessing of the Animals. Well-socialized pets are welcome to join us in the sanctuary. Everyone can celebrate their animal companions by including them in the slide show.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
March 9, 2025
"Strength in Numbers"

Unitarian Universalists are proud of our heretical heritage and skeptical tendencies. However, working together to create change requires leadership, followership, and trust. This Sunday, we discuss the necessity of trusting leaders to create big change.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
March 2, 2025

"Integration and Transformation"

Welcoming the outsider, including all voices, and expanding the circle—this is what our faith looks like in action. This Sunday, we examine our desire to integrate others into our community, and open to the possibility of transformation along the way.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
February 23, 2025
"Soaring Spirits"

Tapestry member and therapist Richard Lappin will share his experience navigating life after his wife, Carol Shack, died. The organization Soaring Spirits became a surprise blessing with its peer-based support, tools for coping with grief, and welcome into a community that he had never imagined being a part of.

Richard Lappin
February 16, 2025
"Neighboring Faiths"

Different faiths can be like apples and oranges; their differences are as important as their similarities. This Sunday, we use comparative religion to improve our skills when encountering differences.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
February 9, 2025

"The Story of Our Faith"

From sailing ships blown off course to war-time heroes, Unitarian Universalism is full of stories that are uniquely ours. This Sunday we remember some of those historical moments and consider how we might tell the story of our own faith to a neighbor or friend. Different faiths can be like apples and oranges; their differences are as important as their similarities. This Sunday, we use comparative religion to improve our skills when encountering differences.

Rev. Dr. Kent Doss
February 9, 2025