2018 Sermons
"Lunch and a Walk"
There are a thousand different ways to side with love and create justice. This Sunday we celebrate how some of the simplest efforts to bring about good can be the most effective. (5th Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.)
Rev. Kent Doss
Dec. 30, 2018
"We are Our Stories"
Whether they are family legends, religious myths, or national histories stories define how we see our world. This Sunday we reflect on some of our own stories and how we can honor the stories that conflict with our own. (4th Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.)
Rev. Kent Doss
Dec. 16, 2018
"“A Very Special Birthday”"
Jesus was not the only religious figure with a special birth story. This Sunday we hear the stories of when the Buddha and Confucious were born. Through those stories we learn more about Buddhism and Confucianism. (3rd Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations)
Greg Cline
Dec. 23, 2018
"Mercy Me"
Member congregations of our Unitarian Universalists Association covenant to affirm and promote ethical principles that call us uphold the value of human life and our connections to all things across the vastness of space and time. However, congregations, communities, and the people in them break covenants (promises) all the time and require us to reexamine our shared aspirations. Come to church for an exploration of how we might utilize our 2nd Principle of justice, equity and compassion in human relations to build the Beloved Community we imagine. (2nd Principle - We covenant to affirm and promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations)
Gregory C. Carrow-Boyd
Dec. 9, 2018
"Power in the Between"
When we have the courage to live with integrity, power emerges from the anachronisms of our lives. Reflecting on the legacy of Rev. Peter J. Gomes and other leaders whose identities defy simple categories, we celebrate the beauty and power of diversity. (1st Principle - We covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.)
Rev. Kent Doss
Dec. 2, 2018
"One Man’s Perspective on the Meaning of Life"
"We’re all captive on the carousel of time." What happens to our perceptions about the meaning of life and on how it should be lived as we get older? This sermon presents one person’s take on how growing older has affected (or left unchanged) his thinking about life.
Tapestry member Dave Weber
November 25, 2018
"Half Baked"
It is sometimes easy to forget that change is the only constant in our lives. What seems permanent and concrete today, may seem like a silly fad ten years from how. This Sunday we explore how Humanism calls us to be more curious than certain about our world, and how hopeful creativity is the way forward. (6th Source of our UU tradition: Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit)
Rev. Kent Doss
Nov. 18, 2018
"Strengthening the Neighborhood"
In our fast-paced mobile world it is difficult to grow roots in a community. This Sunday we celebrate the work and the reward of long-term commitments to community, and the goal of loving our neighbor as ourselves. (4th Source of our UU tradition: Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.)
Rev. Kent Doss
November 11, 2018
"Different Paths, Different Mountains"
Celebrating the similarities between religious traditions is great, but there are also some fundamental differences that often get overlooked. This Sunday we consider the different beliefs and foundational questions of some of the world religions that inform our own. (3rd Source of our UU Tradition: Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life)
Rev. Kent Doss
Nov. 4, 2018
"Who's on Your Team?"
Connecting with a particular hero can be a powerful guiding force. Each of us has been inspired by the courage, compassion, strength and wisdom of others. In the midst of all those lessons, the individuals who offer them can get lost. Together we will take time to consider the particular inspiring figures of our life and how to follow their lead. (2nd Source of our UU Tradition: Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love.)
Rev. Kent Doss
October 28, 2018
"An Awesome Journey"
Everyone appreciates moments of inspiration and clarity, but few of us actively seek them out. This Sunday we consider how, in our modern lives, we can create some time and space for reverence. (1st Source of our UU Tradition: Direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to renewal of the spirits and an openness to the forces that create and uphold life.)
Rev. Kent Doss
Oct. 21, 2018
"Climate Change - Existential Threat, Historic Opportunity"
Unlike past crises, this has no certain endpoint - and neither do the tools or attitudes we possess to respond. Seldom has the human journey from despair to hope been more of a wild ride. Perhaps this is the moment we might prepare to perish - or strive to achieve a new consciousness. (7th Principle: We Covenant to affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.)
Tapestry member Glen Pascall
October 14, 2018
"Indigenous Peoples' Day"
As Tapestry begins to take ownership of a piece of land, we will learn about the first people who called this place home. We will also consider how land ownership fits within our Unitarian Universalist values. (6th Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.)
Rev. Kent Doss
Oct. 7, 2018
"Our Favorite Hymns"
Tapestry members Eddie Moler, Penny Kinnear & Keith Tuominen share their stories about their favorite hymns.
September 30, 2018
"Will Science Save Us?"
Rev. Kent Doss
Sept. 23, 2018
"Water Communion - A Common Stream"
Coming from our very different backgrounds, this congregation shares a clear mission to build beloved community and foster love beyond belief. Water Communion is a beloved Unitarian Universalist ritual. You are invited to bring water from somewhere you have found inspiration to contribute to this community building ceremony. (3rd Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.)
Rev. Kent Doss
September 16, 2018
"How to Make OC a More Just Place"
Gustavo Arellano is the former publisher and editor of Orange County's alternative weekly OC Weekly, and the author of the column ¡Ask a Mexican!, which is syndicated nationally. (2nd Principle - We covenant to affirm and promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations.)
Gustavo Arellano
Sept. 9, 2018
"A Person's Worth"
This Labor Day weekend, we celebrate the dignity in working hard and we remember that a person’s worth is not measured in dollars and cents. (1st Principle - We covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.)
Rev. Kent Doss
September 2, 2018
"Soul Siblings"
Through Unitarian Transcendentalism and his study of Hinduism, Ralph Waldo Emerson proposed a beautiful understanding of the soul. This Sunday translate Emerson’s ideas into a 21st century vision of unity that honors our beautiful human differences.
Rev. Kent Doss
August 26, 2018
"A Common Dream"
In a homogenous culture, the common good is easy to identify. But when simple community grows into multiculturalism, we need the highest common aspiration to draw us forward. This Sunday we celebrate the common dreams that we can share across our differences.
Rev. Kent Doss
August 19, 2018
"A Hand on the Door Latch"
This sermon was crafted through the recent sermon writing workshop with Rev. Kent and Tapestry members.
Tapestry Member Connie Pursell
August 5, 2018
"Self-reliance and Interdependence"
Fostering liberty within community is not easy. This Sunday we look at the failure of individualism and communitarianism taken to the extreme, and we lift up some possibilities for balance in our families and congregation.
Rev. Kent Doss
July 29, 2018
"Bringing It Home, Liberty or Death"
Whether through Karma or international affairs, the way we treat others comes back to us. This Sunday we explore how ancient and modern people have sacrificed their own liberty to treat others unfairly.
Rev. Kent Doss
July 22, 2018
"Freedom to Feel"
Life is richer when we engage our emotions. This Sunday we take a look at the treasure chest of our emotional lives, and talk about some helpful ways using those emotions in everyday life. Sometimes the liberty we need, can only be granted by ourselves.
Rev. Kent Doss
July 15, 2018
"Killing of the Bab"
For followers of the Baha’i faith, this Sunday is an important holiday. It is the anniversary of the assassination of one of their most revered leaders. Together we will celebrate the gift of religious liberty, and learn more about the Baha’i faith tradition.
Rev. Kent Doss
July 8, 2018
"Siding with Love"
Three Tapestry members describe their participation in historical struggles for justice. In different decades, for different causes, in different countries, UU’s have shown up to support Liberty.
Linda Yeargin, Peggy Thompson & Ramesh Joshi
July 1, 2018
"A Leap of Wisdom"
Moving beyond the known and seeking deeper knowledge takes great courage. This Sunday we acknowledge the blind leaps that wisdom requires, as we celebrate Emma’s graduation from high school and John’s final Sunday as our Intern Minister.
Rev. Kent Doss
June 24, 2018
"TMI - Too Much Information"
With Siri and Alexa at our beck and call, our lives are awash in information. It might even be too much. This sermon will explore the difference between information and wisdom, and some of the frameworks for making meaning out of the surplus of data in our lives.
John Bloom-Ramirez
June 17, 2018
"The Wisdom of Community"
In preparation for our Annual Meeting, this Sunday we will explore how wisdom flourishes when we trust one another and discuss what is important to us. The democratic process that we use to govern our congregation is rooted in our deepest understanding of the sacred.
Rev. Kent Doss
June 10, 2018
"Sophia, Holy Wisdom"
This Sunday we will explore how wisdom was understood and celebrated in the ancient world and how it evolved over the centuries. The gap between Socrates and All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten may not be as big as you think.
Rev. Kent Doss
June 3, 2018
"Serving Those Forgotten or Invisible"
War is not easy, and it takes a toll on our soldiers' spirits. Do the ideas of Beloved Community extend to veterans, past and present?
John Bloom-Ramirez
May 27, 2018
"Draw the Circle Wide"
We know the strategy of thinking globally and acting locally. We know that in our community we hope to welcome an ever-expanding circle of neighbors. This sermon will explore the expansive nature of Beloved Community, the dream that keeps on growing.
Rev. Kent Doss
May 20, 2018
"The Weapon of Nonviolence"
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. Indeed, it is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the person who wields it." This Sunday we celebrate the fierce love of motherhood and reflect on the fierce love of nonviolent resistance.
Rev. Kent Doss
May 13, 2018
"A Universalist Liberation"
Universalism tells us that our salvation is tied up together. More and more, justice movements are teaching us our liberation is mutual. This Sunday we will explore the interconnection between different types of oppressions, and celebrate the possibility of our mutual liberation.
Rev. Kent Doss
May 6, 2018
"Buckle Up and Keep Breathing"
Career changes, spiritual awakenings, aging, parenting, educational pursuits, we have a great deal of experience with transformation in our community. This Sunday two Tapestry members share their experience of transformation, and how you might navigate your own.
Kara Corbin-Lickfett and Marle Chen
April 29, 2018
Earth Day Celebration
April 22, 2018
"Never Turning Back"
Transformation is different from small-scale change. Transformation often makes it impossible to return to the original state of things. This Sunday we explore the beauty of moving forward and the sometimes scary reality of never turning back.
Rev. Kent Doss
April 15, 2018
"Denial is not a River in Egypt"
Nothing in nature is still or static. Like the currents of a river, change happens whether or not we want it to. By avoiding currents, or worse, damming our river, could we be interrupting our own metamorphosis? Our own transformation? Like dropping a stone in a river, the results can have deep ripples in our lives.
April 8, 2018
"New Beginnings"
Rev. Kent Doss
April 1, 2018
"Celebration Sunday"
Today we celebrate and conclude our annual pledge drive, themed “Forward Together.” Everyone will deposit their pledge cards in the collection baskets to support our wonderful spiritual community as we celebrate our milestone achievement of owning our own building.
March 25, 2018
"Fools for Love"
Rev. Kent Doss
March 18, 2018
"Community Can Be Holy Now"
Kevin Jagoe, Guest Speaker
March 11, 2018
"Humble Pie"
Rev. Kent Doss
March 4, 2018
"Loving the Body Electric"
Reflecting on a beloved Walt Whitman poem, this Sunday we celebrate the beauty of human bodies and the joy they can bring to our lives.
Rev. Kent Doss
February 25, 2018
"Loving-Kindness"
Rev. Kent Doss
February 18, 2018
"Voluntary Association"
John Bloom Ramirez
February 11, 2018
"Taming the Fox: the Discipline of Love"
In our fast-paced world of convenience, it is easy to forget that the most valuable things in life take work. This Sunday we reflect on the dedication and persistence that love often requires. We will also consider some of the older traditions of love and friendship, and how they might be revitalized for our 21st Century lives.
Rev. Kent Doss
February 4, 2018
"My Passion, My Action"
Tapestry members share their thoughts about justice and activism.
January 28, 2018
“A Unitarian Universalist Crossing”
Unitarian Universalism is not a Christian denomination, but there are individual Christian UUs and we come out of a Christian history. This Sunday, we will reflect on our historical connection to and growth away from Christianity. We will also consider how we embrace our Christian UUs, and respect our religious neighbors.
Rev. Kent Doss
January 21, 2018
“MLK: A Legacy and a Challenge”
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential figures in the history of the United States. As we celebrate his legacy and how far we have come, we will also reach for the beloved community that we have yet to fully realize.
Rev. Kent Doss
January 14, 2018