2019 Sermons
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“New Beginnings”
On the cusp of the new year, Bart Bean and Susan Jagielko share some of their reflections on new beginnings from their own life journey.
Tapestry members Bart Bean and Susan Jagielko
December 29, 2019 -
“Self Compassion”
Loaded with expectations and memory, the holidays are emotionally taxing. This Sunday we talk about the importance of sincerely caring for our self and some strategies that anyone can use.
Rev. Kent Doss
December 22, 2019 -
“Dogmas Divide, Values Unify”
This Sunday we hear some of the highlights of Tapestry’s lending library. A carefully curated collection of wisdom traditions and natural science, these books reveal interconnectedness beneath apparent conflicts in religious traditions
Glenn Pascal
December 1, 2019
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“Uganda is Calling”
Rev. Mark Kiyimba, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Uganda and activist for LGBT rights in Uganda will share with us some of his story and the importance of Unitarian Universalism around the world.
Rev. Mark Kiyimba
November 24, 2019 -
“The Chalice and Beyond”
Worship should be a multi-sensory experience, including inspiration from what we see around us. This Sunday we will discuss some of the symbols that are significant to Unitarian Universalism and to Tapestry in particular.
Rev. Kent Doss
November 17, 2019 -
“Re-Imagining the World”
We know that we should be kind and create justice, but to what end? This Sunday we consider how we might construct a compelling vision for the future of our world. Amidst the pessimism and constant distraction of our modern lives, a vision of a better world can be a guiding light.
Rev. Kent Doss
November 10, 2019
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“Our Fifth Principle”
The fifth Principle of our UU Association of Congregations is: "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large." We believe Democracy is a moral imperative and our fatih calls us to foster democratic ideals in the wider world. This Sunday we take a look at the state of American democracy and how we can enliven it.
Rev. Kent Doss
October 27, 2019 -
“Freethinkers”
Books arguing for atheism or against religion seem to find ready audiences today, which may seem strange considering that conservative churches continue to grow rapidly. How is it that the voice of atheism or skepticism, or secular humanism, the infidel, or the “unbeliever,” or what was once called “freethought,” can still find large audiences today? Tapestry member Bruce Johnson will attempt to provide a few answers.
Dr. Bruce Johnson
October 20, 2019 -
“Cleaning Out Our Closets”
Some pieces of our identity are obvious; other pieces we may hide beneath the surface. This Sunday, in recognition of National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), we explore strategies of speaking our truth and sharing our full self with the world.
Rev. Kent Doss
October 13, 2019 -
“All Creatures of the Earth and Sky (Blessing of the Animals)”
Today we reflect on the wisdom and inherent value of the non-human world. There will be a special blessing for our animal friends. You are welcome to bring pets with you, or bring a picture or memento to symbolize them. There will be space outside for animals and their people to sit together during the service.
Rev. Kent Doss
October 6, 2019
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“Love Will Guide Us”
Love will guide us, we proclaim joyfully in the words of a popular hymn. But when love seems to fail us, and the bonds of mutuality and care that once supported us become tangled and frayed, how can we keep our commitment to covenant as Unitarian Universalists, and find a way to hold our lives and communities together?
Rev. Rebecca Bijur
September 29, 2019 -
“Whose Are We?”
We each live with a network of responsibilities and commitments. Usually they align with each other but sometimes they do not. This Sunday we consider which covenants hold us most tightly and sit with the question - "Whose Are We?"
Rev. Kent Doss
September 22, 2019 -
“Rooted in Covenant”
Covenants are central to our faith tradition. This Sunday we look at the history of covenant for our religious predecessors and how those special promises might bring depth and clarity to our lives today.
Rev. Kent Doss
September 8, 2019 -
“Finding Community”
Writer and happiness guru Gretchen Rubin calls human relationships "the key to a happy life." Yet, in 2019, as people are more likely to live alone, work from home, and virtual spaces flourish, it seemingly becomes more difficult to make friends or build community. As Michelle Antenesse shares the sermon that came out of the Sermon Writing Workshop, she reflects upon why is it important to continue the work of building beloved community.
Michelle Antenesse
September 1, 2019
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“Social Graces”
We like to be treated with respect and we do what we can to demonstrate to others that we care about them. Social graces are an important piece of how we get along. This Sunday we consider how social graces can be used to create hierarchy or to build life-affirming bonds across differences.
Rev. Kent Doss
August 25, 2019 -
“The Power of Gentleness”
A noisy classroom will pay more attention to a whisper than a shout and people in prison find healing by caring for puppies that will grow up to be service animals. This Sunday we wonder how and why some of the most powerful healing can come from the quiet, fragile corners of life.
Rev. Kent Doss
August 18, 2019 -
“Food For Thought”
Food provides the fuel that sustains us and energizes us. We interact with food on many levels ranging from functional, to biological, to social and emotional. I invite you to consider food from these many angles and to investigate our relationship with the nutritive and nurturing qualities of food.
Nikky Contractor
August 11, 2019 -
“Luck, Grace, and Gratitude”
There is a very thin line between luck and grace. Part of the difference between them is how we respond. Does it hurt to be grateful for the unexplainable good things that happen in life? Whether those gifts come from God, the Earth, human kindness or chance, they are good.
Rev. Kent Doss
August 4, 2019
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“Following a Path of Hope”
Freedom is a hard won and fragile human right. Without the ability to imagine a better way or hope that it might some day arrive, it is impossible to do the work that freedom requires. This Sunday we take inventory of our own supply or hope and ability to imagine a better way for our mutual liberation.
Rev. Kent Doss
July 28, 2019 -
“Responsibilities of Freedom”
The surest way to preserve our own freedom is to defend the freedom of others. This Sunday we celebrate the legacy of women and men who didn’t stop after winning their own freedom, but continued on their journey to help others.
Rev. Kent Doss
July 21, 2019 -
“Struggling to be Agnostic”
Thomas Henry Huxley coined the word agnostic in 1869. He said, "It simply means that a man shall not say he knows or believes that which he has no scientific grounds for professing to know or believe." And therein lies an invitation for our Tapestry community to struggle with inclusion. This Sunday, Tapestry member Dave Kinnear will share the sermon he wrote in the Sermon Writing Workshop this year.
Dave Kinnear
July 14, 2019 -
“What Makes America a Good Country?”
"I'm tired of all the rhetoric about America being 'Great Again' and would settle for us being pretty good people and a good enough nation."
Rev. Dr. Tom Owen-Towle has been a parish minister since 1967 and is pleased to return to Tapestry, where he served as interim minister from 2009-2011.
Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
July 7, 2019
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“Prepositions Matter”
In our Unitarian Universalist tradition we find the sacred everywhere. This Sunday we consider the sacred above, below, between and within. Knowing where we most easily find the sacred can be a helpful tool for better understanding our own religious beliefs.
Rev. Kent Doss
June 30, 2019 -
“Spirit Says Do!”
Spirituality, by my lights, is defined by our relationships; with ourselves, our communities and with that "Something Larger Than Ourselves," however we define this; God, Goddess, Nature, the Community, the Cosmos. Our 3rd UU Principle is that we covenant to affirm and promote the "Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations," which lines up perfectly with our progressive values, our inclusivity and how we engage with the world. All are welcome to come, sing, and share a lively, spirit-filled June morning.
Rev. Lee Marie Sanchez
June 16, 2019 -
“Theology of Democracy”
In advance of our annual meeting, this Sunday in worship we reflect on why our Unitarian Universalist beliefs point to democracy as the best way of organizing our congregations and our country.
Rev. Kent Doss
June 9, 2019
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“Youth Sunday — The Next Adventure”
Tapestry’s high-school youth lead us in worship. Also, in a special ritual we bless the four seniors to honor their bridging into young-adulthood.
Amber Franklin, Abigail Gothard, Jeanette Hunker, Elizabeth Moler
May 26, 2019 -
“Our Apophatic Faith”
Unitarian Universalism isn’t easy to define. Sometimes it is easier to say what we don’t believe rather than what we do. This Sunday we look at some of the world’s ancient traditions that find their spiritual path by defining what they know God is not.
Rev. Kent Doss
May 19, 2019 -
“Mothers of Our Faith”
We hear quite a lot about the men of our Unitarian Universalist history, Jon Adams, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore Parker. This Sunday we celebrate some of the amazing women that have shaped our faith and our world.
Rev. Kent Doss
May 12, 2019
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“Question Box Sermon” - Celebration Sunday
This Sunday’s sermon is exactly what you want to hear. Rev. Kent will respond to questions written by you during the service. The questions that do not get answered will be kept on file to help inspire future sermon writing. Also, this Sunday we will honor the dedicated volunteers that keep our congregation running smoothly.
Rev. Kent Doss
April 28, 2019 -
“The Journey Begins” - Celebration Sunday
This Sunday is the climax of Tapestry’s annual stewardship campaign. In this place and time, there are so many ways for our liberal religious community to make a positive impact. This Sunday we celebrate and dream of the possibilities of where we might go together.
Rev. Kent Doss
April 7, 2019
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""The Pragmatism of Peace""
Non-violence is neither weak nor sentimental. This Sunday we consider the disciplined strategy of nonviolence that Nelson Mandela cultivated during his 27 years in prison and how we might guide our hearts toward a more peaceful path.
Rev. Kent Doss
Mar. 24, 2019 -
"Four Paths of Truth"
Four different journeys lead toward truth: science, ethics, learning and teaching. We all engage these journeys to some extent. This Sunday we take a look at the intersection of different ways of knowing and double check the truths that we are most passionate about.
Rev. Kent Doss
Mar. 10, 2019 -
“A Welcome Home” - BUILDING DEDICATION"
After 40 years of worshipping together we accomplished our long-held dream owning our own building. Together we will dedicate our new space to nurturing the spirit, creating justice, and loving our neighbors more fully. In addition to celebrating the building, we will honor the many Tapestry members who sustained this community’s spirit and budget over the decades.
Rev. Kent Doss
Mar. 3, 2019
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"Will You Pray for Me?"
Being prayed for or asking for prayers can be uncomfortable for atheists and agnostics. This Sunday we will explore that sometimes awkward experience. Also, this week in worship we begin a new ritual, Compassionate Connection. It is a time for anyone experiencing a significant challenge or joy to receive recognition and support in a one-on-one encounter.
Rev. Kent Doss
Feb. 17, 2019 -
"Romantic Religion"
In some traditions, prayer takes on a deeply romantic feel. This Sunday we explore the romantic or erotic aspect of religion and how it might spice up our own spiritual lives.
Rev. Kent Doss
Feb. 10, 2019 -
"Prayers for Humanists"
Depending on the circumstances and the religious tradition, prayer takes many different forms. This Sunday we look at various types of prayer and how these rituals might be useful to our own daily lives, regardless of theology.
Rev. Kent Doss
Feb. 3, 2019
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"Extremists for Justice"
In celebration of the legacy or Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, this Sunday we consider the call to be extremists for justice while keeping non-violence in our hearts. The path that Dr. King walked and that he invited us to follow is a narrow one. Where might it lead us in 2019. (1st Source of our UU Tradition: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life)
Rev. Kent Doss
Jan. 20, 2019 -
"Our First Sunday in Our New Building"
Rev. Kent Doss
Jan. 13, 2019 -
"One More Step"
This first Sunday of the new year, we celebrate hope for peace, liberty and justice for all. We also consider the many ways that being in our new building might enable and challenge us to grow toward our dreams. (6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all)
Rev. Kent Doss
Jan. 6, 2019