2020 Sermons

“A Revolution of Kindness”

Join us for a Christmas Eve worship with lots of special music. In lieu of our usual candlelight experience together, we encourage you to dim the lights in your own home and participate in worship by candlelight.

Rev. Kent Doss
December 24, 2020
“A Kindful Christmas”

Finding faults in the world is often seen as strength or intellectual rigor. Critical thinking has an important role, but fault-finding as a lifepath is fraught with pain and disappointment. This Sunday, in the peak of the holiday season we take a moment to shed criticism and learn to practice kindfulness.

Rev. Kent Doss
December 20, 2020
“Karma and Kindness”

Both karma and kindness are frequently misunderstood. This Sunday we look at the Buddhist idea of Karma and how it relates to true kindness.

Rev. Kent Doss
December 6, 2020

“What I'm Grateful For in 2020”

TAppreciating the goodness of every-day life is fruitful spiritual discipline. This Thanksgiving weekend, Tapestry members will share what they are grateful for this complicated year.

Tapestry members Jim Bucklin, Jennifer Guy, and Demian Snipes
November 22, 2020
“Searching for the Sacred”

The sacred is not fleeting, something that comes and minute by minute, seasons by season. Closer than our own breath, it is with us every moment. This Sunday we explore some of the ways we seek the sacred in our midst.

Rev. Kent Doss
November 22, 2020
“Leaps and Landings”

We've all heard the term "leap of faith" and maybe we've even taken one ourselves. This Sunday, Rev. Peter Friedrichs, pastor of the Unitarian Church of Delaware County in Media, Pennsylvania reflects on both leapings and landings. How does faith help us step into the void?

Rev. Peter Friedrichs
November 15, 2020
“Building A New Way”

Following the 2020 election, this Sunday we pause to reflect on a spiritually-grounded path forward for our country, for our congregation, and for ourselves.

Rev. Kent Doss
November 8, 2020
“Describing the Indescribable”

This Sunday we open to hear some of the ways mystics, theologians, and justice leaders have described their relationship with the sacred. Perhaps their words will help us better understand the awe and wonder we occasionally feel in our own lives.

Rev. Kent Doss
November 1, 2020

Got Grace”

Tapestry member Lauren Schmid shares a personal story about her parents, and how it expanded her definition of coping skills and grace.

Tapestry member Lauren Schmid
October 25, 2020
“Those People”

As social distancing continues, screen time increases and political commitments meet their peak, we might find ourselves thinking others are fundamentally different. Empathy is a key component of emotional intelligence. This Sunday we reflect on what kinds of bridges to build with our neighbors and how.

Rev. Kent Doss
October 18, 2020
“What’s Your Story?”

Each of our lives has twists and turns that provide unique perspectives. When we find the courage to share ourselves with authenticity, we become an invaluable gift to others. October 11th is National Coming Out Day, a day to recognize the struggle and the joy of coming out as a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Queer person.

Rev. Kent Doss
October 11, 2020
“Emotional Intelligence”

Our emotional lives present challenges and a goldmine of opportunities. This Sunday we will explore some of the current scientific understanding of how emotions are made and how we can navigate them to enrich our lives and our relationships.

Rev. Kent Doss
October 4, 2020

“The Greatest Common Denominator”

When meeting those unknown to us, those we deem ‘other,’ sometimes focusing on our perceived similarities, on the common ground we share, seems like the safest bet. But what if instead we took the leap and embraced each other's differences?

Rica Kaufel
September 27, 2020
“Paved With Good Intentions”

History is full of good intentions and accidental negative impacts. Looking at the history of adoption of children in America, we consider how to grapple with an imperfect past as we plan for the future.

Rev. Kent Doss
September 20, 2020
“Where the River Begins - Water Communion”

Normally this is the time of year when we return from Summer vacations and greet one another back to another bustling church year. Worshiping together in person is still a long-way off, but we will celebrate our connection to each other, to our congregation, and to the earth through a virtual water communion ritual.

Rev. Kent Doss
September 13, 2020
“Interdependently Yours”

Our first and seventh principles are often seen as the foundation of our UU tradition. This Sunday, we look at the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and our profound interdependence through the lens of adoption. This is the first four sermons Rev. Kent will deliver as a part of his doctoral research that focuses on UU theology and adoption.

Rev. Kent Doss
September 6, 2020

"Delight in Creation"

What are the delights in our lives and in our community? How do the small joys remind us of how the earth and the sky and all things living are blessed by a Spirit of Life? A life closely observed has a lot to teach us about the bonds that connect each to all. Bring your favorite summer reading book, a pen and paper to this online service inspired by Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights.

Rev. Megan Visser
August 30, 2020
"Exploring Creation Myths"

Greg Cline explores creation myths of various faith traditions and what we can learn from them.

Tapestry Member Greg Cline
August 23, 2020
"The State of the Orange County Nonprofit Community - Adaptation and Resilience in Times of Crisis"

Paul Bonfanti, a consultant for Non-Profit organizations, discusses the state of non-profit organizations in the wake of COVID-19.

Tapestry Member Paul Bonfanti
August 16, 2020
"Creating Dividing Lines"

Sometimes, humans create systems for including and excluding individuals based upon divisions that are just made up. This Sunday, we think about how lines, created by the human mind, form national borders that cause decisive impacts upon the lives of millions. What other arbitrary divisions do humans create that have a profound influence the happiness and well-being of individuals, for better or worse? As UUs, how do we recognize and deal with these man-made divisions?

Roger Greene
August 9, 2020
"Better Angels Of Our Nature"

Using a phrase from President Abraham Lincoln’s Inaugural Address in 1861, Rev. Tom will also turn to our Unitarian Universalism as a religion of “ever-evolving love” for grounding and guidance during this time of a raging pandemic and savage racism. Additionally, he draws strength from the witness of his 22-year-old grand-daughter teaching ESL in South Korea: “2020 will be the year that we woke up!” So might it be!

Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
August 2, 2020

"Beguiled By Beauty"

“The beauty and resilience of the world are a sign of hope even when things are difficult” says theologian Wendy Farley. This beauty is beyond what we ordinarily think of as “pretty.” It is the deep creativity and abundance of things and, as human beings, we participate in that. Spiritual life is about connecting with this deep source of beauty and love.

Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube
July 26, 2020

"How Much Doing Good is Good Enough?"

As we watch the news, we see so many good and important causes to which we could contribute our time, talent and treasure. How do we decide when we've contributed enough?

Tapestry Member Rona Henry
July 19, 2020

"Rooted Together"

The natural world is a beautiful teacher of the harmony surrounding us -- and the harmony possible in community. What truth and connection might we find just outside our back doors? How might we learn some powerful lessons from the buzzing bees and the sprouting leaves? This Sunday, we’ll consider how we are "Rooted Together," examining how the spirit of life works within us and around us when we most need it.
Liz Murphy is a recent graduate of the Claremont School of Theology and is a candidate for ministry with the Unitarian Universalist Association. She’s currently the intern minister at Throop Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, CA. She previously worked as a chaplain intern at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and as the Interfaith Programs Assistant at the University of Southern California's Office of Religious Life. Originally from Pittsburgh, she moved to Los Angeles in 2017 with her wife, Hilary.

Elizabeth Murphy, Intern Minister at Throop UU
July 12, 2020

"Can’t We All Just Get Along?"

There is no EZ Pass to Racial Harmony. In keeping with this month's theme of harmony, Celia's sermon emphasizes that there is no way to have lasting harmony within ourselves or among people when we have not done the hard work to heal the wounds. Even though we tried to run away from the history, the history is still happening. This has become a call to reclaim our highest level of humanity: our morality.

Tapestry member Celia Young
July 5, 2020

"This I Believe - Reflections on Quarantine"

The impacts of Corona Virus show up differently in each of our lives. This Sunday Tapestry members share their reflections on the experience of social distancing.

Tapestry members John Wainwright, Tamara & Mike Reddy and Richard Lappin
June 28, 2020
"Not So Black and White"

The Rainbow flag has become a well-known symbol for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community. This Sunday we learn a little about the history of that rainbow and how we might all embrace the full spectrum of life beyond the limits of good or evil, black or white, right or wrong.

Rev. Kent Doss
June 14, 2020
"Through Our Eyes"

Tapestry youth lead our worship experience and share their perspective on the month’s theme of Good and Evil. In addition to delivering the sermon, they will also feature special music and dance collaborations.

Max Uehara, Julia Miller, Joey Moler, and Ryan Lenney
June 7, 2020

All Shall Be Well

Rev. Rayna Hamre calls on one of our Universalist ancestors, Julian of Norwich, to gain insights on how to weather a pandemic.

Rev. Rayna Hamre
May 24, 2020
How We Worship

Sunday morning can feel like a routine a lot of the time. It is easy to fall into a routine and forget what you are doing, or never ask “why” in the first place. This Sunday we explore some of the traditions of Unitarian Universalist worship to bring a little more intention into our sabbath.

Rev. Kent Doss
May 24, 2020
Time For Discernment

Sabbath is all about setting aside time that is different from the daily rush. We have spent a couple of months outside of our normal routine. Before we tumble headlong into the rush of life as usual, what are the pieces of “usual” that we don’t want to return to? This Sunday we consider some of the things we have learned and can take with us moving forward for social distancing.

Rev. Kent Doss
May 17, 2020
Rituals that Work

For thousands of years humans have created rituals to give a framework to our days. This Sunday we will talk about how ritual works and how we can incorporate our own personal rituals into the cycles of days, weeks, and years.

Rev. Kent Doss
May 10, 2020
Chronos to Kairos and Back Again

This Sunday we explore the ancient Greek understandings of ordinary time (chronos) and sacred time (kairos), and how we might navigate between the two. Abraham Joshual Heschel wrote, “There is a realm of time where the goal is not to have, but to be, not to own, but to give, not to control, but to share, not to subdue, but to be in accord.”

Rev. Kent Doss
May 3, 2020

Faces of Homelessness

Several years ago, as a practicing psychologist, Dr. Perlman began painting portraits of the people he met on the street outside his office. He shares some of what he has learned from getting to know his West Los Angeles neighbors experiencing homelessness and some of the art he has created.

Dr. Stuart Perlman
April 26, 2020
There Is No "Planet B"

In celebration of Earth Day, this Sunday we reflect on the many different traditions that remind us of our seventh principle, respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.

Rev. Kent Doss
April 19, 2020
"A Forever Kind of Faith"

Theodore Parker’s 1838 sermon “The Transient and the Permanent in Christianity” paved the way for Unitarian Universalist to move from its Christin past into a theologically diverse future. This Easter Sunday we remember the foundational, permanent ideals of Unitarian Universalism.

Rev. Kent Doss
April 12, 2020
"An Educated Guess About God"

Rev. Kent will talk about his own understanding of God to offer what might be a new perspective and to invite everyone into cultivating their own beliefs.

Rev. Kent Doss
April 5, 2020

"20/20 Vision"

This Sunday is the finale of our pledge campaign. Families will have the opportunity to make their financial commitment together during the worship service. With the theme of 20/20 vision, we will also celebrate some of what Tapestry is growing toward in our future together.

Rev. Kent Doss
March 29, 2020
"From Suffragettes to the Women’s March: Progress, Challenges and the Future"

In celebration of Women’s History Month, three members of Tapestry’s Women’s Rights Action Group, Abigail Gothard, Carol Wheeler and Rona Henry will share their perspectives and personal experiences reflecting on the past, present and future.

Abigail Gothard, Rona Henry, Carol Wheeler
March 22, 2020

Abigail G.—How You and Old Generations of Women Can Learn from One Another

Nikky Contractor's Opening Remarks

Rona Henry's slides from her "Open Letter to My Daughter" talk.

Carol Wheeler's "History of the Suffrage Movement from a Black Woman’s Perspective"

Carol Wheeler's Slides
"Why We Give"

Last year Americans gave away over $427 billion to charities. This Sunday we remember why giving is important and strategies to cultivate generosity in our own lives.

Rev. Kent Doss
March 1, 2020

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