Sermon by Lynn Harrison.
No, it’s not a typo!
At first glance, we might not notice the reversal of the “Unitarian” and “Universalist” parts of our religious tradition’s name. As many people have noted, it’s easy to get lost in all those syllables, and that may be one reason why we often identify as “Unitarian” alone.
Yet the Universalist message of our UU faith is still vibrant and alive. It can provide hope to us today, just as Universalism did for North Americans in the late 1800’s. Back then, Puritan preachers brought a message of judgment, fire and brimstone, while the Universalists preached “not hell, but hope.” Our theologies have changed radically since then, and yet in these difficult late-February days, perhaps we could use some Universalist uplift.
Join me on Sunday for a selection of universalist-inspired thought from a wide range of writers and artists, along with uplifting music from Adam Sakiyama, Gaby Byrnes and Danny Fong, a compelling testimony from Cathy Brown of the Green Team, inspiring worship leading from Melissa Lobo, and a story by Amanda Gorman shared by Angela Klassen.
As Howard Thurman wrote, “Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace.” May we seek that joy and peace together, this Sunday.
Love,
Lynn
