UUFS -- Past Sunday Services | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sunnyvale, California

Previous Sermon Topics

June 2010 •

June 6, 2010 – “Franklin Lloyd Wright -- Unitarian at Heart”: Frank Lloyd Wright may not have been the most devoted Unitarian, but he was one of America’s leading architects, and his strong Unitarian roots (his father was a Unitarian preacher and his mother a devotee of the transcendentalists) are reflected in much of his work. UUFS member Howard Baldwin — who once wanted to be an architect — reveals the extensive connections between Wright and UU principles.
Howard Baldwin, Speaker.
June 13, 2010 – “Celebrating Who We Are and Why We’re Here!”: Come join in an opportunity to articulate our Unitarian Universalist beliefs, to appreciate our heritage and to express our gratitude for the individuals who have walked this path of faith and of social conscience before us.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
June 20, 2010 – “Pausing at Midsummer”: The Wheel of the Year continues to turn, and we find ourselves at the Summer Solstice. While the sun has grown to its full strength, we know that once again the days will start to get shorter. We are reminded that nothing lasts forever, as we and the world are growing and ever-changing, and that we will have to let go of even the most cherished of objects eventually. Join us as we delve into this turning of the season.
Michael Thomas, Speaker.
* Beginning with today’s service and for the duration of summer, we will have one service at 10 a.m.
June 27, 2010 – “Annual Buddhist Meditation Service”: In this quiet service we will practice 3 types of meditation and experience a guided meditation written by the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Come quiet your mind as summer busyness begins.
Gary Hartz & Margaret Lawson, Leaders.

May 2010 • top

May 2, 2010 – “The Three Pound Universe”: “To understand ourselves, we must understand our brains... Fortunately no one needs a Ph.D. to appreciate the contributions of modern neuroscience. By learning a few simple principles we can gain crucial insights into the reasons we feel and act as we do.” So writes the Reverend Dr. Chris Schriner, Minister Emeritus of the Mission Peak UU Congregation in Fremont, the author of four books who was also a family therapist for 25 years.
Rev. Chris Schriner, Speaker.
May 9, 2010 – “Celebrating Mothers and Peace”: Julia Ward Howe is often recognized as the woman who wrote the “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Less well known is the fact that she was a Unitarian who worked tirelessly to promote an annual Mothers Day For Peace that has morphed into the holiday we now celebrate as Mother’s Day. Come celebrate our mothers and our hopes for peace this Sunday morning.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
May 16, 2010 – “What Calls Us Into Community?”: “In and through community lies the salvation of the world” wrote M. Scott Peck the author of the bestseller The Road Less Traveled. This Sunday we explore what calls us into community with others.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
* Following the service, will be a forum with Linda Reibel, the author of The Earth-Friendly Food Chain.
May 23, 2010 – “Margaret Fuller and the Transcendentalists”: Margaret Fuller was born on this date in 1810. A Unitarian and part of the Transcendentalists' circle; a journalist and an activist for women’s rights, Fuller co-edited the literary and philosophical journal The Dial with Ralph Waldo Emerson. We celebrate the 200th anniversary of Fuller’s birth today along with other parts of our Unitarian history.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
* Following the service, will be our semi annual Congregational Meeting.
May 30, 2010 – “A Day of Remembrance”: A Day of Remembrance: Sharing Stories, Tracing Lifetimes.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Moderator.

April 2010 • top

April 4, 2010 – “Seasons of Renewal”: Janna Mitchell and Rev. Nina will share some reflections on seasons of renewal. Please bring a flower with you to share with others as part of this Sunday’s service.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
April 11, 2010 – “Finding Happiness at UUFS”: Some psychology researchers have found that participating in spiritual practices or a religious community can increase a person's happiness. This morning we will explore how we, as individuals and as a congregation, may improve our happiness at UUFS.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
April 18, 2010 – “Blue Boat Home”: This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Some thoughts this morning on the earth we share. The Social Justice Committee will sponsor a potluck at the Fellowship after the service.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
April 25, 2010 – “Commitment Sunday”: “This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we…know what to do with it.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.

March 2010 • top

March 7, 2010 – “Those Who Marched Before Us”: Observed on March 8th since the early 1900’s, International Women’s Day recognizes the social, political and economic achievements of women. Unitarian Universalist women are well represented among those who have contributed to such achievements.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
March 14, 2010 – “What We Can Learn In Silence”: Theologian Ron Rolheiser writes that in order to get to the deepest level at the heart of things we need to learn to use the language of silence but “sadly we are too often afraid of silence, afraid of being alone, and afraid of what we might meet there.” We’ll explore some of that territory together this morning.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
March 21, 2010 – “Spring has Sprung!”: There are two days each year when the hours of daylight and the hours of darkness are approximately equal. One of those days is called the Spring or Vernal Equinox. This year it will occur on March 20th at 1:32 pm. The coming of Spring has been celebrated over the years in many different cultures and in many different ways.
*Immediately following the service, we will have a forum to review and discuss our new service model. (Childcare is available.)
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
March 28, 2010 – “What We Live For”: The philosopher Alfred North Whitehead called it “The Law of Expenditure.” We find the greatest joy, not in getting, but in expressing (who) we are. “People do not…live for honors or for pay” he wrote; “their gladness is…not in taking and holding, but in doing, in striving, in building (and)… in living.”
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.

February 2010 • top

February 7, 2010 – “How to Know Your Beliefs Are Right (And Others Are Wrong)”: Unitarian Universalists pride themselves on accepting all comers, regardless of their individual beliefs. Yet for all that vaunted celebration of diversity we sometimes seem less than enthusiastic about beliefs that stray far from ours.
Rev. Dick Weston-Jones, Speaker.
February 14, 2010 – “Love”: In 1967 the Beatles sang “All You Need is Love”. Was that true then? Is it true now? What is this thing we call love anyway? We’re talking and singing about love this Sunday. Join Us!
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
February 21, 2010 – “Only What We Could Carry”: On February 19th 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the internment of thousands of American citizens of Japanese ancestry. We will take the time to remember this morning because we must never forget.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
February 28, 2010 – “Spirituality (Its many meanings; its different paths)”: What do we mean when we talk about ‘spirituality’? There may very well be as many definitions for this word as there are people trying to define it. This Sunday, members of our Fellowship will share some of their thoughts and experiences around spirituality with us.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.

January 2010 • top

January 3, 2010 – “Our Wild and Precious Lives?”: This Sunday members of our Fellowship will be sharing their life stories and in the process will be giving each of us an opportunity to reflect on what we want to do with our own wild and precious lives. We will be having an Ingathering of new members during the service.
Please note: One service – 10:00 AM.
Following service there will be a forum to discuss the timing of our Sunday services. Childcare will be provided during the forum.
January 10, 2010 – “Ten Years of Sermons: Milestones on my Spiritual Journey”: To find a common theme for his spiritual journey, Gary looks back at the sermons he has given over the last 10 years at UUFS and the questions he has raised in them. The theme he discovers is one common to many UUs. To expand on this theme, Gary will also play a brief spiritual song from a Neil Young concert. Come see how much your spiritual quest has in common with Gary’s, or discover new questions to explore.
Please note: Two services – 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
Gary Hartz, Speaker.
January 17, 2010 – “Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: Can We Claim MLK as UU?”: On Monday, January 18th our country will celebrate the national holiday that commemorates the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What was this Baptist minister’s connection to Unitarianism and Universalism?
Please note: Two services – 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
January 24, 2010 – “Where Do We Come From?”: Looking back at some of the individuals who have contributed to our identity as Unitarians and Universalists over the years.
Please note: Two services – 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
January 31, 2010 – “Ethical Eating”: The children in our Religious Education Program will be creating and presenting a service on “Ethical Eating” which is the Congregational Study/Action Issue of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations for this year.
Please note: One service – 10:00 AM.

December 2009 • top

December 6, 2009 – “How Rich are We?”: Some thoughts on what we have and what we lack.
Please note: Two services – 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
December 13, 2009 – “The True Meaning of Hanukkah”: Hanukkah is unique among our winter festivals in that it commemorates an historical event. And that history is more complex — and disturbing — than you might have imagined. How much should new information about Hanukkah's origins affect the way we teach and celebrate the holiday?
Please note: Two services – 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
Virginia Shea, Speaker.
December 20, 2009 – “A Holiday Service for All Ages”: Come join us for one service at 10:00 AM featuring music and stories celebrating this holiday season. Following the service at 11:15 we will have our annual “Carol Sing-Along.” Please bring an ornament to decorate our Christmas tree and some holiday goodies to share during our social hour.
Please note: One service – 10:00 AM.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
December 24, 2009 – “A Christmas Service for All Ages”: We will gather at 7:00 PM in the chapel and share the spirit of the season with one another.
December 27, 2009 – “Looking Back, Moving Forward”: Our service this morning will include a ritual of remembrance, of leave taking and of new beginnings.
Please note: One service – 10:00 AM.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.

November 2009 • top

November 1, 2009 – “The Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertos and The Feast of All Souls”: Known by different names, celebrated in different cultures, on this day we will gather to remember the lives of those that have touched ours. Please bring a picture, an object and/or a memento of beings - human and otherwise - whose memory you want to hold up on this day of remembrance.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
November 8, 2009 – “Reflections on Peace in a Time of War”: The Dalai Lama has said, “Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individually. Peace…starts with each of us.”
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
November 15, 2009 – “A Homily on History and Hope”: Our Unitarian and Universalist histories are fascinating and have much to teach us. This Sunday we will touch on the lives of some of the individuals who have helped to shape who we are as Unitarian Universalists and whose lives have influenced the world we are living in.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
November 22, 2009 – “A New Water Paradigm”: Sustainability, justice and equity are good UU values. How might they help us approach issues of water justice in California? In this time of climate change and great debates over water, how can we navigate through these uncharted waters of change? How might UUs serve as a bridge to greater involvement of faith communities in one of the great moral issues of our day? We will also begin the Guest at Your Table Program.
Guest Speaker: Reverend Lindi Ramsden, Executive Director, UU Legislative Ministry, CA.
November 29, 2009 – “Writers Read”: Unitarian Universalists do not have our own holy scriptures that we rely on in the same way that many other religious traditions do. Therefore, we often use poetry, prose, essays and personal reflections to capture and express our feelings about life, death, our place in the universe and our experiences of the Divine. This Sunday members and friends of our Fellowship will share some of what they have written.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker, and voices from the congregation..

October 2009 • top

October 4, 2009 – “Reflections on Living Simply”: Henry David Thoreau observed that our lives are often frittered away by detail. “Simplify, simplify, simplify!” he wrote.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
October 11, 2009 – “National Coming Out Day”: Observed internationally on October 11th each year, National Coming Out Day, celebrates the LGBT community and those who have chosen to speak out openly about their lives as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people to family, friends, and the communities they belong to. Come hear some of our stories.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
October 18, 2009 – “Association Sunday”: During the month of October Unitarian Universalist congregations all over the world will be celebrating “Association Sunday.” This year the Unitarian Universalist Association, of which our Fellowship is a part, is looking at ways in which our congregations can become more racially, culturally and economically diverse.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
October 25, 2009 – “Piecing it Together: What We Learned at Leadership School!”: Some of our members and our minister will regale us with stories recounting their experiences of attending Leadership School which just might lead you to want to consider going yourself next year! As part of this service, we will also be dedicating our new Caring Quilt. During the “Story For All Ages” Carol MacFarlane will explain the steps involved in piecing together this quilt, which everyone will be invited to sign after the service.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.

September 2009 • top

September 6, 2009 – “Labor Day Sunday”: In 1909 the American Federation of Labor passed a resolution designating the Sunday before Labor Day each year as Labor Sunday - a day dedicated to the educational and spiritual aspects of the Labor Movement. Come celebrate Labor Day Sunday with us.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
September 13, 2009 – “Sharing the Waters of Summer: Welcome Back Sunday”: Our service this Sunday will center around the ritual of the mingling waters we have actually or symbolically gathered this summer. The water that we bring to the service could be from a mountain stream that ran by our campsite in the high Sierras or from the hose that nourished our gardens through the heat of a South Bay summer. We will have water available for those who might forget to bring some with them. The children will remain with us in the chapel for the majority of the service so that they can share their stories or pour the water that they bring into the common bowl. Don't miss this yearly ritual with old friends and new acquaintances from our Fellowship. This will be the first Sunday of offering two services – one at 9:30 and one at 11:00
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
September 20, 2009 – “Growing Up UU”: This Sunday we will be kicking off our 2009 - 2010 religious education year at UUFS. We'll be introducing our teachers and teaching assistants to the congregation before we sing the children out to their classes. Nina Kalmoutis, will share some of her reflections on growing up as a Unitarian Universalist with us.
Rev. Nina Kalmoutis, Speaker.
September 27, 2009 – “The Bounty of Our Harvest”: Bring your home grown produce for our Harvest Exchange, where the community offerings will be gathered at the front of the chapel during the service and available for attendees to take home afterwards. In addition, a panel of members will share their experiences around the growing and harvesting of foods as we start our consideration of Ethcial Eating and its meaning to us as individuals.
Cheryl Knepfler, Coordinator.

August 2009 • top

August 2, 2009 – “Troubadour & Poet ~ The Magical Ministry of Ric Masten”: Rev. Steve Edington, of the UU Church of Nashua, returns to UUFS for a 2nd time, and will discuss his new book on the poetic/UU ministerial career of Rev. Ric Masten. Ric's 40 year career as a poet, song-writer/singer, troubadour, and traveling UU minister makes for an amazing story--and offers some valuable lessons about the many meanings of ministry in the liberal tradition.
Rev. Steve Edington, Speaker.
August 9, 2009 – “Buddhist Meditation”: Annual Buddhist meditation service: In this quiet service we will practice centering and mindfulness meditation. Gary will talk briefly about applications of mindfulness to everyday life. Margaret will lead us in a powerful guided meditation written by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Gary Hartz & Margaret Lawson, Leaders.
August 16, 2009 – “Meeting for Worship”: Theme: "Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and openness to the forces which create and uphold life." In the tradition of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), we will join together for a service of silence and sharing from the congregation. After a moment of silence, a member of the congregation will raise a hand to be recognized to speak on the theme (not to exceed 2 minutes). We will take 2 minutes of silence to consider what was shared. Then, another member of the congregation will be recognized, and so on. After the last speaker, we will have a moment of silence. The time limit for this part of the service is twenty minutes.
Charlie Ahern, Leader.
August 23, 2009 – “Moments of Awakening: Janna’s Journey to the Heart”: Over the last two years Janna Mitchell, UUFS congregation member, has been participating in the Seat of the Soul Authentic Power Program. Janna shares her experiences of challenging her reactions to life situations based in fear and doubt and choosing to respond to life with love and trust.
Janna Mitchell, Speaker.
August 30, 2009 – “Spiritual Music at the Cinema”: Music is often one of the most powerful elements of a film, especially if it is spiritual in nature. Using our large plasma TV, Gary will show five 5-minute excerpts from movies which have included music with sacred or spiritual themes, including one for the children. After each is played, Gary will invite us to reflect silently on it.
Gary Hartz, Speaker.