Past Sermons & Podcasts
Here's a collection of some of our recent sermons as podcasts and some of our favorite older ones as transcripts in PDF form. Scroll down a bit and you'll also find some wonderful videos that were created as part of our services.
You'll need iTunes or another audio player capable of playing MP3s to listen our podcasts. To save to your computer, right-click on one of the podcast links and choose “Download Link To Disk,” “Save Target As,” or “Save Link As” (your browser or operating system may provide different choices). If you're using a Mac, hold down the Control key and click with your mouse to bring up the menu.
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The Dance of Life
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
The sixth source from which Unitarian Universalism draws is: Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. This Service will explore the introduction of this source to our Principles and Purposes, engage the joy and wisdom gained from living from this source, and will introduce a new group, Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) that is just forming in our congregation.
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Circle of Life
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
In this multigenerational Service, we will celebrate the 40th Anniversary Earth Day.
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Going Viral
Elka Cartmell-Ladd
As the internet and social media continue to change the landscape of how we interact with one another, the concept of “going viral” has moved beyond marketing. Each one of us now has the power to create a message and spread it throughout the world incredibly quickly. What messages will we contribute? Which messages are worth spreading? How are we to use this power to build the beloved community? Elka is the ministerial intern at First Unitarian Universalist Church in San Diego.
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Stories of Hope and Transformation
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
This service explores our Judeo-Christian roots at the time of Passover and Easter.
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The Language of Yes
Rev. Erika Hewitt
The theme for this spring’s stewardship season is “Answering Our Call”... but how shall we answer that call? What does it mean to live – and give – from the place of “yes”? Join us as the Rev. Erika Hewitt invites us to consider hearing and living the language of YES.
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The Ultimate Reality
Barbara McLaughlin and the Sunday Services Committee
Irrational, imaginary? Mystical? The ultimate nature of reality? Join us as we celebrate Pi Day and Albert Einstein’s birthday with a lighthearted look at some philosophical thought, both ancient and fresh.
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Arcos Revisited
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson & Rev. Carol Hilton
“Revisited” because we haven’t updated ourselves on our amazing little walled church town in Transylvania for a year or so. Revisited because, maybe, just maybe, some members of the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will visit Arcos, in Transylvania, Romania, in the summer of 2011. Jeanne Mielcarek made a solo visit in the Autumn of 2006, a life-transforming experience, she says. This Sunday, we’ll hear briefly how the Partner Church Program was started, how we came to be part of the Program, and celebrate the Program’s first 20 years of enabling congregations throughout Canada and the United States to reach out to the valiant Unitarian congregations of Romania and Hungary, many of them over 400 years old, long and strong.
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Three Chords and the Truth
Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Members
Although Pete Seeger’s music is ubiquitous, “If I had a hammer . . . I’d hammer in the morning . . .” he is almost as well known an advocate for peace, equality, justice and the environment. Join us for a celebration in honor of his life’s work on his 90th birthday – and find out what his charge is to the rest of us.
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Selected songs from this service as a high quality MP3 :
Still Standing on the Side of Love
Adam Gerhardstein
Rev. Beth and Palomar Fellowship are pleased to welcome as our special guest speaker, Adam Gerhardstein, the manager of the Unitarian Universalist Association's Standing on the Side of Love campaign. This service was the culmination of a month of activities and services focusing on social justice.
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The 5 Languages of Love
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
We will explore “the 5 love languages” articulated by Gary Chapman. The five love languages are: Works of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.
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Evolve or Else
Michael Mufson
In honor of Darwin's Birthday, we look at the struggles of evolution in many contexts and points of view. What does it mean to evolve?
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Our Faith is but a Single Gem
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
In this service we explore how the Unitarian Universalists became so diverse, and what it is that binds us together.
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Sin?
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
This sermon topic was purchased at the auction by John Bissell. We will explore various conceptions of sin and look at the relevance of this concept for Unitarian Universalists.
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Let Our Light Shine
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
The mission of the Social Justice Committee of Palomar UU Fellowship is to provide the structure and support for spiritually-grounded, transformative, congregation-based social justice work. This Service honors Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by exploring how this type of social justice work will allow us to live our call to bring about peace, justice and compassion.
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The Death Penalty: Unpatriotic?
Jean Rabenold
Jean will share with us her belief that the death penalty works against the best interests of our country, and modern neuroscience can be helpful in achieving understanding and compassion for those who commit murders. Jean Rabenold is the founder and president of Unitarian Universalists for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (UUADP). She has worked on this issue since 1996, and served on the Board of the National Coalition against the Death Penalty for four years. She has given workshops and sermons in many parts of the country, and is grateful for the encouragement and support of Palomar Fellowship members, who have helped to make all this happen.
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A New Day Dawns
Yes We Did - From MLK to Today, a video by Michael Mufson
Our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service, where we will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, reflecting on the hope that he has given us and that we embrace at this time. We also hold our Action/Reflection/Action service project, in which we bring items and write letters of appreciation to the agricultural workers to whom we are indebted for our food.
The Gift Of Poetry
Fellowship Poets
There is no greater gift than telling others that they are appreciated and loved, but sometimes finding the words is difficult. A poet is anyone who struggles to find the right words. Our Fellowship has many poets, and this Service will be your chance to hear them. The poems will be on many subjects, but they are all offered as a gift to you.
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The Charter for Compassion
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
Author Karen Armstrong, after winning the TED (Technology, Education and Design) Award, wished to create a Charter for Compassion that would put compassionate action at the center of religious, moral and political life. At this time of the year when we aspire to peace on earth, we will explore how we might apply the principles of the Charter in our lives.
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Miracles & Mystery
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
We are in the darkest time of the year, when we anticipate the return of light. From ancient time we humans have had to live with the unknown, even as we moderns have explained so much about our world and our lives, we are still left with mystery. We will pause in this Service and explore “mystery”.
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The Meaning of Ritual
Bruce Thompson
Some people - especially those of a humanist stripe - are uncomfortable with rituals. Rituals can seem pointlessly repetitive and annoyingly "churchy". However, Confucian philosophy (one of the most humanistic of religious philosophies) shows us that rituals provide a framework for good manners, justice, science, and even mathematics and logic. Perhaps the rituals we practice with each other on Sunday morning aren't so bad after all.
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The Long Struggle
Rev. Kathleen Green
The struggles for justice are long and often difficult. But we are called as religious people to the struggle – the long struggle. And we are not alone. We stand on the side of love with our congregation, with other Unitarian Universalists, with other progressive religious people. We are in the long struggle together, ready to make a difference in the world.
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Sharing Our Gifts
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
When we give to others, we rightly focus on the recipient of the gift. Yet we know that the giver receives as well. This Service will explore the effect of sharing our gifts in this beloved community.
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Day of the Dead
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, Blanca Arias & Ed Carillo
Our annual Day of the Dead service when we honor our ancestors in story and song.
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Livin' on the Edge of Hope
Michael Mufson
“And we shall not be moved from the Edge of Hope
Like a tree, standing by the water, we shall not be moved.
Our roots will drink from the river of hope
Our wings will set us free from fear
And our actions will make a difference.”
Just Cheaper and More Humane
Pat McLaughlin
On war, human incompetence and the need for peacemaking.
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Blessing of the Animals
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
Join us for our annual multigenerational, interspecies Blessing of the Animals Service. All well-behaved companion animals are welcome to attend! You can also bring pictures of your beloved pets or a stuffed animal that you love.
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Now is the Time for Turning
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
As the Jewish High Holy Days conclude, we’ll explore the lessons that we can learn from this time.
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Living Our Call
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
Join us for Ingathering Sunday, when we celebrate our moving forward into the Fellowship year. What is our call as individual Unitarian Universalists and as a Fellowship?
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UUs Rise to Welcome the Stranger
Daniel Stracka
UU’s and Immigration: Are we lost or simply turned around? Daniel Stracka, President of UURise and former President of the Fellowship, talks about his experiences as Immigration Lawyer, the people he has met along the way, and what our religious community can do to work for justice in this area.
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A Life at Work
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
We all work. Whether we work in or outside of our homes, in jobs we have chosen or stumbled into, in careers we cherish or are challenged by, our work plays a large part in many aspects of our lives. This Service will explore the sacredness of work. The topic was chosen by D’etta Aki and Beth Forbes, who purchased the sermon at the auction.
Podcast Archive
Someone You Know
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
We will introduce the Addiction Recovery Ministry here at the fellowship and offer inspirational insights for those whose lives have been affected by addiction.
I Believe
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson & the Rev. Carol Hilton
This service explores the imperative of health care reform from a liberal religious perspective.
Does It All Fit Together...
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
This service explores metaphysics, a branch of philosophy that deals with explaining the nature of reality.
Little Things
Pat McLaughlin
Just where does one find the time to live a full, busy life, while being a good citizen... AND still find the time to solve all the world’s problems?
What is Love About?
Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff
For this sermon we are pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff, who is completing a pulpit exchange with our minister.
Sufi Dancing
Jim & Lynn Chow
The Sufis are the religious liberals of Islam. Sufi dancing is growing in popularity, and some members of this congregation have taken it up.
All Kinds of Families
Eileen Maurer and Dean Goddette
Every family is not only different from other families, but is also a new and different family itself as its members move through life’s transitions.
Gratitude and Abundance
Kelley Grimes and Fellowship Members
In this Service, we will celebrate the beginning of summer and all the abundance in our lives, and explore ways to cultivate gratitude for our many blessings.
Partners in Faith
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
To further to understand Unitarian Universalism, we’ll look to Europe, and explore Unitarianism across the ocean and celebrate our partner church in Arcos, Romania.
Coming of Age Sunday
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson and Fellowship Youth
For five months, 15 youth and 15 adults acting as mentors in our congregation participated in an exciting and extensive program of spiritual exploration and identity formation.
Flower Communion
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
We remember and celebrate the life of Rev. Norbert Capek, the Czechoslovakian Unitarian minister who developed the flower communion for his congregation in 1923.
Milestones
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson and Lisa Wellens
Join Lisa Wellens and Rev. Beth for this multigenerational Service that celebrates Religious Education Sunday and the transitions in our program.
There’s Always a Second Chance
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
Pesach Sheni offers a second chance to feel the power of repentence and return. Even when we feel that we have failed ourselves or others or God, there is always a second chance.
The Circle of Life and Death
Intern Minister Michael Walker, MA
The Intern Minister of First Church, Michael Walker, is guest preaching on the topics of life and love, and we may approach the topic of death with life in mind.
Let Justice Roll Down Like Water
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson and Green Sanctuary Members
A service in which we will experience our connection to that most precious of resources – water.
Rolling Away the Stone
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
This Easter Sunday service explores the message that Easter has for us today.
Roots & Branches
Pat McLaughlin and We’ll explore the concepts of stewardship... how we care for our religious home and ensure its growth and longevity.
Practice Makes Perfect (or Something Like That)
Pat McLaughlin and Other Fellowship Members
Spiritual practice . . . what? What’s that? And . . . why?
The Exquisite Urgency of Now
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
There is an urgency in this moment to work toward new ways of being and understanding.
Our Shared Story
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson and Others
While embracing a deep pluralism, what story do we share?
Rainbow and Tornado
Eileen Maurer
Join Eileen Maurer as she explores the laws of physics and metaphysics that seem to govern how the sacred properties of energy and balance play out in our spiritual lives.
Holy Now
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
We will explore religious naturalism, the belief that nature itself is holy and worthy of reverence and awe.
Love Will Guide Us
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
We will explore various aspects of love, including love as justice as expressed in theologies of liberation.
Radical Hospitality
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, Kelley Grimes, and Li-Anne Mufson
This Service will explore the ways in which we can enter into the Namaste experience with all those we find in our lives, seeing the value, worth, dignity or divinity in those we know well, those who find their way to us, and those we have considered the “other”.
Sermon Transcripts
Adobe Reader is required for the transcriptions, and it is a free download.
Transforming Conversations:
The Voices of Animals in the Interdependent Web
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson
Winner of the Unitarian Universalists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Albert Schweitzer Reverence for Life Sermon Award 2006
Living with a Heart of Compassion
Living in Hope
An Examined Faith
States of Grace
Imagine…
Redeeming Dark
Surprised by Joy
Theologies of India in the West
On Navel Gazing: Naming the Sacred/Sacred Reclaiming
Creating Something of Beauty: Shared Ministry
Tiny Dancing Spiders: Lessons in Attentiveness
The Journey is Home
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