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Sermons, 2009

Sermons, 2008

Sermons, Before 2006

 

 

Sermons 2006-2007

2007
Nov 25
Bethanne Jacobson

Gratitude
I now look at Thanksgiving in a much different light, and I am thankful for the experiences that have brought me to a place of looking at all I have and all I have become with a sense of gratitude. 

Sept 16
Bruce Arnold

Justice
It is the people themselves, sustained by their common struggle and inspired by a compassion that has never had any lasting significance without a spiritual basis, who will free themselves. 

Aug 12

Spiritual Journeys
A collection of spiritual journeys of members of the congregation

July 15
Bruce Arnold

The Law of Love
While practicing the courage of our convictions, let us also practice the humility of our limitations. Integrity—true self honesty—demands no less. And while we are at it, let us love one another more and condemn each other less.

May 2o
Bruce Arnold

Thank Goodness for Feet of Clay
Have you ever thought about the trap of the open mind? Here it is: the open mind is willing to follow wherever thought may lead. But we can’t be equally expert at everything. Google is the best antidote to date. Humility is as valuable as ever. 

April 7
Bethanne Jacobson

Hopes and Dreams
What did you want to be when you were young and used to dream? What are your special talents? Do you use them? What could you be doing today to celebrate your uniqueness? What would be fun to do? What benefit would that work bring to you and others?

March 25
Bruce Arnold

Peace
I still believe it is better to resolve disagreements, than to fight over them. I still recognize the tragedy of war. However, I have seen a great deal in the last 40 years, and have reconsidered how peaceful values might apply today.

Feb 11
Karen Brause

Change
Change is HARD but it happens all the time. We all need to be aware that we are individuals and therefore, our ability to change may happen at different rates.

Jan 28
Ilona Forgeng

Glory
We can be spiritual alone, we can enjoy a walk in the woods or we can connect with the cosmos within our own gardens. We can be spiritual alone. But we can only truly be religious together.

2006

Dec 17
Bruce Arnold

The Western Spiritual Tradition: Conflict
Conflict in and of itself is not an evil. While we should not look forward to it, or seek to engage in it, neither should we avoid it. Often a new understanding can emerge from a conflict when both points of view are taken seriously. 

Nov 12
Bethanne Jacobson

Initiating Change and Inviting Happiness:
A Journey Toward Self Acceptance
For many, change is a process of undoing many of the beliefs that have guided their lives; beliefs about who they are “supposed” to be…..what they are “supposed” to believe….and what they believe to be true about themselves and their relation to others.

Oct 29
Fred Anderson

Keeping our Feet on the Ground
This is how I see the task of our religion. This is the saving reality we have to offer to the world -- the art of being grounded -- the art of having our feet on the ground -- in the real world. Ours is a practical religion. 

August 20
BYOT Course

Building your own Theology
Building Your Own Theology is not really what we do. Theology predicates that there is a god, but God is not what we are about. What we are about is Building your own meaning. What do you believe, why, and what does that mean to your life.

August 13
Fred Swift

The Power of Story Telling: "Thou Shalt" vs. "Once Upon a Time."
Literature may be of special value to UU members, who, for the most part, favor education over indoctrination, as evidenced by our lack of dogma supporting our faith. 

August 6
Calen Rayne

Peace Like a River
One of the purposes of liberal religion is to provide a community where we can not only feel support for our beliefs and values but where we can join together to effect positive change in the world. It is said that geese fly together because they get an aerodynamic lift from one another and they fly faster and farther than when they fly alone. This is true for us as well.

July 30
Kevin Reynolds

Food for Thought
There are four texts I would like to recommend . These books are ones you can pick up and read at any page and you will learn. They each are jam packed with common sense. 

July 9
Sally Franz

Many Beliefs, One Faith
This place, this congregation, has become an anchor in my life.  Along the way I have visited UU fellowships in Charleston, Durham, Raleigh and Baltimore.  Each different, each the same – different manifestations of ours, the “Uncommon Denomination.” 

July 2
Ilona Forgeng

A UU Look at the DaVinci Code
The arguments about whose version of all this is the truth reminds me of two children fighting about which one has the best imaginary friend.

May 21
Bethanne Jacobson

Tolerance
The path to tolerance is not always fun, but it can be, at times, comforting and liberating. 

March 19
Ilona Forgeng

Laughter, the Holy Breath
Recent studies show that UU’s are, in general, a happier lot than most other denominations. Perhaps it is because we know it’s okay to laugh a little in church.

March 12
Bruce Arnold

Stepping Stones to Creation
Since the power of the intellect is inadequate to comprehend all this, I would like to suggest a practice which may help you experience the vastness of our celestial home.

March 5
Claudia Ziebis

Why I say I am an Atheist
Today I’m going to try to answer two questions: Why I’m an atheist? And why I say I’m an atheist. Those are two separate and distinct questions, and, of the two, I think the second one is really the more important.

February 26
Calen Rayne

Old-Time Buddhist Gospel Hour
While poets, writers and musicians have waxed eloquent throughout the ages about oceans and lakes and streams, there is no doubt that what is most often considered synonymous with the perpetual flow of our myriad of experiences is a river. 

Jan 15
Bruce Arnold

A Rose by Any Other Name
There are terms which have become exclusionary by their usage in orthodox religious contexts, such as 'communion,' 'spiritual,' or 'sacred.' If these terms are made inclusive they become tools for forging a powerful and expansive fellowship.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of New Bern

308 Meadows Street

New Bern, North Carolina

252-636-5111

email: UUFNB@yahoo.com