Recorded Sermons

Starting in September 2011 the Sunday sermon, if possible, is recorded from the worship service and put on this website as a compressed audio file called an mp3 file.

You can play a sermon directly by clicking on the Play link or you can download it and then play it later on your computer or other device that plays mp3 files such as an iPod or a cell phone. To download a sermon to your computer click on the Download link in the right column.

Unless otherwise noted, sermons are the copyrighted intellectual property of the individuals presenting them. You are encouraged to listen and reflect upon them as they relate to your own experiences and spiritual values. For information on use restrictions, please contact the presenter.

Date	Sermon	Action
May 5, 2013	The Myth of Truth (and Truth of Myth) Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale This service, kicking off the monthly theme of TRUTH, focuses on the relationship between metaphor, mythology, religion, science, truth and fact, asking the questions: “what story needs to be told; what story can you live with”?	Play Download (10.9 MB)
April 7, 2013	Salvation Translation Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Salvation is something we all need - no matter how strong, smart or saavy we are; no matter how independent or resplendent! It’s also something we all can give to one another!	Play Download (12.1 MB)
March 31, 2013	To Rise Again — A UU Easter Sunday Service Lesley Yadon and Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Christianity took shape around miraculous stories told of what happened Easter morning — stories that challenged people to let go of grief or doubt and become active participants in a new age. Join us, as we explore the historical context of the story that survived, and what all of that has to do with Unitarian Universalism, fluffy birds, bunnies, and Easter eggs!	Play Download (9.4 MB)
March 24, 2013	Choose What You Chew Rita Butterfield The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee has worked for decades to promote our Third Principle: justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. One of the UUSC’s current campaigns is to draw attention to the exploitation of workers in the food industry, many of whom work for less than the minimum wage. Rita Butterfield, the UUSC’s West Coast staff person, will offer an inside look behind the kitchen door and explore how we can express our compassion for the hard-working people upon whom we all depend by making choices about how we spend our food dollars.	Play Download (8.8 MB)
March 10, 2013	A Personal Experience of the Quaker Faith Beth Jenkins A brief history of the religion of “Friends”, who believe “there is that of God in everyone”, followed by a presentation of one UU member’s family connections to this less commonly practiced faith.	Play Download (8.4 MB)
February 17, 2013	When Prayer Isn’t Enough Reverend Stefanie Etzbach-Dale While prayer can be an empowering response to life's challenges, there are times when it is not enough. This service is dedicated to the right and responsibility to defend, protect and nurture "inherent worth and dignity" (including your own).	Play Download (7.0 MB)
February 10, 2013	A Love Letter to the Cosmos Erik Felker Can we write a love letter to the Cosmos? If we do, will we get an answer? Or has the answer already arrived? And what did the poet Rumi mean when he referred to God as "the big artery in my neck"?	Play Download (8.2 MB)
February 3, 2013	Pray Tell Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Prayer is a powerful and empowering expression of human experience and yearning, expressed in more ways than you might think!	Play Download (5.2 MB)
January 27, 2013	Amazing Grace Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Grace is generally understood as those events we have not created, which are beneficial to us. Today’s service celebrates our ability and responsibility to be sources of Grace to others!	Play Download (17.2 MB)
January 20, 2013	Grappling with Grace Lesley Yadon One UU’s story of an evolving grace.	Play Download (11.2 MB)
January 13, 2013	Sauntering Rev. Dr. Ken Brown Having survived the holidays, it might be time to slow down a bit. We will take a look at Henry David Thoreau’s ideas about sauntering, taking time to be with nature and the grace that such activity can bring into our lives.	Play Download (8.9 MB)
January 6, 2013	Will & Grace Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Do human beings have “free will”? If so, why do we so often choose poorly? If not, what of moral accountability? What might all of this have to do with “grace”? This service examines what theology and the sciences of philosophy, psychology, neurology have to say about “free will” – offering a hopeful Unitarian Universalist perspective.	Play Download (9.1 MB)
December 16, 2012	Families, Holidays, and "Keeping the Peace" David Helfer, Unitarian Universalist Candidate for Ministry This year, may the holidays be about creating peace rather than "keeping the peace." In keeping with the age old maxim, "we don't get to choose our families," our service today will be on applying our first principle, that of the inherent worth and dignity, to those that often most challenge us -- our families. And in doing so to maybe find some unexpected humor, love, and opportunities for healing. Come, join us, in our exploration of finding peace in our family lives	Play Download (6.5 MB)
December 9, 2012	Speaking of Peace Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale As a universal goal, both personally and collectively, experiencing Peace has always been a challenge. This service explores the timeless yearning for peace, as it is expressed and can be accessed in the December holidays of Chanukah, Solstice and Christmas!	Play Download (9.2 MB)
November 25, 2012	Anne Hutchinson and the New England Church Elliot McGrew Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643), well-educated daughter of a Puritan minister and admirer of English preacher John Cotton, left England with her family for Massachusetts. There, her religious philosophy and teachings generated unrest and schism within the orthodox church, to such a degree that she was banished from Massachusetts and excommunicated. Hutchinson and a group of her supporters moved to the settlement of Portsmouth (later the colony of Rhode Island).	Play Download (14.2 MB)
November 4, 2012	The Body Electric Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale If it is true that we are spiritual beings in physical form, what might that tell us about the ways in which we should be relating to our bodies? What other messages might we be getting from the society in which we live, and how can we better celebrate and protect the gift of our unique lives?	Play Download (10.2 MB)
October 21, 2012	Living the Life You Love Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Each person is said to have a “vocation” or “calling” — a gift they are uniquely suited to bring to the world. Figuring out what that might be and how to best make use of it can be quite a challenge. But when it happens - look out! Join us for this Sunday’s exploration and celebration of VOCATION.	Play Download (10.6 MB)
October 7, 2012	Teaching Moments Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale In celebration of this month’s theme of “vocation”, today we celebrate all those whose passion, joy, knowledge and skill guide them to serve as teachers — and those moments in which teaching and learning happen.	Play Download (4.3 MB)
September 30, 2012	Animal Celebration Marilyn Logan Did you know there is a Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry? Marilyn will share information about the Reverence for Life program and some of her experiences with animals.	Play Download (6.6 MB)
September 23, 2012	Water Communion Lynne Plambeck Many Unitarian Universalist churches hold a Water Communion in September as a way to welcome congregants to a new church year. It is a way to honor the most sacred resource on our planet as well as to give us an opportunity to express our commitment to our Sixth Principle: We Covenant to Affirm and Promote the Goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty and Justice for All.	Play Download (6.5 MB)
September 16, 2012	The Name Game Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Language plays an important part in our ability to connect with ideas and experiences.	Play Download (4.5 MB)
August 12, 2012	Still Small Voice Sara LaWall In the stillness we each can connect to the still small voice within, to that individual spark of divinity that grounds us and connects us to the transcending mystery and wonder of the universe. Our Still Small Voice can also lead us to our calling or purpose—if we dare to listen. How do you connect to that still small voice?	Play Download (7.45 MB)
July 22, 2012	Our Spiritual Olympiad (Children's story, sermon and closing words) Rabbi Mark Blazer As we approach the Olympics, we reflect on how religion, community prayer and spiritual practice relate to the greatest sporting event in the world. Rabbi Blazer is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Ami, and is directing the establishment of the Southern California Center for Jewish Life, a multi-generational state of the art campus in the Santa Clarita Valley. He is also the founder of the Albert Einstein Academy, the first Charter School of its kind in California.	Play Download (12.5 MB)
July 15, 2012	The Seventh Principle - Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part Ross Quinn Ross Quinn grew up UU in the Ventura church and his parents were founding members. He first saw Camp de Benneville Pines before the Universalist - Unitarian merger, and before we bought the Camp. He is now on the Board of Camp de Benneville, and the president of his congregation in Victorville It is his hope to give back some of the gifts he has received from our shared, liberal faith.	Play Download (11.0 MB)
July 8, 2012	Reincarnation for the Unitarian Universalist Soul Summer Albayati-Krikeche This sermon explores reincarnation from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. What does reincarnation mean? How does it apply to us? How can this concept help us to transform ourselves and the world?	Play Download (10.8 MB)
June 24, 2012	Letters Home from Camp Jason Cook By sharing both humorous and poignant real-life experiences working with youth, UU ministry aspirant Jason Cook explores what it means to act on our principles when it comes to creating a community that includes everyone, regardless of age. How can we practice the ministry of presence with each other to create a more loving and inclusive world?	Play Download (11287 KB)
June 17, 2012	The Secret Diary of a UU President Lesley Yadon Lesley will tell an authentic story of her inward experience while President of UUSCV and share a surprising discovery she made along the way.”	Play Download (3424 KB)
June 10, 2012	Potpourri Service The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Been carrying around some questions about Unitarian Universalism’s religious identity or history (or anything else)? Questions submitted over the past few weeks will be responded to today!”	Play Download (11674 KB)
June 3, 2012	Moved by the Spirit The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale This service included a ceremony welcoming UUofSCV’s most recent members.	Play Download (6036 KB)
May 27, 2012	Heaven Rich Jaffke UUs are not so much interested in getting people into heaven as they are interested in getting heaven into people. So how do we do this?	Play Download (11069 KB)
May 20, 2012	The Great Turning The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale The social and environmental challenges facing this and future generations require a radical shift in our understandings of the world and our place in it. Join us, as we explore the hopeful vision of what eco-feminist Joanna Macy calls The Great Turning.	Play Download (8518 KB)
May 6, 2012	Transcending Thoughts The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Celebration of the wisdom, the lives and poetry of American transcendentalists.	Play Download (9682 KB)
Apr 1, 2012	Gratitude Rick Kamlet While it’s important for us to do what we can to recognize the ills in the world and try to improve them, it is also important for us to consciously allocate time to appreciate the incredible wonder of the world around us, to practice gratefulness as a transformative influence for individuals and society.	Play Download (7273 KB)
Mar 25, 2012	My Trip to the Holy Land Michael Eselun Michael Eselun, an oncology chaplain at UCLA and popular UU guest speaker, will share his reflections upon his trip to Jerusalem a few years ago with a friend facing a grave medical crisis— both the external journey to Jerusalem and the internal journey through fear and unanswerable questions.	Play Download (12339 KB)
Mar 18, 2012	There is a Balm The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale The quest to heal that which feels broken within us, to face our imperfections or disappointments, is a timeless one – reflected powerfully in poems, songs, silence and stories, proving that it is possible not only to survive, but to thrive!	Play Download (8395 KB)
Mar 11, 2012	Why Do I Need a Morning Star Pole? Erik Felker And what am I supposed to do with all that cosmic dust? We will explore the profound relationship between ourselves and the sky above us.	Play Download (8698 KB)
Mar 4, 2012	Speaking of Sin ... The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale While many religious traditions value and strive for perfection, it’s clear that human beings generally have a hard time living up to that standard! This service will explore the history and impact of “sin”, offering an empowering Unitarian Universalist perspective.	Play Download (10541 KB)
Feb 26, 2012	Lessons from the Love Lab Lesley Yadon If you step into the “Love Lab” created by John and Julie Gottman, you won’t see sterilized surfaces or rat cages but you will find a comfortable living space. Using data collected from the “Love Lab” the Gottmans have identified how couples co-create a successful, loving relationship. This service will discuss how we connect deeply to loved ones and explore the implications this has for our spiritual well being.	Play Download (8390 KB)
Feb 12, 2012	Beaten About With a Love Shtick Rev. Kenneth Collier Shtick is a repetition of something that becomes a kind of trademark. It is often used in comedy as in Rodney Dangerfield’s “I don’t get no respect.” So many religious leaders invoke love that it is almost a religious shtick. I want to explore why that is.	Play Download (8698 KB)
Jan 29, 2012	Sanctuary for All Life Emrys Stanton, Ministerial Student at Claremont Seminary Humanitarian activist and UU seminarian Emrys Stanton will discuss the recent history of immigration activism along the border between the United States and Mexico, beginning with the Sanctuary Movement of the 1980s. Faith communities learned that ongoing human rights violations required faith communities to take bold steps to protect those affected by harmful policies and practices. With the ongoing unjust treatment of immigrants, UUs can take the initiative to make our communities safer and more welcoming for all.	Play Download (13955 KB)
Jan 22, 2012	Beyond "Just Us" The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale The Who, What, When, Where & Why of JUSTICE	Play Download (10464 KB)
Jan 8, 2012	Welcoming Political Diversity Trish Lester As UU’s, we pride ourselves on openness, inclusivity and diversity of thought and belief. But what if the person sitting next to you in church is a Republican? As religious liberals, the majority of UU’s are politically liberal, as well. But those two viewpoints don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Since we pride ourselves on championing the minority view, how can we be more welcoming of those who come to our church with a “differing” opinion about politics?	Play Download (4456 KB)
Dec 11, 2011	My So-Called Spiritual Life Barbara Cogswell Barbara talks about an article she wrote in response to a “Build Your Own Theology” class held shortly after she came to UU. It details her childhood religious education and touches upon her current spiritual path. Included will be a skit based on a poem she wrote in which she encounters God (played by John Cooper), while riding her bike. She has a few questions for Him.	Play Download (3684 KB)
Dec 04, 2011	Occupying Faith The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale This service invites reflection upon Hope, as it is generated through the songs, symbols and celebrations of the season; through stories both of acts Divine, and (on Wall Street and far beyond) - Human!	Play Download (4554 KB)
Nov 27, 2011	Lessons from Jamestown Elliott McGrew Early English attempts to establish American colonies faced daunting hazards and challenges, including separation, new and unfamiliar dangers, determined opposition, disease, and frequent despair. This was true in 17th Century Jamestown, Virginia, and particularly in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Their early surviival can be attributed in great part to determination, good fortune, conviction, individual and family strengths, and religious faith.	Play Download (9044 KB)
Nov 13, 2011	Into the Fire The Rev. Tera Little Holy scriptures, sacred rituals, divine prayers, religious creeds. These are all things one can point to and say “I do this, therefore I have faith!” Unitarian Universalists may or may not do any of those things, yet many of us describe ourselves as people of faith. What do we mean when we say that? How can we go deeper?	Play Download (4280 KB)
Nov 06, 2011	Creeds and Other Deeds The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Unitarian Universalism is set apart as a “creed-less faith”. What’s the history around that and why is it important? This month’s theme of “Faith” inspires reflections on early Christian history as a way to better understand, claim and protect the gift of Unitarian Universalism.	Download text as PDF file
Oct 23, 2011	The Evolution of Open-Mindedness Gerri Brehm It’s easy to become overwhelmed by what is apparently wrong with the world. While the news and politics seem more polarized than ever, how do the “up and coming” generations view each other and diversity?	Play Download (1971 KB)
Oct 16, 2011	Goodbye Again — Apocalypse and You(u) The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Human imagination has long wrestled with the mysterious nature of time and the fact that we “only have so much of it” – inspiring a variety of religious responses (from fear to joyful anticipation) as well as blockbuster movies! What’s a UU to do?	Download (4454 KB)
Oct 9, 2011	The Next Fifty Years (of the UUA) The Rev. Dr. Ken Brown We have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the creation of the UUA. We will take a look at what we might expect in the next 50 years.	Download (4200 KB)
Oct 2, 2011	Living With Dying The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale The seasonal changes we notice this time of year draw attention to the often much-less-visible, deeply personal experiences of change, death, loss and grief uniting us throughout time and space.	Download (4072 KB)
Sep 25, 2011	Wade In the Water — An Ingathering Water-Communion Service The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale Water is essential to our physical existence as well as being spiritually significant. It cleanses and purifies, nourishes, and unites us. Bring along a few drops of water representing a place or time special to you.	Download (3118 KB)