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2021 Sermons

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Our recordings include sermons given by our own ministers, intern ministers, lay leaders, and special guests. Play these podcasts on our website, or download them to listen later.

We've been collecting audio recordings of sermons since 2013. Visit our sermons library to explore sermons by year.

April 18 – “Climate Justice for All”

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This Sunday, we honor the Earth with our “Climate Justice for All,” service and speaker, Shelley Buonaiuto. Many of us are very concerned about climate change and the detrimental and often disparate impacts on communities both locally and globally. We will examine these struggles and share actions we can take to accomplish positive environmental and social change. UUFF member Joanna Person-Michener will provide an overview of the issues before introducing Shelley, who will share her knowledge and experience from engaging with Arkansas Delta communities to promote climate justice. About Shelley Buonaiuto: Shelley has been a member of Citizens’ Climate lobby since 2012. She is most active in researching and addressing the intersection of climate change and racial equity and is a regional representative for the Diversity and Inclusion Committee within Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Shelley is a sculptor who has long attempted to represent racial equity in her work and is also a mother and grandmother!

Link/info to join this online service, as well as link to join 10am Sunday Adult RE Group, can be easily found in your latest UUFF Weekly Email (access on the uufayetteville.org homepage in the “This Week” section). CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.

April 11 – “Talking Across the Abyss”

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Join us for our 11am Service Online this Sunday, as Gladys Tiffany of the OMNI Center speaks about “The Complexities of Talking Across the Abyss.” Many of us are struggling to find ways to communicate with still-dedicated Trump supporters in our state and in our lives. The difficulties are even more complicated than we already know, since they emerge from very divergent value systems, life experiences and role expectations. What are those about? This talk will touch on some of the complexities from research by Political Scientist John Hibbing on a new typology called “Securitarians,” values theory as developed by Linguist George Lakoff, and other sources.

Link/info to join this online service and other events and classes can be found in your latest UUFF Weekly Email (access on uufayetteville.org homepage in the “This Week Section”). CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.

April 4 – “Pandemic Jesus”

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Led by Rev. Jim Parrish. Liberal religion views the miracle stories around Jesus as window dressings, the transient vs. the permanent message of love, tolerance, and faithfulness. How might Jesus, or any prophet of love and humanity, handle a global pandemic? Join us Sunday for “Pandemic Jesus” and other stories.

You can find the link/info to join this zoom service in your latest UUFF Weekly Email (access at uufayetteville.org homepage in the “This Week” section). CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.

March 7 – “Welcoming the Spirit: New Member Welcome & Choir Sunday!”

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This Sunday is all about Roots, Wings, and Welcome! UUFF is a home to liberal religionists in NWA, and we’ll celebrate this joyful fact by welcoming New Members during this Sunday’s service! Renée Janski, Music Director, will also debute two new UUFF virtual choir pieces – “This House Is Yours” and “Spirit of Life,” which opens us up to our sermon, centered around how we (both together and as individuals) become the Roots and Wings of the Fellowship.

CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.

February 21 – “How Long ‘Til Black Future Month?”

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With Rev. Jim Parrish. N.K. Jemisin, a black female who happens to be one my favorite sci-fi authors, has written a book of short stories by this name, and it poses a great question. An Op Ed by Stacey Abrams gives us a clue as to when, or if, the future might happen for people of color, for all of us. Join us Sunday to explore what our future might be like.

CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.

Transcript available below.

[Read more…] about February 21 – “How Long ‘Til Black Future Month?”

February 14 – Side With Love

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What if to “side with love” meant making bold, faith-full choices? What if it were even a little bit scary? This worship service brings together worship leaders and musicians from across the country to offer hopeful, moving, challenging reminders about what we, as Unitarian Universalists, are called to do, and BE, in the world. Zoom links/info to join Sunday services and other online offerings can be found in your latest UUFF Weekly email (go to uufayetteville.org and click on “This Week”).

View the Order of Service.

February 7 – “Replacing the Sacred”

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Led by Rev. Dr. Steven Gaines. Join us this Sunday for an online service about Victoria Woodhull, a nineteenth-century Spiritualist, feminist, and presidential candidate who fought for justice, liberty, and human rights. We will reflect on contemporary implications of Woodhull’s experience and will explore how her message can extend far beyond itself.

CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.

January 31 – Children’s Service: Embracing Your “Weird”

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Lydia Nelson leads us this Sunday as we get the opportunity to listen as UUFF’s amazing, diverse kids and youth share what they are passionate about, their interests, and what makes them tick. There’s a lot we can learn from them, including how to embrace what makes you unique and maybe even a little bit “weird.”

No recording.

CLICK HERE to view the Order of Service.