My sermon on December 1, 2024 was titled “What Brings Us Together” and is part of my series this year on UU Theologies. As part of our time together, I asked the congregation, what brings you to Chalice on Sunday morning? Here are your answers, which I have organized into broad categories.

BEING WITH OTHER PEOPLE

Being with people with shared values

Deep need for community

Connections

To be surrounded by caring, loving people

LIFTS US UP

Good for mental health

Hope when hope is hard to find

Support when we’re going through a hard time

Joy and fun to survive hard times

NEW IDEAS

To hear new ideas

To be challenged, to be inspired, to be nourished

Finding meaning

DIVERSITY

A religion that draws from multiple world religions

Acknowledgement of indigenous spirituality

Acceptance of diversity

Safe place for LGBTQ community

JUSTICE SEEKING

Deeds not creeds

Support social justice action

Joining together to care for others

LEARNING

Coming for children’s learning, values

Love at the center

Helping us to be better people

MUSIC

Beautiful music

Choir

I told you that morning that the “seminary” answer to the question of what brings us together is “covenant.” My May 25 sermon goes a little deeper on the topic of covenant, but I wanted to use this space to remind us of our Chalice covenant:

Mindful of our diversity and our need for greater understanding, we promise to open our hearts and minds to foster a safe, inviting and loving community. We will treat one another genuinely and respectfully as together we share life’s journey toward wholeness.

Blessings,

Sharon