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Sermons

This is a full list of sermons presented at UUCCSM since mid-1999. Links to sermon texts are included when made available by their authors. Audio recordings are also available for most sermons presented after September, 2007 by our staff ministers and others directly affiliated with our church (just click the speaker icon next to each sermon where it's available*). Audio from guest speakers is posted only when we have their permission to share it.

Hard copies of sermons by Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae are available in the church office. Contact office assistant Sibylla Nash at office@uusm.org if you have a request.

"Leaving Room for Hope: Sermons for Uncertain Times," a book of Minister Emerita Judith Meyer's sermons, is available here.

[*Please Note: if you do not see an audio speaker icon below each of the individual sermons on this page, click the small lock-shaped icon next to the page's URL in your address bar, and in the drop-down menu that pops up, make sure "Flash" is set to "Allow." Then re-load the page, and you should be able to see the audio players. Sorry for any inconvenience - we are working to fix this issue.]

August 29, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: Courtesy of UUSM
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 
This week's service, by Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae, is courtesy of our own UUSM.
 
The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. Megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Terasa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
August 22, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: "A Better Story" - Courtesy of UU Church of the Verdugo Hills
Rev. KC Slack
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 
This week's service, by Rev.KC Slack, is courtesy of the UU Church of Verdugo Hills:
 
 
The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. Megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Terasa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
August 15, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: "The Spirituality of a Lively Debate" - Courtesy of UU Church of Studio City
Rev. Hannah Petrie
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 
This week's service, by Rev. Hannah Petrie, is courtesy of our own UUSM church:
 
 
The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. Megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Terasa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
August 8, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: "For Goodness Sake" - Courtesy of Neighborhood UU Church
Rev. Terasa Cooley
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 
This week's service, by Rev.Terasa Cooley, is courtesy of Neighbohood UU Church:
 
 
The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. Megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Terasa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
August 1, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: "Right on the Edge..." - Courtesy of UUSM
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 
This week's service, by Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, is courtesy of our own UUSM church:
 
"Are you on the edge of something wonderful?  Or are you right on the edge of an abyss of some sort.  Let's consider what it takes for us to live on the edge, and what we get when we let ourselves step into the unknown."
 
The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Teresa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
July 25, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: "Our Earth as Sacramental Commons" - Courtesy of Throop UU Church
Rev. Tera Klein
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 

This week's service, by Rev. Tera Klein, is courtesy of Throop UU Church: "Embracing our Earth as sacramental commons can help us create communities in which all life flourishes."

 
The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Teresa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
July 18, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: "Knots in a Handkerchief - Signposts in the Labyrinth of Faith" - Courtesy of UU Santa Clarita Church
Rev. Megan Visser
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 
This week's service, by Rev. Megan Visser, is courtesy of UU Santa Clarita Church.
 

GLAM SUUmmer Road Trip, July 18, 2021 from Rev. Megan Visser on Vimeo.

The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. Megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Teresa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
July 11, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: "It Takes Practice" - Courtesy of Neighborhood UU Church
Matt Meyer
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 
This week's service, by Matt Myer, Director of Religious Education, is courtesy of Neighborhood UU Church. 

Watch the video here:  https://www.neighborhooduu.org/sermons-and-podcasts/it-takes-practice

 
The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Teresa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
July 4, 2021 - 10:30am
UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip: "Should We Cancel Thomas Jefferson?" - Courtesy of Emerson UU Church
Rev. Matthew McHale
In order to give our amazing Sunday Worship Service production team a much needed break, UUSM is delighted to participate in the UU Greater LA Ministry (GLAM) Virtual Summer Road Trip, in which a different UU minister from around the local area will lead the service.  Services will be held each Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 am in a common Zoom room (NOT on our Facebook page, as our services have been for the last year), with the link provided in our UUSM Facebook Group.  Please note that this link will be the same every week. 
 
This week's service, by Rev. Matthew McHale, is courtesy of Emerson UU Church.
 
The full summer schedule is:
 
July 4 – Emerson UU – Rev. Matthew McHale
July 11 – Neighborhood UU – Matt Meyer, Director of Religious Education
July 18 – UU Santa Clarita – Rev. megan Visser
July 25 – Throop UU – Rev. Tera Klein
August 1 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
August 8 – Neighborhood UU – Rev. Teresa Cooley
August 15 – UU Studio City – Rev. Hannah Petrie
August 22 – UU Verdugo Hills – Rev. KC Slack
August 29 – UU Santa Monica – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
 
After each service, in the “coffee break-out rooms” hosted by the assigned congregation, we will have the opportunity to get to know members from other congregations. There will be no separate UUSM Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
June 27, 2021 - 10:00am
UUA General Assembly Worship: "Until Love Wins" (Online Service)
Monthly Theme: Play
Please come for the largest annual gathering of UUs joining in worship. Last year more than 10,000 screens tuned in for the Sunday Morning Worship at GA! Recognizing the importance of shared ministry and the many innovative approaches to worship created by congregations during the pandemic, UUA President the Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick Gray selected the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis to serve as worship leaders for this year’s GA Sunday Morning Service: Rev. Jen Crow; Rev. Arif Mamdani; Julica Hermann de la Fuente; Karen Hutt; Lauren Wyeth; Dr. Randy Buikema; Franco Holder; Aimee K. Bryant.
 
First Universalist has been a model of shared ministry and what it means to put the work of dismantling white supremacy and building anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices at the center of their ministry. They have been on the front lines in support of the Movement for Black Lives in Minneapolis, bringing spiritual care and moral leadership in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by police and the important uprisings for justice that followed. Children and families are a vital part of their ministry, and they have been using creative approaches to engage all ages in worship during the pandemic. Their leadership exemplifies some of the best practices for the creativity, spiritual depth, and moral leadership that is possible when we embrace the work of shared ministry rooted in love and justice.
 
Video of the public events from General Assembly (GA) 2021 of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) will be live-streamed June 23-27, with no registration required. Folks can watch General Sessions, the Candidates Forum and Info Session, the Service of Living Tradition, the Synergy Bridging Worship, and the Sunday Morning Worship. An online chat is available during live events, to further connections between members of our UU extended family. GA registration is also still open.
 
PLEASE NOTE:
We will stream this service, as we usually do, at 10 a.m. on Sunday, on our Facebook page.  No changes from our previous services this year.
 
Also note:  our UUSM Annual Meeting of the Congregation will also stream on our Facebook page today, starting promptly at 12:00 p.m.  (There will be NO musical prelude to this stream - it will begin promptly at 12 p.m.)