Rev. Debra Guthrie-Joyce

The Search for Meaning

Let’s take a look at what some of the world’s philosophers say about our search for meaning. Are we searching for meaning? We seem to try to affix meaning to the events of our lives, where does the need come from and what can we learn from the need to search.… more

The Road to Wholeness

We tend to think that when we set ourselves on the right path and we start making an effort toward doing better, things will go smoother because we are no longer lost. We are finally found and headed in the right direction, right? Wrong! the road to wholeness is hard it is not even paved and has hug boulders and mud pits along the way.… more

Self-renewal and Self-revision

Self-renewal and Self-revision may sound like a lot of hippie self-love stuff but it is also the stuff that has occupied the minds of philosophers for centuries Let’s take a closer look at when the time we spend on trying to be better people slips over into self-obsession.… more

Flower Communion

On this Sunday, we will observe one of the finest of truly Unitarian Universalist holidays, Flower Communion. You are asked to bring a flower or flowers to put on the altar. During the service you will be prompted to place the flowers and later you will be prompted to choose a flower that you did not bring to carry home with you.… more

Is Congregational Polity Worth It?

It is a tradition for me to consider congregational polity on the Sunday of our Annual meeting. This year I would like us to consider if it is really worth it or should we follow others who have consented to be ruled by a hierarchy or fascism.… more

Have We Really Tried, Have We Discerned?

On this Sunday, the day of our Stewardship Finale, we will explore how much of our lives we live without thinking and how much do we really discern. We welcome Paula Goodman as our guest
pianist.… more

Core Values

This Sunday I will bring you the last service on my series on Core Values. This topic ties in with our pledge drive campaign. In the message, I will be exploring the idea of aspirational values. Do we shy away from lofty values out of fear we will not live up to our own expectations? Does it even matter what values if any we hold inside?… more

Core Values

How do we live out our core values in the world? What do we do when our core values are despised by other people and even outlawed in some places?… more

Easter

Easter is a celebration of life, to be more specific the return of life from the frozen soil of winter. The hope that springs eternal in the anticipation of tomorrow and the rising of the sun. As celebrated in Christianity, the return of the Jesus, who was thought to be dead. It is all very loaded, let’s tease some of it apart this Sunday. Service followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for children.… more

Palm Sunday

In this service I will examine the of the Christian observance of Holy Week what do all the parts of Holy Week mean to Christian and what can non-Christians, former Christians and people who follow the teachings of Jesus but who do not worship Jesus take away from these observances. This service will be followed by a presentation from the Building Taskforce.… more