Our Archival Pulpit
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2006
"What Have We Wrought?"
with Scott Prinster, Associate Minister
presented December 31, 2006
The first animal life that hauled itself onto land could hardly have guessed that it would all lead to Brahms,
fast food, space shuttles, democracy and religion. In like
fashion, we never know where our next steps will eventually
take us. How do we remain true to our hearts and minds
and live boldly, acknowledging that we don’t have complete
knowledge of what the future will bring?
"What's the Matter With Myth?"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented December 17, 2006
The story of the incarnation (God assumes human form in the person of Jesus of Nazareth) has exercised unparalleled
influence on Western culture for two millennia. The Nativity,
however, is myth, not fact. It shouldn’t surprise us that its
mythic quality hasn’t compromised in the least the story’s
potency. Indeed, as the late Joseph Campbell pointed out,
“mere” myths are often more persuasive than facts. It’s
probably not possible to live without myth, so what really
matters is which ones we choose to live by.
"Preparing for the Unpredictable"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
Presented December 3, 2006
Modern life is, for most of us, pretty stable. We establish routines for work and play and tend to stick with them,
deviating only enough to avoid staleness or escape
boredom. In the process of creating a behavioral pattern
we may also develop tunnel vision – we are able to perceive
only that which is relevant, only that to which we have
become conditioned. Nevertheless, life is chock full of
surprises, if we will just put ourselves in a position to
notice them.
“Seeking Clarity About Kindness”
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented November 19, 2006
At last Spring’s Cabaret Service Auction, several FUS membersinvested in a sermon topic. “We want you to talk about kindness,”
they said. Seemed like a simple subject, but the deeper one digs
into it, the more nuances one discovers. The Dalai Lama has said
that his is simply a “religion of kindness.” I think he had more in
mind than simply being nice to each other.
“In the Interest of Fairness”
by Scott Gerard Prinster, Associate Minister
presented November 12, 2006
Under the guise of “giving equal time,” we are sometimes
told
it is necessary to provide an equal forum for inappropriate
ideas – creationism
in science class, for example. We’ll explore
together how we can see
through attempts to impose false
choices on our lives.
"Wild at Heart"
by Kelly J. Crocker, Minister of Religious Education
presented November 5, 2006
The natural world has a power to inspire the best in us and
heal the worst in us. It also has much to teach us about the
wilderness within and the divine presence that can be found
in nature. Our society is becoming more and more removed
from the world of nature and many are suffering from what
is being called “nature-deficit disorder.” Before we can continue
our work
of healing our planet, we must recover our natural
wholeness, our own wildness
and our connection with the
natural world.
“Human Nature: Good, Bad or Indifferent?”
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented October 29, 2006
The Roman Catholic tradition sets aside November 1 to
celebrate those who have been officially recognized as
“saints,” i.e., persons judged to be spiritually exceptional.
The following day, All Souls, is reserved for the rest of us.
It has been a long-standing practice at FUS to offer special
music and an especially pertinent message the weekend prior
to All Souls. We continue that tradition on October 28-29
with re-examination of the claim that, far from being “fallen,”
each and every one of us possesses inherent dignity and worth.
"If Life Isn't fair, Can We Make Life Fairer?
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented October 22, 2006
As Wisconsin voters prepare to vote on an amendment thatwould ban same-sex marriages, civil unions and even cancel
out domestic partner benefits, we’ll pause to consider what
this whole concept of "fairness" implies. It appears, as I look
at our culture, to be taking a beating lately. Whether income,
health care, college admission, military service or marriage are
considered, a significant number of Americans just don’t get
a fair shake. Should we strive for greater fairness, or accept
the inevitability of gross inequality?
“Sacred Days, Holy Nights”
by Kelly J. Crocker, Minister of Religious Education
presented October 15, 2006
Our world is becoming more complicated and
fear-driven every day. How can we learn to become
more connected with our daily lives so that we can
grow into more compassionate, aware human beings,
and in the process, contribute to the healing of our
troubled world as well as our own lives? We’ll reflect
upon waking up to the fullness of our lives while we
still have the chance!
"Saying Yes! to Life"
by Scott Gerard Prinster, Associate Minister
presented Sunday, October 8, 2006
In the midst of life-denying attitudes and short-sightedbehaviors, how can we commit ourselves to a stance that
affirms life and long-term sustainability? In recognition
of our October 10 visit event with author David Korten,
we’ll explore ways to acknowledge the realities of life on
Spaceship Earth, and the imperative to guide our lives more wisely.
"A Date With Destiny"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minster
presented October 1, 2006
On Tuesday, November 7, voters in our state will
be asked to resolve two important questions:
Should marriage (and its equivalents) be constitutionally
limited to couples of the opposite sex? (and) Should the
Wisconsin Legislature, after 160 years of abolition,
reinstitute the death penalty? I plan to treat the so-called
"Marriage Amendment" in a sermon later in October. This
weekend we’ll discuss the spiritual, ethical and emotional
ramifications of state-sanctioned killing and how it affects
our sensibilities.
"The Many Ways of Wisdom"
by Scott Gerard Prinster, Associate Minister
presented September 24, 2006
As we sift through the many sources of information around
us in our search for understanding and wisdom, we are offered
a variety of traditions to align ourselves with. Do these “paths”
offer us valuable guidance, or are they really just a way of letting
others do our thinking for us? How do we decide when a religious
identity is worth taking on, and how do we decide which parts
of a tradition are worth embracing?
"Breaking Through"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented September 17, 2006
As I begin my nineteenth year as parish minister at First Unitarian Society, I find the congregation on
the cusp of a major transition. Already a significant
"presence" in greater Madison and progressive spiritual
haven for an impressive number of people, we are about
to embrace a project that will give us even greater
influence and more capacity. Two weeks before the
Parish Meeting that will determine our faith community’s
destiny, we’ll reflect upon growth – both its perils and its promise.
(MP3) (PDF)
"Making Do With Less Ego"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented September 10, 2006
I find it fascinating that while western psychology haslong emphasized the importance of a "healthy ego" for
good mental health, Eastern spirituality has made
negation of the ego a priority. Which insight is correct?
Or do both, in some paradoxical sense, have something
important to offer?
(MP3) (PDF)
"To Question is the Answer"
by Scott Gerard Prinster, Associate Minister
presented August 27, 2006
One of the qualities that has distinguished Unitarian Universalists
throughout our history is our determination to bring critical
thinking into our journey toward understanding. However,
as our movement’s emphasis shifts from the rationality of
humanism to a new interest in spirituality and the ineffable,
it would be easy to lapse into sloppy anti-intellectualism. Join
us as we explore this tension in liberal religion, and seek new
ways of maintaining our integrity.
“Neither Creed Nor Confession”
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented August 20, 2006
One of the questions I am most frequently asked about Unitarian
Universalism
is what holds it together. How does a movement of
sovereign spirits,
in which freedom of individual conscience is
guaranteed, maintain any
sense of common purpose and communal
coherence? The answer is “covenant,” a
seldom used but frequently
misconstrued term whose implications we
will explore today.
(MP3)
(PDF)
“The Point of it All...”
with Kelly J. Crocker,
Minister of Religious Education
and Diana Vezmar-Bailey,
Coordinator of Member Programs
presented August 13, 2006
"A friend recently asked me to describe Unitarian Universalism
to her in 50 words
or less. I thought I had done a fine job when
she turned to me and said, “Well,
if you aren’t giving people the
answers to life’s deep questions, then what’s
the point of that?”
We’ll reflect on the mystery, the beauty, the value, the
importance,
and the point of Unitarian Universalism and why we choose to
gather
in this community of seekers.
Apology and Forgiveness for Individual,
Relational and Societal Healing, with Emily Melcher
presented August 6, 2006
An exploration in song, words, and story of the power of
apology and
forgiveness to heal what's broken within us
and between us. FUS member
and seminarian Emily
Melcher returns with her singing partner, Leslie
Stephany,
to share her music. Claire Box and Emily offer reflections.
(MP3)
“What the Dying Teach Us About Living”
Doug Smith, Author and Hospice Trainer
presented July 23, 2006
Drawing on his years of experience in the hospice movement, both
leading hospice programs and training hospice workers, FUS Member
Doug Smith will show us how those at the end of life can inspire the
rest of us to live. The FUS Intergenerational Choir and guitarist
Nathan Wysock will provide the special music.
“Where ‘Right Relationships’ Begin”
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
& Members of “A Two Year Quest”
presented July 16, 2006
“Respect” is a word that figures prominently in the
Seventh of Unitarian
Universalism’s core Principles. In recent years,
leading UU voices have also
argued that our movement needs a new language
of “Reverence.”
This morning’s service, conducted
by members of our two-year spiritual
deepening (Quest) program and
the parish minister, will explore the
practical/ethical implications
of these two words and also ask whether
there might properly be a place
for “Irreverence” in our thought and speech.
Michael Schuler (MP3)
Laurie Joiner (MP3)
Kim Hughes (MP3)
Harry Carnes (MP3)(PDF)
“Gaia, Mother Earth
and
the Oneness of Everything”
with musician Jim Scott
presented July 9, 2006
Jim intersperses original songs and readings with his personal reflections on a spiritual ecological awareness. The idea of
Mother Earth or “Gaia” being a living organism with the same
physical attributes (heart, lungs, circulatory system) as humans
leads us to a deeper connection with our life support system.
Churches can offer the “spiritual response” so timely now, as
“the spirit of life on earth is in crisis.” Jim's uplifting songs
provide the balance to the “wake up call,” leaving participants
with a vision and inspiration to take the healing into our own hands.
Jim Scott is the former Co-Chair of the UU Seventh Principle project,
and helped create the Green Sanctuary program. While he is perhaps
best known for his work as the guitarist in the Paul Winter Consort
and as the author of “Song for the Earth” and co-author of “Missa
Gaia,” many UUs also know him for his hymn “Gather the Spirit.”
(MP3)
(No text available)
Jim has given us permission to make these tracks available for download.
Note that Jim has copyrighted these musical pieces.
(PC:
right click link and choose "Save Target as" and save in your folder of preference)
Classical Guitar
Improvisation (MP3) by Jim Scott
Gather The Spirit (MP3) by
Jim Scott
"Patriotism Without Parocialism"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presenter Sunday, July 2, 2006
In this Independence Day reflection, we’ll explore the implications
of a patriotism that is less about our nation’s material success,
self-conceit and assertiveness and more about its uneven attempts
to embody virtue. What would it mean for the United States to be,
once again, a beacon of hope and bright promise?
"Cultivating a Culture of Abundance"
by Scott Gerard Prinster, Associate Minister
presented Sunday, June 18, 2006
How do we respond to the persistent fear that there won’t be enough
– enough money, enough time, enough of whatever it takes to live
fully and well? The “philosophy of scarcity” is a force that constantly
poisons our response to the world, but it’s important to recognize
that our perceptions of scarcity can also be transformed. How can
a “philosophy of abundance” guide our journeys, and how can we as
a spiritual community cultivate a “culture of abundance?”
"Making a Living, Making a Life"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented June 11, 2006
As someone who started working at an early age and who
generally has liked to work, I often have found it hard to not work.
While I know in my heart that family and friends also merit
attention, that the human spirit deserves an occasional
reprieve and that the cosmos really doesn’t care how
many hours I log at the office, work stubbornly refuses
to be “put in its place.” How much zeal is appropriate,
and when does work become a millstone, rather than the
touchstone of happiness?
“Flower Communion”
with Kelly Crocker, Minister of Religious Education and
Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented Sunday, June 4
Join us for our annual intergenerational celebration of “Flower
Communion,” a uniquely UU ritual that symbolizes a special
achievement:
our ability as religious liberals to create unity-in-diversity.
Each
member of the family should bring a fresh flower to the
service (or
more than one, if you have a back-yard abundance).
This will mark the
return Minister of Religious Education Kelly
Crocker to FUS following
the birth of her and Dan’s son, Samuel.
"What Good Is Intuition in a Rational World?"
by Scott Gerard Prinster, Associate Minister
presented May 28, 2006
For all our praise of reason and the rational mind, humans are
still
strongly led by impulses that transcend the rational. Is this
intuition
really trustworthy? How do we balance the intuitive
with our commitment
to reason? We’ll explore together the
possibilities of using
our intuition with integrity.
“Is English the Only Language
in Which it is Possible to be Right?”
by Cameron Powers and Kristina Sophia
presented Sunday, May 21, 2006
Since 2002, Cameron and Kristina have made four journeys to the Middle East, performing and making Arab friends in Iraq, the West Bank, Syria and elsewhere. Having learned to perform the popular music of these regions, they were able to gain entry to and win trust in places where Americans typically are viewed with suspicion and/or despised. On Sunday morning they will share some of their experience. Cameron Powers and Kristina Sophia of Musical Mission will be our guest preachers and musical artists.
"Doubters, Deists and Democrats –
Appraising the Religion
of Our Nation's Founders"
A talk given to the Wisconsin Chapter of Americans United for the Separation
of Church and State Annual Meeting on
May 16, 2006 by Michael A. Schuler,
Parish Minister.
(PDF)
"Is Peace Impossible?"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented May 14, 2006
Mother's Day was originally established as "Mother's
Peace Day" and was intended as a protest against the
jingoism and military adventurism that claimed the lives
of so many "mother's sons." Practically every day the
media shows the stricken faces of mothers (and fathers)
who have lost children in war-torn Africa, Asia and the
Middle East. The faces of Wisconsin parents whose sons
and daughters died in Iraq are seen as well. Should
Mothers who give so selflessly to their children have to
suffer their senseless and premature loss? What's war
all about, anyway?
“The Future is Now”
The Rev. William Sinkford,
President of the Unitarian Universalist Association
presented Sunday, May 7, 2006
We welcome Bill Sinkford to our pulpit this morning.
Now a year into
his second term, Rev. Sinkford has
risen to become one of America’s
more prominent
religious leaders. Of his sermon he writes: “Unitarian
Univeralism has along and proud history. We've played
leading roles
in every great social movement that has
pointed toward justice in this
country. But what is
our future? Can we trust enough in this faith
to make
it thrive today and tomorrow?”
(MP3)
(No transcript available)
“Coming of Age Service”
presented Sunday, April 30
The Coming of Age program in our Society is the final
year of our Children’s
Religious Education program
before these 14 and 15 year olds “graduate” and
join
us in the Auditorium. This program honors that step,
and can truly
be an unforgettable experience for those
who attend. The magnificent
young adults who give this
service share their performance talents with
the congregation
and, in a real sense, themselves as well. All will
write, and
most will speak, a faith statement, an expression of their
beliefs.
We apologize - audio of this program is not available on-line.
Individual
recordings of faith statements may be obtained by
contacting the Webmaster. Thanks.
(A special slide show of the service in PDF -
broadband connection recommended)
"Sentimentality and Common Sense:
an Earth Day Prescription"
by
Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented Sunday, April 23, 2006
The vast majority of scientists and an increasing
number of political,
opinion and religious leaders
have concluded that global warming poses
a
major and imminent threat to billions of human beings.
Better late
than never, I suppose. Yet climate change
is only the most obvious indicator
of eco-instability.
With so much at stake, it makes no sense to practice
“business
as usual.” So… what kind of “business” does
make sense?
“In the Footsteps of Jesus –
Teaching as a Subversive
Activity”
by
Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented
Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006
Before he was acclaimed as a prophet, messiah
and
savior, Jesus was a teacher – a rabbi. It was the
subversive nature of his teaching
that drew multitudes
and attracted the attention of the authorities.
Good
teaching is always risky because it is always subversive.
On Easter
we celebrate Jesus’ legacy as a teacher of
radical, counter-cultural
wisdom.
"What Courage Consists of"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented Sunday,
April 9, 2006
On Palm Sunday, the Gospels report, Jesus
rode a donkey through the
streets of
Jersusalem and straight onto the home
field of his fiercest
opponents. It was a
highly provocative gesture, but was it
truly courageous?
Courage is a virtue,
but many behaviors masquerade as courage,
while
some truly courageous actions go unheralded.
3rd Annual All Music Sunday Choral Festival
presented
Sunday, April 2
For the last two springs we have celebrated
the depth and diversity
of our FUS music
program with a Choral Festival. While copyright
prevents us from posting
the entire service, we
are able to post the following exerpts from them.
Please enjoy.
"Ye shall Have
a Song" (MP3) from the Peacable Kingdom
by Randall
Thompson 5:00 min
"Building Bridges" (MP3) Quaker
song, arranged by Nick Park 7:35 min
“The Burden of Too Many Options”
by Scott Gerard Prinster, Associate Minister
presented March 26, 2006
One of the hallmarks of modern life in our culture is the
freedom to choose from among an ever-increasing array
of options – but does this really translate to an increase
in our quality of life? We’ll explore the challenges that
an abundance of possibilities has wrought, and how
we might navigate more skillfully our world of choices.
"Doubt as Antidote: Living a Responsible Life"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented March 19, 2006
A few weeks ago, our distinguished speaker Bill Cronon
spoke of Unitarian
Universalism as the proud successor
to a number of important and serious religious
heresies.
At its roots, ours is and has always been an avante garde
and unconventional
approach to religion. Doubt has played
a key role in our history, and doubters
welcomed rather
than stigmatized. But doubting can manifest and express
itself
in a number of ways. This is a reflection on “positive”
doubt.
“A Few Elements of an Evolving Soul”
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented Sunday, March 12, 2006
A richly textured and steadily maturing spiritual life
is something most of
us yearn for – a life that feels
less hum-drum and more oriented to the
things that
really matter. If one were to prioritize, and try to focus
on just
a few "essential" pieces of this puzzle, what might
they be?
“Taxing, Tithing and the Privilege of Giving”
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented March 5, 2006
The news is full of stories detailing the wastefulness of
institutions responsible for allocating our tax dollars.
And indeed, the mismanagement of public monies
earmarked for the rebuilding of Iraq and the Gulf
Coast (not to mention all those Pentagon procurement
scandals) has been staggering. Faith communities have
often been equally culpable, spending their members’
sincerely given gifts on ill-conceived projects and
Cadillacs for the humble clergy. Such stories breed
cynicism and make us feel like dupes when tax-time
arrives or the church asks for financial support.
There is, however, a flip side to this coin and that’s
what we focus on today.
“Participation in a Vital Community”
by Alan Knox, FUS President,
and Pat Anderson, FUS Vice-President
and President-Elect.
presented February 26, 2006
The theme for this services is "Participation in a
Vital Community." Pat's reflection is on
Past as Prologue.
Alan's reflection is on Life in Relationship. We
will explore why members
engage in various
activities over the years, and relations between
our spiritual
journey and our faith community.
Alan Knox (MP3)
(PDF)
Pat Anderson
(MP3) (Sorry no PDF)
"At Home in the Living Tradition"
by William Cronon
Frederick Jackson Turner
Professor of History, UW Madison
presented February 19, 2006
FUS member Bill Cronon is one of America’s leading authorities on the history of the
American West and is also an environmental
historian of significant stature whose work has
received numerous awards and wide recognition.
He is a member of the Governing Council of the
Wilderness Society, a former Rhodes Scholar and
MacArthur Fellow. Bill attended FUS as a youngster
and he and his family have been active in the
Society since 1992, when he left Yale for his current
appointment.
“Intelligent Design or Darwin –
What Would a Deist Say?”
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
presented February 12, 2006
This month we celebrate the births of two
of our country’s most distinguished
presidents –
Lincoln and Washington – and it seems
an appropriate
occasion to reflect upon
the religious loyalties and sentiments of
the Founders
and Preservers of our Union.
Conservative Christians have often tried to
depict
these great statesmen and patriots
as unapologetic Christians. Perhaps. But
just
how orthodox were they, and what might they
think about some of the claims
being
made
about them today?
