The SUUF Podcast

Unbelieving the Unbelievable: Living, Dying, Living

April 4, 2021

Joseph Bednarik

Though death is as natural as ashes and dust, for human beings what happens after death is considered one of the greatest mysteries. On this High Holy Day of Easter, we explore the miracle of life after death, and like Thomas reach out to touch the Teacher.

Healing the Seemingly Impossible

March 28, 2021

Jerilyn Brusseau

Following in the footsteps of the March 21 service on forgiveness, this weeks' program embodies the very heart of forgiveness and reconciliation... in Vietnam. How does this come about between countries with a history of war and hatred? What is it about the human spirit that overcomes sorrow and political obstacles to finding common ground and friends with former enemies? Bainbridge Island resident, Jerilyn Brusseau, speaks about her vision and the 25 year journey of PeaceTrees Vietnam. This program to replace unexploded bombs and land mines in Vietnam with trees and schools, was accomplished in the name of forgiveness and in the memory of her brother who died there. 

Forgiveness: What It Is and Isn’t

March 21, 2021

Rev. Bruce Bode

Is forgiveness always called for? How should we understand the well-worn phrase “forgive and forget?” Is there a place for hate? What is the relationship between forgiveness and reconciliation? What is the relationship between forgiveness and justice? Why it may be harder to be forgiven than to forgive. What are the psychological dynamics of forgiveness? Where does the power to forgive and be forgiven come from? These are questions and themes that will be addressed in this sermon.

Transcendentalism Yesterday and Today

March 7, 2021

Rev. Dr. Barry Andrews

Merriam Webster, 2016 definition: "a philosophy which says that thought and spiritual things are more real than ordinary human experience and material things." Strongly influenced by Hindu texts on philosophy of the mind and spirituality, Transcendentalism is an American literary, political, and philosophical movement of the early nineteenth century, centered around Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, among others often associated with the UU movement. Today's speaker is a Thoreau scholar and an author and editor in topics related to the Transcendentalists.

The Homeless Life

February 28, 2021

Curtis Steinhauer

Curtis spent years without a home. These days he speaks for the homeless in the state legislature and publicly. His story is remarkable because it is so ordinary, because the factors which deprived him of a roof occur so commonly. This will be a good opportunity to refresh your appreciation for the worth and dignity of every person.

One Parish One Prisoner: A New Underground Railroad

February 21, 2021

Chris Hoke

America's problem with locking its own people away - 2.2 million men and women currently in jail or prison, what we call mass incarceration - has a direct lineage to the institution of slavery in our history. Michelle Alexander, in her now-classic The New Jim Crow, which traces this lineage, has called for "a new underground railroad today." That is, informal networks of communities everywhere prepared to welcome men and women out of incarceration, locally. Underground Ministries founded its "One Parish One Prisoner" model in 2018 to answer this call.

Chris, founder and executive director of Underground Ministries, will connect the historical "underground railroad" model to a fresh understanding of Jesus' original movement: mobilizing communities to "practice resurrection" and pry open the gates of the underworlds society creates. Chris is excited to invite SUUF to join this growing movement today by becoming a One Parish One Prisoner fellowship in the coming year with one individual releasing to Skagit County, and he will share what that adventure looks like.

Random Acts of Kindness

Jonathan Prescott

February 14, 2021

Valentine's Day is a good time to think about how acts of love can be transformational, even in a virtual year. And kindness - just that one loving word - can make all the difference to you and others. In today's service, Jonathan Prescott will show how kindness, when woven into our daily lives, can enrich everything from our perceptions to our actions. Kindness is a much more enjoyable way to live than the alternatives.

Building A New Way

January 31, 2021

Rev. Samaya Oakley

This service explores what lessons our Universalist ancestor, John Murray, has for us as we work to build a better world. Born in England in 1741 and raised as a Calvanist, John Murray emigrated to America in 1770 to follow the Universalist denomination. He went on to serve as pastor of the Universalist Society of Boston and as a chaplain in the Revolutionary War. He is often referred to as the father of American Universalism.

Out of the Ashes

January 24, 2021

Rev. Barbara Gilday

Think of all the things that wore you down last year – things that wore down your energy, broke your body, your heart, or your spirit. There have been other times – pandemics, wars, depressions - some worse than this. And still our people survived and began again. With this new year, WE begin again. Where do WE find our hope? What are some of the steps WE can take to make that hope a reality? This service will nurture your hope and enliven your dreams. We can, we will rise again, from the ashes.

Ending Human Trafficking in Nepal

January 17, 2021

Lila Ghising

Human trafficking in Nepal is primarily based on poverty. The problems that women and children face in Nepal have no parallel to problems facing the poor in the United States. Lila Ghising, the founder of Friends of WPC Nepal (Women's Protection Center) will share the history and mission of her organization, and the ways it has changed the lives of so many.