The SUUF Podcast

The Cinematic Portrayal of Faith

May 23, 2021

Mike Murdock

Mike will be speaking about faith and belief as portrayed and explained in the art of cinema. Grab your popcorn, recline your seat, and obey all theatre rules, because he has a blockbuster of a presentation for us today! Mike has examples from a number of movies and genres. We'll fly on a Rebel X-wing Fighter, sit in the U.S. Senate balcony, and ride on a magic train to the North Pole! So plan to take a stroll with him down that yellow-brick road for some of the influential and significant highlights about faith, gleaned from the archives of the cinema.

Principle Connections

May 16, 2021

Joseph Bednarik

During this intense period of multiple crises, numerous pressures have been testing the integrity of our social and spiritual connections. This sermon beams special focus on our Seventh Principle to consider our many connections, consider what needs mending, and how we can shine with primary radiance.

Where Forgiveness Fits

April 25, 2021

Ken Stern

Forgiveness is critical for personal peace. Often in religious practice, the focus is on forgiving someone who has wronged us, whether the transgressor takes responsibility or not. What about sins, or even evil, done on a large scale? Forgiveness yes, but reconciliation and justice are needed for society to heal, and those transgressing need to be held accountable, whether or not they acknowledge their role.

The Question of “God”

April 18, 2021

Speaker: Rev. Bruce Bode

Historically, the little word 'God' has been the primary word in the English language directing us toward the largest that the human mind can conceive and the deepest that the human heart can feel. But the question is: Does the word “God” still work in our time to usher us into these ultimate concerns? Does the word “God” still promote personal understanding and public communication? This Sunday’s sermon will explore various concepts of “God” and the question of whether this little word is still a useful word in comprehending reality and communicating that comprehension to others. 

Watering Good Seeds

April 11, 2021

Jonathan Prescott

A look at Buddhism’s 2,600 year old psychology of the mind. Buddhism had a rich understanding of the conscious and unconscious mind millennia before Freud. What can it teach us about living today?

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.