Sermons given at UUCB, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley

(Sermon only) Wrestling with Jacob Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley Oct. 5, 2025

Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley Wrestling with Jacob Oct. 5 2025What does it mean to “win” when life itself is full of struggle? Drawing on the biblical story of Jacob wrestling through the night, we explore how struggle can lead not to triumph, but to transformation. Jacob, blessed yet deeply flawed, mirrors both our nation’s history and our personal lives—where success often comes at the expense of others. From the Puritans’ exclusionary covenant to modern injustices, we are challenged to see how the drive to win has wounded us all. Yet Jacob’s story shifts: his struggle leaves him limping but changed, ready to reconcile. Likewise, our own wrestling—with history, with privilege, with conscience—can be holy work. Transformation hurts, but the wound can become a blessing. The struggle itself is where grace lives.

DO OVERS Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley September 28, 2025

We’ve been exploring the spiritual themes of faith and trust through the lens of games of play. However stacked the odds may be against you, however disastrous the situation on the game board, your turn is bound to come around once again. The stakes are high, the situation is dire, the choices seem limited—yet still, what move will you make?

(Sermon only) HOW TO LOSE Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley September 21, 2025

HOW TO LOSE Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley September 21, 2025

Odds Are... Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley September 14, 2025

ODDS AREThere is essential mystery in the fabric of reality. Whatever choices we make, whatever odds we calculate, we are always rolling the dice. When the stakes are high, how do you decide when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em?

Level Up Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley September 7, 2025

Most of the time, transformation happens incrementally—a subtle process of things changing bit by bit. But moments arrive when a leap to the next level is required. As we live through a moment that demands a global level up in our species' ability to prioritize the common good, what do we know about the joys and challenges of leveling up from our own personal lives?

(Sermon only) Wings, Roots and Seeds: Emergent Wisdom from the Interdependent Web UUCB Aug 31, 2025

Worship Leader, Rev. Kevin Alan MannMinister of Congregational Life, Rev. Dr Kathryn JayDirector of Music, Dr. Bryan BakerSettled Minister, Rev. Marcus LiefertGuest Musician: Evelie Delfino Såles Posch with Mahal EthnoFusion Music Myth & Magic Ensemble: Claudine, Doug, Jedi, Kathy, Kealoha, Marikit, Misha, Nancy, Rynn, Sam, Theda, Tisay, Virginia, Rev KevTitle: “Wings, Roots and Seeds: Emergent Wisdom from the Interdependent Web”Description: adrienne maree brown describes “emergence as the way complex systems and patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interactions.” How can UUs learn from birds in synchronized flight, entangled oak tree roots and the structure of dandelions and fungi and apply these lessons in biomimicry to our collective organizing?”

The Great Water Games Water Communion UUCB August 24, 2025

Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. It is often then blessed by the congregation, and sometimes is later boiled and used as the congregation’s “holy water” in child dedication ceremonies and similar events.

The Rules of the Game Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley August 17, 2025

Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley August 17, 2025 THE RULES OF THE GAMEIf the rules of the game you're playing don't leave you with moral choices, cheat. Play by your own rules. Mingle your roots with others who want to play the game you want to play and let us growtogether.

IT’S YOUR MOVE Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley August 10, 2025

IT’S YOUR MOVEIn our first worship series of the church year we'll explore the spiritual themes of faith and trust through the lens of games of play. However stacked the odds may be against you, however disastrous the situation on the game board, your turn is bound to come around once again. The stakes are high, the situation is dire, the choices seem limited—yet still, what move will you make?

Rabbi Zvika Krieger at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley August 3, 2025

Rabbi Zvika Krieger at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley August 3, 2025