https://livingprophets.wordpress.com A series for activists who want to work for change in a spiritually grounded, healing-transformative way. Inspired by sermons from Christian leaders, universalist ministers, mennonites, UMC, and other liberal religious voices. Wed, 23 Mar 2022 04:29:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ 24049266 A series for activists who want to work for change in a spiritually grounded, healing-transformative way. Inspired by sermons from Christian leaders, universalist ministers, mennonites, UMC, and other liberal religious voices. Marc Maxmeister public domain no religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandisermons from liberal religion (UU, mennonite, unitarian, UMC, other)marcmaxmeister@gmail.comMarc Maxmeister https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2022/03/23/74-against-empire-empire-and-identity/ Wed, 23 Mar 2022 04:29:46 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=752 752Marc Maxmeister One of the ways that empires have controlled populations is by rewriting history to reshape our heritage and cultural identity. Centuries later, when the truth is discovered, people still struggle to accept how their identity has been crafted by past deception. This is the story of the Phoenician Irish, the Mauritanian Welsh, the Islamic Kingdom […] homo-sapiens-global-migration Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noOne of the ways that empires have controlled populations is by rewriting history to reshape our heritage and cultural identity. Centuries later, when the truth is discovered, people still struggle to accept how their identity has been crafted by past deception. This is the story of the Phoenician Irish, the Mauritanian Welsh, the Islamic Kingdom […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2022/03/17/against-empire-labor-and-trade/ Thu, 17 Mar 2022 14:55:56 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=744 744Marc Maxmeister This month the world announced thousands of sanctions against Russia in retaliation for its criminal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This episode dives into trade as a weapon wielded by (and against) empires. How is fair trade different from exploitation? Is capitalism truly the source of freedom in the world? (hint: it’s complicated). Is socialism […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noThis month the world announced thousands of sanctions against Russia in retaliation for its criminal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This episode dives into trade as a weapon wielded by (and against) empires. How is fair trade different from exploitation? Is capitalism truly the source of freedom in the world? (hint: it’s complicated). Is socialism […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2022/02/28/72-gandhi-and-empire/ Mon, 28 Feb 2022 05:05:26 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=737 737Marc Maxmeister During the age of imperialism, in the nineteenth century, Europe’s empires ruled over 80 percent of the people of Earth despite being a fraction of the world. That all changed when Gandhi demonstrated that active nonviolent resistance worked. This episode dives into the life and lessons of Gandhi, culminating with modern research that shows his methods […] gandhi-art-collage Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noDuring the age of imperialism, in the nineteenth century, Europe’s empires ruled over 80 percent of the people of Earth despite being a fraction of the world. That all changed when Gandhi demonstrated that active nonviolent resistance worked. This episode dives into the life and lessons of Gandhi, culminating with modern research that shows his methods […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2022/02/28/71-against-empire-the-structure-of-empire/ Mon, 28 Feb 2022 04:44:59 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=729 729Marc Maxmeister Season 3 (2022) begins with an episode (#71) that illustrates the structure of empire using Rome as the prototype. We examine its rivalry with Carthage and the racism and genocide that are the inevitable result of the way empires function. This introduces the themes that we will explore in the next 10 episodes. Why are […] world-map-euro-control-empires-1800s Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noSeason 3 (2022) begins with an episode (#71) that illustrates the structure of empire using Rome as the prototype. We examine its rivalry with Carthage and the racism and genocide that are the inevitable result of the way empires function. This introduces the themes that we will explore in the next 10 episodes. Why are […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/11/15/70-the-gratitudes/ Sun, 15 Nov 2020 17:04:31 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=724 724Marc Maxmeister What gives you hope? What sustains you? How could the way we see things be fundamental to our ability to change the world? The Gratitudes are short stories of people showing courage and resolve to overcome tragedy and change the world within their reach. Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noWhat gives you hope? What sustains you? How could the way we see things be fundamental to our ability to change the world? The Gratitudes are short stories of people showing courage and resolve to overcome tragedy and change the world within their reach.religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/10/30/69-the-liberal-myth/ Fri, 30 Oct 2020 05:50:50 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=718 718Marc Maxmeister Do you find yourself in conversations with people who believe all the right things, but who remain stuck, unable to act in any meaningful way to fight racism? Doing the “usual stuff” to fight racism isn’t working because it is only a quarter of what is needed. As I explain the “liberal myth,” find out […] gandhi-sketch Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noDo you find yourself in conversations with people who believe all the right things, but who remain stuck, unable to act in any meaningful way to fight racism? Doing the “usual stuff” to fight racism isn’t working because it is only a quarter of what is needed. As I explain the “liberal myth,” find out […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/10/09/episode-68-there-is-another-way/ Fri, 09 Oct 2020 15:05:34 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=712 712Marc Maxmeister Continuing to explore the ways that Christian churches talk about race, here is Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal church speaking in Charlottesville VA one year after the race riots about love, titled “There is another way.” [Listen 18:39] denver-church-sign-vandalized Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noContinuing to explore the ways that Christian churches talk about race, here is Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal church speaking in Charlottesville VA one year after the race riots about love, titled “There is another way.” [Listen 18:39]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/09/26/67-how-are-evangelical-churches-talking-about-race/ Sat, 26 Sep 2020 02:12:26 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=706 706Marc Maxmeister It has been many years since “Black Lives Matter” and “#Metoo” have been part of everyday conversation. Yet many churches struggle in confronting race issues from the pulpit head-on. Few are laying bare the dark legacy that organized religion has had in forming a society that sees humanity through the lens of race. “From the […] christian-slave-owner-hypocrisy Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noIt has been many years since “Black Lives Matter” and “#Metoo” have been part of everyday conversation. Yet many churches struggle in confronting race issues from the pulpit head-on. Few are laying bare the dark legacy that organized religion has had in forming a society that sees humanity through the lens of race. “From the […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/09/23/66-america-the-contradiction/ Wed, 23 Sep 2020 06:06:39 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=700 700Marc Maxmeister America is founded on some lofty ideals, but baked into its ethos and history are many contradictions. We claim to be a moral force for good in the world yet embrace the tenets of imperialism. The service unpacks these contradictions and looks ahead to what we can do in 2020 to transform the covid-19 era […] american-exceptionalism-peace-in-bullets Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noAmerica is founded on some lofty ideals, but baked into its ethos and history are many contradictions. We claim to be a moral force for good in the world yet embrace the tenets of imperialism. The service unpacks these contradictions and looks ahead to what we can do in 2020 to transform the covid-19 era […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/06/23/65-starting-the-conversation/ Tue, 23 Jun 2020 05:57:12 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=689 689Marc Maxmeister As protests continue against systemic police brutality in the US, and activists demand that we defund the police, episode #65 explains how to start “the uncomfortable conversation” with a friend or family member — the one about white privilege, implicit bias, and a journey towards understanding. Being a bridge between your moral center and the people […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noAs protests continue against systemic police brutality in the US, and activists demand that we defund the police, episode #65 explains how to start “the uncomfortable conversation” with a friend or family member — the one about white privilege, implicit bias, and a journey towards understanding. Being a bridge between your moral center and the people […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/05/31/64-declaration-of-interdependence/ Sun, 31 May 2020 04:43:24 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=682 682Marc Maxmeister What should we think about riots during a pandemic, following a murder in Minneapolis by the hands of police? People respond in two ways: The descend into sectarianism or rise with a Harambee attitude. Hear about the power of interdependence from Fred Small and Martin Luther King, Jr — this is how we build an […] true peace is persistence of justice Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noWhat should we think about riots during a pandemic, following a murder in Minneapolis by the hands of police? People respond in two ways: The descend into sectarianism or rise with a Harambee attitude. Hear about the power of interdependence from Fred Small and Martin Luther King, Jr — this is how we build an […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/05/10/jubilee-and-coronavirus/ Sun, 10 May 2020 16:04:17 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=676 676Marc Maxmeister 2020 – the year of the covid19 lockdown – is quickly becoming a repeat of the year of the Jubilee from leviticus. A time when wrongs were righted and agriculture came to a halt. The wisdom of this time, as we think about the kind of world we will be restarting, is that there is […] jubilee Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no2020 – the year of the covid19 lockdown – is quickly becoming a repeat of the year of the Jubilee from leviticus. A time when wrongs were righted and agriculture came to a halt. The wisdom of this time, as we think about the kind of world we will be restarting, is that there is […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/04/09/covid19-the-best-of-us-and-lessons-from-the-plague/ Thu, 09 Apr 2020 16:32:53 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=671 671Marc Maxmeister As we shelter-in-place during covid19, I wanted to share some of the more inspiring things happening around the world. There is a twitter hashtag #thebestofus that people use to share stories of others making a difference. And, as bad as things seem, did you know that this was the first century in the last 700 […] Everyday-Heroes Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noAs we shelter-in-place during covid19, I wanted to share some of the more inspiring things happening around the world. There is a twitter hashtag #thebestofus that people use to share stories of others making a difference. And, as bad as things seem, did you know that this was the first century in the last 700 […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/disease-and-dis-ease-symptoms/ Sat, 28 Mar 2020 20:43:46 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=666 666Marc Maxmeister Disease and Dis-Ease Symptoms: Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient cultures is digging up a femur (thigh bone) that had been broken and had been allowed to heal. In the ancient world, if you broke your leg, you’d die. A broken femur that has healed is evidence […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noDisease and Dis-Ease Symptoms: Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient cultures is digging up a femur (thigh bone) that had been broken and had been allowed to heal. In the ancient world, if you broke your leg, you’d die. A broken femur that has healed is evidence […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/03/15/out-of-fear-inspiration/ Sun, 15 Mar 2020 05:49:03 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=659 659Marc Maxmeister In these trying times, we need to be reminded that we are where we are in the world because past leaders have inspired us to work for the benefit of humankind, to sacrifice for noble causes that have made the world as wonderful as it is today. Here are three speeches that can serve to […] fdr_jfk_21345 Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noIn these trying times, we need to be reminded that we are where we are in the world because past leaders have inspired us to work for the benefit of humankind, to sacrifice for noble causes that have made the world as wonderful as it is today. Here are three speeches that can serve to […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/02/22/episode-59-resist-contempt/ Sat, 22 Feb 2020 07:01:51 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=655 655Marc Maxmeister Two sermons from 2019 and 2020 about resisting the trap of feeling contempt for people that we disagree with. We are in a national crisis of contempt and it is tearing our world apart. Listen to episode #59 (21:15) Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noTwo sermons from 2019 and 2020 about resisting the trap of feeling contempt for people that we disagree with. We are in a national crisis of contempt and it is tearing our world apart. Listen to episode #59 (21:15)religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/01/18/episode-58-the-prayer-before-the-prayer-to-forgive/ Sat, 18 Jan 2020 06:54:14 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=650 650Marc Maxmeister Reverend Rob Hardies explains the three things we must all go through before we can truly forgive. The title draws upon a prayer from Desmond Tutu during the South African Truth and Reconciliation Process in the 1990s. And in Part II Jean Botham speaks in court and forgives Amber Guyger for shooting his brother. If […] art_of_forgiving-landscape Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noReverend Rob Hardies explains the three things we must all go through before we can truly forgive. The title draws upon a prayer from Desmond Tutu during the South African Truth and Reconciliation Process in the 1990s. And in Part II Jean Botham speaks in court and forgives Amber Guyger for shooting his brother. If […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2020/01/18/revolutionary-truth-and-reconciliation/ Sat, 18 Jan 2020 06:08:58 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=643 643Marc Maxmeister Peacemaking has many flavors. The language of how we make peace is a spectrum: Forgiveness, contrition, amnesty, reconciliation, retribution, restoration. Hear stories of how Truth and Reconciliation efforts are the bridge between those unwilling to forgive and those unready to own up to past misdeeds. Listen to Episode #57 [20:42] (Sources: UU Oklohoma City, BBC […] Detail-from-a-promotional-poster-of-the-South-African-Truth-and-Reconciliation Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noPeacemaking has many flavors. The language of how we make peace is a spectrum: Forgiveness, contrition, amnesty, reconciliation, retribution, restoration. Hear stories of how Truth and Reconciliation efforts are the bridge between those unwilling to forgive and those unready to own up to past misdeeds. Listen to Episode #57 [20:42] (Sources: UU Oklohoma City, BBC […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2019/10/16/episode-56-hold-her-in-the-light/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 04:12:30 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=639 639Marc Maxmeister Most people have heard of Quakers, but few actually know what they believe. Herein: stories from Quakers about peacemaking, and their own flavor of prayer and activism, captured in the phrase, “Hold them in the Light.” (Music from Alaska Tapes and Joseph Arthur) [Listen 25:19] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noMost people have heard of Quakers, but few actually know what they believe. Herein: stories from Quakers about peacemaking, and their own flavor of prayer and activism, captured in the phrase, “Hold them in the Light.” (Music from Alaska Tapes and Joseph Arthur) [Listen 25:19]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2019/08/10/episode-55-how-will-the-world-be-different-because-we-met-today/ Sat, 10 Aug 2019 16:43:36 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=629 629Marc Maxmeister   UU Minister John Crestwell speaks about race, the 2014 Ferguson, MO shooting, Martin Luther King Jr, building relationships with the “other” all under the theme of building the beloved community together. His sermon is mixed to the soundtrack of the Interstellar soundtrack – music by Hans Zimmer. Images and context The QuikTrip That Burned […] fergusen-hands-up-cartoonized-image Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no  UU Minister John Crestwell speaks about race, the 2014 Ferguson, MO shooting, Martin Luther King Jr, building relationships with the “other” all under the theme of building the beloved community together. His sermon is mixed to the soundtrack of the Interstellar soundtrack – music by Hans Zimmer. Images and context The QuikTrip That Burned […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2019/08/05/54-a-community-stand-that-it-might-bend-through-our-faithful-living/ Mon, 05 Aug 2019 04:26:57 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=624 624Marc Maxmeister The Rev. Sophia Betancourt talks about her immigrant heritage and the struggle to live in ways – at risk to herself – that help others. What will you give up for our collective salvation? How does a community stand for justice? How does the “moral arc of the universe” bend towards justice? She shares answers […] thurman-arc-history Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noThe Rev. Sophia Betancourt talks about her immigrant heritage and the struggle to live in ways – at risk to herself – that help others. What will you give up for our collective salvation? How does a community stand for justice? How does the “moral arc of the universe” bend towards justice? She shares answers […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2019/06/09/53-the-tolerance-spectrum/ Sun, 09 Jun 2019 03:47:55 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=618 618Marc Maxmeister Tolerance is the cornerstone of a pluralistic society. So it should surprise us that many religious leaders from the conservative to the liberal end of the spectrum preach against tolerance. Both sides oppose tolerance — for a “society gone wrong” and tolerance for intolerance. What matters is how our different understandings of who is harmed […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noTolerance is the cornerstone of a pluralistic society. So it should surprise us that many religious leaders from the conservative to the liberal end of the spectrum preach against tolerance. Both sides oppose tolerance — for a “society gone wrong” and tolerance for intolerance. What matters is how our different understandings of who is harmed […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2019/04/05/chasm-at-the-border-52/ Fri, 05 Apr 2019 04:30:17 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=614 614Marc Maxmeister In this episode I share stories of activists walking the border and telling stories of the people who cross into the US. Then I launch into a deeper dive on understanding the politics of the Southern border wall through a spiritual lens: The Gospel of Prosperity is the underpinning of Conservative ideas, and on the […] border wall - california dunes -David McNew Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noIn this episode I share stories of activists walking the border and telling stories of the people who cross into the US. Then I launch into a deeper dive on understanding the politics of the Southern border wall through a spiritual lens: The Gospel of Prosperity is the underpinning of Conservative ideas, and on the […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/51-transformation/ Wed, 31 Oct 2018 02:04:31 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=609 609Marc Maxmeister Elections don’t unite, they divide. Here are seven reasons why we must prepare ourselves to be transformers – and role models of understanding – in the face of conflict. When elections end, the hard work begins to heal and unite the divided, angry, bewildered peoples of our world. Speakers: Rev Justin Osterman, Rev Rob Hardies, […] transformation-in-love-RhiannonColvin2 Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noElections don’t unite, they divide. Here are seven reasons why we must prepare ourselves to be transformers – and role models of understanding – in the face of conflict. When elections end, the hard work begins to heal and unite the divided, angry, bewildered peoples of our world. Speakers: Rev Justin Osterman, Rev Rob Hardies, […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/10/10/my-fathers-identity/ Wed, 10 Oct 2018 04:01:50 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=604 604Marc Maxmeister How much does our identity, and not our values, define our politics? In episode 50, I share my own journey to understand my father – a kind and generous person who vents anger on twitter – through the lens of identity politics.  Meg Barnhouse explains the divided camps of “radicals” and “respectables” behind all social […] Duane Leonards living-prophets-logo-100 marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noHow much does our identity, and not our values, define our politics? In episode 50, I share my own journey to understand my father – a kind and generous person who vents anger on twitter – through the lens of identity politics.  Meg Barnhouse explains the divided camps of “radicals” and “respectables” behind all social […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/08/30/jesus-for-the-outcasts/ Thu, 30 Aug 2018 03:17:01 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=601 601Marc Maxmeister What did it mean to be a woman in the time of Jesus? A child? a tax collector? A foreigner? Deniece Mason shares three stories about Jesus bringing dignity to outcasts. Their meanings change when read in the original Greek, and when viewed in the context of the times and when looking at what stories they […] gospel fragment scrap Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noWhat did it mean to be a woman in the time of Jesus? A child? a tax collector? A foreigner? Deniece Mason shares three stories about Jesus bringing dignity to outcasts. Their meanings change when read in the original Greek, and when viewed in the context of the times and when looking at what stories they […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/08/21/be-proximate-to-suffering/ Mon, 20 Aug 2018 23:47:51 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=597 597Marc Maxmeister Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), shares three life lessons from his time as a lawyer just starting to work with death row inmates – many of whom were later found innocent and exonerated. (Listen – sound quality isn’t great) byran stevenson just mercy Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noBryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), shares three life lessons from his time as a lawyer just starting to work with death row inmates – many of whom were later found innocent and exonerated. (Listen – sound quality isn’t great)religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/07/30/empowerment-or-empirement/ Mon, 30 Jul 2018 02:04:10 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=590 590Marc Maxmeister This time: Stories about the false promise of empowerment, and how the attitudes of colonialism, imperialism, and empire continue to affect our efforts at creating a more perfect world. The final mini sermon explains how this can be traced back to the moment the purpose of Christianity was twisted by the Roman Empire that adopted […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noThis time: Stories about the false promise of empowerment, and how the attitudes of colonialism, imperialism, and empire continue to affect our efforts at creating a more perfect world. The final mini sermon explains how this can be traced back to the moment the purpose of Christianity was twisted by the Roman Empire that adopted […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/07/13/listening-to-gender-and-identity/ Fri, 13 Jul 2018 15:25:20 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=588 588Marc Maxmeister Meg Barnhouse tells stories about gender and its ambiguities, about raising children that are not pidgeonholed, and helps us become better listeners when others are expressing their true identity. (Episode 46) Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noMeg Barnhouse tells stories about gender and its ambiguities, about raising children that are not pidgeonholed, and helps us become better listeners when others are expressing their true identity. (Episode 46)religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/of-mustard-seeds-and-children-in-cages/ Fri, 06 Jul 2018 03:08:28 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=584 584Marc Maxmeister   Christ Church (Anglican) Cathedral in Indianapolis, IN decided to cage the holy family in chainlink on their front lawn to prove a point about immigrants and refugees, and remind us about the Gospel message. This is the sermon that accompanied that protest. Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no  Christ Church (Anglican) Cathedral in Indianapolis, IN decided to cage the holy family in chainlink on their front lawn to prove a point about immigrants and refugees, and remind us about the Gospel message. This is the sermon that accompanied that protest.religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/06/04/harry-and-meghans-wedding-sermon-redemptive-love/ Mon, 04 Jun 2018 03:43:42 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=580 580Marc Maxmeister In the sermon from the 2018 Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, American Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry gave an impassioned plea to live by the power of love. Inspired by MLK’s sermon about how to love your enemy, Curry reminds us that love could transform the world, if we could just be open to […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noIn the sermon from the 2018 Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, American Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry gave an impassioned plea to live by the power of love. Inspired by MLK’s sermon about how to love your enemy, Curry reminds us that love could transform the world, if we could just be open to […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/05/23/a-new-name-for-god/ Wed, 23 May 2018 12:48:15 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=578 578Marc Maxmeister Rob Hardies shares a personal journey of losing faith in God and calling himself an atheist out of pain, not belief. After coming out, he couldn’t accept that God loved him as he was, and so he stopped believing in God to get back at him. But time and healing brought him back to Life […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noRob Hardies shares a personal journey of losing faith in God and calling himself an atheist out of pain, not belief. After coming out, he couldn’t accept that God loved him as he was, and so he stopped believing in God to get back at him. But time and healing brought him back to Life […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/05/03/the-long-arc/ Thu, 03 May 2018 02:50:12 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=574 574Marc Maxmeister “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice” is an often spoken idea from abolitionists to civil rights leaders. Martin Luther King used it often. This episode explains and illustrates what this means. This pulls from a 2007 William Schulz sermon – Schulz was a one-time President of Amnesty International […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice” is an often spoken idea from abolitionists to civil rights leaders. Martin Luther King used it often. This episode explains and illustrates what this means. This pulls from a 2007 William Schulz sermon – Schulz was a one-time President of Amnesty International […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/04/03/power-in-a-name/ Tue, 03 Apr 2018 03:40:20 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=571 571Marc Maxmeister Two sermonlets about the power found in a name. Rev Justin Osterman (UU Raleigh) tells his story of when we served as a translator in Guantanamo. When he entered the prison cell, he did the most natural human thing. In another story Rev Rob Hardies (All Souls UU DC) tells the story of Moses and […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noTwo sermonlets about the power found in a name. Rev Justin Osterman (UU Raleigh) tells his story of when we served as a translator in Guantanamo. When he entered the prison cell, he did the most natural human thing. In another story Rev Rob Hardies (All Souls UU DC) tells the story of Moses and […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/03/26/speaking-out-reconciling-diversity-within-the-movement/ Mon, 26 Mar 2018 02:06:34 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=567 567Marc Maxmeister A core part of effective activism is individual witness – standing up to those who one sees and works with every day. This sermon captures the story of one minister’s behind-the-scenes efforts to cleanse her church’s leadership of sexism and sexual predators and the conflicts that emerged. It reveals how even the most liberal institutions […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noA core part of effective activism is individual witness – standing up to those who one sees and works with every day. This sermon captures the story of one minister’s behind-the-scenes efforts to cleanse her church’s leadership of sexism and sexual predators and the conflicts that emerged. It reveals how even the most liberal institutions […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/03/02/mlk-how-to-love-your-enemies/ Fri, 02 Mar 2018 18:11:59 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=565 565Marc Maxmeister Martin Luther King, Jr was an amazing preacher. Listen to excerpts from one of his sermons on how to love your enemies. He says, “Jesus has become the practical realist… his commandment [to love your enemies] is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization.” He argues it is the only pragmatic way to […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noMartin Luther King, Jr was an amazing preacher. Listen to excerpts from one of his sermons on how to love your enemies. He says, “Jesus has become the practical realist… his commandment [to love your enemies] is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization.” He argues it is the only pragmatic way to […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/02/18/moral-vulnerability/ Sun, 18 Feb 2018 04:28:27 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=561 561Marc Maxmeister There are three parts of being an effective activist: (1) To protect and serve the vulnerable. (2) To wake people up to the plight of the marginalized. And (3) to practice individual witness to those who stand against progress as a bridge towards mutual understanding, reconciliation, and restoring justice. This explains is what that third […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noThere are three parts of being an effective activist: (1) To protect and serve the vulnerable. (2) To wake people up to the plight of the marginalized. And (3) to practice individual witness to those who stand against progress as a bridge towards mutual understanding, reconciliation, and restoring justice. This explains is what that third […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/01/25/effective-activism/ Thu, 25 Jan 2018 04:27:41 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=559 559Marc Maxmeister “Do you need to be an activist to be a Unitarian?” That was the question posed to Rev Dr Justin Osterman of the Raleigh UU fellowship (http://www.uufr.org/). His answer is the best 20 minute explanation of how to be an effective activist I’ve ever heard. Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no“Do you need to be an activist to be a Unitarian?” That was the question posed to Rev Dr Justin Osterman of the Raleigh UU fellowship (http://www.uufr.org/). His answer is the best 20 minute explanation of how to be an effective activist I’ve ever heard.religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2018/01/24/the-dream-of-racial-justice-and-the-courage-to-pursue-it/ Wed, 24 Jan 2018 04:32:27 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=555 555Marc Maxmeister Two sermons from two Unitarian Universalist churches (Washington DC and Tulsa OK) from MLK Sunday (2018) about courage and the journey towards justice that continues, 50 years later. Both tell the story of James Reeb – a UU minister and activist martyred in 1965 – an event that triggered the signing of the voting rights […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noTwo sermons from two Unitarian Universalist churches (Washington DC and Tulsa OK) from MLK Sunday (2018) about courage and the journey towards justice that continues, 50 years later. Both tell the story of James Reeb – a UU minister and activist martyred in 1965 – an event that triggered the signing of the voting rights […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/12/11/owning-the-pain-of-grief-with-tears-of-praise-for-life/ Mon, 11 Dec 2017 04:00:14 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=553 553Marc Maxmeister This combines two sermons from All Souls UU Church in Washington, DC 2010. Rev. Rob Hardies and Louise Green speak about grief, and finding a way to express both the pain of loss and the praise for life. Our tears are a lament and a prayer – of thanksgiving for what life offers us every […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noThis combines two sermons from All Souls UU Church in Washington, DC 2010. Rev. Rob Hardies and Louise Green speak about grief, and finding a way to express both the pain of loss and the praise for life. Our tears are a lament and a prayer – of thanksgiving for what life offers us every […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/11/23/deniece-mason-mountains-beyond-the-transfiguration/ Thu, 23 Nov 2017 14:30:05 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=549 549Marc Maxmeister Reverend Deniece Mason tells two stories: Trekking in the Himalayas as a teenager with friends, and an episode of a woman in a nice neighborhood who noticed a homeless figure sleeping for days on a bench at the bus stop on her street. Both stories are a reminder that Jesus is not high on a […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noReverend Deniece Mason tells two stories: Trekking in the Himalayas as a teenager with friends, and an episode of a woman in a nice neighborhood who noticed a homeless figure sleeping for days on a bench at the bus stop on her street. Both stories are a reminder that Jesus is not high on a […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/jesus-outsider-the-margins-of-society/ Thu, 16 Nov 2017 03:57:03 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=547 547Marc Maxmeister Doug Brown draws parallels between the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers and how we approach outsiders in our communities today. Jesus was himself an outsider, and that gave him a perspective that revealed more truth. In this story, though all ten lepers were cleansed (cured) as they traveled to present themselves to the […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noDoug Brown draws parallels between the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers and how we approach outsiders in our communities today. Jesus was himself an outsider, and that gave him a perspective that revealed more truth. In this story, though all ten lepers were cleansed (cured) as they traveled to present themselves to the […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/11/09/parable-of-the-red-cranes-in-the-dmz/ Thu, 09 Nov 2017 17:44:38 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=545 545Marc Maxmeister With news of Trump in Korea this week, and talk of the unlimited potential of human endeavors to reshape the planet as a technology-enabled paradise, this parable of the red cranes offers a different viewpoint. In the DMZ between North and South Korea there live rare majestic birds whose habitat would be crushed by development […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noWith news of Trump in Korea this week, and talk of the unlimited potential of human endeavors to reshape the planet as a technology-enabled paradise, this parable of the red cranes offers a different viewpoint. In the DMZ between North and South Korea there live rare majestic birds whose habitat would be crushed by development […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/31/speaking-peace-shalom-in-times-of-political-strife/ Tue, 31 Oct 2017 05:10:55 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=540 540Marc Maxmeister Deneice Mason tells the story of an early Christian peacemaker who bought an end to the circus of death in Rome, and asks us how are we bringing Peace and fostering dialogue in these times of political strife. Source: Pleasant Valley UMC Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noDeneice Mason tells the story of an early Christian peacemaker who bought an end to the circus of death in Rome, and asks us how are we bringing Peace and fostering dialogue in these times of political strife. Source: Pleasant Valley UMCreligion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/find-a-god-as-you-understand-god-the-key-to-liberation/ Wed, 25 Oct 2017 01:44:52 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=538 538Marc Maxmeister “Find a god as you understand God. That was the key to my spiritual liberation,” explains Father Leo Booth. Booth (http://fatherleo.com/ a recording from 2000) shares his story of struggle with addiction and with the essential ingredients of the disease, and his redemption. These feelings mirror those of victims of sexual assault, as Rev Kathy […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no“Find a god as you understand God. That was the key to my spiritual liberation,” explains Father Leo Booth. Booth (http://fatherleo.com/ a recording from 2000) shares his story of struggle with addiction and with the essential ingredients of the disease, and his redemption. These feelings mirror those of victims of sexual assault, as Rev Kathy […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/533/ Thu, 19 Oct 2017 02:32:05 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=533 533Marc Maxmeister “The danger for us is to think too small. Buy into other people’s power rather than the power that we have. In every solitary one of us, there is a Martin Luther King.” Father Leo Booth provides makes a compelling case that addiction and recovery are a spiritual journey of becoming aware of our own […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no“The danger for us is to think too small. Buy into other people’s power rather than the power that we have. In every solitary one of us, there is a Martin Luther King.” Father Leo Booth provides makes a compelling case that addiction and recovery are a spiritual journey of becoming aware of our own […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/18/bullets-could-not-deter-me-and-i-would-not-seek-revenge-malala/ Wed, 18 Oct 2017 02:07:53 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=531 531Marc Maxmeister Dear Friends, on the 9th of October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends too. They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that silence came, thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noDear Friends, on the 9th of October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends too. They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that silence came, thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/bono-grace-is-the-opposite-of-karma/ Mon, 16 Oct 2017 02:58:18 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=528 528Marc Maxmeister U2’s singer Bono used to be a believer in Karma but through his journey, he’s grown to be a firm believer in Grace. Most religions are based on Karma. The ancient Israelites believed in Karma (“we are God’s chosen people” and “lepers must have sinned to be diseased”). Hinduism and the caste system is about […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noU2’s singer Bono used to be a believer in Karma but through his journey, he’s grown to be a firm believer in Grace. Most religions are based on Karma. The ancient Israelites believed in Karma (“we are God’s chosen people” and “lepers must have sinned to be diseased”). Hinduism and the caste system is about […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/15/karma-or-grace-is-the-choice-to-deny-or-to-build/ Sun, 15 Oct 2017 03:15:42 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=522 522Marc Maxmeister Most religions are based on Karma. The ancient Israelites believed in Karma (“we are God’s chosen people” and “lepers must have sinned to be diseased”). This is about how U2’s singer Bono used to be a believer in Karma but through his journey, he’s grown to be a firm believer in Grace. Duane Leonards play marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noMost religions are based on Karma. The ancient Israelites believed in Karma (“we are God’s chosen people” and “lepers must have sinned to be diseased”). This is about how U2’s singer Bono used to be a believer in Karma but through his journey, he’s grown to be a firm believer in Grace.religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/a-prophetic-vision-of-peacemaking/ Wed, 11 Oct 2017 01:53:35 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=520 520Marc Maxmeister We have a prophetic vision of peace, not unlike we see in a local nonprofit – they are cutting up military uniforms, pressing the fibers into pulp to make paper, and transforming ex-soldiers into artists. Peace and justice are built around rebuilding relationships. Jesus dismantled the law, the commandments and the ordinances in order to […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noWe have a prophetic vision of peace, not unlike we see in a local nonprofit – they are cutting up military uniforms, pressing the fibers into pulp to make paper, and transforming ex-soldiers into artists. Peace and justice are built around rebuilding relationships. Jesus dismantled the law, the commandments and the ordinances in order to […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/09/the-fierce-ugency-of-now-rob-hardies/ Mon, 09 Oct 2017 06:06:36 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=54 54Marc Maxmeister Rob Hardies – The fierce ugency of now (sermon at All souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Washington, DC) is about the Treyvon Martin story and how it relates to the 1963 march on Washington, when a pastor at this very church was killed in Selma Alabama – James Reeb. Lessons for today. Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noRob Hardies – The fierce ugency of now (sermon at All souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Washington, DC) is about the Treyvon Martin story and how it relates to the 1963 march on Washington, when a pastor at this very church was killed in Selma Alabama – James Reeb. Lessons for today.religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/09/what-is-peace-really/ Mon, 09 Oct 2017 03:58:32 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=514 514Marc Maxmeister “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” Pastor Deniece Mason explains what this means in a modern context. She points out that Memorial Day wasn’t a holiday before 1971. And long before that, it’s origins come from women in Mississippi who, while decorating the graves of their ancestors in […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no“They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” Pastor Deniece Mason explains what this means in a modern context. She points out that Memorial Day wasn’t a holiday before 1971. And long before that, it’s origins come from women in Mississippi who, while decorating the graves of their ancestors in […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/08/03-01-19-most-durable-power-mp3/ Sun, 08 Oct 2017 05:00:31 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/03-01-19-most-durable-power-mp3/ 238Marc Maxmeister This sermon explores what some call the roots of religion: awe and humility. How does our particular faith, Unitarian Universalism, address these two large concepts? Can we learn to say, “We don’t know?” with awe and humility? The Rev. Barbara Wells serves as co-minister (with her husband, Jaco ten Hove) at Paint Branch UU Church […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noThis sermon explores what some call the roots of religion: awe and humility. How does our particular faith, Unitarian Universalism, address these two large concepts? Can we learn to say, “We don’t know?” with awe and humility? The Rev. Barbara Wells serves as co-minister (with her husband, Jaco ten Hove) at Paint Branch UU Church […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/07/creating-sanctuary-after-trump/ Sat, 07 Oct 2017 11:23:53 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=37 37Marc Maxmeister In the days after the 2016 election with a surprising Trump victory, many in the congregation were shocked and horrified and despondent. Rob Hardies’s sermon struck a perfect balance between accepting the results and preparing All Souls Church as a “sanctuary” for the times ahead. He reminded us that the church’s bell, crafted by Paul […] Duane Leonards malik_shah__s_sanctuary_by_raphael_lacoste Download Instruments of Peace - a sermon from Rev. Rob Hardies at All Souls UU DC marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noIn the days after the 2016 election with a surprising Trump victory, many in the congregation were shocked and horrified and despondent. Rob Hardies’s sermon struck a perfect balance between accepting the results and preparing All Souls Church as a “sanctuary” for the times ahead. He reminded us that the church’s bell, crafted by Paul […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/07/hope-transforms-sustains/ Sat, 07 Oct 2017 01:17:03 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=499 499Marc Maxmeister From the Gospel story of the woman who sneaks through the crowd to touch Jesus’s robe because she believes she can be healed, Deniece Mason explains why there is more to the story of a nameless, sick, ostracized woman than it first seems. This story is about coping with and hoping through tragedy in our […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noFrom the Gospel story of the woman who sneaks through the crowd to touch Jesus’s robe because she believes she can be healed, Deniece Mason explains why there is more to the story of a nameless, sick, ostracized woman than it first seems. This story is about coping with and hoping through tragedy in our […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/06/i-choose-you-yahweh-moses-and-a-burning-bush/ Fri, 06 Oct 2017 00:23:11 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=497 497Marc Maxmeister The burning bush in the desert was not something amazing, but rather something sublime that only a careful observer of the world could have noticed. And Moses, at nearly 80 years old, did not fit the mold of an activist or revolutionary. What mattered was that he was paying attention, and receptive, and didn’t turn […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noThe burning bush in the desert was not something amazing, but rather something sublime that only a careful observer of the world could have noticed. And Moses, at nearly 80 years old, did not fit the mold of an activist or revolutionary. What mattered was that he was paying attention, and receptive, and didn’t turn […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/05/beyond-the-moment-and-the-movement-spiritual-transformation-in-times-of-division-and-fear/ Thu, 05 Oct 2017 02:02:53 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=478 478Marc Maxmeister “Not a moment but a movement,” has become a popular slogan in progressive circles, a reminder that our social justice work must go beyond mere resistance to the immediate political crisis, and strive to build a lasting movement for justice and equality. As people of faith committed to building beloved community, we understand this. Yet […] Duane Leonards Download marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)no“Not a moment but a movement,” has become a popular slogan in progressive circles, a reminder that our social justice work must go beyond mere resistance to the immediate political crisis, and strive to build a lasting movement for justice and equality. As people of faith committed to building beloved community, we understand this. Yet […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/02/bill-quigley-message-social-justice/ Mon, 02 Oct 2017 04:42:54 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=463 463Marc Maxmeister Dr. Martin Luther King’s message is not for the faint of heart. You must BE WILLING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE, because questioning our laws will make other people uncomfortable. … We must NEVER CONFUSE LAW AND JUSTICE. What is legal is often not just. 100 years ago children were employed in dangerous industries. Women and African […] Duane Leonards listen marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noDr. Martin Luther King’s message is not for the faint of heart. You must BE WILLING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE, because questioning our laws will make other people uncomfortable. … We must NEVER CONFUSE LAW AND JUSTICE. What is legal is often not just. 100 years ago children were employed in dangerous industries. Women and African […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/05-10-02-choose-to-bless-the-world-mp3/ Sun, 01 Oct 2017 18:31:11 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/05-10-02-choose-to-bless-the-world-mp3/ 332Marc Maxmeister As Hurricane Katrina has reminded us, inspite of our ‘melting pot’ national image, race still matters. As we strive to be an ‘evermore diverse’ congregation, how do we see and talk about the differences between us? Sunday, October 2, 2005 at 10:50am: ‘Choose to Bless the World’ — Rev. Robert M. Hardies Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noAs Hurricane Katrina has reminded us, inspite of our ‘melting pot’ national image, race still matters. As we strive to be an ‘evermore diverse’ congregation, how do we see and talk about the differences between us? Sunday, October 2, 2005 at 10:50am: ‘Choose to Bless the World’ — Rev. Robert M. Hardiesreligion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/09/27/04-06-06-found-in-translation-mp3/ Wed, 27 Sep 2017 05:03:22 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/04-06-06-found-in-translation-mp3/ 284Marc Maxmeister What’s on my mind these days? What do I see in the world? What does it mean? Sunday, June 6, 2004 at 10:50am: ‘Found in Translation’ — Rev. Robert Hardies Duane Leonards Download marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noWhat’s on my mind these days? What do I see in the world? What does it mean? Sunday, June 6, 2004 at 10:50am: ‘Found in Translation’ — Rev. Robert Hardiesreligion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/09/25/rob-hardies-a-train-through-trumps-america-2017/ Mon, 25 Sep 2017 03:07:04 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=440 440Marc Maxmeister Rev Rob Hardies of All-Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Washington DC shares an open letter to his 5-year old son. Journeying from San Francisco to Chicago on the day after the violence in Charlottesville, a gay dad and his multiracial son board a train for a trip across Trump’s America. Why? In part because his […] 15e6c70f3c779022bc406103cb9d964a Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noRev Rob Hardies of All-Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Washington DC shares an open letter to his 5-year old son. Journeying from San Francisco to Chicago on the day after the violence in Charlottesville, a gay dad and his multiracial son board a train for a trip across Trump’s America. Why? In part because his […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/holy-ground-our-land-in-the-image-of-god-who-is-was-shall-be/ Thu, 21 Sep 2017 01:55:33 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=424 424Marc Maxmeister Unitarian Universalist Megan Lloyd Joiner speaks about America of 2017. A nation just beginning to become the vision set out 200 years ago in documents. An invitation to create a world that offers everyone hope and joy. The original name for God, YAHWEH, is a conflation of the Hebrew words for “I was”, “I am”, […] 6834354_orig Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noUnitarian Universalist Megan Lloyd Joiner speaks about America of 2017. A nation just beginning to become the vision set out 200 years ago in documents. An invitation to create a world that offers everyone hope and joy. The original name for God, YAHWEH, is a conflation of the Hebrew words for “I was”, “I am”, […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/07/19/03-03-23-coalition-of-the-willing-mp3/ Wed, 19 Jul 2017 18:00:57 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/03-03-23-coalition-of-the-willing-mp3/ 245Marc Maxmeister On March 30 and April 6, our candidate for associate minister will preach. You can meet the candidate after church and throughout the week. On April 6, we will vote on whether to call the candidate. Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 10:50am: The Coalition of the Willing — Rev. Robert Hardies Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noOn March 30 and April 6, our candidate for associate minister will preach. You can meet the candidate after church and throughout the week. On April 6, we will vote on whether to call the candidate. Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 10:50am: The Coalition of the Willing — Rev. Robert Hardiesreligion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/07/19/03-03-16-smooth-stones-mp3/ Wed, 19 Jul 2017 18:00:53 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/03-03-16-smooth-stones-mp3/ 244Marc Maxmeister We’ve heard a lot of talk this week about a so-called "coalition of the willing." But the coalition that Rev. Hardies speaks about would work to break down the barriers that divide the human family, locally in our neighborhoods as well as in our ever-shrinking and more complex global village. Sunday, March 16, 2003 at […] Duane Leonards marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noWe’ve heard a lot of talk this week about a so-called "coalition of the willing." But the coalition that Rev. Hardies speaks about would work to break down the barriers that divide the human family, locally in our neighborhoods as well as in our ever-shrinking and more complex global village. Sunday, March 16, 2003 at […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi https://livingprophets.wordpress.com/2017/01/16/i-will-be-who-i-will-be/ Mon, 16 Jan 2017 14:07:42 +0000 http://livingprophets.wordpress.com/?p=5 5Marc Maxmeister How would our understanding of God change if we took the season seriously and understood God not as the cause of all things, but as the possibility in all things? Repeated at the 11:15 service. Quoting Rob Hardies: God says to moses, a slave, “I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I […] Duane Leonards play marcmaxmeister@gmail.com (Marc Maxmeister)noHow would our understanding of God change if we took the season seriously and understood God not as the cause of all things, but as the possibility in all things? Repeated at the 11:15 service. Quoting Rob Hardies: God says to moses, a slave, “I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I […]religion,sermons,mlk,uu,unitarian,william,barber,ghandi