On November 23 when I gave the "Tipping Point" sermon, we debuted the Davies House Band which provides more contemporary music for UU services at Davies.  This has been part of my plan to diversify our music program. We now have a Davies Choir, Children's Choir, Family Choir, and House Band, along with serveral others who provide instrumental guitar, flute, clarinet, and the like.  There is something for everyone.  Our faith must have theological, racial, liturgical, and also musical diversity if it is to stay vibrant and vital in this new age.  Please check out the Davies House Band and see what a keyboard, sax, drums and lead singer can do for UU services across the country...

To tip something toward massive growth you must have a message and meat working together...

We are in a time of purification which offers liberal faiths an opportunity for rapid growth and expansion.  What could TIP the growth of Unitarian Universalism?  And are we ready?

This sermon continues my chat on moving beyond our prejudices by seeking to see life through others' lenses.  I also discuss the election and the blue and red issues.  Enjoy...

www.dmuuc.org

This is from my radio show "The Barbershop".  This conversation is with a good friend, Duane McClure, a therapist and diversity trainer.  We discuss Obama's image as the "hero" and as a modern day representation of the ancient archetypes that have existed for centuries.  Has he chosen the path that many sages before him chose or does our President have a choice in fulfilling his destiny?  Freedom or fate?  Listen in to one of my very private conversations about life...

The color that has been oppressing is GREEN.  Let us look at how we are moving toward a post-racial society and how the elite have used power and money to oppress  us all!

This reflection is on why Jefferson wrote his version of the Bible.  I compare Thomas Paine's "Age of Reason" to Jefferson's Bible.  Enjoy...

We are at a critical point as Unitarian Universalists.  We must change our faith to reflect a changing nation or risk dying as an irrelevant faith.  But we were once a known religion and a major player on the public stage.  What happened?  How can we find our "mojo"?  Listen to this sermon for details...

Blessings,
Rev. John

Here is the controversial sermon by Rev. Jeremiah Wright.  I think you will see, it has been taken out of context and is quite accurate in its description of some the hypocrisy we've demonstrated as a nation.  Please listen to all of this to understand Rev. Wright's full message.  Blessings!

New sermons coming in a few days but until then--Check out Aretha reminding us that "A Change is Gonna Come!"

The last in the series... Rev. John reminds us that even in the face of hardship, pain and loss we were made to be and give hope.  Check it out...

"Be like water...  Adjust to the object."  Water teaches us many lessons about life.  Learn the way of water.  Check it out...  This sermon was preached at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church an intentionally diverse congregation in Camp Springs, MD.  www.dmuuc.org

In this sermon I look at the possible origins of good and bad, moral and immoral using the teachings from Kant and Aristotle.  Is there a reason why we do good?  What motivates our good?  Check it out... 

This sermon was preached at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs, MD an intentionally racially-diverse congregation.

The esoteric religion Kabbalah has been in the news recently and I've been studying its beliefs for some time.  In this sermon, you will find that although it is a rather complex religion it's still basic in its belief and in its understanding of the purpose of life.  Go to the links below to see two diagrams of the Kabbalah Tree of Life which represents the core of its teachings.  Enjoy.

This sermon was preached at Davies Memorial UUC an intentional racially and theologically diverse congregation in Prince George's County, MD.

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TREE OF LIFE

http://www.alt-psyche.com/images/Chakrastree.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~chakra_system/images/treeoflife.jpg

Level 1 (Crown) also called Source; Level 2 (Wisdom) also called Purpose; Level 3 (Understanding) also called Spiritual Love; Level 4 (Kindness) also called Mercy; Level 5 (Strength) also called Will; Level 6 (Beauty) also called "I" or Self; Level 7 (Victory) also called Feeling; Level 8 (Self-Esteem) also called Thinking; Level 9 (Sexuality) also called Subconscious; Level 10 (Foundation) also called Sensing Domain or Body

Space teaches us so much about diversity.  This sermon looks at what science teaches us about differences.  This sermon was preached at Davies Memorial UU Church an intentionally diverse congregation in Prince George's County, MD.

The Rev. Rob Hardies of All Souls Church, Unitarian, and I share the pulpit in his church to share our vision for diversifying Unitarian Universalism.  We each tell personal stories of transformation as well as explain our thoughts on being a White, Gay, man, and a Black, Straight man who both want to grow a faith that is inclusive, pluralistic, and for ALL SOULS. 

Using the Hindu Chakras, Rev. John explains why you have the power to transform your life!  This message was shared March 30, 2008 at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, an intentional multi-racial congregation in Maryland.
www.dmuuc.org

Visit my radio show website to listen to my newest podcast "THE BARBERSHOP" that features Senators and Delegates in the State of Maryland discussing all the issues.  I appreciate your support!
www.barbershopradioshow.com
Click on SHOWTIME

Continuing his series, Rev. John's sermon discusses why it is possible to be blissful even in the midst of a hardship or personal struggle.

This sermon was preached at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church www.dmuuc.org , an intentional multi-racial congregation in Camp Springs, Prince George's County, MD.

This sermon was preached at the UU Church of Annapolis April 6 for their Journey Toward Wholeness Anti-racism annual service.  They are in the midst of many exciting things and have great vision for their future.  Indeed when we have a vision of what we want there is also anxiety.  The traditional passage in Proverbs used as a guide in this message. 

Peace and love,

--Rev. John

My Easter 2008 sermon covers Mithras, Jesus, Obama, Rev. Wright, and the Black Church.  A mixed bag indeed!

In this time where race and mis-perceptions and misunderstanding have reemerged, I want to share a sermon preached some time ago about what love requires from us all...   This sermon was preached at All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, D.C.

Preached in Philadelphia, PA at the Germantown UU Church, this sermon helps us to move beyond race by seeing ourselves in others. 

This sermon covers Emerson's struggles, our struggles, and the quest for truth and meaning.  Emerson's "Self-Reliance" essay guides this sermon.  This message was delivered at Davies Memorial UUC, a multi-racial caring community in Prince George's County, Maryland.

This sermon was developed using the teachings of Judaism.  It is part 2 of my 12 part series: "You Were Made for So Much More!"  Enjoy.  This sermon was preached at Davies Memorial UUC where we are building a multiracial congregation in Prince George's County, MD.  "Room for different beliefs--YOURS!"

This is a new sermon series.  I'll share a few parts of it with you.  My hope is to create a new book out of this series titled: "You Were Made for so Much More!" It will be a secular book with spiritual teachings from the world's religions.  This sermon uses the teachings of Taoism.  Enjoy.  This sermon was given at Davies Memorial UUC where we are working to build a multiracial congregation one person at a time!

On this special MLK, Jr. Sunday we look at the other side of love.  We do all the good we can in life but sometimes we get back hate and envy.  We wonder sometimes if the sacrifice was worth it.  Dr. King had these thoughts too...

Editorial note:  Dr. King's Brother A.D. King died mysteriously 1-year after Martin King not 1 day.  Oops :-)

This is a sample of my new book about the Davies Memorial growth & diversity story, and how we grew from 5% racial diversity to over 35% in three years.  The audio version includes music, live sermons, and the story of our development into a diverse church. Visit us at www.dmuuc.org to order copies of the printed, pdf, or audio version, send checks to: Movement Ministries, 7400 Temple Hill Road, Camp Springs, MD 20748.

Do you believe in sin?  How about "original sin"?  Rev. John gives a brief history on the origins of sin and how we can reinterpret it for our time.  This sermon was given at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs, Prince George's County, Maryland, where we're building a multicultural, caring community. Room for different beliefs. Yours. Visit us at www.dmuuc.org.

The wheel goes round and round and round...  How do we get off and redefine our lives?  Samsara reveals its secrets!  This sermon was given at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs, Prince George's County, Maryland, where we're building a multicultural, caring community. Room for different beliefs. Yours. Visit us at www.dmuuc.org.

This sermon I've preached a few times...  It's one of my favorites---my "rah rah rah" for Unitarian Universalism.   Share this one with those who you want to convert to our marvelous faith! 

This sermon was preached at the UU Church of Williamsburg, VA.

Some options for a merrier Christmas. This sermon was given at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs, Prince George's County, Maryland, where we're building a multicultural, caring community. Room for different beliefs. Yours. Visit us at www.dmuuc.org.