Schedule of Sermons


September 26, 2010
Elizabeth Gaskell:  Neglected Unitarian Heroine
The Unitarian Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell's work is permeated with the principles we as Unitarian Universalists hold close today.  We will explore her courageous work in order to gain a greater understanding of our legacy of equality and social justice.  (Jason Cook)

September 19, 2010
Don't Be Afraid Of Some Change
Ironically change is one of the few constants in our lives. For many of us this is an unsettling or undesirable process and even when the change is a good one it creates stress. So how do we cope with change? What are good strategies and how can we effect positive change in our lives, our families, and our organizations. Karen has been reading about a way to make transformative change and will share that with you this Sunday! (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

September 12, 2010 - Back to 9:30 and 11:15 AM
Water Communion
Renew friendships and catch up on the news on this traditional “back-to-church” Sunday by sharing a short moment of your summer with all in our celebration of our community. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff and the Worship Associates)

September 5, 2010
This I Believe
The Sunday service will be devoted to looking at what beliefs some of our members hold. Scheduled to speak are Lawrence Ingalls, Amy Tompkins, and our new intern, Patrick McLaughlin. Don't miss this inspiring Sunday at OCUUC. Join us for this inspiring service. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

August 29, 2010
Soy Arizonan
Karen traveled to Arizona again in July to protest SB1070 — the discriminatory immigration law. She will share with us some of her experiences and will invite us to consider that “we are all Arizonans” and must rise to the occasion and express our outrage when injustice occurs. As part of the service a short video from the first protest [in May 2010] will be shown. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

August 22, 2010
Our Moral Imperative
A wise person has said that if religion is important to you, then moral behavior isn’t optional — it’s an imperative. What does this mean for us as Unitarian Universalists? How do we determine what our version of morality is and what do we do when we disagree with each other? These are good questions for a summer Sunday morning. Come join us as we consider them! (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

August 15, 2010
High School Students
The high school students of OCUUC will serve as Worship Associates this Sunday. They have planned a wonderful service with readings, songs,pictures, and their vision of the future of UU in the world. Please attend and show your support of their hard work.

August 8, 2010
Vanity of the Vanities
A popular book called "The Secret," the Protestant work ethic, and our basic sense of fairness lead us to believe that good things happen to good people.  Sometimes that just isn't true.  This Sunday we will explore faith without guarantees of reward.  We will also look at the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes for some gems of wisdom and comfort. (Rev. Kent Doss)

August 1, 2010
Building a Sustainable Community
With a fragile economy lingering and corporations exerting their control over people's lives, lovers of justice and people of faith are scrambling to figure out what an appropriate response would be.  How can we use progressive values to build a society concerned about our mutual well-being rather than just the bottom line? (Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong)

July 25, 2010
Faith, Love, and Service
Margaret Mead reminds us that committed citizens are the only people that can make change in the world.  We will explore this notion as Unitarian Universalists motivated by faith, joined in love and serving justice. (AJ Blackwood)

July 18, 2010
Where the Theology Meets the Road
We think we know what we believe and what we hold to be true, but when it comes to a crisis of illness or death, often all bets are off.  Michael Eselun, a chaplain at UCLA Medical Center, will share an exploration of the different ways patients' theologies intersect with such crises, and the common themes that seem to surface from the atheist or fundamentalist alike. This will be Michael's third sermon at OCUUC and they are always well attended! (Michael Eselun)

July 11, 2010
Orphans, Self, Society and Religion
What do orphans have to do with religion?  What can an orphan teach me about myself and our society? And why should I even care?  You may think you know the answers to these questions, but come this Sunday and find out.  Summer Albayati-Dadah will share her insights into love and orphans and the religions of this world. (Summer Albayati-Dadah)

July 4, 2010
One Service Time Begins Today! - 10:30 am
Service led by Keith Jenkins, Installation of new officers will take place, and we will thank our outgoing committee chairs, stewards, nominators, and board members.

Download a copy of Keith's sermon - Is America a UU Nation?

June 27, 2010
Intergenerational Service
It's GA Sunday! Join us for a service that will be appealing to people of all ages. (Merrie Lee Wooten)

June 20, 2010
Traveling to Ithaca
In his poem, “Ithaca”, Constantinos Cavafys, invites us to the journey of life saying, “Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage. Without her you would have never set out on the road. She has nothing more to give you.” This service will explore the ideas of Ithaca in our lives and how they shape ho we are and what we do. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

June 13, 2010
Playing Well with Others
All of us spend at least part of our lives working as part of a team. We serve on committees, have task groups in our work life, are part of a family, and live in neighborhoods. What are the ways we can live out our UU principles and manage these associations in our lives most effectively. When we were little, our report cards indicated whether or not we worked and played well with others – how do we score today? (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

 Music: Orange Coast Choir will present one last anthem before we return in the fall.

June 6, 2010
"What Might the Bible Teach Us?"
As UU’s we don’t have a particular sacred text, but both our traditions began as Christians – albeit heretical ones! What might we still take of value from the Christian Bible? And how could this affect how we live our individual lives and exist as a faith tradition in a multicultural world? (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Barbara Schilling will play harp

May 30, 2010
"When The Spirit Says Do"
One of the elements UU’s don’t have that is common in almost all other religions is the concept of a God or spirit force that can call us to do work or to a way of being in the world. This reluctance on our part to acknowledge a possibility of a force greater than ourselves may well make it difficult for us to fully experience the call to justice, life itself, or a sense of purpose in our lives. What might the UU version of this force or power be? Can we agree on any general idea, and what alternative is there if we can’t? (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Kaleidoscope Singers will sing

May 23, 2010
"A Unitarian Heroine: Margaret Fuller"
This year is the 200th anniversary of Margaret Fuller’s birth. A Transcendentalist and early advocate for women’s rights, come and hear more about her journey as an author, conversationalist, journalist, friend, and wife. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing "Make Them Hear You" from Ragtime.

May 16, 2010
"Happiness"
What is it? Where do we find it? Is there a formula for happiness which is available for all of us? You may be surprised and even happy to find out! Lee Marie Sanchez is the Consulting Minister at the UU Church in Anaheim.

Music: Guest Artist Third Wheel (woodwind instruments trio)

May 9, 2010
"Justice Sunday"
Each year, the UUSC invites us to join in the fight for human rights. We celebrate this cause with a Sunday service. In 2010, the cause chosen is to advance economic justice against the backdrop of the global economic downturn. Come explore this issue and how we might work to make the world a better place! UUSC promises us a chance for meaningful advocacy actions for people of all ages. (Jane Jepson and Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

 Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing.

May 2, 2010
"Looking Inside"
This service ill explore our essential selves and how that differs from our public self. Inspired by a poem by David Whyte entitled “Self-Portrait”, Karen will lead us in an exploration of how we can know what our lives need for us to be and do. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

April 25, 2010
"Sounds of Creation"
Rafael Bejarano is co-founder of Sounds of Creation, an organization dedicated to promoting indigenous music, awareness, and culture. Join us for a special morning of musical meditation designed to promote connection and to awaken the possibilities within us. Rafael uses indigenous instruments from around the world to create a link between mind and body, and to help us open our hearts (Jane Jepson, Worship Associate)

Music: Guest Artist Rafael Bejarano will return, but this time he will provide a musical sermon as well.

April 18, 2010
"Living In A Colorful World"
One of the important issues that UU’s are called to work on is anti-racism. The goal is to create multiculturism. Today we will explore what issues are currently operating in our society and how we might best be part of the solution instead of the problem. In the week to come, Mark Morrison-Reed will give the keynote address at District Assembly and kick off a District-wide consideration of diversity in our midst. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing an African-inspired hymn "Freedom Come"

April 11, 2010
"To Serve the Common Good"
As we kick off our annual Pledge Drive, let’s stop and think about the ways in which our faith community enriches our lives and conversely how we enrich the lives of others through our participation. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Paul Gethard will be featured with the Orange Coast Choir in a tongue-in-cheek Unitarian Universalist parody.

April 4, 2010
"Flower Communion"
It's Easter Sunday! Put on your best spring finery and bring a flower to share with someone. We will celebrate the season with Norbert Capek’s Flower Communion ritual and the story of his life. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Surprise Guest Artist

March 28, 2010
"Without God"
How can we be religious without God? — it’s a question frequently asked of UU’s. Karen will explore some of the beliefs and understandings that we hold as Unitarian Universalists that do not include a belief in a deity. The ethical structure that we uphold is independent of a theology that includes a single text or a higher power. As theists and atheists we can still agree on a fundamental sense of what is good and evil, what is meaningful, and how we need to be in relation to one another and the earth. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing "No Other World" by Kendyl Gibbons and Jason Shelton

March 21, 2010
"Singing Meditation - All-Music Sunday"
Enjoy a Taize-style singing meditation for the bulk of the service. We will sing easy chants and rounds repetitively, creating a tuneful atmosphere to connect with Spirit. No rules, no expectations, no performances - just come and let your spirit sing!

March 14, 2010
"The Unspeakable Crime"
Human Trafficking is a horrendous evil in our world. It is often not talked about because it is too horrible to consider, and yet it is an atrocity that we should all be aware of. This service will look at the practice as it is part of the larger world and as it impacts our own society here in Southern California. Reverend Karen will be assisted by Sandra Kirkpatrick and Sharon Loeschen. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Guest artist Chris Hassett

March 7, 2010
"Moving Hope Forward"
Sometimes, hope can be confused as a passive noun. It's actually an active verb that describes how we as lovers of justice can overcome the temptation to fall into despair when we encounter setbacks in our movement. Come explore ways to live a hope-full life. The Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong is an Interfaith Organizer for California Faith for Equality. He also serves as the Consulting Minister for the Temecula Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation and sits on the Board of the California Council of Churches. He is a member of OCUUC.

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing "Distant Land" by John Rutter

February 28, 2010
"Be Who You Are"
Living life with integrity and being true to oneself is sometimes harder than it should be. Each of us could do well to strive to fulfill Forrest Church's third way of living and see how congruent we can be in our public and private lives. Owning who we are and living it joyously, unapologetically, and well is a goal to strive for. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing "This Little Light of Mine" with Ben Pruess on drums

February 21, 2010
"Do What You Can"
Do you feel overwhelmed by all the work the world offers us to do? Does it seem hopeless to even try because there's just too much that needs to be done? Come hear Forrest Church's wisdom on this subject as we explore the second of his three ways to live well. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing choral selections from "Schindler's List"

February 14, 2010
"Standing On the Side of Love"
On Valentine's Day, we might turn to the subject of love in a broader than usual sense. What does it mean to us as Unitarian Universalists to "stand on the side of love?" Who do we need to stand with and for? How might we do that as individuals and as a corporate body? (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Brad Van Wick, our pianist, will lead the congregation

February 7, 2010
"Want What You Have"
Forrest Church, UU minister and theologian, has a three part mantra for living life well. The first rule is to “want what you have.” We will explore this prescription for life in this morning’s service. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing "Now Is The Time"

January 31, 2010
"What is Health?"
We've been hearing about Health Care Reform for a long time; it is time for an exploration of what health truly is. Join therapist Sharon Loeschen, theological student Rayna Hamre and our Congregation Nurse, Adair Small in an attempt to delineate how Body, Mind, and Spirit impact our individual health. There will be opportunity for community activism on pending legislation following the service.

Music: Kaleidoscope Singers (the former Family Choir) will sing

January 24, 2010
"The Story of Two Wolves"
Basing her sermon on a Native American Folk Tale, Karen will explore how our emotions affect the way we lead our lives. The choices we have about expressing those motions are ones we can take responsibility for and in so doing impact our lives in a positive or a negative way! (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing "Mountain Dance"


January 17, 2010
"Justice Revisited” As we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. once again during the weekend of his birthday, we will take a look at what justice issues he called us to. Everyone thinks of anti-racism in connection with his story, but there were other important problems in our society that he spoke forcefully about. We will look at how those issues are still impacting our society today and what we — as Unitarian Universalists — might do particularly through the work of our two advocacy agencies: UULM [Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry] and UUSC [Unitarian Universalist Service Committee]. King called us to “the fierce urgency of now” and we need to respond to this call in our own time. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing "They Had a Dream" by UU Composer John Shea
January 10, 2010 “Looking at Ourselves in Love”It’s important to be realistic about oneself and to face up to both strengths and weaknesses. We an only grow and change if we are willing to look at where we are right now! But, often we equate realistic self-analysis with harsh criticism. What if we were to make that analysis with love instead? How would we enable our lives? And how do we come to the place where we can accomplish this difficult task? (Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing

January 3, 2010 "This I Believe"
The Sunday service will be devoted to looking at what beliefs some of our members hold. As of the publication of this newsletter the speakers scheduled are Ken Small, Christine Hernandez, and Richard Carter. There is a possibility there may be one more speaker as well. Join us for this inspiring service. (Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Guest artist Rafael Bejarano.

December 27, 2009 "Here Comes the Son/Sun"
In the winter season we witness the falling leaves and the cooling air. Daylight is precious as the days become shorter and plants go dormant. It is a time to reflect upon the year’s end as a new year approaches.Nature shows us in very real ways that spring and new life always follow winter. (Angela Henderson)

Music: Special Guest

Thursday, December 24 7:00 p.m. "Christmas Eve Service"
Join us for our celebration of the holiday. This year’s service will be a combination of readings and music woven around Maya Angelou’s poem, “Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem”.

December 20, 2009 "Winter Solstice Service"
The 3rd Annual Winter Solstice Singing Ritual: “A Celebration of the Darkness and the Light with Songs and Stories”
This is a participatory ritual of song, readings, meditation and action that takes us deep into the darkness and journey through that darkness to greet the joyous return of light. This service is completely accessible to those who have had no previous experience with Paganism.

December 13, 2009 "Living with HIV/AIDS in Orange County"
Join us as we explore how HIV/AIDS affects members of our local community. We will be engaging in the life stories of both those living with and those that work with the HIV/AIDS community. Come and learn what OCUUC as well as local agencies such as AIDS Services Foundation are doing to minister to those affected with this disease. We will decorate the tree.

 Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing “Can You Hear?” featuring soloist Naomi Blackwood.

December 6, 2009 "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry"

Karen was inspired recently when she had a chance to hear Thomas Moore, who authored a book entitled Care of the Soul, speak at a ministers convocation. This sermon will suggest some of what she learned about taking are of our essential selves. Some of it will probably surprise you and all of it will give you much food for thought. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing "The Road Not Taken" from Frostiana by Randall Thompson

November 29, 2009 "A Chalice, Broken and Whole"

Each of our lives is touched by both profound beauty, and unspeakable pains. This worship service will explore the paradox of our human experience, both whole and wounded. We will also talk about what it means to be a religious tradition that takes seriously both the triumphs and the tragedies of our world. (Kent Doss)

Music: A surprise guest artist will present the music

November 22, 2009 "Another Look at Faith"

This Sunday we will take another look at what it means to have faith. There are stages of development for faith just as there are for all sorts of components in our lives. What do those stages look like and how do they impact our lives. Come explore this interesting topic (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing “We Gather Together” with new UU words by Karen Stoyanoff’s former choir director and friend John E. Giles.

November 15, 2009 "Wading In The Water"

What is so significant about water?  Why should we even care about it?  Join Summer as she explores our faith, our beliefs, our experiences, and the stories of those that differ from ours.  Come and learn why water is about justice and why we need to care about it -- now. (Summer al-Bayati)

Music: Choir sings "Hard Times" by Stephen Foster in both services.

November 8, 2009 "Equality!"

We welcome special guest Charlie Clements from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to the pulpit this week. As we acknowledge the first anniversary of the passage of Prop 8, we will take time to honor the GLBT community and to look at how we might work to heal this injustice. Landon Harmanos will be dedicated during the late service and we will recognize new members of the congregation.

Music: Choir sings "Stand" by Amy Carol Webb in both services.

November 1, 2009 "The Halloween Tree"

Ray Bradbury’s “The Halloween Tree” is an intergenerational service. Join us on The Day of the Dead as we travel through time and space with Pip, Moonshroud, and friends to explore some of the ways different cultures celebrate life and death.

Music: Soon-to-be-renamed Family Choir will sing a chant about our ancestors (Intergenerational Service)


October 25, 2009 “We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For”

Everywhere we look, we see human impact on the planet. Parking lots, highways packed with cars, the glow of street lamps on every corner. At this time more than ever, we are called to stand up for our Mother Earth. Jennifer’s presentation will combine the elements of peace and justice with practical environmentalism. What can we do to make our world a more free and just society while leaving a legacy of conservation for our children? (Jennifer Friedman)

Music: Guest Musician: Jennifer Friedman


October 18, 2009 “Doctrine: can you reduce it to practice? If not, have none of it!”
Hosea Ballou made the statement that is the title of today’s sermon. This early Universalist was wise in his understanding since both Unitarians and Universalists have a seemingly innate fear of anything that might be called dogma — or doctrine. How do we know what the rules are if we don’t want to establish a set of principles that we might pass on to new generations? Of course we have principles, although they were not easily established. What is the difference between the principles we espouse as a member congregation of the UUA and the idea of doctrine that we wish to eschew? (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing “Love is the Spirit”

October 11, 2009 "Creating Holy Community - A celebration of Association"
Each year the UUA invites us to support the larger denomination on Association Sunday.This year’s theme is honoring our diversity.We will consider what this means for both the denomination and our community of OCUUC.A special collection will be given and received to support the work that the UUA is doing. To find out more, go to http://www.uua.org/giving/associationsunday/index.shtml. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

 Music: Orange Coast Choir will sing the popular Gospel-style song “We Are One” by UU composer Brian Tate.


October 4, 2009 "Our World Calls Out"
There is so much work to be done. The world is always in need and is calling to each of us to answer with our hearts, our hands, and our minds. How will you serve the world? What is the issue that compels you to action, and when you have found that issue, how will you know what to do in response. These are questions we must each answer if we are true to the heritage of Unitarian Universalism. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)
Music: Surprise Guest Artist.

September 27, 2009 “What Do You Take From Unitarian Universalism?”
We come to this faith tradition seeking truth and meaning for ourlives. We hold our seven principles as a guideline for how we interact with others in our society and how we steward our universe. What do each of you take from Unitarian Universalism that informs your life — that helps you as you decide how you will find meaning, interact with others, and steward the earth. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Orange Coast will sing "'Tis You That Are the Music, Not Your Song"


September 20, 2009 “The Importance of Faith”
Unitarian Universalists have trouble with words like “faith.” And yet, we all have it as part of our lives—we believe in something. Today’s sermon will explore the idea that all faith—religious, spiritual or secular—is a belief that life is worth living no matter what obstacles are thrown in our way. It is essential that we ground ourselves in something—science,humanity, theology are all possibilities—so that we not only give our life meaning, but also provide ourselves with a bulwark for the tough times. (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)

Music: Nicole Glasser will sing a Bach aria, accompanied by oboist Amelia Russo-Neustadt and bassoonist Bill Hunker. Orange Coast Choir will sing an African-American spiritual that exemplifies living through faith.


September 13, 2009 Water Communion
We begin our fall season with a water service, intended to bring our community back together after travels and adventures over the summer. Each person will have an opportunity to add water to the communal bowl representing their place in our community and to tell us what has been happening in their lives. Don’t miss this meaningful “gathering” of our community. If you have brought water from travels, by all means share it with us, but the water is symbolic and can be taken from any tap! (Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff)
Music: Orange Coast Choir will return for the first Sunday of the new year, singing three special songs about water. A small group will also sing contrasting waltzes by Brahms.


Sunday, September 6, 2009 Reflections of a Chaplain
How hospice helps transform the act of dying into the final act of living well.

August 30, 2009 Guest Sermon: Alex Winnett