Sermons
Circle ‘Round for Freedom (Megan Selby, Monica Cosby)
Members of our community, Monica Cosby and Megan Selby, share the experiences of family members and friends in prison, focusing on the spiritual imperative to end mass incarceration and how we keep the circle whole. Monica Cosby shares her experience of being incarcerated.
Freeing the Cycle of Forgiveness (Rev. Karen Mooney)
As a people of faith we offer hope that all are worthy. As an active movement we work to change unjust systems so that redemption is possible. As individuals of integrity we take on cupablity for the transformative power of a web to take hold. Forgiveness, redemption, and atonement are concepts from our everyday lives. Things go wrong and we find ourselves asking for, or giving, forgiveness; allowing for redemption; and perhaps even welcoming an act of atonement. When someone is imprisoned this cycle is truncated into systems built to thwart any real reintegration. Separated from community there is little opportunity for reparation. Our ministry in prisons and jails is based on the radical notion that every person is worthy of respect and has the capability of completing this cycle for themselves. Come and learn how all of us are affected and how together we can offer hope and help. Forgiveness, redemption, and atonement are not muzzled ideas they live and transform with us.
Radical Hospitality (Rev. Marcia Curtis)
Jesus was a social revolutionary in his practice of radical hospitality. He ate with and healed the social outcasts of his day — prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers. The root word for hospitality means generous, caring, sustaining. Our first principle, respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, calls us to a practice of radical hospitality today. We’ll explore how the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois answers that call.
Members of our community, Monica Cosby and Megan Selby, share the experiences of family members and friends in prison, focusing on the spiritual imperative to end mass incarceration and how we keep the circle whole. Monica Cosby shares her experience of being incarcerated.
Freeing the Cycle of Forgiveness (Rev. Karen Mooney)
As a people of faith we offer hope that all are worthy. As an active movement we work to change unjust systems so that redemption is possible. As individuals of integrity we take on cupablity for the transformative power of a web to take hold. Forgiveness, redemption, and atonement are concepts from our everyday lives. Things go wrong and we find ourselves asking for, or giving, forgiveness; allowing for redemption; and perhaps even welcoming an act of atonement. When someone is imprisoned this cycle is truncated into systems built to thwart any real reintegration. Separated from community there is little opportunity for reparation. Our ministry in prisons and jails is based on the radical notion that every person is worthy of respect and has the capability of completing this cycle for themselves. Come and learn how all of us are affected and how together we can offer hope and help. Forgiveness, redemption, and atonement are not muzzled ideas they live and transform with us.
Radical Hospitality (Rev. Marcia Curtis)
Jesus was a social revolutionary in his practice of radical hospitality. He ate with and healed the social outcasts of his day — prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers. The root word for hospitality means generous, caring, sustaining. Our first principle, respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, calls us to a practice of radical hospitality today. We’ll explore how the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois answers that call.