Unitarian Congregation of West Chester Sermon Podcasts

The words “soul” and “spirit” will be frequently used in this sermon. But don’t worry: the topic has nothing to do with religion or theology. Rev. Dr. Parks will share with you her hypothesis that all humans have a soul, and that it becomes more and more important for us to be aware of that fact. The Reverend Dr. Gabriele Parks came to the United States from Germany in 1991, with her husband Roger and her then six-year-old twins. Reverend Gabi discovered Unitarian Universalism in Columbia, Maryland, where she joined UUCC in 1996. After serving in many volunteer roles at the church, she felt the call to UU ministry, and went to Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2001 where she received her Masters of Divinity after three years.  Since then, she has served five congregations all over the United States, as an intentional interim/transition minister. In 2015, she went back to seminary, this time to Wesley in Washington, DC, where she graduated with the Doctor of Ministry in the field of Narrative Theology. She has served her congregation in York, Pennsylvania, until her retirement in February of 2019. She now serves four cats, her husband, and one rambunctious dog.

Our congregation has taken many leaps over the years – how do we take the next leap together? This service will feature special music and member testimonials, as well as a message from Rev. Schatz.

How can we cultivate a practice of leaving behind what gets in the way of our growth?

Two dictionary definitions of Sustainability are “The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.” and the “Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.” As a society are our current food choices maintaining an ecological balance and can they be maintained at the current level?  In this service we’ll explore together how our decisions about what food is on our plate and where it comes from are closely tied to the principles of Unitarian Universalism, our health, and our community.

We begin Black History Month with a special service centering around the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and its message for us as we lift our voices and hands for justice.