Selected Sermons
 Download samples of sermons by Rev. Tom Rhodes and Assistant Minister Eric Kaminetzky in MP3 format, or view PDFs of recent sermons by other speakers. Click on the title of the sermon that you would like.
March 7, 2010
"Are We There Yet: Diversity and the Wake County Schools" by Rev. Tom Rhodes.
February 7, 2010
"Brain, Mind, Self, Soul, Spirit" by Rev. Tom Rhodes.
January 24, 2010
"The End of Life" by Rev. Tom Rhodes.
January 17, 2010
"The Spirit Keeps on Walking -- Who Is MLK Today" by Eric Kaminetzky.
December 27, 2009
"The Sins of Thomas Jefferson" by Bo Chagnon.
October 4, 2009
"Not Just Another Pretty Faith", by Bo Chagnon.
August 9, 2009
"Integrity" by Assistant Minister Eric Kaminetzky.
August 2, 2009
"Meaning of Mission: Stephen Covey, Viktor Frankl, Minor League Baseball, Volvo's, Barack Obama and figuring out your mission in life." by Assistant Minister Eric Kaminetzky.
July 26, 2009
"History and Happiness - Choosing to know who you are as a Unitarian Universalist and how to be happy about it." by Assistant Minister Eric Kaminetzky.
July 19, 2009
"Feminism, Humanism: A Clash of Metaphors" by Lynda Hambourger. "The world is pregnant with God!" exclaimed 13th century visionary Angela of Foligno. Religious feminists might find such language meaningful, many humanists would not.
July 5, 2009
"History: Living with, Celebrating, and Making It", by Assistant Minister Eric Kaminetzky.
Who we are makes history, and the Second Principle of the Unitarian Universalist Association claims that we do that by engaging a free and responsible search for the truth. UUA President Rev. Peter Morales, John Calvin, Bishop Carton D. Pearson, The Mountain, The Trail of Tears, and us.
June 28, 2009
"The Seven Principles of Jesus" by Bo Chagnon.
What did Jesus really say? Did his words provide values to live by? Are his words relevant to the Unitarian Universalist search for truth and meaning?
June 14, 2009
"It's What You Say and How You Say It That Counts," by Assistant Minister Eric Kaminetzky.
Sometimes you have to hear something said in just the right way before it counts. Come hear about turtles, babies, Barack Obama, and Michael Servetus.
June 7, 2009
"The Faith Club -- Expanded," by Rev. Tom Rhodes
The book chosen by UUFR members for congregation-wide reading is about an interfaith dialogue between a Jew, a Christian, and a Muslim -- The Faith Club. How might Unitarian Universalism enter into dialogue with these monotheistic faiths? Using excerpts from the book and his own reflections, Rev. Tom looks at the challenges and affirmations found in the encounter.
April 19, 2009
"The Difference Between Pride and Esteem" by Bo Chagnon.
This Sunday Bo Chagnon talks about pride and esteem. Aren’t they the same thing? Does this have anything to do with the UU Seven Principles? How are they valued in the dominant US culture? Does it make any difference? And, what do the fans get if their team wins the Iron Bowl?
December 28, 2008
"How to Cope with the Christmas Season If You Don’t Believe in the Divinity of Jesus, And Other Stories" by Bo Chagnon.
A dozen stories, more or less. Can they possibly be connected?
April 8, 2007
"The Resurrection of the World" by Rev. Tom Rhodes.
It's Easter Sunday, and a great celebration is planned! During this morning's intergenerational service, we'll retell the story of Jesus from a UU perspective, have a special child dedication ceremony to celebrate the new lives among us, share stories, songs, and silence, and finish with a uniquely Unitarian ceremony — the flower communion.
February 25, 2007
"Prayer: Naming with the Heart" by Rev. Tom Rhodes.
Over eighty percent of Americans say they pray on a regular basis. Among Unitarian Universalists the number is doubtless somewhat lower, given our diverse views of God. Do we need to believe in a personal deity in order to pray with integrity? Is prayer effective, and does it depend on our personal faith?
February 11, 2007
"At the Gates of Heaven and Hell" by Rev. Tom Rhodes.
If some form of life after death is a possibility, what might we expect? Unitarian Universalism is a faith which "neither promises people Heaven nor threatens them with Hell." Still, images and stories of the afterlife can be useful in clarifying our values and hopes for times to come.
January 14, 2007
"Is Racism an Addiction?" by Rev. Tom Rhodes.
It has been said that when it comes to race, most Whites don't see a problem while most Blacks don't see a solution. Perhaps that's because we are asking the wrong questions. Is it possible to reframe the issue of racism into one of addiction and recovery?
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