Shows
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Feb 15, 2026Our Sacred Constitution and Star Trek: A famously flawed episode of Star Trek offers a surprisingly sharp moral warning: when sacred words are stripped of meaning, they can become tools of division. In this service, we'll explore how ideals become distorted when they're treated as relics instead of relationships, and how Unitarian Universalism invites us into the harder, more hopeful work of our Constitution and covenant. -Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2026-02-1622 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Feb 8, 2026The Gifts of Christianity: This service explores the gifts Christianity. Some of us carry deep gratitude, others carry deep wounds - and many carry both. In this service, we'll take a clear-eyed, compassionate look at the gifts Christianity has offered the world and our own tradition - while acknowledging that for many of us, this is tender terrain. -Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2026-02-0928 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Feb 1, 2026Resilience - Inspiration - Transformation: What is Resilience? A return to a "norm?" Or maybe a path to transformation? When I define resilience as the ability to spring back into shape, returning to what was, then what inspires Transformation? I need to know. -Kellie Kinsman, Intern MinisterFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2026-02-0325 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Jan 25, 2026Not Just Sitting Still: The many traditions of meditation. Unitarian Universalism draws wisdom from many sources—and so do our spiritual practices. Meditation takes many forms—silence and song, breath and movement, attention and prayer. In this service, we’ll explore different ways of quieting the mind and opening the heart, discovering that there is no single “right” way to meditate. -Rev. Sian Wiltshire with Amelia Russo-Neustadt and Shana Ross.Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2026-01-2734 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Jan 18, 2026We Shall Over Come: Celebrating the Living Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. in word and Song. -Kellie Kinsman, Intern Minister Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2026-01-1914 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Jan 11, 2026The Gifts of Buddhism. At the heart of Buddhism is the desire to alleviate suffering. This service reflects on gifts of Buddhism and its practices has deepened our capacity for and understanding of compassion, resilience and liberation. -Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2026-01-1321 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Jan 4, 2026Level Up! Becoming Who We’re Called to Be. The turning of the year offers more than a fresh calendar—it offers a chance to become more fully ourselves. Join us as we explore how growth, connection, and shared purpose can shape the next chapter for you, for OCUUC, and for our wider community. -Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2026-01-0526 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Dec 28, 2025Fire Communion: Like a Phoenix Rising. As we look to the New Year, the Phoenix is top of mind. That legendary bird who rises up from the ashes of its predecessor. The Phoenix is a powerful symbol of rebirth, renewal, transformation, and resilience. We will explore personal and global examples and how this symbol connects with our own lives. The service will include a fire ceremony where we burn away things we want to let go of, as well as offer a prayer or set an intention for rebirth in the new year. -Rev. Judy Tomlinson
2025-12-2915 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Dec 21, 2025Winter Solstice: The Winter Solstice is obviously the time that marks the darkest point of our journey around the sun and begins the journey back to light. Marking this moment is among the oldest of religious acts. Today as we observe this darkest time of year, we ask what lessons the Winter Solstice can offer us emotionally. On Sunday we will engage the question, how can this be a period of quiet gestation and reflection for all of us. -Kellie Kinsman, Intern MinisterFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-12-2314 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Dec 7, 2025Jesus Called - He Wants His Religion Back: In this service, we'll explore how Christianity has been co-opted by modern Christian Nationalism - and how voices like Unitarian Julia Ward Howe remind us that faith was never meant to be a weapon of domination, but a force for justice, compassion, and courageous transformation. -Rev. Sian WiltshireDue to an unexpected technical issue, this service was not recorded. Rev. Sian graciously re-recorded her sermon so everyone could still hear her message.Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https...
2025-12-2125 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Dec 14, 2025The Gifts of Judaism: Continuing our monthly look at world religions and in honor of Hannukah, let’s look at the gifts of Judaism this holiday season. -Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-12-1719 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Nov 30, 2025The Holy Rebellion of Advent: Advent, the Christian holiday of preparation, begins this week, but it is not for shopping, but of awakening. Advent calls us to a gentle kind of revolution - to imagine systems built on care instead of control, and belonging instead of fear. Before the light of celebration comes the courage to dream of justice. -Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-12-0115 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Nov 23, 2025The Risks and Rewards of Gratitude: Kellie Kinsman, Intern Minister shares the risks and rewards of gratitude.Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-11-2810 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Nov 16, 2025The George Bailey Effect: What if gratitude isn’t about counting our blessings - but imagining life without them? We explore how reflecting on the absence of what we cherish can awaken a deeper, more enduring sense of appreciation for the lives we already have. - Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-11-1718 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Nov 9, 2025Gifts of Confucianism: Confucianism offers the world timeless wisdom about living in harmony — with ourselves, our families, and our communities. It teaches that a just and peaceful society begins with moral integrity, respect, and education, and that true leadership flows from character rather than power. At its heart, Confucianism invites us to cultivate virtue in everyday life so that harmony may ripple outward into the world. - Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-11-0919 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Nov 2, 2025Animal Blessing: On this Sunday, bring your furry and feathered friends (or a picture of them) and we will bless them in Unitarian Universalist fashion! This is a multigenerational service with Rev. Sian Wiltshire.Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-11-0307 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Oct 26, 2025Cultivating Compassion: Growing the Compassion that forms our Unitarian Universalist Values. Let’s consider how we practice compassion among strangers, within our own community, and as self-care. -Kellie Kinsman, Intern MinisterFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-10-2713 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Oct 19, 2025Gifts of Hinduism: Noting that Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights begins on Oct. 20th, and continuing our monthly sermon series on the gifts of various religions, today we look at the gifts of Hinduism to the world. - Rev. Sian WiltshireFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-10-2018 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Oct 12, 2025Being the Calm: When life feels like a tempest, how do we keep ourselves centered and grounded? What do we hold on to? In this day and age, we all need to find our center. - Rev. Sian Wiltshire Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-10-1317 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Oct 5, 2025Free Speech, Brave Listening. We often think of freedom of speech as the right to say whatever is on our minds. But true freedom of speech is incomplete without the courage to listen — to hear words that challenge us, to receive voices long silenced, and to respond with compassion. This Sunday, we reflect on how free speech and listening together create the possibility of a more compassionate world. - Rev. Sian Wiltshire Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-10-0620 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Sept 28, 2025Please Remind Me Who I Am or How the Heck Did I Get Here: Who am I? I ask myself that every day. How did I - how did we - end up here, in these UU spaces? Remembering my journey grounds me, sparks curiosity, and reminds me of purpose and change. What reminds you? -Kellie Kinsman, Intern MinisterFind us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-09-2915 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Sept 14, 2025The Gifts of Animism: Listening Our Way Into Belonging. Animistic and early indigenous traditions invite us into a way of life where listening is more than hearing—it’s how we know our place in the web of life. By listening to the earth, to the spirits of place, to the voices of ancestors, and to one another, we learn how to belong. This year, Rev. Sian will look at a world religion each month and the gifts it offers. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-09-1523 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - Sept 7, 2025What is Unitarian Universalism? Our doors are open wide! Whether you've been here many times, visited once or twice, or are brand new, you are warmly invited to join us for our Open House Sunday. Bring your curiosity, your stories, and maybe even a friend—because there's always room for one more. Rev. Sian Wiltshire looks at what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and building a place where everyone belongs. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-09-0919 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - August 31, 2025Laughter As Resistance. Humor, satire and ridicule have long been a deliberate strategy in resisting authoritarian regimes. There will be jokes. Rev. Arvid Straube joins as guest minister. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-09-0113 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - August 24, 2025Let's Talk About Sex. Got your attention? Good! Because we are going to talk about sex education through our award-winning program, called Our Whole Lives (OWL) which we are launching for our junior high students in September. Come hear why this program is important to our values as UUs. - Rev. Sian Wiltshire and Danielle Lewis, Director of Religious Education. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-08-2516 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - August 17, 2025Celebration and Blessings! This is the first Sunday in our new sanctuary! On this day, we blessed the new Sanctuary in a myriad of ways. Join in the fun with Rev. Sian Wiltshire. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-08-1829 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - August 10, 2025The Unexpected: When Life Has Other Plans. Join us as Donna McCartney shares a thought-provoking sermon on the unexpected twists in life. We have all made plans - only to have them suddenly derailed, often leaving us frustrated or disappointed. But what if those disruptions lead us to something even better than what we originally envisioned? Come explore how life’s detours might be part of a greater journey. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-08-1111 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - August 3, 2025Unitarian Universalist Mysticism: Finding your inner light. On this Sunday we explore what mysticism means to UUs and how we can all experience it. Come join us for this day of reflection and joy. Rev. Sian Wiltshire is in the pulpit. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-08-0632 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - July 27, 2025Waving the Flag Without Whacking Your Neighbor: Nationalism (both Christian and secular) has been growing in our country and around the world. Is it a form of patriotism or tribalism? And why should we as Unitarian Universalists pay attention to this trend? Rev. Sian Wiltshire is in the pulpit. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-07-2816 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - July 20, 2025Embracing the Messiness of Mental Health: Mental health is often an invisible issue, but we have all gone through times, just like our bodies, when we get sick. What can we do to make this kind of illness more visible without judgement, but with compassion? Rev. Sian Wiltshire is in the pulpit. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-07-2230 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - July 13, 2025Spirituality after Religion: Rev. James Ishmael Ford explores themes introduced in his new book, "Zen at the End of Religion: An Introduction for the Curious, the Skeptical, and the Spiritual but Not Religious." He thinks there are powerful themes to be unraveled and considered in that term "spiritual but not religious." And he shares some that he thinks are useful. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-07-1316 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - July 6, 2025Art as a Spiritual Practice: Art, whether one creates it or experiences it, can have a profound effect on one’s “soul”. Some say that a creative endeavor is raised to art if experiencing it changes you in any way. JoLynn Jones Ibáñez is the guest speaker. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-07-0829 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - June 29, 2025The Thread: Guest speaker and UCLA oncology chaplain, Michael Eselun reflects and explores the idea of a single thread that may run through our entire lives - what it takes to find it, what is our relationship to it, and how it just might help us make sense of the whole journey thus far. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-07-0720 min
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) PodcastOCUUC Worship Service - Sermon - June 22, 2025The Power of Rainbows: We celebrate Pride Month with personal stories shared by Femia Scarfone and Nicole Gauthier, and inspiring words from Rev. Sian Wiltshire. Find us in Costa Mesa, CA or at: https://ocuuc.org
2025-06-2323 min