Church Services

We have one service starting at  11:00 AM and lasting about an hour. Between services we gather for coffee, tea, snacks and great conversation. Around noon those who wish to discuss the sermon topic meet back in the sanctuary.

Note: If this page is not up-to-date please check out our newsletter for upcoming sermons.

Upcoming Sermons

July 13  “Toward Pronoia: A Musical Journey” Josef Patchen:

Taking ideas from the book "Pronoia" by Rob Beszny, this service is an anecdotal and musical description of the journey toward the improbable but wonderful conclusion that, contrary to popular opinion, the universe is conspiring in our favor.

Previous Sermons

July 6 “Preparing to Part”  Rev. Roy Reynolds:

Leaving is never easy, often necessary, and in this case, a must. In this message Rev. Roy will reflect on leavings and learnings, offering a kind of summing up before he departs UUCA at the end of July. You can help shape this service. If you have a question or topic you would like for him to touch on regarding his ministry here, please send it to royreyn@bellsouth.net.

June 29 "Social Justice Building Together: Partners in Faith" UUCA Social Justice Committee:

 The UUCA Social Justice Committee will celebrate the work of Partners in Faith over the past year. Representatives from a number of our interfaith partners will speak on how our common work on a Habitat for Humanity house has made an impact on them.

June 22 Rev.  "Creating Your Own Sacred Text" Scott Dillard:

This sermon looks at the ways in which UU's can create a sacred text of their own to order their experience, serve as a source of inspiration, and guide them on their spiritual journey. Rev. Dillard is an interfaith minister and a professor of rhetoric and performance studies at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.

June 15 “Epiphany” Joey Traina (listen/MP3):

 Joey Traina life-long UU, will delve deep into our understanding and cognizance of the world around us and explore how this understanding can manage to steer us by providing choices and opportunities. Epiphanies are possible when we are open to our choices and listen to ourselves for assurance and clarity. Joey will also tell his personal story of how he recently had an epiphany and came to realize UU ministry as a “calling.” Come hear one of our “up and coming” ministers, and, if you can, stay for the sermon dialogue after the service to share your own experience of deep selfrealization

May 25  “Old Time Buddhist Gospel Hour” Rev Dr. Calen Rayne

Join us for gospel music, hymn singing and a sermon, "Dance of the Rivers," that weaves Buddhist teachings on compassion with our UU water service. As one congregant in Tennessee remarked, "This is not your daddy's Buddhism." Calen has a MFA in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University and a DMin from Wisdom University. Calen is a member of the UU Society for Community Ministries and Spiritual Directors International. He has been a “circuit rider” for UU churches from Florida to New England since 1995.

May 18  “The Poor Are Different” Anita Bell

Anita will initiate a thoughtful dialog with people of progressive faith on a framework for exploring poverty.

April 27th“What Might We Do Together?”  Rev. Margaret L. Beard (listen/MP3)

Unitarian Universalism comes out of a covenantal theology. How might we deepen the relationship among ourselves and with those yet to come? What core values and hopes might be in a shared future?

April 20th “What Difference Does it Make?” Rev. Margaret L. Beard(listen/MP3):

 What difference does Unitarian Universalism make? Our ministerial candidate, Rev. Margaret L. Beard, will explore the difference our faith movement can make. In the sermon she will also tell us a little more about herself and end with some provocative questions for us.

April 13 “Passover” Gaye Ortiz:

 As we prepare to celebrate the third annual Passover Seder held at UUCA on April 20, Gaye will speak about the need to remember the past, and how that need has shaped the Jewish feast of Passover.

April 6 “European Roots: Our Transylvanian Heritage”  Rev. Roy Reynolds:

 Too few of us know the origin stories of Unitarian Universalism. Today’s service tells the story of the Transylvanian heritage of Unitarianism. However, the service is more than a history lesson. It brings the story current.

March 30 “Sharks in the Collard Patch” Rev. Heather Collins (Listen/MP3):

How do we respond to crises when it comes our way? Backing up a step, what does actual crises look like to each of us? This seems germane in the 21st century as the pace of life continues to increase bringing unexpected changes and new situations which may or may not be critical.

March 16 “Carry on the Flame” Rev.  Roy Reynolds and Many Others

Here is a service you won’t want to miss. We will “pull out all the stops” and celebrate the strength and momentum of UUCA. What better way than through music and memories and an exciting vision with new ministerial leadership for UUCA? This will be the service for hearing our values and dreams expressed in a new budget. This will be the Sunday we pledge our love and commitment to the beginning of a new era for UUCA. Be sure to attend this moment that will mark the future for our church.

March 2 “A Visit from Elizabeth Cady Stanton”  Rev. Jane Page (listen/MP3):

Come celebrate Women’s History Month with UUCA as we welcome Elizabeth Cady Stanton (portrayed by Rev. Jane Page) to our pulpit. Stanton devoted her life to freeing women not only from legal constraints, but also from superstition and the teachings of the church regarding women. This “sermon” was composed by Rev. Jane using excerpts from various speeches and letters, etc. written by Stanton.

February 17  “More Than Just Turning Left” Amy Rickard (listen/MP3):

“Religion” and “NASCAR” Rev. are not always associated with one another, but on the day of the fiftieth running of ‘The Great American Race’, we will examine what the Daytona 500 can teach us about our spiritual journeys. The Rev. Amy Hobby Rickard, Director of Augusta Urban Ministries, will share stories and reflections from her Daytona experiences and Christian scripture.

February 10 “Darwin” Dr. Frank Carl w/Randy Raymond (listen/MP3 Read/PDF):

 Every year near Charles Darwin’s birthday (February 12), the Worship Committee sponsors a service on evolution or Darwin. This year Dr. Frank Carl will deliver this special annual message.

(Note: In addition to Dr. Carl's sermon, the MP3 recording includes the story for all ages: "Charles' Big Idea" told by Randy Raymond)

January 27, 2008  “A Middle Way” Don Hostetler (listen/MP3):

The so-called new atheists, Hitchings, Harris, and Dawkins, have been highly critical of religion and its role in the modern world. I believe that much of their criticism is valid. The many religions play a major role in most peoples lives and thus will heavily influence our future. They are not likely to be impacted strongly by the criticism of the new atheists, at least in the near term. Is there a middle way that can use this criticism constructively in the real world. Don Hostetler has been involved in the UUCA since its founding 54 years ago.

December 30  “Perihelion day: A holy day for religious naturalists?” Randy Raymond (Listen/MP3):

On January 3rd, our planet will reach perihelion. Perihelion is the point in a planet’s elliptical orbit when it is at its closest to the sun. It is an annual astronomical event like the solstices and the equinoxes. However, unlike the solstices or the equinoxes, no society or ancient religious tradition has ever thought to give the perihelion, or aphelion its opposite, special significance in their calendar. There is a reason for this and a reason why it just might be a day of special significance for those of us who approach the natural world with religious reverence and awe, but do so using the methods of science. Long time member of the UUCA, Randy Raymond, will discuss this topic on the Sunday before perihelion.

Note: Audio of this sermon also includes The Story for All Ages told to the children at the beginning of the service.

December 23 "Christmas Service" Andy Reese (Listen/MP3)

December 9  "Death Through Deep-Time Eyes" Connie Barlow(Listen/MP3):

Coming to terms with death, of loved ones and ultimately of ourselves, has long been regarded as a core impetus for the religious impulse. Science writer Connie Barlow, a popular UU speaker, assembles modern understandings drawn from various fields of science to weave a cosmological celebration of death that is both realistic and comforting.

For more of Connie's messages, you might enjoy: The Great Story Workshop with Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd. Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 6:00pm at the church.

Note: Due to copyright considerations, the actual sermon could not be posted.  Instead we have posted some of the readings from the service.

December 2  “All In The Family” Rev. Nan White

On December 2 we are observing Unitarian Universalist Association Sunday, a time for us to celebrate our connections with other UUs in our state, district, nation and around the world. As part of Association Sunday, Rev. Nan White from Beaufort, South Carolina, will be our speaker and will address the question: As autonomous congregations tend to go it alone in ministry, how can we best help our sister congregations and what will that mean for you at Augusta? On this Sunday, we will have a special collection as part of a national fund-raising campaign based on the theme “Growing our Faith, Growing Our Numbers.” The funds collected will be used for national marketing and growth outreach projects.

November 11  “The Journey to Awakening: Beyond Categorical Thinking” Mary Esther Johnson (listen/MP3):

 As a prelude to considering possible ministerial candidates, we will examine congregational biases that push us toward prejudice and stereotyping. How do we show respect and compassion rather than self- interest and ignorance? How do we promote inclusive thinking and prevent discrimination in our search process? How do we rise to our greatest humanity? In this service, the presenters will explain how categorical thinking can cause biases which are often unintentional and unconscious. The journey to awakening requires that we recognize these biases and move beyond categorical thinking. Mary Esther Johnson, a member of the UU church of Huntsville, and Diane Shipp, a member of the Greenville UU Fellowship, will facilitate our Sunday afternoon UUA sponsored workshop on Beyond Categorical Thinking. See the workshop announcement in this newsletter for further details.

October 28, 2007 “Samhain Celebration” Dionne Ruff-Sloan (listen/MP3)

Dionne, as priestess, returns to UUCA for this special worship service, the topic of which is pronounced “sowun.” Dionne, says, “Ghosts and goblins and witches, oh my!” Spiral Path invites the whole church community as we demystify the celebration of Samhain (commonly known as Halloween). Rev. Roy will assist in the service. Costumes are welcome.

October 14, 2007  “Why I AM A UU” Various (listen/MP3):

Since Unitarian Universalists believe that the journey of the human spirit is one that each person must make for her or himself, people become UUs for different reasons. In this annual service, four church members, Tonya Bonitatibus, Bill Hight, Karl Wenger and Barbara Wise will share some thoughts and experiences which provide insight into why they are Unitarian Universalists.

September 30, 2007  “General Assembly” Andy Reese (listen/MP3):

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The business of the Association is done then, but most of the time is given over to worship services (daily), talks and workshops on a wide range of topics (some of which are sure to be of interest to any congregational leader), commercial vendors of UU oriented items, and the chance to socialize with UUs from across North America. Alice and Andy are going to share highlights and insights from this year's GA in Portland. Come celebrate being a UU with us!

Sept. 16  “The Lost Art of Conversation” Gaye Ortiz (listen/MP3):

Have we lost the art of real conversation? With the 2008 election campaign already upon us will we really hear what the candidates are saying and what the voters want them to hear? Gaye Ortiz will share her reflections on this past spring semester's experiment in public conversation at Augusta State University with her Communication classes, and will ask whether the sentiment of Hymn #129 is right when it says that, when we unite in love, "disputes enrich our life" and "debate can cause no strife".

August 19 Hugh Hammond “Evil and the Three Hoaxes” (listen/Mp3):

One marker of our UU identity is our commitment to social justice. But is our social justice work diminished by pervasive hoaxes that distort – or even undergird – our understanding of ‘evil’?

August 12“Precious Memories”  Joyce Nolin (listen/MP3):

 Joyce Nolin, long time member, past president, and former Religious Education Director will share some of her memories of activities and learning experiences since her first visit to this church in 1968.

July 15, 2007  "Can You Say AMEN?" Rev. Jane Page:

Rev. Page is back in Augusta to speak with us about congregational participation in worship. Jane is the minister for the Statesboro UU Fellowship and this is the first time we have welcomed her back to UUCA since she took up her ministry there last fall.

July 1 “Is Your Eschatology apocalyptic?” Naomi Frost-Hewitt (listen/MP3):

 What does the biblical book of Revelation REALLY reveal? Is it possible that even non- Christian Unitarian Universalists might take a message of hope and love from a text that has inspired the terrible predictions of the "Left Behind" series with its militaristic Christian heroes, the assumption of the Rapture, and billions of doomed and suffering non-Christians? Might the torture and isolation undergone by John of Patmos, the author of Revelation, give us insight into the minds of people in similar situations today around the world? Naomi Frost- Hewitt, a member of the Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church, will provide answers to these questions about eschatology, which is the study of the "end times.”

June 24 “The Wellspring Wednesday Experience” Tracy Craig, Chris Palmer, Jim Keen, Siobhan Gransbury, Gaye Ortiz (listen/MP3):

 More and more UU churches are starting midweek activities. How well did our first series of Wellspring Wednesdays succeed? Participants from the courses on Process Theology, the Jesus Seminar, Buddhism, and Mythology share their thoughts about the experience.

June 17 "Spiritual Activism" Rev. Scott Dillard (listen/MP3):

 What does it mean to be a spiritual activist? What kinds of actions can one take to put their spiritual beliefs into practice for the better of the world around them? This sermon seeks to engage these questions and explore the variety of ways our faith is played out on the larger social stage.

May 20  "The Many Faces of AIDS... A Call to Action" Lori Sandlin (listen MP3):

This service is in recognition of those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. Lori will present local and global facts about this pandemic which spans 26 years and seems to have no end in sight, leaving millions feeling helpless. The service will offer a way for everyone to take part in a “Call to Action.” Come learn what you and this congregation can do. May 20th is the 24th annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial to be held in 85 different countries representing over 3,000 communities. The Sunday service will be a prelude to the candlelight memorial which will be held at 6 pm at UUCA, an event sponsored by the Social Justice Committee.

May 6  “Waltzing with Wylma,” Rev. Roy Reynolds:

Anger affects us all. There is such a thing as healthy anger. This sermon explores that option. What might religious insight into the emotion of anger look like? Through personal stories and reflections, Rev. Roy will bring out what he has learned about coping effectively with anger.

March 4  “UU "Herstory" Comes to Life” Gaye Ortiz and Betty Morehouse:

For an intergenerational service marking International Women's Week, Dr. Gaye Ortiz and Betty Morehouse will take the congregation back to the days and deeds of courageous UU women, like Susan B. Anthony. These women fought for the equality of women and in doing so, empowered future generations in the struggle for human rights. Hope that's okay - the title of the sermon is UU "Herstory" Comes to Life.

February 25  “Just Sign the Book?” Rev. Roy Reynolds:

 People often ask, “What does it mean to be a member of a UU congregation?” Today’s message will offer one minister’s answer to that question. Fitting for this occasion, a New Member Inclusion Ceremony will be part of the service. If you have been contemplating membership, please contact Rev. Reynolds or Liz Goodson.

February 18 "The Church as Caretaker" Don Hostetler (listen)

February 11 "Evolution Sunday" Doug Martin and Randy Raymond (listen)

  "Fear, Faith & the Quiet Sigh of Peace"  11/11/01 Rev. Bob MacDicken (listen)

Today marks 83 years since the end of "The War to End All Wars", World War I.  Since Armistice Day our language has changed- with ethnic cleansing and terrorism the new war words-but wars continue.  Religious leaders talk of peace, but wage Jihad.  Americans pour back into churches in the hope of finding solace and reassurance.  But where is our peace to be found in the midst of ever-present fear?  Join Rev. MacDicken as he serches for answers.

"Witness to the World" Dan King 5/20/01 (Listen)