It may be that some are natural born pessimists or optimists, but it is also possible to reprogram our brains to recognize the good things happening. Our mindset impact the way we view the world, so retraining our brains to recognize the positive things we often miss, while also helping us feel more contented, is a task worth considering.

2020 was a tumultuous year given the contentious Presidential Election and the global pandemic that has kept many of us isolated for months. Yet humanity’s steady progress in some arenas did not slow during this period, including the advance of digital communications and the medical technologies that held us together and brought us numerous vaccines at lightning speed. In this sermon, we’ll consider some of the positive advances many are likely to have missed during this historic year.

“Human” and “Humor” share the same root. Being human means being able to laugh. But laughter is often in response to the minor violation of some cultural taboo and can sometimes accompany real tragedy. “Too soon,” the comedian asks. In this sermon we’ll contemplate the purpose of humor, what makes something funny, and how to keep our sense of humor in serious times.

As a minister, I’m often asked to offer a public prayer, which can be tricky for a guy who doesn’t believe in God. In this sermon I’ll talk about how and why I pray in ways that are both meaningful to others and that maintain my integrity.

We live in a time when it has become taboo to empathize or associate with those our “tribe” disagrees with, whichever side of the ideological spectrum we’re on. This may be rooted in the loss of civics training and civility in our society during the past decades. In this sermon we’ll consider why it is still important to associate with those we differ with, even if doing so displeases some.

Reflections on Recent Events in America

The images of Americans raiding our Nation’s Capital building in protest of the Congressional recognition of President Elect Joseph Biden’s victory was deeply disturbing for many of us, on top of all the other woes we’re dealing with right now. In this message, I’ll discuss my thoughts on this event, including its causes and where we must go from here to progress toward a more civil society.

We will not be able to hold our usual Cosmic Advent service on Christmas Eve this year because of COVID-19. It’s not a service that would lend itself well to anything but an in-person experience. Instead, we will have a churchwide Zoom service, which will include special music and a reading of Rev. Eklof’s holiday story, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and then Gave it Back.” The presentation will include his rendition of a pictorial storyboard. So gather round with family, friends, or a glass of eggnog to participate in this special holiday service. Please check your email for a link to this Zoom event!

There are lots of great Holiday songs out there, but one of my favorites may seem an unlikely candidate, Imagine, by John Lennon. Not only does it ask us to envision all that we hope for during the Holiday season, but the songwriter’s personal history reminds us what it takes to help make our dreams come true.

Sunday services is live streamed. Click Watch Services. Liberalism has long been defined by its aversion to authority, which is why it values the democratic principle of everyone having a voice in how they are governed. Yet today, rather than flourishing, democracy is being diminished by extremism on both the right and the left. In this sermon, we’ll focus on our historic commitment to preserving and promoting the distribution of power and the freedom of dissent.

Sunday service is live streamed. Click Watch Services. There is rising pressure these days to think and act like everyone else, or else. Because of a false idea of what equality means, individuals are increasingly expected to all arrive at the finish line at the same time. “Everyone is a winner,” which also means everyone loses. How do we look more deeply into what it means to be a society in which equity and equality prevail?