Weekly Sermons
July 26 - Manipulating Faith: An Update on Texas Christian Nationalism – Amy Slaughter and Wil Jeudy
Sermon Description:
Amy Slaughter graduated from the University of Texas and taught art for three years as an altruistic young woman who loved kids before turning to the dark side. She became an attorney after graduating from the University of Houston Law Center. Luckily, her love of children led her to work with families through adoption and dealing with matters involving children's protective services. She currently works for a local firm on the island. .
She was raised in a Southern Baptist Church, a mega church, and considers herself a product of both private and public school education. Amy currently identifies as Christian and currently attends Trinity Church in Galveston. It is her firm conviction that there are as many ways to study, pray, and worship as there are people to study, pray, and worship. Fundamentally, she feels that freedom of religion is equally freedom from religion for those who do not believe in any god. For those who do believe it is freedom of conviction on how, when, and where to worship, because all worship relies on a personal relationship with God.
Wil Jeudy is an urgent care physician by day and a secular activist the rest of the time. He is the State Director (Texas) for the American Atheists where he helps keep the secular groups in Texas healthy and active. He is the chair of the American Atheists's "Secular Advocacy Team" which tracks and testifies for/against bills during the Texas legislative session. He is on the Advisory Board of the Center for Freethought Equality. He is very involved in the local secular groups including Houston Oasis, Houston Atheists, and SHORE. And finally, he formed the group Secular Houston which organizes the secular political voice in the greater Houston area, endorsing candidates that align with our values, and teaches constituents how and where to direct their energy to affect change through a secular prism aka Separation of Church & State.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project - Chiqui Sanchez-Kennedy
Sermon Description:
GHIRP ensures that immigrants in the community have equal access to due process in our complex immigration system. Access to counsel is a critical component to due process for immigrants seeking family unity, protection from deportation, and freedom from abuse and persecution. GHIRP’s model of combining education with legal representation empowers immigrants in our community to reach their greatest potential by first achieving safety, stability, and independence.
lizabeth (Chiqui) is the Executive Director of Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project (GHIRP), founded in 2020. Chiqui and two fierce advocates (Vanessa and Liz) started GHIRP to provide zealous, comprehensive representation to immigrants in the Galveston-Houston area. Chiqui has devoted her professional career to providing high quality legal services to immigrants at non-profit organizations. She has represented unaccompanied minors, adults, and families before the Immigration Court, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and federal district and circuit courts. Prior to starting GHIRP, she worked at YMCA International Services (2017-2020), Cabrini Center (Catholic Charities) in Houston (2016-2017), Catholic Legal Services of Miami (2011-2016), Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) in New York City (2010-2011), and South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project - ProBAR (2008-2010). Chiqui received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas (2008) and her B.A. from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina (2003). Chiqui likes to spend her free time with her husband, three kids, and the little family dog who rules the house, and running with friends.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
Kuan Yin - Kiya Hearthwood
Sermon Description:
Kuan Yin- is the Chinese name for the goddess of compassion. She/He/They is the Bodhisattva who hears the cries of the World.
Kiya is the minister of the UU Church of the Brazos Valley in Bryan/College Station, TX. She is also an award winning Singer- Songwriter.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
The Power of Forgiveness -Rev. Daniel O’Connell
Sermon Description:
When we are little and mess up, we usually know what to do. We can say “I’m sorry,” and it’s pretty easy to be forgiven. And if a stranger accidentally bumps into us —it’s easy to forgive them. That
Rev. Dr. Daniel O’ Connell, a former Unitarian Universalist minister with over 20 years of experience, has served congregations in Danbury, CT, St. Louis, MO, and Houston, TX, and held leadership roles on regional and national boards. Notably, he performed the Midwest’s first public gay wedding in 2003, co-founded the UU Voice for Justice, and successfully merged three Houston churches into a unified congregation with three locations.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
Faith in the Time of the Mad King - Cheryl Sanders-Henry
Sermon Description:
As Unitarian Universalists, we focus on social justice and what action we can take. However, in these times of waking up each day to unsettling reports of unimaginable cruelty and corruption, it's easy to lose faith. We cannot afford to lose faith and succumb to despair. We must take care of ourselves so we can continue our fight for justice. Our spiritual practices are more important than ever during these times. Let's explore some of those practices and remind ourselves how our faith has brought us through difficult times before and can sustain us now.
Cheryl Sanders Henry retired from a career in corporate Human Resources. Her career included teaching high school English, managing Training and Development at the Department of Public Works in the City of Houston, and finally, managing Training and Development in the Goodyear Chemical Division. She was an active member of the UU Fellowship in Galveston for 16 years. She is now a member of the Bay Area UU Church in Clear Lake and in July began serving as president of the Board of Directors. Cheryl and her husband Red live on Galveston Bay with their three dogs, Jackson, Charley, and Lola, and their almost-domesticated cat, CB.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
Diversity IS the Norm - Rev. John Pepper
Sermon Description:
Currently there is a backlash against Diversity. But in All of Reality, Diversity IS the norm. Religion, at its best, helps us deal with our Ongoing Diversity Realities.
Rev. John Pepper is happily retired from both corporate America and the Federal Government. He enjoys speaking at small churches and helping out with his own home church, the Unitarian Fellowship of Houston. John and his husband, Randy Joiner, enjoy travelling to Shreveport and Mississippi to see many loved family members, and vacationing wherever the urge takes them.
Join on Zoom or In-Person
Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
What is Atheism and is it a Religion? Pam Johnson
Sermon Description:
Religion is defined as a structured system of beliefs, values and practices concerning the supernational, sacred or spiritual. Is Atheism a religion? Some say since it is “anti-theist” it is not a religion, but others say it can include a structured system of beliefs and values. Many atheists see themselves as humanists, so maybe that is their religion. Pam will explore different aspects of atheism and similar beliefs, and some atheist organizations.
Pam is the current Program Chair. She was raised UU in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and has also been a member of Nacogdoches UU Fellowship (now Timberland), First Jefferson UU in Fort Worth (now All Peoples), and Thoreau Woods UU Church in Huntsville (now closed). She is a clinical social worker winding down her private practice. She is married to James Johnson, and together they produce house concerts, are members of Galveston Ukulele Society, love to travel, and spending time with their three daughters and nine grandchildren.
Join on Zoom or In-Person
Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
The Ten Commandments: Imposing Religion or Honoring History-Rabbi David Segal
Sermon Description:
A dozen states are considering or have already enacted legislation regarding Ten Commandments displays in public schools. The Fifth Circuit recently rejected challenges to both Louisiana’s and Texas's Ten Commandments display laws, upholding the laws as constitutional. The Eighth Circuit is reviewing the appeal of a similar Arkansas law. The Texas case, Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights ISD, may go to the Supreme Court. Rabbi Segal's talk will take a closer look at arguments about the nature of the Ten Commandments as a religious text and its relation to the Establishment Clause.
Segal attended rabbinical seminary at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, studying in Jerusalem and New York City. After his 2010 ordination, he served a congregation in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado with his wife and co-clergy, Cantor Rollin Simmons. In 2017, Segal moved back to his hometown of Houston, Texas, to found RAC-TX as its lead organizer, overseeing statewide social justice campaigns through several sessions of the Texas Legislature.
While working as a community organizer, Segal felt called to law school on his path toward working at the intersection of faith and public life. He enrolled at the University of Houston Law Center, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2024 and was a member of the Houston Law Review. Segal then spent one year as a clerk for the Honorable Yvonne Y. Ho, Magistrate Judge, Southern District of Texas-Houston Division. Segal and his wife, Rollin Simmons, have two children and live in Houston.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
St. Vincent’s House
Sermon Description:
Paula will speak about the impact of St. Vincent’s House on the Galveston community. Paula is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors in Psychology. Her former experience at the UT School of Public Health as Administrator of Special Projects, UTMB Associate VP of Strategic Initiatives at the Office of the President, and Associate Administrator at the Angleton Danbury Hospital District for over 20 years has shaped her expertise and operational oversight of strategic growth in the industry.
Paula also currently serves on several advisory committees within the UTMB system, including the UTMB SPPH (School for Public and Population Health) Practice Committee, is the newly appointed Commissioner of the Galveston County Housing Authority, a Board Member for Build Galveston, an Executive Member of REACH (Research, Education, and Community Health Coalition), a member of the National Forum for Latino Healthcare Executives, a diplomat for the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a recent award recipient of the Liberty Bell Award given by the Galveston County Bar Association to one outstanding non-lawyer in Texas who has made the most selfless contribution to his or her community.
She enjoys spending time with her three grown boys having graduated from LSU and Texas A&M, her grandson, as well as with her rescue dog, Vincent, named after finding him at St. Vincent’s House.
Join on Zoom or In-Person
Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
Everyday Generosity
Sermon Description:
Generosity can be a conscious choice to make a difference every day. Generosity often results in hope for someone in need and is also one of our claimed UU Values. Please join me as I remind you of some generous ways of life.
Rev. John Pepper is happily retired from both corporate America and the Federal Government. He enjoys speaking at small churches and helping out with his own home church, the Unitarian Fellowship of Houston. John and his husband, Randy Joiner, enjoy travelling to Shreveport and Mississippi to see many loved family members, and vacationing wherever the urge takes them.
Monthly potluck will be immediately after service. You will have the opportunity to vote on a new t-shirt design.
Join on Zoom or In-Person
Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589
(Passcode: UU)
Phone One-Tap (US):+1 346 248 7799,,92291115589#,,,,*908311#
The Very Model of a Modern Unitarian
Sermon Description:
People thought that Walt Whitman, the iconic American poet who wrote Leaves of Grass, was weird, but he was the very model of a modern Unitarian...back in 1855. What made him ahead of his time then? And what makes us proud models of Unitarian Universalism in our strange society today? You won't want to miss James Johnson's musical offering, "MODEL OF A MODERN UNITARIAN," which is to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Major-General's Song!"
Catherine Vance is the Ministerial Intern at UUFGC and an interfaith chaplain for the UTMB Hospital system. With this congregation's help, she received her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in May and is on track for ordination.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589 (Passcode: UU)
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Annual Congregation Meeting
Sermon Description:
Annual Congregation Meeting led by President, Lodie Massey.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589 (Passcode: UU)
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+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
A Further Freedom
Sermon Description:
Unitarian Universalists have been leaders in the abolition and civil rights movements, advocating for compassion and change when others were silent. Still, there are some aspects of our racial justice legacy that are less praiseworthy. Can we look at our past record honestly-- and where do we go from here?
Catherine Vance is the Ministerial Intern at UUFGC and an interfaith chaplain for the UTMB Hospital system. With this congregation's help, she received her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in May and is on track for ordination.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589 (Passcode: UU)
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Finding Peace in a Troubled World
Sermon Description:
Bio: Rabbi Peter Kessler has been the senior rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel since the summer of 2022. Originally from Chicago, Rabbi Kessler has served pulpits in Baltimore and Harrisburg PA prior to his current pulpit in Galveston. Rabbi Kessler is active in many community organizations on the Island including the Executive Board of ACCT, the Executive Board of Rotary Club of Galveston and currently serves as the president of the Galveston Ministerial Alliance. He is honored to come to UU to speak.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589 (Passcode: UU)
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Belonging to the Place Where You Stand
Sermon Description:
How can we deepen our relationship with the place we live, work, walk, and rest? Joss Bergeron Bisbano invites us to deepen our connection to the beautiful shifting sands that are the Island of Galveston and Bay Area, and encourages us to live in the sacred bonds we share across cycles of nature, time, and narrative.
Bio: Joss Bergeron Bisbano has been a Wiccan Priestess since 1998 and an Interfaith Minister since 1999. They resurrected the Covenant of UU Pagans at Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church with CJ Vazquez, and now serve as Vision Keeper of Thistle & Honey CUUPs. Rooted in Indigenous CHamoru heritage, earth-centered spirituality, and interfaith groups, their work centers on restoring deep relationship with land, self, and community. A trained chaplain, facilitator, and certified life coach, Joss creates experiential safe spaces that bridge cultures and beliefs while honoring the interdependent web of existence. Their mission is to guide others to reclaim belonging, cultivate intentional community, and live in alignment with the Sacred.
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Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589 (Passcode: UU)
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Blessings: Expected & Unexpected
Sermon Description:
Children-- even adult children expect a blessing from their elders-- even if they are unaware of it. We'll review a 2 step process to give someone a blessing.
Rev. Dr. Daniel O’ Connell, a former Unitarian Universalist minister with over 20 years of experience, has served congregations in Danbury, CT, St. Louis, MO, and Houston, TX, and held leadership roles on regional and national boards. Notably, he performed the Midwest’s first public gay wedding in 2003, co-founded the UU Voice for Justice, and successfully merged three Houston churches into a unified congregation with three locations.
Join on Zoom or In-Person
Meeting ID: 922 9111 5589 (Passcode: UU)
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
The Body Miracle, The Body Problem
Sermon Description:
What is this curious and fundamental mystery we call the Body? What, if anything, does science tell us about where the soul, consciousness, or the mind resides? How do we understand ourselves as both animals with a fleeting existence as well as beings connected to something much more infinite?
Catherine Vance is the ministerial intern at the UU Fellowship of Galveston and an interfaith chaplain in the UTMB Hospital system. She receives her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in Denver May 15 and is on track to be ordained as a UU minister.
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Meeting ID: 989 2145 9165
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+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Unsung - The Bible Stories That Never Got Told
Sermon Description:
The program is mainly about the Bible stories we didn't get to hear. In my talk, I tell about the origins of the stories, and why I thought they needed to be told. The songs have a gently feminist point of view, but although quite a lot of the stories are about the women (Leah, Sarah, Bathsheba, Delilah, to name a few) some are about men (Esau, Goliath, etc.) For the most part, they are familiar figures to most people. The main ingredient for me as the writer was that we didn't get to see it from their point of view.
Singer/songwriter/storyteller Jan Seides (sigh-deez) writes lyrics-driven, award-winning songs combining uptown sophistication with down-home truth. They have been presented in prestigious venues in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. She is a graduate of the University of Texas Butler School of Music and has recorded six albums and a book …so far.
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Meeting ID: 989 2145 9165
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+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Will the Real Jesus Please Rise
Sermon Description:
Here we are almost 2000 years after the ministry and death of Jesus. How did the Christian Bible come to be? But of more importance, what do we know about Jesus and the words attributed to him. Please join me as I explore some of these ideas.
Rev. John Pepper is happily retired from both corporate America and the Federal Government. He enjoys speaking at small churches and helping out with his own home church, the Unitarian Fellowship of Houston. John and his husband, Randy Joiner, enjoy travelling to Shreveport and Mississippi to see many loved family members, and vacationing wherever the urge takes them.
Join on Zoom or In-Person
Meeting ID: 989 2145 9165
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Climate Change, Community Resilience, and the Sacred Work of Connection
This Earth Day message reminds us that the holiday began as a protest demanding cleaner air, safer water, and accountability from those in power. Today, climate change is affecting every part of our world — from rising seas and stronger storms to disappearing species — and places like Galveston are feeling these changes firsthand.
This talk shares the speaker's research on how social division and ideas about who “deserves” help make it harder to respond fairly to disasters, even though the people most affected are often those who contributed least to the problem. It encourages us to move beyond polarization by connecting with our neighbors, telling stories, asking honest questions, and learning about the risks we face.
Ashley Ross-Wootton is a professor who studies how communities understand and respond to environmental risks, from hurricanes to climate change. Her work focuses on community resilience, disaster management, and how people make decisions in the face of environmental threats. She teaches graduate students about environmental management and conflict resolution and conducts research on public attitudes, risk communication, and the fairness of disaster aid. She lives in the East End of Galveston Island with her husband and 7-year-old son.
Join on Zoom or In-Person
Meeting ID: 989 2145 9165
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)