Kris Kines presents
a sermon written by
Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern
Parish Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (CA)
“Setting a Place for Elijah”
Donna Zimmerman, Worship leader
Dr. Gary Smart, Accompanist
Lynn Wadley, Autoharp & Mountain Dulcimer
We Unitarian Universalists pride ourselves on welcoming everyone. We affirm that people of all races and orientations are welcome here; we state it on our website and hang it in front of our church in the rainbow symbol of pride and Black Lives Matter banners. But it’s not enough not to have bouncers at the door. Even the most conservative churches employ more subtle ways than that to keep unwanted people out, and they’re just as effective. To really be a place of welcome means not only to refrain from turning people away, and not only to refrain from preaching against them and the things they hold dear; it means to prepare a place for them at the table…
About Our Speaker
Kris Kines has been a member of BBUUC for over 20 years. She’s served on the Board and the Council multiple times and is currently a member of the Nominating Committee, but her passion has always been with the Worship Committee. Usually seen at the pulpit as the Worship Leader, she is expanding her role to deliver Sermons written by UU ministers.
About the Sermon Author
Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern has served as the Parish Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, CA since 2003. She grew up in Hamden, Connecticut, in a Conservative Jewish family. Her underguaduate studies were in religious studies and studio art. She had early thoughts of being a rabbi, but questioned her way out of Judaism. She focused on Buddhist philosophy and traveled to India and Nepal on a Buddhist Studies semester. After graduating, she taught for two years, then received an MA from Syracuse University. She discovered Unitarian Universalism and realized that there was a faith community whose approach to spiritual questions was a good fit. This was a religion within which she and others could keep changing; it encouraged people to find the beauty and wisdom in numerous traditions (including, but not limited to, the Judaism of her upbringing); it also perceived the sacredness within the arts, science, and the natural world. She graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 2000, was ordained the same year. Rev. Amy’s favorite non-ministry pursuit is being with her wife Joy and their teenage daughter.
Special Music by BBUUC Member Lynn Wadley
Long-time BBUUC Member time BBUUC member Lynn Wadley loves to sing, play unusual folk instruments, and occasionally compose acoustic music. She takes special pleasure in scheduling the variety of guest and member musicians we enjoy as part of our Sunday services.