Elizabeth DeCoux presents a sermon by
Rev. Tess Baumberger, Minister, First Universalist Church of Essex (MA)
“What Can We Do About Evil?”
Donna Zimmerman, Worship Leader
Eileen Morrison, Accompanist
Garret Kaplan, Piano, Guest Musician
“We can engage in these five spiritual practices – listening, lamenting, freeing ourselves of any hold evil may have on us, remaining aware of our own ideals and how we’re living up to them, and forming radical friendships, especially across differences… Imagine the power in working together in this way, across the many ways evil at work in our country tries to separate and discourage us. Imagine the hope such action can generate, hope that resists evil. A presenter at the anti-racism conference said she no longer believes the arc of the moral universe bends towards justice – it bends towards whoever is pulling the hardest at it. We need to pull at it, with allied groups, as hard as we can…”
About our Speaker
Elizabeth DeCoux spent her career practicing law and then teaching law. A member of the BBUUC Worship Team, she serves as both Worship Leader and Speaker. She is also a member of our Pastoral Care Team as BBUUC’s Certified Animal Chaplain, available to help members and their companion animals with any spiritual and pastoral needs related to animals. Elizabeth was the recipient of the 2019 UU Animal Ministry’s Albert Schweitzer Sermon Award for the best sermon regarding our responsibilities to animals. She proudly serves on the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM).
About the Sermon Author
Since her ordination in 2003, Rev. Tess Baumberger has served congregations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and worked as a chaplain in hospital and hospice settings. She is both “a professional listener” who accompanies people through difficult times and a poet who enjoys creating worship. She likes helping people discover and develop their gifts for leadership to serve the health of the congregation and the cause of justice in the wider community.
About our Guest Musician
Garret Kaplan is an accomplished pianist, composer, and record producer. He is a University of North Florida student studying music technology and has a Conducting Certificate. Garret is a student of Dr. Gary Smart and Dr. Erin Bennett. He is the winner of numerous awards. Most notably, the 2023 UNF Piano Playoff. In his spare time, he enjoys painting, photography, and cooking.