Tikkun Olam—To Repair the World

Kris Kines presents
a sermon written by
Rev. Matt Alspaugh
Minister, Lake Chapala UU Fellowship in Jalisco, Mexico
Tikkun Olam—To Repair the World
Donna ZImmerman, Worship leader
Dr. Gary Smart, Accompanist
Diane Freeman, Native Flute

I love the myth of “The Shattering of the Vessels” because it speaks truth on many levels…It is through healing ourselves that we come to be aware of these sparks of light, and bring them into view. It is through our efforts to heal the world that we gather up these sparks, and bring them together.

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
As part of a cooperative arrangement with First UU Church of Houston, Rev. Matt Alspaugth has been the Minister of Lake Chapala UU Fellowship since 2017. He served previously as the minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, OH, for eight years after serving as a chaplain resident at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN. He holds a Master of Divinity from Starr King School (UU Seminary) in Berkeley, CA. He also has a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Dever. In his earlier career, Rev. Alspaugh worked in technology, taught telecommunications at the University of Denver, and was a systems engineer at Bell Telephone Labs in NJ. In his spare time, Matt enjoys hiking, reading, learning to make music, and studying Spanish.

About our Musician
Diane Freeman is our BBUUC Board Vice President and has been a member since 2017. Born in Ocala and raised in Orlando, she attended the University of Florida and received her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in Counseling Psychology there. She had a private practice in Ocala, where she was also the President of Altrusa, a service organization for professional women and men. Diane was also a Charter Board Member of the Marion County Literacy Coalition. Before becoming a UU, Diane was raised as a Presbyterian and was active in the church for much of her adult life, serving in many leadership roles. She is an avid nature lover and loves to visit our country’s National Parks. Her favorite is Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. In addition to playing the Native American flute, she is also a weaver. In early 2022, Diane was designated as legally blind. Ever-adaptable, Diane has embraced the challenges and utilized the tools she has explored to engage and live her best life.