Author Archives: KGJ

All Good Intentions: A Sermon on White Fragility

Posted on May 6, 2019 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society East Brunswick, NJ May 5, 2019 Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout is the Director of Music and Worship at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor.  A Black, gay man, he wrote, not all that long ago, … Continue reading →

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I Want You to Panic: An Earth Day Sermon

Posted on April 22, 2019 by KGJ

When it comes to climate change, climate changeD, climate chaos, climate constriction, climate collapse…whatever you call it — preaching hope is not a straight-forward thing. Continue reading →

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From Phone Booth to Cell Phone: Building the Next RE Program (sermon)

Posted on April 15, 2019 by KGJ

I borrow this series of questions from my colleague, Rev. Peter Boullata.  You might also remember that I asked you these same questions about a year and a half ago when I preached about change and generational shifts. The need … Continue reading →

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Ritual for Broken Times: After the New Zealand Massacre

Posted on March 18, 2019 by KGJ

led at First Unitarian Society of Plainfield March 17, 2019 This afternoon’s ritual space is a lamentation, a condemnation, and rededication in the aftermath of the New Zealand tragedy on Friday where so many, too many, taking part in religious … Continue reading →

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Upstanding

Posted on January 17, 2019 by KGJ

Think about your personal experiences with the place beyond hope and fear. I’m certain there’ve been many times when you found yourself stepping forward without hesitation. Something in the situation called you into spontaneous action without calculating costs and benefits. … Continue reading →

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Dalliances with the Afterlife (sermon)

Posted on December 17, 2018 by KGJ

“Herein the afterlife, everything exists in all possible states at once, even states that are mutually exclusive.  This comes as a shock after your Earthly life, where making one choice causes the other choices to disappear.” So begins the short … Continue reading →

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Little People Living Love Out Loud (sermon)

Posted on November 4, 2018 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick Reverend Karen G. Johnston   Our reading:   The sermon: Little people living love out loud. That’s what Kid President told us is ours to do. That’s what the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project is … Continue reading →

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A Lamentation for Violence (in Two Voices)

Posted on October 29, 2018 by KGJ

October 28, 2018 Spirit of Life and Love, Possibility of Mercy and Peace, Impulse towards Compassion, Yearning for Comfort in times of Fear, our hearts echo these words from the poet Warsan Shire: We lament the very fact of this … Continue reading →

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Seeking Safety in an Unsafe World (sermon)

Posted on October 29, 2018 by KGJ

October 28, 2018 The Unitarian Society   East Brunswick, NJ   Here is what I have been learning as we face the new normal of increased violence in our midst. First: Of the emergencies that happen at houses of worship – … Continue reading →

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Lost Souls Public Comment to Middlesex County Freeholders

Posted on October 19, 2018 by KGJ

October 18, 2018 It is time to remember them. Harriet Susan Mary Augustus Simon and Margaret – who were both already free Not fictional characters. People with real lives: deceived, stolen, sold back into slavery, removed to a place with … Continue reading →

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