Category Archives: Sermons

Here are sermons I have preached.

Failure is Our Only Option (sermon)

Posted on March 11, 2018 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society East Brunswick, NJ March 11, 2018 In the 1960s, the Unilever corporation, in their quest to make and sell laundry detergent, encountered a problem. Now, remember, this is more than fifty years ago, so the ubiquitous form … Continue reading →

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Torda 450: Our Roots in Unexpected Ground (sermon)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society East Brunswick, NJ February 4, 2018 It is essential to read between the lines. I had already learned this, but when I was in seminary, I had the chance to learn it again.  For instance, in Christian … Continue reading →

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Four Essential Things

Posted on January 20, 2018 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society East Brunswick, NJ January 7, 2018 READING: God Gave Me a Word by Amy Petrie Shaw A grandmother — who was not only the end of all arguments in his large extended family, but often the start … Continue reading →

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Safety, Wholeness, Yearning (sermon)

Posted on November 20, 2017 by KGJ

November 19, 2017 The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ   A refrain that has been in my mind, over and over. Safety.  And wholeness.  And a deep yearning for it. I have finally noticed it this past week, but really … Continue reading →

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The Mindset List: Congregational Life, Faith Formation, and the Future (sermon)

Posted on November 14, 2017 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society East Brunswick, NJ November 12, 2017   Let me begin with gratitude to my colleague, the Reverend Peter Boulatta, as I borrow from his sermonic playbook. How many of you remember phone booths? How many of you … Continue reading →

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There Are No Unsacred Places (sermon)

Posted on September 18, 2017 by KGJ

September 17, 2017 The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick (this sermon was delivered extemporaneously, though written in full ahead of time; the content is substantially the same, though minor changes exist between this text and the one preached) Place is important.  … Continue reading →

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Rise Up: Reflections on Patriotism (sermon)

Posted on July 3, 2017 by KGJ

I am the A-L-E-X-A-N-D-E-R we are meant to be A colony that runs independently Meanwhile, Britain keeps shittin’ on us endlessly Essentially, they tax us relentlessly Then King George turns around, runs a spending spree He ain’t ever gonna set … Continue reading →

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And the Welcome Will Be Wide: It’s Not About the Bathrooms (sermon)

Posted on June 11, 2017 by KGJ

The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, New Jersey And the table will be wide. And the welcome will be wide. And the arms will open wide to gather us in. We are fortunate that here in New Jersey: more protections for the rights … Continue reading →

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What’s Going On?: Message for the White Supremacy Teach In (sermon)

Posted on May 16, 2017 by KGJ

May 14, 2017 The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ Time For All Ages story:   Message An uncomfortable journey. We have been asked to take one: talking and listening about something that is abhorrent, something that lingers, something that has … Continue reading →

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Shifting Grounds Beneath Us: Facing White Supremacy (sermon)

Posted on April 3, 2017 by KGJ

I never met Margaret Maurer, founding member of this congregation. She died in 2011 at the age of 101. Despite having never met her, I have benefitted – we all have — from her legacy. Thanks to an incredibly generous … Continue reading →

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