Sermons
This page has short descriptions of a selection of sermons given by Rev Linda Hart at Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church. Click on the sermon title to go to the full sermon.
Practical Religion
Unitarians can be described as very practical people when it comes to religion. This sermon explores all that it might mean to have a practical religion.
Job's Wife
She doesn’t even get named but has to live with the dire circumstances of what happens to her husband. Hear her story as it might have been told if she’d had a voice or even a narrator who cared about her.
The Moral Life
What are the foundations upon which we may rely to make decisions? What else might we consider? This service continues a theme of exploration of morality based on the work of Jonathan Haidt.
The Pursuit of Happiness
I’ve believed that happiness is over rated as a life value, preferring to strive for satisfaction or fulfilment. But there is something to be said for the pursuit of happiness, and we’ll examine how it might be done.
Snapshots of the Past
Compiled for the Anniversary Service of Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church held on 24 April 2010.
Harriet’s Voice: A Sermon Celebrating Harriet Martineau
Harriet Martineau was a Unitarian of some importance in her day. She was a prolific author, an early sociologist, an abolitionist and an astute religious thinker. This sermon considers her life and work and what it can inspire in us today.
Which Story? (Easter 2010)
A distinction is often made between the religion of Jesus and the religion about Jesus. Easter is mostly related to the religion about Jesus, and the affirmations of the faith symbolised by his resurrection. What if we think instead of the religion he lived? What does Easter tell us then?
Fail Better Next Time
Palm Sunday reminds us that what we are most certain about can all fall down to ashes and mud. Even without Easter, there’s a message to be heard about carrying on no matter the consequences.
History of God
How have ideas and images of God changed over the centuries? How can we, today, understand language about God and what kind of life can it lead us into?
Hospitality
We consider the idea of hospitality as a spiritual practice, a way of becoming in the world that can both nourish and challenge.
Lost and Found
About losing, finding, tasking risks and trusting.
Submission
The Muslim festival of Eid al Adha, the festival of sacrifice, is a celebration of what could be arguably the most difficult story in the Hebrew Bible; the story of Abraham taking his son to a mountain top to sacrifice him to God. What lessons can we learn from it?
Since What We Choose Is What We Are
Our lives are full of choices and decisions, or appear to be. But how important are the choices we make? What role do our choices play and do they really make any difference?
Healing Old Wounds
We all bear scars some visible, some hidden from sight. What we do with them is the question.
Advent - What Are We Waiting For?
As Advent begins, we reflect upon the season of waiting and anticipation.
Advice at the Start of a Life
For all the wisdom that babies bring into the world, it seems that there are things to learn about life early that could help make for a good life.
Atheism Considered
We consider the fairly recent upswelling among atheists and consider their message. Does it have anything to say to us?
Attitude of Certainty
Fundamentalisms are rampant in the modern world. From religion to science and every subject in between has its strong adherents who claim to have the only true understanding. Of what are we certain? How open are we to new truth?
Broken Gifts
A sermon about fathers, telling the truth, and how we love each other.
Evil
It is said that liberals are light on evil. Are we?
Lessons of History
Janus is the two faced god for whom January is named. One face looks back, one looks forward. The first of this two sermon series will reflect upon elements of the history of Unitarianism and how it best informs our present.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the first moment of triumph in the Passion of Jesus. Yet, it all goes horribly wrong as the last week of his life continues. What can this story tell us of our successes and failures?
Plotting the Course
Where do we want to go as a congregation? What course shall we set together?
Prophecy
The story of Jonah in the Hebrew Bible tells us about what it means to tell the truth and the consequences of it. What meaning can this have for our lives?
Taking Time for the Holy
We all know that according to one of the Genesis stories of the creation of the world that on the seventh day, God rested. What might it mean for us to take a sabbath?
To End Cruelty
The work of Amnesty International and how it is that we are part of the system that supports and maintains cruelty.