Tag Archive for: Rev. Karon Sandberg

It’s Hard to Offer You Love and Compassion When I Want to Punch You in The Face

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It's Hard to Offer You Love and Compassion When I Want to Punch You in The Face
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Sermon by Rev. Karon Sandberg
A provocative title, I know. But admit it, it is something we have all experienced in the last couple of years. As Unitarians, we are called to believe in the inherent worth and dignity of each individual. But does this mean people who believe in conspiracy theories or act in ways that we may find unethical? We have become a very divided nation. Is it even possible to find our way back to one another? Join us as we look at our principles, our religious history, and the advice of a great Rabbi to see if they might be lifelines to help us heal.

Rev. Karon is a retired hospice chaplain that often shares the lessons her patients taught her about how to live. In retirement, she has been working on a book about these lessons as well as finding new ways in which to stretch herself and use her gifts. She speaks monthly at various UU congregations in our area and in other states. She and her spouse, Joel, enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking around our beautiful state and maybe you’ve seen them at live music venues in town. Their children, Derek and Claire are adulting in ways that seem pretty cool in Chicago and Washington, DC.

Actively Seeking Awe

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Actively Seeking Awe
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Reflection by Mark Marnocha
Sermon by Rev. Karon Sandberg
Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends our understanding of the world. The science of awe suggests that opportunities surround us daily and studies show that the physical and mental health benefits of experiencing awe are profound. Yet, how often do you truly seek out and embrace awe? Most of us can recall a handful of times when we have really felt it. Is it possible to create more awe in our lives? Join us as we explore the benefits and sacredness of this elusive emotion.

What is Hope?

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What is Hope?
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Reflection by Mark Marnocha
Sermon by Rev. Karon Sandberg
Reading: Hope by Rev. Victoria Safford
During this time of uncertainty, we are anxious and unsure. Often in our lives, we have clung to hope to help us through difficulties. This got me to wondering what hope actually is, it certainly is not tangible but yet we feel it. Is it useful? Does hoping actually help us? Join us as we explore hope an how it can hinder and help us during times of turmoil.

Content note: This sermon includes a brief, general description of sexual violence. As always, please listen with care.

The Gift of Sharing Wishes

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The Gift of Sharing Wishes
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by Rev. Karon Sandberg

As we approach Thanksgiving, now is a good time to consider talking to your families about your end-of-life wishes. This annual service focuses on the beautiful, healing, and loving gift that sharing our wishes can be, if we let it. This time, we’ll explore the power of planning ahead for your memorial service. It need not be morbid! It can be a fun and powerful experience.

Exploring Empathy

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Exploring Empathy



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by Rev. Karon Sandberg

How do we “be” with folks that we love when they are going through difficult times? So often words do not feel like enough. Many of us offer sympathy but have no clue how to offer empathy. Many of us want to fix the unfixable and feel helpless causing us to withdraw from our loved ones during the very time they may need us most. Join us as we explore empathy and its powerful gift of love and grace when offered with a genuine heart.

The Value of Suffering

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The Value of Suffering



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By Rev. Karon Sandberg

Many faiths believe that suffering brings you closer to holiness. I have heard that suffering can carve out new areas of understanding of one’s self and others. The Buddha believed that to live is to suffer. And yet for me, this way of thinking seems like a total nightmare. I have always worked hard to avoid suffering and strove to seek my lessons through love and joy. Join me as we tackle the eternal challenge of suffering and its possible merits and lessons in our lives.

What is Grace?

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What is Grace?



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by Rev. Karon Sandberg

Grace is a difficult word to pin down. It’s simplest definition is unmerited favor while others may see it as unconditional love. I haven’t been able to clearly put my finger on what grace feels like or is for me. I wonder, is grace something that is given or something that is received? And by whom or what? Join me as we peel back the layers of grace that may or may not move in and out of our lives.

Inherit Worth And Dignity: Does This Apply to the Election?

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Inherit Worth And Dignity: Does This Apply to the Election?



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by Rev. Karon Sandberg

As the presidential campaign swells this season we are looking at Trump and Clinton. How do we embrace “the other” with inherit worth and dignity that we as Unitarian Universalists are called to do? Yes, you read that right, you ARE called to do this! Join me in this challenging and important conversation that weaves our principles into opening up with compassion and intention to those who may seem in opposition to our own ideals.

Inherit Worth and Dignity Does This Apply to the Election

Abundance Without Attachment

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by Rev. Karon Sandberg

The Dalai Lama teaches that material goods themselves are not a problem but that the real issue is our delusion that  satisfaction can arise from gratifying our desires. Western society teaches us to seek satisfaction and even status through material things. We can’t help but fall into it’s clutches. I believe that God/Universe wants us to live abundantly, but I wonder, how do we live life fully without forming attachment to abundance?

Abundance Without Attachment

Creating Our Final Days

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Creating Our Final Days



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by Rev. Karon Sandberg

National Health Care Decisions Day is April 16 and in honor of that I want to lift up the importance of creating our Health Care Power of Attorney Document. It is so important that our loved ones know our wishes and sadly Americans are the only people in the world who think dying is optional. Why is this?  We will explore issues that get in our way when thinking about death. Come join us as we explore how you can create you own wishes for your end of life care with dignity, grace, creativity and love.

Click here and click on Advance Directive plain form to down load your own health care power of attorney document.