Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg – Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

The Secret Sits

November 3, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

The Secret Sits

00:00 / 16:53

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

The poet Robert Frost wrote that “the Secrets sits in the middle,” taking on a life of its own. Modern psychology agrees that secrets can be unhealthy, sometimes even dangerously harmful. Yet it’s also understandable that we want some parts of life to remain private. We will contemplate the role of our secrets, including what they give and rob us of. Stay after the service for an optional art activity!

The Fragile Sequence

October 6, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

The Fragile Sequence

00:00 / 17:03

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

In Judaism, the High Holy Days are an annual reminder to ‘fess up to our mistakes. But actually apologizing can make us very vulnerable. What is so important about the act of saying “I’m sorry?” And what comes next in the fragile sequence of recognizing that we are imperfect beings? Led by lifelong Jewish Unitarian Universalists Rev. Leah and Fellowship member Jaclyn Kottman, this service is for those from Jewish backgrounds and non-Jews alike and will include very special music by our own Mark Urness and Dan Van Sickle.

Long Haul

September 22, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

Long Haul

00:00 / 20:03

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

It’s easy to burnout in our current society, due to grief, trauma, worry, injustice, overstimulation, and more. So how do we keep showing up? The Age of Overwhelm: Strategies for the Long Haul by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky suggests that sometimes doing less is more. Whether or not you read the book or attended an all Fellowship discussion, join us for a service with practical tips about how to keep on keeping on.

Reading from The Age of Overwhelm: Strategies For the Long Haul by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, excerpt

Poem: For When I Really Don’t Want to Learn This by Elizabeth Nguyen

Favorites

July 7, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

Favorites

00:00 / 12:06

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

Life has plenty of obnoxious circumstances. Most of us can readily list at least a few things that consistently annoy us. As a countermeasure, author T. Wise recommends a quick reset that he calls a “pet fave.” The opposite of a pet peeve, he defines a pet fave(orite) as “that kind of thing that we love because it’s just satisfying or on point.” This practice of recognizing the minor details that please us can ground us in small reminders of joy and connect us to one another in appreciation.

“The World Comes In…”

June 9, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

"The World Comes In..."

00:00 / 18:19

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

To be alive is to experience that, in the words of one of our readings, “the world comes in at every pore.” What better way to explore this idea than turning to two of life’s certainties, that babies will always be born and answers to life’s questions will always be sought? Join us for our child dedication ritual and our traditional question sermon. Come with your questions in mind—profound or lighthearted, theological or ethical, just no mathematics ☺—and Rev. Leah will take a crack at extemporaneously answering as many of them as time allows.

Come, Sing a Song

May 26, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

Come, Sing a Song

00:00 / 5:51

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

You are cordially invited to join Rev. Leah and our music director Steve at a Fellowship hymn sing! You pick the hymns on the fly, Steve will accompany the singing, and Rev. Leah will offer some historical background and theological notes. Whether you have firm favorites you’d like a chance to sing more often, or you’re just curious to learn more about Unitarian Universalist music, this service will be a fun chance to make a joyful noise in community.

Like a Bridge

May 12, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

Like a Bridge

00:00 / 15:21

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

Bridging Youth: Emma Frederick, Will Scheffler, Peter Sieck, Brooke Wait

Our annual bridging service includes a special ceremony to ritualize graduating high school seniors’ transition to adulthood. Children, youth and young adults (18-35 years of age) will have special roles. Bridging youth will share about where they are in their spiritual journeys, giving each of us a chance to reflect on whatever stage of life we might currently occupy.

Beyond Doom and Gloom; Rooting Justice Work in Joy

April 14, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

Beyond Doom and Gloom; Rooting Justice Work in Joy

00:00 / 19:27

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

No matter where we might place ourselves on the political spectrum, it seems like there is always so much overwhelming bad news! It’s hardly fun or sustainable to try to make the world a better place when we are fueled primarily by sorrow and suffering. After all, beauty and hope do exist. Could joy be a resource in the work of justice? Judaism, one of our Unitarian Universalist source traditions, can offer us some insight about moving past doom and gloom. In particular, the Fetival of Passover might be able to help us root ourselves in something more positive, even as we face hardship.

Belonging

March 3, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

Belonging

00:00 / 19:07

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

Reflection by Marie Luna, Director of Congregational Life

Membership. Welcoming. Inclusion. Acceptance. There are many ways to get at the concept of belonging, because belonging is an important human need. We belong to friend groups, libraries, political parties, book clubs, and much more. As in other areas of life, belonging at the Fellowship isn’t fixed. It can grow, shift, and deepen as the days, years, and decades pass by. Each of us has a right to feel we truly belong somewhere that supports and even challenges our spiritual growth.

Sabbatical Lessons on Compassion

February 24, 2019/in Sermons/by Phyllis Schmitt

Sermons

Sabbatical Lessons on Compassion

00:00 / 10:20

by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

Rev. Leah’s sabbatical last year offered her the chance to rest and renew after some busy years at home and the Fellowship. She knew focusing on creative development and self care would feel good, but was unprepared for what she ended up learning about compassion. This all ages service will include a child dedication ceremony, ritual, reflection, a chance for everyone to join the conversation, and Leah’s heartfelt appreciation for the gift of a sabbatical.

Tag Archive for: Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

The Secret Sits

The Fragile Sequence

Long Haul

Favorites

“The World Comes In…”

Come, Sing a Song

Like a Bridge

Beyond Doom and Gloom; Rooting Justice Work in Joy

Belonging

Sabbatical Lessons on Compassion

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