Rev. Nate Walker’s PodCasts

Dialogue sermon with Christine Carlson and Rev. Nate Walker of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, June 14, 2009.

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A dialogue sermon with Connie Baker, Ginny Beier, Beth Ralston and Reverend Nate Walker of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, November 23, 2008.

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The choir of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia sings “That Ever I Saw” music by Darmon Meader, anonymous text. Music Director, Jennifer Hayman.

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The choir of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia sings “A Red, Red Rose” music by James Mulholland, text by Robert Burns. Music Director, Jennifer Hayman.

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The choir of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia sings “No Words” music by Rob Landes.

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The choir of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia sings “The Pace of Wild Things” music by Joan Szymko and text by Wendell Berry. Music Director, Jennifer Hayman.

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In keeping with our discussion of “deep listening and loving speech,” Rev. Nate will address the importance and value of mediation. Countering the effects of our culture, so quick to judge, we will explore the potential of dialogue in realizing one of our cherished Unitarian Universalist ideals, preserving the inherent worth and dignity of all people, even those with whom we disagree.

This recording includes an activity with the children related to the sermon that unpacks the controversy about the possibility of One Life Crew playing at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, as reported by Anti Racist Action and the One People’s Project.

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As Unitarian Universalists we find meaning in not only the sacred text of the world’s religions but in the sacred moments in everyday life. There are no bounds to our exploration for truth and meaning, which is why – as part of our Racial Justice ministry – we welcomed over 80 Unitarian Universalists from 9 regional congregations to Center City, Philadelphia to witness a production of The Rant at the Interact Theater, which has inspired today’s service. The Rant is a tragic story about the death of an African American adolescent at the hand of the police, due to a coincidence of inflamed passions and flawed intervention. The drama that follows is built on repeated and calculated failures to tell the truth, to face personal failure and culpability, to own vulnerability in the face of immense societal pressures. The play as a whole points out the difficulty of seeing clearly given the distorted lenses and arguments regularly offered up by contemporary society. It challenges us to imagine some more adequate responses and some better outcomes. The following words are from playwright Andrew Case, which will serve as today’s reading.

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Reverend Nathan C. Walker delivers his annual Valentine’s Day sermon at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, a Unitarian Universalist congregation.

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A reflection by Reverend Nathan C. Walker

On Thursday, February 12, 2009, we will honor the bicentennial birthdays of two men who shaped the course of human history. Why do their ideas still resonate with us today?

When thinking of Darwin we are reminded of the ways religion has suppressed scientific inquiry and put a false divide between faith and reason. In his time, Charles Darwin had to confront a culture of superstitious religiosity that closed the mind, feared science and rejected anything contrary to creation myths. Two hundred years later, we gather in the spirit of Evolution Sunday – where worship services are held throughout the country that affirm the coupling of faith and reason. We celebrate the fact that we are still evolving in body, in mind, in spirit. We celebrate our collective ability to take but one more step toward understanding our place in the world. We know we are not there yet, but in celebrating his birth we see how Darwin was but one voice in the many throughout history who has helped us evolve.

When thinking of Lincoln we are reminded of what many scholars call America’s greatest sin – the sin of slavery. In his time President Lincoln had to confront slavery and move the country into a trajectory toward emancipation. Two hundred years later, after having just elected the first African American to the highest office of the land, we gather in the spirit of Black history month and hold our heads back in wonder at the moral arch of our evolution. In terms of racial justice, we are but still evolving toward freedom; for each day we deliberately take one more step toward equality. We know we are not there yet, but in celebrating his birth we see how Lincoln was but one voice in the many who sought to liberate us from the discriminatory mind.

In what ways are we still bound by the discriminatory mind? Who in our society and in our world are physically, morally or spiritually enslaved? Darwin speaks of the survival of the fittest – are humans going to be the species that will survive or will we fall victim to the power of Mother Nature? We may not be the fittest. Maybe our planet needs to be emancipated from human domination. In terms of the environment, maybe humans need to evolve from species of consumption to species of sustainable creation. In terms of politics, maybe humans need to evolve from nuclear-nation states to peace-making citizens of the world. In doing so, we not only help one another evolve but we emancipate one another from destructive practices, aware that in order to survive humans must be not only physically, but also intellectually, morally and spiritually fit.

Rev. Nate Walker was the guest preacher at the Unitarian Society of Germantown, Philadelphia on February 1, 2009. He delivered the following sermon entitled, A Letter to My Murderer, which serves as an advanced directive should he ever be a victim of murder. This sermon about capital punishment is shared in the context of the shootings in Knoxville, TN in July of 2008.

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A sermon by Reverend Nathan C. Walker of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia

Martin Luther King Jr. first learned of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi when attending a lecture at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia about nonviolent resistance called Satyagraha. Gandhi described Satyagrah as follows: “Its root meaning is holding onto truth, hence truth-force. I have also called it love-force or soul-force. In the application of satyagraha, I discovered in the earliest stages that pursuit of truth did not admit of violence being inflicted on one’s opponent but that he must be weaned from error by patience and compassion.” This service will drawing upon the life of Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Henry David Thoreau, Leo Tolstoy whose words and deeds challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love.

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Taoist philosophical and religious traditions remind us that peace is possible. This peaceful state is achieved through the three jewels of “the way” – compassion, moderation and humility. Our service will be co-officiated by Janet Elfring, who studied Taoist writings in China and our minister Reverend Nate Walker. Taoism, made up of the religious and philosophical traditions that inspire our ethical and spiritual life.

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Will Unitarian Universalists advocate for the death penalty of David Adkisson, the gunman who open-fired in the sanctuary of our sister congregation in Knoxville, TN? Rev. Nate will explore this question, and the ethics of the death penalty, in the context of a letter he will read to his imagined murderer – a hypothetical statement that can serve as an advance-directive, should Rev. Nate ever be a victim of manslaughter. If others also crafted such statements, would these documents serve help those who were left behind? Would it aid the government by legally pledging the state to honor the wishes of killed and thereby finding a social alternative to capital punishment?

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By drawing upon the history of our Universalist ancestors, Rev. Nate Walker of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia presents his charge to the congregation: to couple one’s conscience with universal love as inspired foundations for our collective engagement in democracy. The purpose is to respond to those who proclaim eternal damnation with a prophetic 21st Century vision of Universalism. Special guest, Michael Masters of the Murray Grove Association plays the role of Thomas Potter (b. 1689 – d. 1777), one of the influential figures in American Universalism.

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Our true nature is to love. To love is to experience the eternal. Love heals pride, for pride is a temporary state of arrogance transformed by our true nature.

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Transcript: “We, the members of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island, challenge YOU, First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, to a high-five challenge.” This means, they challenge a majority of the pledging units of First Church to give at 5% of their annual adjusted income.

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“In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, an oxygen mask with descend from the ceiling. Grab the mask, pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs.” Said another way, in order to help others you must first help yourself by practicing self-care.”

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An interactive intergenerational service that transformed the pews of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia into a world map. Children and Youth helped distribute the worlds resources so that we could see, “from a distance,” the inequities of the world.

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Often clergy are uncritical about the act of forgiveness. Is it possible to counsel a victim not to forgive? Could forgiveness be harmful in some circumstances? Rev. Nate will use these questions to reflect upon the nature of unforgiveness as compared to forgiveness.

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