Worship Means: "Consider What is Worthy"
My Philosophy of Worship
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In the original sense of the word worship, (the old English weorþsċipe), on Sunday morning the gathered community considers what is worthy—what gives life meaning and purpose. To each service I bring the intention to touch both mind and heart, to offer some meaningful insight, and to give people hope. Although I love writing sermons, I also love to plan services that spotlight the experiences and ideas of congregation members.
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“She always strives to articulate clearly her thoughts and positions on ethical, social, and spiritual issues without becoming doctrinaire. I have liked the wide range of topics she brings before the congregation and the many sources—historical, literary, philosophical, theological, cultural, and legal—on which she draws to provide background and a broader understanding of the world. Rev. Jennifer Brooks is in many ways a scholar at heart who enjoys reading a wide range of books and sharing her intellectual enjoyment and discoveries with her congregation, thereby stretching and expanding their horizons in ways they had not necessarily expected.”
—Christoph Lohmann, Member and Former Finance Chair, Nantucket UU Congration
Links to Worship Services
The Human Spirit January 22, 2023
How do we human beings "find our center," as this month's worship and learning theme suggests? This Sunday explores the human spirit and the yearning to be connected to something greater than ourselves. To honor the Lunar New Year, our RE children will appear after the service in dragon form. Worship Associate: Rachel Zampino
How do we human beings "find our center," as this month's worship and learning theme suggests? This Sunday explores the human spirit and the yearning to be connected to something greater than ourselves. To honor the Lunar New Year, our RE children will appear after the service in dragon form. Worship Associate: Rachel Zampino
The Fig Tree August 28, 2022
The image of a tree—roots, trunk, branches, and leafy canopy—resonates with humans in so many ways. It’s a family tree, with the history of our ancestors. It’s a tree of life, showing the interrelationships among all species. And it’s often a symbol of community. In Ross Gay’s poem, “To the Fig Tree on 9th and Christian,” a tree on a Philadelphia street corner, becomes a real-life, non-metaphorical experience of community. We need more of that. Worship Associate: Janet Bendowitz.
The image of a tree—roots, trunk, branches, and leafy canopy—resonates with humans in so many ways. It’s a family tree, with the history of our ancestors. It’s a tree of life, showing the interrelationships among all species. And it’s often a symbol of community. In Ross Gay’s poem, “To the Fig Tree on 9th and Christian,” a tree on a Philadelphia street corner, becomes a real-life, non-metaphorical experience of community. We need more of that. Worship Associate: Janet Bendowitz.
The Sycamore August 14, 2022
One of life's challenges is to cope and even thrive despite the accidents and unplanned consequences that beset us. Wendell Berry's poem "The Sycamore" offers a glimpse of how we might gather all accidents into our purpose. In a time when we need hope, a sycamore signals that hope is possible.
Worship Associate: WinterFlower Regla Robinson
One of life's challenges is to cope and even thrive despite the accidents and unplanned consequences that beset us. Wendell Berry's poem "The Sycamore" offers a glimpse of how we might gather all accidents into our purpose. In a time when we need hope, a sycamore signals that hope is possible.
Worship Associate: WinterFlower Regla Robinson
Roots and Wings March 15, 2022
In Unitarian Universalism, the idea of "Renewing Faith" (this month's learning and worship theme) isn't so much about reviving faith of a particular style and description. Instead, it's more about understanding the roots that have supported faith thus far and spreading the wings that take us to a new place of understanding. In our faith tradition, each person is on their own personal search for truth and meaning—a lifelong process of learning and growth. So each of us can ask, "What are my roots?" and "How can I spread my wings?" as we support one another in a journey of change and renewal—not circling back to the old meaning, but spiraling up to the new. Worship Associate: WinterFlower Regla Robinson
In Unitarian Universalism, the idea of "Renewing Faith" (this month's learning and worship theme) isn't so much about reviving faith of a particular style and description. Instead, it's more about understanding the roots that have supported faith thus far and spreading the wings that take us to a new place of understanding. In our faith tradition, each person is on their own personal search for truth and meaning—a lifelong process of learning and growth. So each of us can ask, "What are my roots?" and "How can I spread my wings?" as we support one another in a journey of change and renewal—not circling back to the old meaning, but spiraling up to the new. Worship Associate: WinterFlower Regla Robinson
Worship Services with Lay Leaders
Healing March 12, 2023
The poet Wendell Berry's prose poem, "Damage," and its companion, "Healing," speak to the ways that we humans cause harm and heal from harm. The insights these poems offer have long been meaningful to Rev. Jaye Brooks and to pianist Nathaniel LaNasa. Together with Music Director Stephen Michael Smith and the UUCSR Choir, we offer this worship service that touches on the human character trait of vulnerability and its power to help us heal. Worship Associates: Jim Peters, WinterFlower Regla Robinson, and Rachel Zampino; Rev. Jaye offers two short reflections in her own words.
The poet Wendell Berry's prose poem, "Damage," and its companion, "Healing," speak to the ways that we humans cause harm and heal from harm. The insights these poems offer have long been meaningful to Rev. Jaye Brooks and to pianist Nathaniel LaNasa. Together with Music Director Stephen Michael Smith and the UUCSR Choir, we offer this worship service that touches on the human character trait of vulnerability and its power to help us heal. Worship Associates: Jim Peters, WinterFlower Regla Robinson, and Rachel Zampino; Rev. Jaye offers two short reflections in her own words.
Renewing Faith March 24, 2022
During this month when our learning and worship theme is "Renewing Faith," UUCSR's ministers have asked members, "What, for you, was a key moment of renewal or insight about your faith?" Over a life’s journey, our understanding of faith develops and changes. In today's worship service, Shelter Rock members with diverse life experiences share their understanding of the deeper, broader meaning of "faith." Rev. Jaye Brooks with Shelter Rock members Sheri Lynn McKee, Fabrice Bukebuke, Klaus Masuch, WinterFlower Regla Robinson.
During this month when our learning and worship theme is "Renewing Faith," UUCSR's ministers have asked members, "What, for you, was a key moment of renewal or insight about your faith?" Over a life’s journey, our understanding of faith develops and changes. In today's worship service, Shelter Rock members with diverse life experiences share their understanding of the deeper, broader meaning of "faith." Rev. Jaye Brooks with Shelter Rock members Sheri Lynn McKee, Fabrice Bukebuke, Klaus Masuch, WinterFlower Regla Robinson.
Living with Intention: A Woman’s Choice January 9, 2022
This month's learning and worship theme, Living with Intention, invites exploration of reproductive justice and a woman's choice. To consider this potentially contentious topic, we welcome everyone in with open hearts and minds, and hold in love anyone who has ever made a difficult choice. Rev. Jaye Brooks with members of the UUCSR Women's Group and Social Justice Committee: Maria Ceraulo, Katherine Miller, Susan Roberts, and Barry Nobel.
This month's learning and worship theme, Living with Intention, invites exploration of reproductive justice and a woman's choice. To consider this potentially contentious topic, we welcome everyone in with open hearts and minds, and hold in love anyone who has ever made a difficult choice. Rev. Jaye Brooks with members of the UUCSR Women's Group and Social Justice Committee: Maria Ceraulo, Katherine Miller, Susan Roberts, and Barry Nobel.
Soulful Sundown Worship Services with the Cosmic Orchestra (30 minutes one Friday night per month)
Short Video Messages
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