August 2026
August 2: Reflections on Beethoven’s Fidelio
by Dr. Jessie Downs
In her book, The Republic of Love – Opera & Political Freedom, Law and Ethics, Professor Martha C. Nussbaum proposes that Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, might be called a “Humanitätsoper,” or an “opera of humanity, striving for the light.” In this servcie, Dr. Jessie Downs shares her own thoughts about the Enlightenment ideals that Fidelio embodies, supported by Nussbaum’s insights and her own study of the opera’s libretto and music.
August 9: Being a Good Neighbor
by Rev. Bethany Russell-Lowe
Buffalo lives up to its name! We are a city that cares about one another. What does being a "good neighbor" require of us? How can we deeper our relationships with our neighbors and communities by engaging in relationships or reciprocity, rather than charity?
August 16: The Gospel According to Dolly?
by Julie Taylor
Can wisdom come from unexpected voices? This sermon explores how our perceptions shape what we're willing to hear—and what we might miss when we dismiss someone too quickly.
August 23: Alongside Abolition: Building Communities of Care
by Rev. Bethany Russell-Lowe
The call for abolition (of prisons, of the police state, etc.) has been growing. Many believe that our Unitarian Universalist values support this call for all people to be able to live with dignity and more safety. What can we build now to replace the harmful parts of these systems? How can we build communities of care so that we can take care of us?
August 30: You’ll Never Walk Alone
by Meg Gerrity
This sermon reflects on the year by exploring how hope can fade, be rediscovered, and why holding on gives us the strength to move forward.
