Unitarian Universalist Preaching
“Liz James is seriously funny. Her humour has a deeper purpose. She helps us to find joy in the midst of sorrow, laugher in the midst of pain, and the lighter side of those congregational dynamics that make us want to pull out hair out. She is a heavyweight and a light touch.”
Wanna Laugh On Sunday?
I have been preaching for more than twenty years, and on tour in the US and Canada for the last three. If your congregation is looking for a story based, laugh out loud, meaningful message, I would love to come visit!
“Liz James is one of the most engaging preachers in Unitarian Universalism. She’s hilarious & heartfelt, skillful & profound. She meets us where we’re at, but does not leave us there, inviting us into transformation. ”
I offer several worship service options, the most popular of which is the story of the UU Hysterical Society… A practical joke gone right that accidentally turned into a 300,000 person Facebook group. The sermon begins with the clip above, and goes on to tackle themes of UU identity, the value of joy, and adapting to a changing world.
Each of my services includes a sermon and children’s story. In addition, the worship package includes readings and musicians’ information (If the congregation wants them… The theme of humour often brings out the creativity of worship associates and musicians alike, and I never want to interfere with that!).
I do not charge for my services, but do request that a donation be made to Mirth and Dignity—an organization devoted to supporting outside-the-box UU projects and communities. The usual range for this is 300-400 dollars plus mileage, but I enthusiastically offer a sliding scale.
“Liz James is a thoughtful, funny, engaging preacher, whose work asks us to go deep into what it means to be people of faith and joy. She is a joy to work with, and has an open invite to any pulpit I serve.”
“If you are looking for an engaging, witty, eloquent speaker Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation (CUUC) recommends inviting Liz James to your community. Looking back at the comments from our Sunday Service Committee’s meeting there is one word next to Liz’s service “WOW.” The congregation was enthralled”
“An hour with Liz is like finding your new best friend - hearts and minds ignited, plus a ridiculous amount of fun.”