“The greatest of all teachings is impermanence, and its final expression is death.”
– The Buddha

Whether we ignore it, deny it, resist it, or accept it—death touches every life. All living things carry within them the certainty of their own ending. And whether loss comes suddenly, gradually (as with Alzheimer’s), or remains ambiguous, it almost always brings grief.

Jeffry’s own journey with grief began at age 11, after the death of his mother—an experience he describes as “an ax blow from within.” From that deep wound came a realization: grief, as painful as it is, opens inner doors like no other teacher.

In this interactive sermon, we’ll explore the invitation that loss offers us: to either meet it as openhearted visitors, or to turn away and risk being tossed about in the storm of unresolved sorrow. With reflection, shared stories, silence, and music, we’ll consider how grief and praise can help us more clearly see—and celebrate—the gifts of life. Together, we’ll explore how compassion, forgiveness, and connection can guide us back to peace, acceptance, and even joy.

Jeffry is a trained grief facilitator for children who have lost a parent. In 1996, he created and led a memorial service for his mother at Mount Zion Synagogue in St. Paul, MN, and has presented on grief and healing at Temple Israel in Minneapolis.

“Laughter is the exuberant result of soul embraced by its close friend, mirth.  Together, they simply can’t contain themselves.”
– Jeffry

When we feel broken, stuck, or hopeless, laughter can become an unexpected source of strength. It uplifts our spirit, helps us stay resilient through life’s challenges, and invites us to live more freely, joyfully, and compassionately.

This lively, interactive sermon explores how laughter can heal, energize, and connect us—both to one another and to the fullness of life. Together, we’ll discover how embracing mirth can deepen our sense of presence and bring renewed meaning, even in difficult times.

Jeffry has spent over 26 years training others in stress prevention and resilience-building. He is also a certified Laughter Yoga Leader who has led joyful sessions across the Twin Cities—for churches, fitness centers, holistic health conferences, and synagogues in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Stillwater.

“Fatherhood is the single most creative, complicated, fulfilling, frustrating, engrossing, enriching, depleting endeavor of a man’s adult life.”
– Kyle Pruett, child psychiatrist and author of The Nurturing Father (1987)

In the symphony of our lives, fathers—and father figures—often contribute powerful melodies. At times, their presence lifts us. At others, we may find ourselves wrestling with dissonance and longing, reflecting: “Having a relationship with him is the most complicated, fulfilling, frustrating, and enriching part of my life.”

This sermon invites a thoughtful and heartfelt exploration of the blessings, struggles, and complexities we carry in our experiences with “father”—however we define that word. We’ll reflect on the gifts and the shadows that fathering can bring, and consider how to become the conductor of our own internal family symphony. What fatherly themes do we want to carry forward—and which do we need to transform?

Jeffry brings decades of experience in fatherhood work. He has led adolescent fatherhood programs, facilitated Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) groups for at-home dads, and served as site coordinator for the Father’s Resource Center in St. Paul, MN. A published author and national lecturer on parenting and fatherhood, he has consulted with inner-city fatherhood programs and worked as a psychotherapist serving African American and Native American fathers in Minneapolis. He testified before the Minnesota Senate on fatherhood-related issues. Jeffry is the proud father of two incredible adult sons.

“Awaken, in order to die—so that you can truly live.”
– Jeffry

Avatar (2009) was nominated for multiple Academy Awards and, as of June 2025, remains the fourth highest-grossing film ever. Its enduring popularity comes from its powerful message—one that awakens consciousness and invites spiritual growth across all faiths and backgrounds.

In this sermon, we’ll explore how Avatar serves as a modern initiation into higher awareness. We’ll look closely at its themes of injustice—both conscious and unconscious—and how the film reflects struggles faced by those who are different from us. Drawing on elements of empire consciousness, Hindu mythology, Native American culture, and archetypes such as the Warrior-ess, Divine Feminine, Healer, Warrior, Green Man, and King, this sermon uncovers deep lessons embedded in the story.

Familiarity with the movie is recommended for those attending.

Jeffry also offers other teachings on Avatar, including:

1. “AVATAR: The Way of Connection” – a unique three-day men’s retreat experience.

2. A three-hour workshop sharing his perspectives, most recently presented at White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church in Mahtomedi, MN.

“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget,
falls drop by drop upon the heart,
until, in our own despair, against our will,
comes wisdom, through the awful grace of God.”
— Aeschylus, Greek playwright

Many Americans still believe that mental health struggles only happen to “crazy people,” and that seeing a psychotherapist means personal weakness. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Millions of children, youth, and adults—including people we know and work with—live with diagnosable mental health conditions.

In this sermon, we’ll share practical and embodied wisdom drawn from years of work with thoughtful, resilient people who have faced and overcome difficult life challenges. Together, we will explore how to meet life’s toughest struggles—trauma, addiction, family loss, self-deception, and other “dark graces”—with vulnerability, courage, humility, and perseverance.

We’ll also see how the therapist’s couch reflects the broader issues in our culture, showing us how we all share a common human journey: striving for greater sanity, peace, freedom, and harmony in our lives.

Jeffry has provided outpatient mental health care since 1991. He has worked as a social worker and psychotherapist in schools, social service agencies, and private practice. He has taught courses on Racial and Ethnic Minorities and Adolescent Psychology at Minnesota universities, including Concordia University in St. Paul. Jeffry is an Approved Supervisor for the Minnesota Boards of Behavioral Health and Therapy and Social Work.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.
And if you can’t help others, at least don’t hurt them.”
— The Dalai Lama

When we pray saying “God the Father,” what does that mean for women? When we speak of “Mother Nature,” where do men fit in? And for those who don’t identify as male or female, how do they relate to traditional religious views or the idea of “mother nature”?

We still have a long way to go in understanding gender with compassion, equality, and respect. “Different” doesn’t mean “wrong.” This sermon draws on a 10,000-year-old story of male initiation and identity to explore these questions. It acknowledges the important truths brought forward by movements like #MeToo, which expose social inequalities and injustices affecting many women, while also calling attention to the shadow side of some men’s behaviors within traditional power structures.

Join us for a bold, thought-provoking conversation about gender issues. Together, we’ll envision ways to heal gender divides and support men as they step out of their shadows toward authentic, shared thriving with others. We’ll also explore how churches can create “Authentic Mens” groups—active mentoring communities for young men—offering a fresh take on the traditional “Church Brotherhood.”

Jeffry has been involved in men’s groups since 1987 and in mythopoetic men’s groups since 1994. He is a national speaker and keynote presenter on authentic manhood, as well as the curriculum author and lead trainer for Authentic Manhood Programs (AMP). Jeffry is passionate about helping men develop greater presence, accountability, and character. His vision for men is to:

• connect authentically with themselves,

• serve others and the world with courage, and

• build lasting, effective life skills.

“Be with spirit in the heart of the moment & keep the body in mind.”
— From the Thrivalism curriculum

In times of chronic stress, it often feels like we’re just barely surviving. Physical pain, financial struggles, neurochemical imbalances, health crises, social and interpersonal conflicts, gender and racial inequalities, spiritual challenges, and political turmoil—all these can wear us down day after day.

Drawing on nearly 34 years as a holistic mental health professional, Jeffry created Thrivalism—a creative, practical curriculum designed to help us live with less stress and more authenticity, clarity, meaning, and contentment.

In this interactive sermon, you’ll experience humor, wisdom, and guided imagery that introduce Thrivalism’s core principles: aligning mind, emotions, and body; connecting with spirit; living fully with purpose and passion; and clearing the blocks that keep these parts from working together.

Jeffry developed Thrivalism in 2014 and has taught it widely across the Twin Cities. This sermon has been presented at Groveland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (St. Paul, MN, March 2021), Dakota Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (November 2020), and The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis (September 2014).

“What is binding me in this life? What holds me back?  What, within or beyond me, is pressing me down—oppressed so hard I could not stand?  What chains must I break just to be the person I define as myself?  What silences my singing?”
— Questions from the sermon

Passover (Pesach) is a Jewish holiday celebrated each year around Easter. It honors the story of Moses leading the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt and across the desert to the Promised Land.

In this sermon, we use the Passover story as a lens to reflect on the chains that bind us and the obstacles blocking our path to our own “promised land.” We will ask ourselves: “What can we look forward to, and what can’t we turn away from?”

Jeffry will also share personal reflections from his upbringing in Reform Judaism and his experiences with Passover. Together, we’ll explore how this ancient story speaks to the universal journey of spiritual growth—through its rituals, meanings, and enduring wisdom.

This sermon was delivered by invitation at the River Falls Unitarian Universalist Society on March 28, 2010.

“God gave me a pair of dark eyes,
I am using them to see the light.”
— Kobi

Hanukkah, often called “the festival of light,” is celebrated by Jewish communities worldwide around the time of Christmas. Join us to learn why this holiday has been observed since 174 B.C.E., and why spinning tops, potato pancakes, and nine candles are meaningful symbols for millions of people.

We’ll also explore six other December holidays from around the world that share a similar focus on light, ritual, and celebration during this season. Plus, you’ll discover a new holiday honoring both darkness and light—perfect for this time of year.

Your guide, Jeffry, draws from his diverse spiritual background, including Shamanism, Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Buddhism, and the Unitarian tradition, all shaped by his upbringing in Reform Judaism. Oy!

Jeffry has presented this sermon at River Falls UU Society, Dakota County Unitarian Universalist Congregation (DUUC), and the Michael Servetus Unitarian Society in Fridley, Minnesota.