Clarence R. Skinner Award Presented for Memorable Social Justice Sermon

Each year, the Clarence R. Skinner Award is presented for the sermon that most effectively represents Unitarian Universalist principles. Though the sermon entries for this award were ALL outstanding, this year’s recipient, Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Robinson of Fort Myers, was honored for his sermon entitled, “The Sixth Principle: The Goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty, and Justice for All.”

The sermon, submitted for consideration by Jean Bishop Porter with a heartfelt endorsement, was described as “the most moving sermon and delivery ever experienced.” Rev. Dr. Robinson described unusual perspectives of foes, such as those of the Palestinians, instead of the Zionist Jews. He explored the way that a minority voice or action can make “a difference.”

The sermon included the moving story of a bombing in Sarajevo, in May of 1992. Innocent, wartorn citizens were standing in line to buy bread at a bakery when a bomb explosion killed 22. The principal cellist of the Sarajevo Opera, Vedran Smailovic, wearing a tuxedo, appeared the day after the bombing, where more people were again waiting to buy bread. He sat on a chair, cello in hand, and played a dulcent Adagio by Albinoni, in memory of those killed. He returned, to repeat that eloquent performance, every day for the total of 22–one performance for each victim.

At this point in the sermon, the principal cellist of the Naples Philharmonic Symphony reenacted that performance. After the music, the minister described other Sarajevo bombing memorial tributes and performances, including one, at an international cellist festival in England, by famed cellist Yo Yo Ma. Mr. Ma, who was wearing a tuxedo, later went into the audience to embrace a ragged, disheveled old man. This man in tatters had just escaped from Sarajevo. The audience then realized it was Vedran Smailovic.

The sermon ended with “His cello, it turned out, had held more power than bombs and guns and all the ugly instruments of terror combined. With his music, the cellist of Sarajevo had defied the power of death itself, inspiring many to resist despair by celebrating love, life and that spark of the human spirit which can never be destroyed. Our principles say that we covenant to affirm, the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Blessed be.”

We honor Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Robinson for his powerful and meaningful sermon.

— MAUREA SLEESMAN, DISTRICT AWARDS CHAIR