Living through pandemic highlights our preexisting tenuous relationship with chance. What is in our control? What is left to luck? Playing games (such as Gin Rummy, Uno, and Dungeons and Dragons) provides fun ways to experiment with strategy, taking risk, and practicing how to lose and win. Maria Konnikova earned a PhD in psychology with a specialty in how people make decisions. Dr. Konnikova spent a year of her life learning to play competitive poker. Her writing and Rev. Kent’s experience at the tables will inform this sermon on how poker can provide helpful lessons for living.

This service will be followed by a Q&A with the Board about the Governance chapter of the Widening the Circle of Concern report and the proposed governance goals for USG.

A life-long Unitarian Universalist, Kent came to USG in 2002, bringing a vision for the church to “empower people as disciples of love.” He is involved in most areas of church life and in the greater community as well. Kent preaches 2 or 3 times per month. He lives in Mt. Airy with his wife Kristin and their two sons. Among his hobbies Kent loves to play tennis, do yoga, read novels, dance and listen to jazz. More about Kent on the Staff page.