As a participant in Rev. Rachel’s Sermon Writing Seminar, I selected the Sunday before Memorial Day to talk about how we remember those who served our nation and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Please join me on May 25 as I share my life journey in light of the concept of those considered heroes and my … Continue reading Heroes: A Reconsideration of How We Remember
It has been a special opportunity for me to participate in Pastor Rachel’s sermon writing group. I chose to focus on a metaphor that came to me in the form of a song. The metaphor has helped me clarify the basis for the strong faith I have had since my youth. I will share the … Continue reading A Metaphor that Moves Me
In these trying times–in the public forum, in government, in the smallest interpersonal interactions–it can seem as though our UU values are constantly under attack. How do we speak up when the moment calls for it? How do we convey our message in ways that are both effective and based in love? The speaker shares … Continue reading On Speaking Your Truth
Come Sunday for a service featuring great music by Peoples’ musicians. Bring your drums to participate in drumming! You can access the order of service HERE. Please join us on Zoom or in person! Services are normally held in the Commons and over Zoom at 10:45am. Sunday Services can be accessed over Zoom by following this … Continue reading We Can Change the World: A Music Service
As a participant in Pastor Rachel’s seminar on writing a UU sermon, I chose to focus on the idea of “grace.” It is a term I wanted to understand better as it often comes up when I talk about my kidney transplant. Please join me for the April 27 service as I tell my story. … Continue reading Amazing! Extraordinary!, Ordinary Grace!: A Transplant Journey
All ages are invited to join together for this engaging, meaningful, interactive worship service. Through interesting stories, songs and activities, we will acknowledge our grief while celebrating the wonders of living on our Mother Earth. Explore living in right relations in the interdependent web of life. You can access the order of service HERE. Please … Continue reading Earth Day Intergenerational Service: Gratitude and Grief, Relationship and Reciprocity
The work of building Beloved Community is much like a relay race. We all take turns in various roles – running the baton forward, resting, cheering for our team, training for our turn. On this final Sunday before her sabbatical, Rev. Rachel will pass a symbolic baton forward to everyone who will be doing the … Continue reading Beloved Community is a Relay Race
In recent years, Rev. Rachel has been struggling with the idea of hope. Given everything unfolding in our world and in our lives, what does it mean to be hopeful? Is hope necessary? How might we act in support of our values whether or not we feel hopeful? This service will conclude with our annual … Continue reading With or Without Hope
The 2025 People’s Poetry Service will explore the “Poetry of Predicament” on Sunday, March 30th. Come share in a special service of creative resilience, inspiration, hope, angst, courage, wonder, and love. You can access the order of service HERE. Please join us on Zoom or in person! Services are normally held in the Commons and … Continue reading Poetry of Predicament
Over the next several months, we will be hearing sermons from People’s people who participated in a sermon seminar adult religious education class with Rev. Rachel. This is the first in this series, a sermon about doubt, mystery, and a personal faith journey, by church member Chris Measzros. You can access the order of service … Continue reading John Wesley, Unitarian Universalism, and the Agnostic Hymnal
This weekend marks five years since People’s Church (and so much else) shut down and moved online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this service, we will remember those confusing days, grieve, and reflect on how the pandemic continues to shape our lives. You can access the order of service HERE. Please join us … Continue reading Pandemic, Five Years in
In the recent question box sermon, several People’s people asked questions about how to cope with betrayal in their personal relationships. In this service, Rev. Rachel will explore how to navigate betrayal with integrity and care for ourselves and those who hurt us. You can access the order of service HERE. Please join us on … Continue reading On Betrayal
People’s people are generous people. Join us for this celebration of the generosity of People’s people – and the invitation to make our pledges for the coming church year. This service will be followed by a potluck lunch (bring a dish to share if you are attending in-person!) and a brief stewardship presentation. You can … Continue reading The Works of Love: Stewardship Sunday
As Unitarian Universalists, one of our core values is interdependence, the truth that we are all connected to one another. Yet, our culture constantly tells us we are individuals, responsible solely for ourselves and maybe those closest to us. In this moment, we will remember the truth of our interdependence and challenge any notion that … Continue reading The Myth of Individualism
Since L. Frank Baum published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 125 years ago, this wisdom story about a girl who wants to go home and her unlikely companions has been re-told and reinterpreted many times on the page, stage, and screen. In this joyful service, we will celebrate this story (and the songs it inspired) … Continue reading Wisdom from The Wizard of Oz
What does it mean to live authentically in a diverse community? Pluralism sounds great, but is often very hard work. We’ll explore a commitment to radical hospitality, learning about ourselves in the process. Liz is an ordained Presbyterian (USA) Pastor who has spent her career working in interfaith and multi-faith landscapes. Currently, she serves as … Continue reading Pluralism in Turbulent Times
As we honor Scout Sunday and the new relationship between People’s Church and Scouting America Troop 292 (part of the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts), Rev. Rachel will tell the story of the history between the Unitarian Universalist Association and Boy Scouts of America, two imperfect institutions who are becoming unlikely allies, and … Continue reading Imperfect Allies
Exploring why well rested self care and community care are essential for the work ahead, how do we best lean into those practices and people who help to nurture and sustain us? As we work to dismantle unjust systems , how can we best support and depend upon each other? You can access the order … Continue reading Rest as Resistance, Community as Resistance
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, Rev. Rachel will continue her series honoring lesser known Civil Rights heroes. This Sunday, we will honor the life and legacy of Duane Roberts, a local Civil Rightsleader. In addition to being a leader in the fight for school desegregation and other efforts for equity in Kalamazoo, … Continue reading Remembering Duane Roberts
In late 2024, we asked People’s people to complete a short survey. On this Sunday, Rev. Rachel will share the results with you. We will learn about who we are (including demographic information and spiritual background and identity) and how this has shifted from surveys conducted in 10 and 25 years ago. Wewill also share … Continue reading Survey Says…
