On the Sunday before Halloween, we continue our occasional series on the meaning of monsters. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a small team is trying to make sense of mysterious deaths. A vampire doesn’t initially seem like a reasonable explanation to our heroes, as they are steeped in science. Can they trust their experience over their … Continue reading Dracula, Epistemology, and the Search for Truth
The story goes that when physicist Albert Einstein was asked if he believed in God, he responded, ‘First, tell me if you believe in God, then I’ll tell you if I believe in him.’ This Sunday, Rev. Rachel will echothis approach, exploring ideas of God that aren’t in alignment with Unitarian Universalist theologies, in hopes … Continue reading The Gods I Don’t Believe In
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
The Unitarian Universalist Association statement of values states ‘We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.’ Yet, this world is brimming with examples of dehumanization and disregard. How can we live our values in this moment of genocide, political polarization, and rising fascism? You … Continue reading Who Gets to Be a Person?
One of Rev. Rachel’s minister mentors often repeated ‘there are no other people’s children’ as a reminder that we all have obligations and connections to the youngest generations. On this kick-off Sunday for religious education, we will commission our religious education leaders who are taking on the sacred task of leading our children in religious … Continue reading There are No Other People’s Children
It’s our annual animal blessing service. We will celebrate the gifts animals bring to our lives, honor beloved animals who have died and recognize our place in the interconnected web of all existence. All are invited to bring their (well-behaved, comfortable in groups) pets and companion animals with them to church for a blessing. Pictures … Continue reading Animal Blessing Service
This summer, the People’s Church board identified justice as a special focus for our community this year. In this service for all ages, we will explore all of the ways we can do the work of justice – as warriors, as wonderers, worriers, wanderers, and more through multisensory worship stations. (With full credit to the … Continue reading Social Justice Warriors, Social Justice Wonderers, Social Justice Worriers, Social Justice Wanderers
We will celebrate the beginning of our church year with our water ritual, a symbolic re-forming of our church community. For this all ages service, everyone will gather in The Commons. If you are attending the service in-person, please bring water from somewhere important to you (home is fine!) and a dish to share for … Continue reading Joining of Waters
Summer services will once again be reflections from People’s People. Each service will include a ten-minute reflection from a speaker followed by discussion in small groups. Summer services will be multiplatform, taking place both in the Commons and over Zoom. Services begin at 10:45. You can access the order of service HERE. Please join us … Continue reading Benefits of Mindful Meditation
Traditional Chinese Medicine flows largely from the traditions of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. It is rooted in the notion that all things are interconnected, and that the flow of the body is a microcosm of the outer world. At its root is the concept of yin and yang—the two opposing forces from which all life … Continue reading Observing Interconnection Through the Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine
This service will feature a reading of the Ten-Minute Play: “Mokie’s Dark Ride” by Gordon Bolar. Actors include Julie Schneeberger and Matthew Morris McCormick. The play examines the role of a mother and motherhood itself in an unconventional way. Summer services will once again be reflections from People’s People. Each service will include a ten-minute … Continue reading “Mokie’s Dark Ride”: Motherhood and Forgiveness
Summer services will once again be reflections from People’s People. Each service will include a ten-minute reflection from a speaker followed by discussion in small groups. Summer services will be multiplatform, taking place both in the Commons and over Zoom. Services begin at 10:45. Please join us on Zoom or in person! Services are normally held … Continue reading The Power of Pets: A Dog’s Tale
In June 2024, the Seven Principles were replaced with language describing Unitarian Universalism through a set of shared values, all centered around love. The UU value, Interdependence, states: We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it. My reflection … Continue reading This Interdependent Life: Rituals for Resilience
During this service we will explore the seven directions to honor the time and place we find ourselves in. The Seven Directions are East, South, West, North, Above, Below, and Center. Using the directions to orient to our environment is a practical skill we have used since the very beginning of humanity. The directions have … Continue reading Orienting to the Sacred With the Seven Directions
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III has said: “When the people sing together something happens that can’t be replicated by singing alone…” We invite you to our hymn sing service; People’s people will reflect on hymns and songs that have had special meaning to them over the years and then we will sing a few verses … Continue reading Hymn Sing Service
This service builds on the scientific story of creation and our place in it. Summer services will once again be reflections from People’s People. Each service will include a ten-minute reflection from a speaker followed by discussion in small groups. Summer services will be multiplatform, taking place both in the Commons and over Zoom. Services … Continue reading Participating in the Great Mystery of Creation
Summer services will once again be reflections from People’s People. Each service will include a ten-minute reflection from a speaker followed by discussion in small groups. Summer services will be multiplatform, taking place both in the Commons and over Zoom. Services begin at 10:45. You can access the order of service HERE. Please join us … Continue reading Summer Service
Come with us on a journey through the cosmos to explore the origins of breath, water and blood. Ponder how we are all connected with each other, nature and the universe. From the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago to the breath in your lungs today we are all deeply interconnected. We are the children … Continue reading A Breath of Air, a Droplet of Water, an Atom of Iron
Summer services will once again be reflections from People’s People. Each service will include a ten-minute reflection from a speaker followed by discussion in small groups. Summer services will be multiplatform, taking place both in the Commons and over Zoom. Services begin at 10:45. You can access the order of service HERE. Please join us … Continue reading Book Service
“Joy Snacks” are the little things that we can celebrate now, rather than waiting for the big things to happen. So, today we will remember and celebrate these little things and favorite “joy snack “memories of our father or father-figure, that are so precious and meaningful. Summer services will once again be reflections from People’s … Continue reading Joy Snacks for Fathers: A Summer Service
