Archives: Services

Rest as Resistance: Growing toward Liberation at the Speed of Care

January 21, 2024 at 10:45 am Diane Melvin

Diane Melvin, our director of religious education, will share her spiritual practices of fierce self-compassion and rest as resistance to help dismantle white supremacy culture. Sharing wisdom gained from her sabbatical time as well as lessons from moving through grief, we’ll explore how taking better care of ourselves is an integral way to build the Beloved Community … Continue reading Rest as Resistance: Growing toward Liberation at the Speed of Care

Remembering Whitney Young

January 14, 2024 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO RECORDING OF THIS SERVICE AVAILABLE. On Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, we will remember civil rights leader and Unitarian Universalist Whitney Young. As President of the National Urban League (one of the ‘Big Five’ organizations of the Civil Rights Movement) from 1961-1971, he cultivated relationships within white power structures in ways … Continue reading Remembering Whitney Young

A Year for Befriending our Bodies

January 7, 2024 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

The new year is a time that many focus on changing the shape of our bodies. What if we focused on changing the world so all people of all body sizes can flourish instead? When Rev. Rachel had a daughter, she realized she wanted to raise a child more at home in her body and … Continue reading A Year for Befriending our Bodies

Burning the Old Year: An All Ages for Service

December 31, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

In this service, we will mark the end of 2023 with rituals to let go of what we do not want to take with us into the coming year (by dramatically burning it up using magicians’ flash paper!) and to set our intentions for the year ahead. You can access the order of service HERE.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 24, 2023 at 5:00 pm Rev. Rachel Lonberg

Join us to retell the Christmas story and hope for the rebirth of love and peace in our world with music, poetry, and candlelight. You can access the order of service HERE.

Christmas Presents: An All Ages Service

December 24, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

What if you opened a Christmas present and what you found inside was a hymn, a story, or a joys and sorrows ritual? That will happen this Sunday when we share some new and old favorite Christmas music, including the stories behind some beloved Christmas carols. You can access the order of service HERE!

Bread for the Journey: An All Ages Service

December 17, 2023 at 10:45 am Diane Melvin, Rev. Rachel Lonberg

Do you have a baked good that is special to you? Perhaps it is something passed down for generations or a recipe that you’ve worked hard to perfect or the item you always order at your favorite bakery. This is the Sunday to bring that item to church to share, as we reflect together on … Continue reading Bread for the Journey: An All Ages Service

Don’t Let the Light Go Out: A Hanukkah Service

December 10, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

As our Jewish friends and neighbors celebrate Hanukkah, let us remember the story of the story of the Maccabee uprising of 164BCE. In a time when the Jews near Jerusalem were ruled by a foreign power and faced pressure not to practice their faith, a group rebelled – and triumphed. This service will include a … Continue reading Don’t Let the Light Go Out: A Hanukkah Service

Unitarian Universalism 101 / Bring a Friend Sunday

December 3, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

This Sunday we are going back to basics. What is Unitarian Universalism anyway? This is a great Sunday for inviting someone that you think might be interested in our church. It will also be a great reminder and refresher for all of us. What do we value? What are our sources of truth? You can … Continue reading Unitarian Universalism 101 / Bring a Friend Sunday

Toward Our Metamorphosis into Who Knows What

November 26, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Chris Buice

*There is no recording of this service* In June, thousands of Unitarian Universalists gathered for The Service of the Living of Tradition. In that service, Rev. Chris Buice preached on navigating change. This service will include a rebroadcast of some of that service, as well as in-person joys and sorrows and singing. Rev. Chris Buice … Continue reading Toward Our Metamorphosis into Who Knows What

Reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer

November 19, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

At a memorial service last summer, several hundred people in The Commons recited together ‘Our Father Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name…’ It was a powerful moment – and led Rev. Rachel to wonder what the words of that prayer Jesus taught meant in their original context – and what they might mean … Continue reading Reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer

Harm Reduction as an Ethical Guide

November 12, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

Harm reduction is a set of practices and policies in public health to reduce the negative consequences of human behavior, recognizing that you can’t force someone to make different choices, but you can work to make the consequences of their choices less catastrophic. (Needle exchange programs for IV drug users is an example of harm … Continue reading Harm Reduction as an Ethical Guide

All Souls Music Service

November 5, 2023 at 10:45 am Savannah Ramsey

Join Peoples’ musicians in song and remembrance at our All Souls music service. The order of service can accessed HERE.

Frankenstein, Artificial Intelligence, and Other Monsters

October 29, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

In the summer of 1816, a group of young adults started telling each other scary stories. Mary Shelley was one of those young adults – and the story she created was later published as Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus, one of the first science fiction novels. In the spirit of Halloween, Rev. Rachel will look … Continue reading Frankenstein, Artificial Intelligence, and Other Monsters

S’More

October 22, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

Last spring, the members of People’s Church passed a budget with a supplementary stewardship campaign. The time has come to make good on that past commitment, live into our integrity, and keep the flame of People’s Church growing. The service will be followed by a s’mores party at the fire pit, weather permitting. You can … Continue reading S’More

The Presence of Equity when Building the Beloved Community

October 15, 2023 at 10:45 am Dr. Charlae Davis

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of The Beloved Community, a place where every individual is held as beloved. What exactly does this mean, how is this done and why is equity work vital when Building the Beloved Community? The service this day will be led by Dr. Charlae Davis, the executive director of ISAAC, the … Continue reading The Presence of Equity when Building the Beloved Community

Coming of Age Again… and Again… and Again

October 8, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg

On this first Sunday of our religious education program for children and youth, Rev. Rachel will remind us that religious growth and learning does not end when adulthood begins. This service will also include the commissioning of our religious education teachers and invitations to some of the programs for spiritual growth for adults in our … Continue reading Coming of Age Again… and Again… and Again

Pride and Joy

October 1, 2023 at 10:45 am

This service will be a mini-pride celebration, featuring performances and a reflection from The Kittens Drag group. Come celebrate gender expression in all its forms and our Unitarian Universalist belief that all are worthy of care and respect, just as they are. Please note: in-person attendees are encouraged to bring small (or large) bills to … Continue reading Pride and Joy

Animal Blessing Service

September 24, 2023 at 10:45 am Diane Melvin, Rev. Rachel Lonberg

In this service, we will celebrate the joy that animals bring to our lives. We will bless our animal companions, remember our beloved pets who have died, and repent the ways our actions hurt animals and the natural world. Please bring your beloved stuffed animals, well-behaved pets, or pictures of the animals in your life. … Continue reading Animal Blessing Service

Holy Creativity

September 17, 2023 at 10:45 am Rev. Rachel Lonberg, Susan Teague

During September, local artist Susan Teague’s ‘Goddesses Galore’ will be on display on the People’s Church ArtWall. In this service, Susan will lead us in a process of creating our own deities as we reflect on what is worthy of our veneration and enjoy our own creativity. You can access the order of service HERE.

People's Church – Kalamazoo, MI

1758 N 10th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 Sunday Services: 10:45am