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
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
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
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
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
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…
Let’s begin 2025 with questions! It is our annual question service. Bring your questions about meaning, ethics, People’s Church, Unitarian Universalism and more (but please no math problems). Rev. Rachel will do her best to answer as many of them as she can during the service – and all of them will help shape the … Continue reading Beginning with Questions
In this service, we will mark the end of 2024 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. Please join us on Zoom or in person! Services … Continue reading Burning the Old Year: An All Ages Service
Join us to retell the story of the Nativity and the Christmas Truce of World War I as we hope for the rebirth of love and peace in the present day. This service will feature music, poetry, storytelling and candlelight. You can access the order of service HERE. Please join us on Zoom or in … Continue reading Christmas Eve Service
