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
‘Hope is a sort of time travel,’ a friend recently told Rev. Rachel. ‘It is a practice of imagining a better future and letting that vision inspire you to act.’ In this service, Rev. Rachel will reflect the lessons that science fiction and speculative fiction can teach us about hope in this challenging season. You … Continue reading Hope as Science Fiction
Francis David was a spiritual seeker, the founder of the Unitarian Church of Transylvania, and the person who converted the only Unitarian King in history. He died in prison in 1579, after being sentenced to life in prison for changing his mind with regards to religion. This Sunday we will tell Francis David’s story and … Continue reading The Right to Change One’s Mind
As Thanksgiving approaches, Rev. Rachel and members of the emerging People’s Church Reckoning Team will tell a truer story about Native American history than what is usually told this time of year. An honest history invites us all to a begin moving toward right relationship with Native communities. The Reckoning Team is a newly formed … Continue reading An Honest Thanksgiving
In this post-election sermon, Rev. Rachel will reflect on the outcome of the election and on the path and work ahead for all of us. 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 … Continue reading Now What?
What are the practices, habits, and resources that can carry us through times that are hard on our minds and spirits? This Sunday, Rev. Rachel will help us prepare a ‘spiritual emergency kit’ that we can turn to when the challenges inevitably come. Please join us on Zoom or in person! Services are normally held in … Continue reading In Case of (Spiritual) Emergency
In honor of Halloween, Rev. Rachel will trace the surprising history of Satan (he’s not a fallen angel; he didn’t start out as a villain) and consider how personifying evil might keep us from fully recognizing our own destructive potential as humans. You can access the order of service HERE! Please join us on Zoom … Continue reading “Satan and Other (D)evils”
At a wedding, perhaps you heard the classic text from the Christian Scripture that includes, ‘love is patient, love is kind,’ but did you know that these words were originally part of a letter to an unruly church telling them to behave themselves. In this service, Rev. Rachel will explore this ancient wisdom about what … Continue reading “Becoming People of Love”
As Unitarian Universalists, we celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. As our programs for children and youth begin (with a focus on world religions this year), Rev. Rachel will reflect on the gift of religious pluralism and how learning about other wisdom traditions canstrengthen our faith. You can … Continue reading “Crossing Paths”
Our congregation is joining with other UU congregations across the continent to imagine a flourishing, just future and be inspired to make our vision a reality. This service is part of a weekend long program of activities – and you don’t need to attend the Saturday workshop to find meaning and inspiration in this service. … Continue reading “UU Climate Justice Revival”
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”
This summer, the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association adopted a new statement of values. These values are Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity withlove at the center. (JETPIG is a handy pneumonic to help us remember.) In this service, we will kick-off a focus on these values that will continue throughout this … Continue reading “Exploring Our Values”
We begin our church program year with our annual water service celebrating the joy of community. Please bring water from somewhere meaningful to you to add to a common bowl as a symbol of our connections with one another and the wider world. If you are not able to attend the service in person and … Continue reading “Water Service”
