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”
This year the broad theme for summer services is “Living Our Values.” People’s People will speak on this theme in a variety of ways. Each service will include a ten-minute reflection from a speaker followed by group discussion. Summer services will be multiplatform, taking place both in the Commons and over Zoom. Services begin at … Continue reading Summer Service, “Living Our Values”
In this service to mark the end of the church program year, we will let dandelions be our teachers. What can these nutritious plants, the bane of many gardeners, teach us about depth, abundance, persistence, surprise, and beauty? This service will include our annual flower ritual. All in-person attendees are invited to bring a flower … Continue reading Lessons from Dandelions: A Flower Service
This Sunday, we will mark the milestones, transitions, and learnings in our community this year. We will welcome the newest members of People’s Church. We will honor our children and youth who completed Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive sexuality education this year. We will celebrate our youth who are bridging to adulthood. We will also … Continue reading Milestones Service
In our annual Memorial Day weekend service of remembrance, we will remember those who have died in war and military service. We will also honor church members and others who have died in the past year and the griefs that so many of us carry. (If you would like a photo of someone you love … Continue reading Memorial Day Service
Over this church year, participants in our coming of age for youth and adults: discerning values and beliefs class have been exploring their beliefs, values, and ethics. In this service, they will share some of their learning with the congregation. You can access the order of service HERE! This service will be followed by a … Continue reading Coming of Age Service
What happens when we die? While our Universalist ancestors had a very certain idea about this, modern Unitarian Universalists have a variety of beliefs about the afterlife (or lack of one). Rev. Rachel will explore some of the ideas commonly held among us. This service will also feature a child dedication ritual and end with … Continue reading What’s Next?
Did you know that the high five was co-created by the first openly gay major league baseball player in 1977? Rev. Rachel will tell this story in a sports-themed service that will also feature a seventh inning stretch, peanut-free Cracker Jack and a few other sporty surprises. We’re encouraging people to dress in their sports … Continue reading Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Join us for our annual Earth Day observance, a day to celebrate the interdependent web of all existence and to recommit to using our power to protect all living things. This will be a service for people of all ages. You can access the order of service HERE! Please join us on Zoom or in … Continue reading Earth Day Intergenerational Service
Over the past several years, church leaders have focused on becoming better prepared for medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other challenges. Gordon Bolar, a member of the board and preparedness committee will share a reflection on what he has learned as a leader of this work and how preparedness helps us to better live our … Continue reading The Spiritual Work of Preparedness
In this Easter service, Rev. Rachel will explore Black Liberation Theology’s understanding of the death of Jesus. Drawing of the work of Dr. James Cone, the pioneer of Black Liberation Theology and one of Rev. Rachel’s seminary professors, she will explore how this theological tradition might help us all find meaning in the midst of … Continue reading The Cross and the Lynching Tree: A Black Liberation Theology Easter
After a four-year hiatus, we are bringing back our reverse service. This is a special day where our younger children stay in The Commons for the whole service while we sing out the adults (both in person and on Zoom) to participate in their own specialty classes, such as art, movement, discussion, and more. You … Continue reading Reverse Service
It is a day for questions at People’s Church (but isn’t every day a day for questions?) 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 … Continue reading Living the Questions
We will kick off stewardship season (our annual pledge campaign to raise money for the church the coming year) with Rev. Rachel’s annual ‘sermon on the amount’ and an invitation to participate in grateful gatherings – small groups that will have a facilitated conversation about the role People’s Church plays in our lives, church finances … Continue reading Gathering in Gratitude and Generosity
Our Unitarian Universalist Association is in the process of revising Article II of the bylaws, which includes the principles and sources. In this service, Rev. Rachel will explore the proposed changes, which will be voted on at the General Assembly this June. If you want to learn more about this process than will be included … Continue reading Love at the Center
Following up on the previous Sunday’s celebration of Charles Darwin and evolution, we will grapple with how the scientific ideas Darwin developed have been misused in racist, ableist, and imperialist ways. The modern eugenics movement (founded by Charles Darwin’s cousin) promoted social policies designed to “improve” human populations. Many of the early proponents were Unitarians. … Continue reading The Misuse of Science
On the weekend marking the 215th anniversary of the birth of naturalist Charles Darwin, who developed the theory of evolution and who was raised as a Unitarian. We will celebrate his life and legacy of inquiry, science, and trying to make sense of the world around us. You can access the order of service HERE!
One of the oldest and most important practices in the Unitarian Universalist tradition is congregational self-governance. This practice requires us to call out from among our congregation leaders who serve for a period of time on our nominating committee, our board, and in other leadership roles, serving the mission of the church and helping us … Continue reading Lessons in Leadership
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
