People's Church Of Kalamazoo

We’ll send Jill off on her two-month sabbatical with this service for all ages. Together we’ll explore how timeless stories can have many interpretations, and we’ll focus on our shared commitments to each other and to People’s during this special time for us all. We will also be recognizing our newest members during this service.

The second part of a two-part sermon, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., considering how love is both the foundation and the movement of courage and compassion, and why it is stronger than fear.

The first of a two-part sermon, honoring Martin Luther King, considering what love really looks like when it is the power to transform hate, to let go of fear, and to embrace the wounded and wounding world.

A new calendar year begins, with accompanying anticipation and fears. Though calendar days are purely arbitrary, still they have an effect on how we see things. Let’s turn the page together and find our way into this new year with courage, strength, and gratitude.

The cities are again filled with lights, which we can only really see in this season of darkness. So often the dark parts of life are discounted and under-appreciated. Melancholy, sadness, and even some forms of depression can add texture and meaning to our lives unavailable in other ways. At the height of the darkest nights of the year, let’s consider the gifts of the dark.

Holiday letters can be informative, entertaining, annoying, usually welcome. At times they help us remember writing or receiving letters which opened up something important in our lives, though it may not have been recent. I often think of letters I want to write, but rarely find time to do so. These letters in my mind are a form of contemplation, it seems—not surprising, as letters have often been an important tool for soul-work.

Most religions use ideas of deity/deities to frame conceptions of cosmic and moral order, however, many of us find popular god-concepts inadequate. And yet, humans are relational beings and we often find ourselves yearning for some way to express a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves. We’ll explore some ideas from the Hindu tradition for alternative perspectives on the human-cosmos connection, including ways relationships can foster wisdom and moral actions.

In 1452, Pope Nicholas V issued a decree that specifically sanctioned and promoted the conquest, colonization, and exploitation of non-Christian territories and peoples. Hundreds of years of decisions and laws continuing right up to our own time can ultimately be traced back to this “Doctrine of Discovery”—laws that invalidate or ignore the rights, sovereignty, and humanity of indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world. The delegates of the 2012 UUA General Assembly, last June, called on all congregations to study this history and aim to eliminate its presence from the current-day policies, programs, theologies, and structures of Unitarian Universalism.

Sometimes simply counting our blessings does not help us cope with adversity and challenges. While it is beneficial in many ways to cultivate gratitude, sometimes it just feels impossible. What does it take to give thanks in hard times, when loss, or pain, or grief or fear threaten to overwhelm us?

Again we face “the road ahead” following a national election. Healing will definitely be needed, as always. Focus on finding unity will definitely be needed. What are we called to do as religious people, at this time, for this country and this world? And what do we need in order to do it? Let me be bold enough to say that for my three-point plan, the math adds up—I think.

One of the latest in the genre of stories of dystopia, The Hunger Games has gained quite a following, especially among young people. Books and movies that are popular often speak to something deep within a society, something we are struggling with. I look forward to hearing what you might have to say about this one, too.

There is lots of talk about multiculturalism these days, including here at People's Church. But what does it mean, and what is it for? Short answer: it is a way to gain real skills at living in and with diversity—cultural, ethnic, gender, age, etc. Another short answer: it is truly about living in right relations, including some nuts and bolts actions we can all learn. It is one thing to simply or merely believe that embracing diversity is a good thing; it is another thing to actually do it, effectively. Now is a good time to begin, together.

Settling into our new space has been exciting. This morning we stop to dedicate our work and new rooms to our mission and goals, and to begin again the ongoing work of pursuing peace, justice and compassion in our lives and in the world. Following the service, we’ll host a reception for visitors—friends, community partners and neighbors. Please invite a friend to join you! If you can help provide food for the reception, please sign up in the foyer or call the church office, 375-3262, by October 10.

If one of our aims is to live in harmony with Earth, or more to live in ways that sustain all life, where are we to look for wisdom and inspiration? Most religious liberals argue that the classic religious traditions have little to offer in this direction, and so look to ancient and indigenous perspectives for wisdom. Yet, there is much to be learned from the classic traditions as well. We’ll honor Indigenous People’s day by noting sources of Earth-honoring as broadly and widely as possible.

Peter Mayer returns to provide beautiful music for our Sunday service this week. We’ll consider the great possibilities for this year—wisdom from world religions, becoming more effective in anti-racism and multi-culturalism, becoming more mature as religious and spiritual people. Religious education classes begin today—we’ll commission those who have made a commitment to teaching. And, we’ll include a child dedication ceremony—please contact Jill if you would like to have a baby or child dedicated.

The Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, one of the High Holy Days in conjunction with Rosh Hashanah, encourages each individual to consider their lives and behavior in the year past. Did I accomplish my aims? Have I lived up to my ideals? Have I acted in ways that have been hurtful to others, intentionally or not? This examination of ideals and realities is part of many religious traditions, and is a ritual worthy of consideration for all. Special music by cellist Silvia Sidorane.

Members of our High School (YRUU) class will share what they have been studying and exploring this year, including music, stories, and reflections. Five graduating seniors will be recognized. We’ll also say good-bye to Karen Quinlan, who is finishing her time with us as Intern Minister.

Once again we pause to reflect and remember those we have lost this year—members and friends of People’s Church and members of our own families, who have died. If you would like to have a loved one remembered in this service, please let Jill know.

As we prepare for our Annual Meeting, reviewing the church year and looking ahead, Jill will welcome the Rev. Andy Burnette, of the UU congregation in Danville IN, to the pulpit this morning. Andy was raised in the home of a Pentecostal minister, became a minister in the Church of the Nazarene and is today a fellowshipped UU minister. He will describe his journey from Evangelical Christianity to Unitarian Universalist Ministry, giving personal testimony to the life-saving work of Unitarian Universalist congregations, which is work that we share. We will also introduce and welcome our newest members to the congregation during the service.

As part of our current aim to finish the work of becoming an officially recognized UUA Welcoming Congregation, the Welcoming Congregation Task Force will host this service focusing on stories of what it has meant, and means, to be welcomed at People’s Church, with an emphasis on the experience of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. In hearing these stories, we will revisit why this work is important, and what being welcomed, and being welcoming, means to all of us.