Christmas Eve: The Mystery, the Magic, and the Music

Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM in the Church Sanctuary (and Zoom).

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Steven Protzman, Dir. of Religious Education Colleen Thoele, and Worship Associates David Weaver and Heidi Shaffer Bish.

As we welcome Christmas once again, we will tell stories and sing songs about the birth of Jesus and reflect on the magic, mystery and beauty of this night with its promise that amid the struggles, problems, and suffering of life, there is wonder and joy.

We will have an all ages candlelight service at 6:30 pm, and a meditative candlelight service at 8:30 pm. There will be no morning service.

6:30 PM — CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the 6:30 PM Order of Service.

8:30 PM — CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the 8:30 PM Order of Service.

6:30 PM Podcast

8:30 PM Podcast

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Blue Christmas

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 7 PM in the Church Sanctuary (and Zoom).

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Steven Protzman, Rev. Renee Ruchotzke, Dir. of Music Emily Hall, and Commissioned Lay Minister Lori Mirkin-McGee.

A Blue Christmas service, also known as the Longest Night service, is a time for those who find the holidays hard because of the loss of a loved one or other struggles. This special Vespers in the sanctuary and on Zoom at 7 pm will be a meditative service that will provide space for grief, for reflection and remembering, for taking the time to simply be and seek out healing stillness.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Live in the Mystery

Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 10 AM in the Church Sanctuary.

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Heidi Sumser.

Lawrence Kushner wrote: “The first mystery is simply that there is a mystery, a mystery that can never be explained or understood, only encountered from time to time.” As we explore the December Soul Matters theme of Mystery, let us embrace the reality that we are surrounded by mystery, challenge ourselves to open our hearts to it more fully, and reflect on our search for truth and meaning having infinite possibilities.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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We Bless this Space

Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 10 AM in the Church Sanctuary.

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Steven Protzman with Worship Associate Randy Bish.

Our historic sanctuary is sacred for many of us, a place that not only invites a deep spiritual experience, but holds beloved memories. As we return to worship in our renovated sanctuary, we will rededicate and bless this space with music, stories, and rituals, honor the memory of those who have cared for and cherished this space, and renew our commitment to making this a true sanctuary for all of us.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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An Open Heart

Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 10 AM in Hobbs Hall.

A multi-platform service led by CLM Kathy Kerns and Worship Associate Elaine Bowen.

Our Unitarian Universalist principles call us to promote compassion in human relations and to engage in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. What does it mean to show compassion? Are we to show compassion for everyone? How can we, as a faith community, help one another in our journey to be our best, most compassionate selves?

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Gratitude on the Go

Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 10 AM in Hobbs Hall.

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Steven Protzman with DRE Colleen Thoele.

Ann Lamott writes: “Gratitude begins in our hearts and then becomes behavior…. We mysteriously find ourselves willing to pick up litter in the street, or let others go first in traffic….” On this Sunday together as a community of all ages, we will celebrate Thanksgiving by telling stories and singing songs that invite us to be grateful for all we have and to practice “gratitude on the go”, living a life of active gratitude.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Listen to the Spirits Dancing

Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 10 AM.

The poet Joy Harjo, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, writes: “They were dancing as if they were here, and then another level of here, and then another, until the whole earth and sky was dancing.” 

 November is National Native American Heritage Month.  With stories, poetry, and music, we will honor the indigenous peoples of this country and celebrate their culture, traditions, history, and contributions to our world.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Honoring Grief and Gratitude

Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 10 AM in Hobbs Hall.

A multi-platform service led by CLM Elizabeth Reilly and Worship Associate CLM Kathy Kerns.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it can be difficult to embrace the complexities inherent in our loss of innocence about both our own and our cultural pasts. Is there a way to experience gratitude without fearing the mourning that also belongs? Of moving past a polarized view of Thanksgiving? Of finding our own authentic ways to build from both grief and gratitude?

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Let Love Melt into Memory

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 7 PM in the Church Sanctuary.

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Heidi Sumser.

The poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote: “Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.”  In this solemn Vespers service, we will once again remember and honor our beloved dead with rituals and songs, love and tears, engraving their memories yet again in our hearts. 

This vespers service will be at 7 pm in the Sanctuary and live streamed on Zoom.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Tending the Sacred Fire

Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 10 AM in Hobbs Hall

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Heidi Sumser.

Richard Silversmith says: “A fire is a symbolic way to bring the light of the Divine into our consciousness, it signifies a call to the senses, and an invitation to be fully present in sharing our testimonies.”  As we welcome new members, we will reflect on our commitment to tend the sacred fire of our community through sharing our gifts, passions and serving others, the work we gather around our fire to do.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Our Purposeful Potluck

Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 10 AM in Hobbs Hall.

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Christie Anderson and Worship Associate Randy Bish.

As humans, we hunger for personal meaning and understanding of the mysteries of life. The UU faith has a unique way of satisfying this hunger. Multiple voices will share how Unitarian Universalism and the UUCK feed their souls and expand their religious views.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Loved for Who You Are

Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 10 AM in Hobbs Hall.

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Steven Protzman.

National Coming Out Day is October 11 and this is Pride weekend in Kent. Is coming out a true act of liberation, or is it a harmful expectation created by society? What if we shifted our thinking from, as David Johns says, “coming out to inviting in”, making space for all of us to share who we are and to affirm, as our First Principles teaches, that we are worthy of being loved for who we are as we are?

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service.

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Our People, United

Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 10 AM in Hobbs Hall.

A multi-platform service led by Rev. Renee Ruchotzke and Worship Associate Heidi Shaffer Bish.

How do other Unitarian Universalists live their faith? How do we support one another? How do we advance our values in the world, and encourage spiritual growth of our movement? Our Affiliated Community Minister Rev. Renee will share a few stories that answer these questions from 13 years of working for the UUA. Worship Associate Heidi Shaffer Bish will share a story about our congregation’s experience, and our Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele will share a story about the history of the Seven Principles that may surprise you! Our Transitional Music Director Emily Hall has a musical surprise or two planned as well!

CLICK HERE to view, download or print the Order of Service.

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Hagrid’s Magical Umbrella

Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 10 AM in Hobbs Hall

Led by the Professors of KentHogwarts

You are cordially invited to join the Professors of KentHogwarts this Sunday morning as they explore and share how the four houses, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuf approach and practice justice towards animals, people, and our world.

CLICK HERE to view, print, or download the Order of Service.

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