Join us for our annual Service in the Park and Church Picnic! 10 AM at Plum Creek Park, Pavilion #2

We regret that since the service will be in a remote location, Zoom will not be available.

All Creatures, Great and Small

Led by CLM Lori Mirkin-McGee, will begin at 10 AM and will include a pet blessing. Bring your folding chairs, picnic blanket, and your beloved pet(s)!

When I was young, I read the series by James Harriot called, “All Creatures, Great and Small.” The books are about a young English vet and his (mis)adventures with local animals. These books opened my heart to the importance of animals in our lives. As soon as I was an adult, I got my first pet–a cat–and I’ve had pets ever since. This service explores the joys, and sorrows, of having a pet companion. Bring your pet or pictures of your pet to the park for our annual blessing of the animals at Plum Creek Park.

Our annual Church Picnic will immediately follow the service. We ask that everyone please bring your own place settings, a beverage, and a dish to pass (with serving utensils). Ice water will be provided. Also, feel free to bring your favorite “lawn” or tabletop games to share.

Please pitch in to fill in the gaps for our potluck picnic after the animal blessing service! Along with bringing dishes to share and personal table service for our potluck, we want to make sure we have water and extra dishes and utensils on hand.

Please note there is NO electricity at this shelter.

10:00 AM in Hobbs Hall an on Zoom

A multi-platform service (in-person and via Zoom) led by Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele with Affiliated Minister Rev. Christie Anderson and Transitional Music Director Emily Hall.

This season calls us to life and invites us to create a flowering bouquet of community with love at the center. Join in celebrating our new members and the renewal of our commitment to our faith and each other. Everyone is invited to bring a flower to share at the flower ceremony. Extra flowers welcome.

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

Additionally, we will welcoming our newest members to the UU Church of Kent with a New Member Ceremony during the service and a celebration during social hour. Join us!

Dances of Universal Peace / Love and Loss are Interwoven

9:15 AM: Dances of Universal Peace (in Hobbs Hall)

Led by Alicia Patrice

To honor the seeking of peace that unifies us all and to celebrate our final two-service Sunday before our summer schedule changes, we will gather at 9:15am in Hobbs Hall for an interactive and music-filled experience of the Dances of Universal Peace!

After centering ourselves into a worshipful space, we will move into an hour long (9:30am-10:30am) spiritual practice. Alicia Patrice will lead the community in an engaging and accessible exploration of song and gentle movement. This will be very beginner friendly, inclusive, and there will be opportunities to participate fully while seated.

9:30 – 10:30 AM Dances of Universal Peace

The Dances will replace the discussion circles for this week. All are welcome, including the first-service curious! We would love for this to be an intergenerational community celebration!

10:30 – 11:15 AM Community Café

Following the Dances of Universal Peace, our social time in Hobbs Hall is open to all. Connect with others, learn about the church, find out about programs and other opportunities to connect.
Acme, Giant Eagle, and Meijer grocery gift cards will be available for purchase. Learn more about this fundraiser

Acme, Giant Eagle, and Meijer grocery gift cards are available for purchase every 2nd and 4th Sunday each month. Learn more about this fundraiser.

11:00 AM: Love and Loss are Interwoven

A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom) led by CLM Kathy Kerns with Worship Associate Heidi Sumser and Transitional Music Director Emily Hall.

Love comes with its own cost as it opens us to the possibility of grief and loss. This makes grief a fundamental part of the human condition. In this service, we will acknowledge the many sides of grief and consider ways to look for the light as we adapt to loss.

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

Looking ahead . . .

On Sunday, June 2, 2024 we will begin our summer format of one service at 10 AM held in Hobbs Hall and on Zoom. Beginning on June 23, children and youth will begin in service and then be excused to their summer RE class together following the Time for All Ages.

Talking Across Differences / Finding Hope

9:15 AM: Talking Across Differences

An in-person all-ages service led by DRE Colleen Thoele with a reflection by Randy Bish.

One of our Unitarian ancestors, Frances Davíd, said that we need not think alike to love alike. How do we talk to each other when we have strong, opposing opinions?

10:00 AM Lifespan Religious Exploration

Religious exploration for our children and youth in classrooms.

Facilitated small reflection groups for adults in Hobbs Hall using our wondering questions:

1. Share a topic that you feel strongly about and have friends or family that feel differently.
2. What misperceptions might you have about “the other side” that might impede fruitful dialogue?
3. How might you avoid “othering” the person with the differing opinion?

10:00 – 11:15 AM Community Café

Our social hour in Hobbs Hall is open to all. Connect with others, learn about the church, find out about programs and other opportunities to connect.

Acme, Giant Eagle, and Meijer grocery gift cards are available for purchase every 2nd and 4th Sunday each month. Learn more about this fundraiser.

11:00 AM: Finding Hope

A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom) led by Elaine Yehle Bowen.

Emily Dickinson described hope as only she could. “Hope is the thing with Feathers, That Perches in the Soul, and Sings the Tune – without the words, and Never Stops at all.” [sic] This service endeavors to engage us with hope and in hope. What is its place and meaning in our broken, hurting world? How we make it real? Where do we find hope when it can be hard to find, this rose in the wintertime?

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

Looking ahead . . .

On Sunday, June 2, 2024 we will begin our summer format of one service at 10 AM held in Hobbs Hall and on Zoom. Beginning on June 23, children and youth will begin in service and then be excused to their summer RE class together following the Time for All Ages.

Open Minds, Helping Hands, Loving Hearts: RE Sunday / Open Minds, Helping Hands and Loving Hearts: RE and Bridging Sunday

9:15 AM: Open Minds, Helping Hands, Loving Hearts: RE Sunday / A Sacred Chord

An all-ages service led by Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele, RE teacher and the children of UUCK!

The children are leading the service! The children are leading the service! Each Spring we celebrate our children on Religious Education Sunday. This morning you are invited to sit back, relax and open your hearts to the gifts they have to share with us. 

10:00 AM Lifespan Religious Exploration

Religious exploration for our children and youth in classrooms.

Facilitated small reflection groups for adults in Hobbs Hall using our wondering questions:

*In the children’s chalice lighting we proclaim that “we are the church of the open minds, helping hands and loving hearts”….. Share a story of how you practice having an open mind.

1. What are some ways people have helped you?
2. How have you been inspired to help others?

10:00 – 11:15 AM Community Café

Our social hour in Hobbs Hall is open to all. Connect with others, learn about the church, find out about programs and other opportunities to connect.

Acme, Giant Eagle, and Meijer grocery gift cards are available for purchase every 2nd and 4th Sunday each month. Learn more about this fundraiser.

11:00 AM: Open Minds, Helping Hands and Loving Hearts: RE and Bridging Sunday

A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom) led by Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele and Chair of the Children’s Religious Education Committee, Amanda Rome.

Each Spring we celebrate our children and youth on Religious Education Sunday. This morning you are invited to sit back, relax and open your hearts to the gifts they have to share with us. This service will also celebrate the bridging of our high school graduates as they prepare to journey toward the next chapter of their lives.

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

Looking ahead . . .

On Sunday, June 2, 2024 we will begin our summer format of one service at 10 AM held in Hobbs Hall and on Zoom. Beginning on June 23, children and youth will begin in service and then be excused to their summer RE class together following the Time for All Ages.