Month: January 2025

Sad News: KentHogwarts Ending

Posted on by Renee Ruchotzke

After a time of difficult discernment, and in dialogue with the Hogwarts Board of Governors, the congregational leadership has decided to formally end the KentHogwarts ministry.

Started by Becky Haines and other volunteers back in the 2000’s, the program had been our UU version of Vacation Church School. Hundreds of children and youth got to experience a magical world that was steeped in UU values over the past two decades. Versions of our Hogwarts program travelled to General Assembly, Summer Institute, and were adapted by other UU Churches! 

A dedicated core of volunteers kept this amazing program going for more than 20 years.  Sadly, the energy to keep the program running has dwindled over recent years, it lost momentum during the pandemic (and never fully recovered), and the author–disappointingly–has made statements that are counter to UU values, distressing many of our youth and young adults.

We can celebrate that we had over twenty years of an amazing program, and are sad that it is ending, but the time to end has come.

There is going to be an opportunity for current and former Professors and other volunteers to gather on Saturday, February 8 to share stories, etc. Contact [email protected] and they will email you details.

There are tentative plans by the Kent Hogwarts Board of Governors to have another time later in the year for participants and volunteers to share memories and celebrate the magic we created together! Please stay tuned!

We thank the current Board of Governors for their grace and care for the KentHogwarts community during this difficult transition.

With love and care for the community,

Colleen Thoele, Director of Religious Education
Rev. Renee Ruchotzke, Affiliated Community Minister 

Hogwarts in the Summer of 2014
Share this:

Sunday, February 9, 2025: Answering the Call to Love: Anthem to Our Living Tradition

Posted on by Renee Ruchotzke

As we explore Liberating Love through the Practice of Inclusion this month, let’s turn to the creation of a favorite hymn for inspiration and instruction. How can we answer the call of love, and find ways to widen the circle of belonging in our faith?

9:15 AM: An In-Person, All-Ages Service

Led by Rev. Kristina and DRE Colleen Thoele

10:00 AM: Children’s Religious Exploration

Religious exploration for our children and youth in classrooms.

10:00AM: Youth & Adult Religious Exploration: ABCs of Covenant

Part 2 of our 3-part “Skill-Up” series (in place of our Theme-based reflection circles) to explore the “A-B-Cs” of covenant: Awareness of our interpersonal dynamics, healthy Boundaries around each other and the community as a whole, and skills for better Communication to help us develop more trusting and deeper relationships. Read more…

Located in Hobbs Hall. Coffee and Tea will be available!

11:00 AM: A Multi-Platform, Traditional Service (both in person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina, and Worship Associate Randy Bish

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service for 11:00 AM.

Share this:

Meet Alicia

Posted on by MaryBeth Hannan

We are excited to introduce Alicia Patrice and welcome her to our staff team.  Alicia accepted the part time position as our Campus Use Manager. Her job focus and responsibilities include oversight of the UUCK rentals program.  Alicia began on January 15 and has been spending the last few weeks learning about the church and our rental program, communicating with current kitchen vendors and upcoming scheduled rentals, as well as fielding new inquiries.

Alicia has a work history of event coordination and facilitation with strong organizational skills. She has a personal passion for yoga and sound healing.

If you see Alicia at church, please introduce yourself and welcome her to our amazing community.   Alicia’s contact information for rentals is [email protected].  General requests for reserving space for church committee or team meetings and events should be directed to MaryBeth at [email protected].

Share this:

Sunday, February 2, 2025: We Are All Bound Up Together 

Posted on by Renee Ruchotzke

Let’s celebrate the legacy  of our Unitarian spiritual ancestor, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, was a free Black suffragist and abolitionist who achieved fame as an orator, novelist, poet, and teacher. Throughout her life she spoke truth to power for the causes of freedom, inclusion, and dignity for all. How can her writings and life story inspire Unitarian Universalists, as we meet our current moment in history?

9:15 AM: An In-Person, All-Ages Service

Led by Rev. Kristina, DRE Colleen Thoele with Music Director Emily Hall.

10:00 AM: Children’s Religious Exploration

Religious exploration for our children and youth in classrooms.

10:00AM: Youth & Adult Religious Exploration: ABCs of Covenant

A 3-part “Skill-Up” series (in place of our Theme-based reflection circles) to explore the “A-B-Cs” of covenant: Awareness of our interpersonal dynamics, healthy Boundaries around each other and the community as a whole, and skills for better Communication to help us develop more trusting and deeper relationships. Read more…

Located in Hobbs Hall. Coffee and Tea will be available!

11:00 AM: A Multi-Platform, Traditional Service (both in person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina, Music Director Emily Hall, and Worship Associate Heidi Sumser.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service for 11:00 AM.

Share this:

ABC’s of Covenant: Feb. 2, 9, & 16

Posted on by Renee Ruchotzke

We talk a lot about being in covenant, but what does that actually mean in practice? Covenant means that we promise one another to be in the kind of relationship where we practice clear communication, work through our differences, and be willing to resolve misunderstandings and conflicts with grace, vulnerability, and accountability.

In February we are offering a 3-part “Skill-Up” series (in place of our Theme-based reflection circles) to explore the “A-B-Cs” of covenant: Awareness of our interpersonal dynamics, healthy Boundaries around each other and the community as a whole, and skills for better Communication to help us develop more trusting and deeper relationships.

Note: These sessions are replacing the Sunday Morning Adult Discussion Circles.

Each 45 minute session (starting at 10:00 am in Hobbs Hall — coffee will be available!) will include a 15-minute “Skill-Up” followed by a half hour of discussion/practice in small groups. We will end promptly at 10:45 so that people can attend the 11:00am service. We encourage you to attend as many sessions as possible (as they build on one another) but we want you to attend as many as you can!

Please pre-register so we can plan for handouts and materials: https://forms.gle/w1KB5gHWHui2YpN58

February 2: Personal Awareness, Boundaries, and Communication

This Session focuses on our personal reactions, feelings and needs when we are in difficult situations such as disagreement, disappointment and conflict. We will try out tools and practices that will give us an important foundation for setting and respecting boundaries, both our own and those of others and the community.

February 9: Awareness, Boundaries, and Communication in Relationships

This Session focuses on ways to respond when our feelings are hurt, we feel disrespected, taken for granted, or other interpersonal areas that lead to conflict.

February 16: Awareness, Boundaries, and Communication in Covenantal Community

This Session focuses on how we live in Covenant, the shared boundaries that we create and respect as a community in order to live our congregations mission and vision in the world. This session is especially important for active members who volunteer, serve on a committee, or in leadership. It is designed to give us tools to work through disagreements, disappointments, and conflicts before they get too big.

Based on the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab (we’ll have a few lending copies available) which is highly recommended but not required to participate.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Renee at [email protected]

Share this:

Provide Chancel Flowers for Our Sunday Service!

Posted on by Renee Ruchotzke

Would you like to honor an anniversary or milestone, or just add a little beauty to our Sunday Worship Service? Consider providing a vase of flowers for the chancel — from your garden or from a florist!

We have a selection of vases next to the sink on the south wall of the Fessenden Hall kitchen that you can use.

Please arrive with the flowers at least 20 minutes before the service.  You are welcome to mention the anniversary or milestone on a “Joys and Sorrows” card to be read during the service.

Please Sign Up Here!

Share this:

Sunday, January 26, 2025: ‘Justice For All’ Means All

Posted on by Renee Ruchotzke

As we move into the next presidential chapter of the American story, let’s ground ourselves in our UU values of Justice and Equity. We’ve said that every human being has inherent worthiness and dignity. We have declared that every person has the right to flourish. How do we work to bring this about? 

9:15 AM: An In-Person, All-Ages Service

Led by Rev. Kristina and DRE Colleen Thoele.

10:00 AM: Lifespan Religious Exploration

Religious exploration for our children and youth in classrooms.

10:00AM Facilitated Small Reflection Groups for adults and youth

This is an opportunity for members, friends, and visitors to reflect and share on wondering questions based on the day’s sermon topic. Everyone (including first-time visitors) is welcome to drop in and join us in Hobbs Hall for this small group connection time.

This Week’s Wondering Questions:

  1. Our UU Values commit us to dismantle racism and other oppressions, and to work towards the Beloved Community where all people can thrive. What’s one thing you would like to do, learn, or contribute to this year to live into our value of Justice?
  2. Each of us has some identities that lend us privilege–through our racial, cultural, educational, economic, gender, sexual orientation, or health status. And some of us have identities that can marginalize us, or even put us in danger. What’s one identity you hold that could help you protect others? What’s one way you might speak up or act up on behalf of the vulnerable in the coming days?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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

11:00 AM: A Multi-Platform, Traditional Service (both in person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina and Worship Associate Elaine Bowen

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service for 11:00 AM.

Share this:

Sunday, January 19, 2025: The Arc of Justice

Posted on by Renee Ruchotzke
Photo Courtesy Flickr ctankcycles Licensed via Creative Commons

On the eve of the presidential inauguration and the holiday honoring the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we reflect on the historical ups and downs in the long arc towards racial justice in the U.S. We take the long view looking towards the future, always keeping love at the center. 

9:15 AM: An In-Person, All-Ages Service

Led by DRE Colleen Thoele, and Music Director Emily Hall.

10:00 AM: Lifespan Religious Exploration

Religious exploration for our children and youth in classrooms.

10:00AM Facilitated Small Reflection Groups for adults and youth

This is an opportunity for members, friends, and visitors to reflect and share on wondering questions based on the day’s sermon topic. Everyone (including first-time visitors) is welcome to drop in and join us in Hobbs Hall for this small group connection time.

This Week’s Wondering Questions:

  1. What is your earliest memory when race or racial difference entered your consciousness? How did it impact you?
  2. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King used the term “Beloved Community” to describe a vision for a world where there was no injustice, racial or otherwise. What sustains you in your personal journey toward justice?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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

11:00 AM: A Multi-Platform, Traditional Service (both in person and on Zoom)

Led by Jennifer May and Lois Weir and Music Director Emily Hall.

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service for 11:00 AM.

Share this:

Sunday, January 12, 2025: Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Story

Posted on by Renee Ruchotzke

What are some of the stories we hold in this congregation that make us who we are? Let’s celebrate the strength and resilience of UUCK, and the many extraordinary folks whose vision and resolve created this community!

9:15 AM: An In-Person, All-Ages Service

Led by Rev. Kristina Church, DRE Colleen Thoele, and Music Director Emily Hall.

10:00 AM: Lifespan Religious Exploration

Religious exploration for our children and youth in classrooms.

10:00AM Facilitated Small Reflection Groups for adults and youth

This is an opportunity for members, friends, and visitors to reflect and share on wondering questions based on the day’s sermon topic. Everyone (including first-time visitors) is welcome to drop in and join us in Hobbs Hall for this small group connection time.

This Week’s Wondering Questions:

  1. What communities or organizations am I part of today that were created because someone in the past had a vision and made it happen? How can I express my gratitude for those blessings?
  2. How am I part of a story that will be told by future people? What is being built today that I can help with in order to bless the future?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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

11:00 AM: A Multi-Platform, Traditional Service (both in person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina Church and Music Director Emily Hall

CLICK HERE to view, download, or print the Order of Service for 11:00 AM.

Share this: