Simple Gifts / What a Wonderful World

9:15 AM: Simple Gifts

An in-person, all-ages service led by Rev. Renee Ruchotzke and Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele.

In troubling times, it can be healing to reconnect to our gratitude for the simple gifts that life offers 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:

1. Name a person in your life, or who you admire, that you are grateful for, How have they changed you?
2. Has anyone every shown you a kindness that seemed like a small thing, but felt like a big thing? How did it affect you?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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.

11:00 AM: What a Wonderful World

A multi-platform (both in person and on Zoom) traditional service led by Heidi Shaffer Bish and Randy Bish.

Even when times are dark, when we are grateful the world can become a better place, full of love, contentment and even joy. Gratitude helps us open to wisdom, change and connection. Join worship leaders Heidi Shaffer Bish and Randy Bish in delving into the science, inspiration, and spiritual practice of being thankful not just in November but year-round. 

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

In the immediate wake of a momentous political season, we contemplate our world, just as it is in this moment. How can we best help heal the divisions that tear at our connections? How can we care for one another and calm our own fear and anxiety, so we can be present to community needs? How can our UU values point the way to healing and wholeness?

9:15 AM: An in-person, all-ages service

Led by Rev. Kristina Church and Rev. Renee Rutchotzke

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. Nature often contains a soulful balm that can repair us in times of stress or anxiety. What part of the healing earth is calling you to come back?
2. What practices and resources have you found in your life for calming, centering, and grounding? What is one practice that might be helpful for you this week?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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.

11:00 AM: A multi-platform (both in person and on Zoom) traditional service

Led by Rev. Kristina Church and Worship Associate CLM Lori Mirkin-McGee

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

All Will Be Well

In the tradition of All Souls Day, we honor the stories of our ancestors– whether kindred, spiritual predecessors, or simply those prophetic people whose courageous words and deeds have inspired us. By sharing personal and collective stories of the past, we remind ourselves that all will be well. No matter what the future brings, we can face it together.  

9:15 AM: An all-ages service

Led by Rev. Kristina Church, Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele, and Music Director Emily Hall

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. If you could reach back in time and repair a wound suffered by a parent, forebear, or spiritual ancestor, what would it be? How would the story of your lineage be changed by that healing?
2. What stories of ancestors (whether part of your family tree, or spiritual forbears who inspire you) give you strength and comfort? What virtues do you see in them that you would like to embody?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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.

11:00 AM: A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina Church, worship associate Rev. Renee Ruchotzke, Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele, and and Music Director Emily Hall

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

Room on the Broom

Friendly spirits and wise witches are out and about as the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead grows thin. Join us for this fun and frolicsome time together as we get ready for Halloween– wear a costume if you like! Radical hospitality means there is always more room on the broom!

9:15 AM: An all-ages service

Led by Rev. Kristina Church,Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele, and Music Director Emily Hall

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. Hospitality sounds like something to do with being sick. But it really means how we welcome people. Have you ever received a welcome that felt truly special? What did the person (or people) do to show that there was a place for you and that you belonged?
2. One of our UU values is Generosity, a willingness to share what we have with others. without expecting anything in return. In our story today, Room on the Broom, the witch is always willing to make space for others, even in uncertain or overwhelming circumstances. How might life be calling you into a practice of generosity? Is there any “room on your broom” right now to share your gifts with others? 

10:00 AM Social Hour

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.

11:00 AM: A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina Church with Worship Associate Heidi Sumser

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

The Elephant (and the Donkey) in the Room

9:15 AM All Ages Service: The Elephant in the Room

An all-ages service led by Amanda Rome, Rev. Renee Ruchotzke and Music Director Emily Hall.

Our faith calls us to respect different opinions and beliefs. But what happens when other people’s behaviors or beliefs are harmful to 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:

1. Do you feel like the social contract around behavior has changed, and how?
2. How might we model behaviors for the world we want to live in?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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.

11:00 AM: The Elephant (and the Donkey) in the Room

A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom) led by Rev. Christie Anderson with Worship Associate Randy Bish

We’ve always heard the common adage – “To keep peace, don’t discuss politics or religion.” As we approach an important election day, we ponder the relevance of this advice as we experience tension in the company of friends, co-workers, and family who hold different political views. “Do we withhold our opinions or share them?” “Is it desirable, or even possible, to narrow the political division within American society, and within our families? If so, how do we proceed in a loving spirit?” This worship service will explore these timely questions, prompt self-reflection and introduce resources for conversations.

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

Listening Out Loud!

It’s Pride weekend in Kent and time to listen to the voices of LGBTQ+ members and friends of our congregation. Let’s celebrate where we’ve been, where we’re going, and how we can grow into sacred community, with inclusive Love at the center!

9:15 AM: An all-ages service

Led by Rev. Kristina Church, Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele, and Music Director Emily Hall

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. Was there ever a person, or a group of people, in your life who helped you develop a sense of pride in yourself, exactly as you are? How did that loving acceptance impact your development?
2. Some say that listening to the voices of the unprotected, marginalized, and silenced is the only way the path to justice becomes clear. What’s one step we could take this month to tune in to that wisdom?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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.

11:00 AM: A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina Church with CLM Kathy Kerns.

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

The Open Door

The High Holy Days present us with a threshold and an open door– first Rosh Hashanah, the start of the year 5785 in the Jewish Calendar. Upon its heels comes Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the most sacred day in the year, which opens the door to a more soulful, connected existence, if we have the courage to pass through it. What do the Days of Awe invite us to learn and live into?

9:15 AM: An all-ages service

Led by Rev. Kristina Church,Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele, and Music Director Emily Hall

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. Do you appreciate the notion of a “fresh start”? How do you attend to the tasks of clearing out old energies or lingering regrets, so you can turn wholeheartedly to the future?
2. Has there been a time when an apology, or some other process of making amends, shifted something in a relationship? How did it change things between you?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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.

11:00 AM: A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina Church with Worship Associate Lori Mirkin-McGee

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

A Neighborly Day in this Beautywood

Let’s celebrate all the ways that friendships bring good things to our lives. Invite a friend to join you if you like! We’ll reflect on how much our friends and neighbors mean to us!

9:15 AM: An all-ages service.

Led by Rev. Kristina Church, Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele, and Director of Music Emily Hall

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. What is the most beautiful invitation you ever received from a friend or person in your community?
2. We all inspire and influence people with our way of being in the world. What do you hope your way of being in the world is inviting people to do or become?

10:00 AM Social Hour

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.

11:00 AM: A multi-platform service (both in-person and on Zoom)

Led by Rev. Kristina Church with Worship Associate Kathy Kerns.

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