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.

A Grateful Turning

The autumn equinox is the turning of the wheel of our year, from the light seasons into the dark seasons. Come join us to practice gratitude for this season of beauty, and welcome the warmth and coziness of the days ahead!

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. How do cooler days and longer nights speak to your soul? What kind of Invitation is Mother Nature extending to you right now?
2. On this Equinox, is there anything in your life that needs re-alignment or balancing? What old habits, attitudes, or practices do you need to let go of, and what new ones do you hope to embrace?

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 Elaine Bowen.

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

10:00 AM worship service in Hobbs Hall.

A multi-platform service, both in-person and on Zoom, led by Rev. Renee Ruchotzke and Worship Associate Randy Bish.

Part of being a covenantal community is treating one another as beings worthy of our respect and reverence. How might our understanding of dignity help us to create Beloved Community?

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

One service at 10:00 AM in Hobbs Hall
(Followed by a Fall Harvest potluck at 11:15 AM)

Join us as we welcome our new Minister, Rev. Kristina Church at this multi-platform ingathering service offered both in-person and on Zoom.

The dance of water is essential to our lives. Mists and storms move through and raindrops reveal new light. Like the water, our congregation continues to move forward and transform.  At our annual ingathering and water communion, we will welcome our new minister and begin our dance together. Please bring a small amount of water with you for this service. 

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

One service at 10:00 AM in Hobbs Hall

A multi-platform service, both in-person and on Zoom, led by Rev. Christie Anderson with Director of Music Ministries Emily Hall.

Can a shift in our perspective about the place of humans in the universe give rise to greater harmony between humans and a more sustainable relationship with the earth? Exploration of this question will be facilitated in dialog with a special guest who incorporates science and mysticism to challenge common perceptions of human existence.

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

10:00 AM in Hobbs Hall

A multi-platform service, both in person and on Zoom, led by CLM Lori Mirkin-McGee and Worship Associate Lo Thoele.

Most scholars mark the beginning of the LGBTQ+ rights movement with the Stonewall Riots, which took place on June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.  What many people, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, don’t know is that there were several riots and skirmishes that took place before the Stonewall uprising.  This service will explore the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement both pre- and post-Stonewall.  

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

Please join us in Hobbs Hall on September 7, 2024 at 11:00 am as we celebrate the life of long-time member Betty Munro.  There will be a luncheon following the service.  All are welcome.

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

10 AM in Hobbs Hall

A multi-platform service both in-person and via Zoom led by Rev. Renee Ruchotzke.

Humans love to tell stories of when we did something wonderful or life-changing, but the stories of when we have made mistakes or caused harm can be opportunities of transformation. We’ll explore a few stories of both types and how they have impacted our UU faith.

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

10:00 AM in Hobbs Hall

A multi-platform service led by Elaine Bowen and Worship Associate Heidi Sumser.

We sing “here in rev’rence now we gather . . . ” from Life Calls Us On, by Jason Shelton. What is this reverence we gather in? Reverence for what? Reverence for whom? What is reverence?  Author Paul Woodruff states that, “Reverence is an ancient virtue that survives among us in half forgotten patterns of civility, in moments of inarticulate awe, and in nostalgia for the lost ways of traditional cultures.” Today we will explore religious and secular reverence through a Unitarian Universalist lens and moments of inarticulate awe. 

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

10:00 AM in Hobbs Hall

A multi-platform service, both in-person and via Zoom, co-led by CLM Lori Mirkin-McGee and Director of Music Ministries, Emily Hall.

We are so delighted to welcome Gabriel and Mango, two members of Kenge Kenge Orutu Systems, back to our congregation! Together with Mike Hovancsek and other musicians from Kent UU, we will bring alive the music and stories of how music connects people. Making music helps us understand our differences and brings us together. Join us for this collaborative, creative, energizing opportunity for connection and cultural exchange.

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

10 AM in Hobbs Hall

A multi-platform service led by CLM Kathy Kerns and Worship Associate Elaine Bowen with DRE Colleen Thoele and Music Director Emily Hall.

In September, we begin a new chapter in our church history as Rev. Kristina Church joins us as our minister. We will be doing the dance of shared ministry with a new partner. What expectations are we bringing to this new relationship? Are we open to learning new dance steps? How will we work together to move as one?

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

10 AM in Hobbs Hall

A multi-platform service led by Adam Moskowitz and Director of Music Ministries Emily Hall with Worship Associate Heidi Shaffer Bish.

You are invited to discover the joy of weaving the elements of worship and presence. Together we will lean into the familiar aspects of our service with the addition of extended periods of guided meditation and a chance to sing from a place of connection to the here and now. This service will include a short teaching on the relationship between presence and prayer. Join us to foster community as we merge the teachings of sound and silence!

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