Reverence for this still-imperfect process is the 5th Principle of Unitarian Universalism. Views of Democracy’s past, present & future are presented by featured speakers Professors Vivian Sandlund and Lis Regula, The Rev. Renee Ruchotzke, and Worship Associate Heidi Shaffer Bish.
The seventh principle, respect for the interdependent web of life, calls us to celebrate our living earth and act to preserve it for future generations. In family life this isn’t always easy and each family member doesn’t always prioritize the same actions. Join us as the Rome Family, Andrew, Amanda, Evian and Raylynn share some of the ways they have acted individually and collectively to respect this interdependent web and then we’ll brainstorm ways our beloved community can act going forward.
A virtual service led by CLM Lori Mirkin-McGee and Worship Associate Elaine Bowen.
At today’s service we will share stories and experiences that explore why we have Pride in the first place, how far we’ve come since Stonewall, and much more. Our first principle calls us to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; this service will lift up those voices that our society has long tried to silence. Wear your rainbow gear and come celebrate all things LGBTQ+ with us!
A virtual service led by members of the UU Church of Kent Race4Justice Task Group and Worship Associate Heidi Emhoff Wood.
Through readings, music and personal reflections, this service explores how Unitarian-Universalism’s Second Principle, justice, equity and compassion in human relations,calls us to dismantle racism in all its forms. According to Michelle Obama, “It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets.
Service title attribution: “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,” by Emmanuel Acho.
Art: UUA Worship Web, designed by Rev. Ian Riddell and Kimberley Debus
Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 10 AM
A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Heidi Emhoff Wood.
Are the Seven Principles lofty and lovely but irrelevant poetry? Or are they meaningful guideposts by which we can measure and shape our spiritual growth as individuals, as congregations, and as an Association? As we begin our summer series on the Principles, we will explore their history and content and invite us to reflect about whether they are truly spiritual precepts to live by or mere platitudes to be framed and hung on the wall.
A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Rev. Cynthia Landrum.
In his poem “Silenced Cries” James Coburn writes about the 1921 Tulsa Massacre and the racially motivated destruction of the Greenwood area, known as “Black Wall Street”. He says ” What do I know but clouds of smoke once rose where memory presses green land.” On this, the 100th anniversary of the massacre, we will tell the rarely heard story of this event and reflect on the work we are called to do to end racism in our country.
A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Heidi Emhoff Wood.
The legend of the simurgh comes from Iranian mythology and is a story about the search for truth and self understanding. As we reflect on our year’s ministry together and celebrate our accomplishments, what are the stories we tell ourselves that prevent us from living fully into our vision and our mission? What stories do we want to tell about our future? This service will be followed by our annual congregational meeting.
A virtual service led by Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele with the Children and Youth of our congregation.
Each spring we gather to celebrate the journey of our children and youth through the religious education program. Join us and share in the stories and songs of our young UUs. Led by DRE Colleen Thoele and the children and youth of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, this service will also be an opportunity to congratulate and honor our graduating seniors.
A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Rev. Christie Anderson.
What if the flowers rebelled? Join us as we tell the story of what happened the day the flowers refused to bloom and no one- bees, humans, hummingbirds, other animals and plants, even the summer wind- was quite sure what to do. Our time together will also include the flower ceremony, a uniquely Unitarian Universalist ritual created by Rev. Norbert Capek in Czechoslovakia in 1923, during which we will share flowers virtually.
First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque. Photo by Denis Paul.
A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Randy Bish.
After 100 years of attempts at merger, in 1961 the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America consolidated to become the Unitarian Universalist Association. This service will tell the story of how our denomination began sixty years ago, offer a critique of our movement and its struggles with finances, growth, and racial justice through the years, and reflect on a vision of who the UUA could be in the 21st century.
A virtual service led by Music Director Hal Walker and Worship Associate Rev. Christie Anderson with special musical guest Peter Mayer.
Peter Mayer is best known for writing one of the UU hymn favorites, Blue Boat Home. Peter will be sharing songs and a sermon called “Church of What We Know” about the story that science tells about our universe—a story about the Big Bang and the evolution of life—and how we can develop a spiritual connection to that story.
More about Peter . . . Minnesota’s Peter Mayer has been singing and songwriting full-time for 25 years, performing in venues across the United States and beyond. He writes songs for a small planet–songs about interconnectedness and the human journey–songs about life on earth and the mysterious and wondrous fact of our existence. He also writes songs about dress hats, pumpkins and pajamas, and even love and freight trains just like a good folk musician should. His music has been performed by artists like Kathy Mattea, David Wilcox, Claudia Schmidt, Anne Hills, Priscilla Herdman, Darryl Purpose, Billy Jonas, and Ronny Cox, to name a few. His work has been included in song books, church hymnals, and folk radio playlists across the country. Peter has eleven albums to his credit, and has sold over 100,000 of them. He lives in Stillwater, Minnesota with his wife and two daughters.
A virtual service led by Director of Religious Education Colleen Thoele and Rev. Steven Protzman
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” As we celebrate Earth Day, we will use Dr. Seuss’s story “The Lorax” to reflect on our relationship with the earth. We will also ask how the UU Seventh Principle, the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are each a part, asks us to speak not only for the trees, but to cherish all of the natural world.
A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Elaine Bowen.
The song “We Shall Be Known” by MaMuse says that we shall be known by the company we keep. As we explore April’s Soul Matters theme of “Becoming”, let’s ask together: Who are we seeking to become in this next chapter of our history? Who will we invite to join us on this journey and to share our ministries and our spaces, including Hobbs Hall? And what can stuffies teach us about doing church?
A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman, DRE Colleen Thoele, and Worship Associate Randy Bish.
Spring is a time of many religious holidays with celebrations that invite us to reflect on life’s power to renew itself. With songs, stories, and readings we will tell stories of Easter, a story of life overcoming death; Passover, the story of a people who arose and journeyed to freedom, and Spring, which invites us to rejoice as the earth awakens itself once again. As part of our celebration, we will have a virtual Easter bonnet parade.
Join us Sunday, April 4, 2021 10 AM for this virtual service hosted via Zoom Video Conferencing. The link to join the worship service is below. We request that everyone joining the service please display your first and last name. Thank you!
A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman along with Jacob Nash and Kevyn Breedon.
As we begin our year long program of renewing our status as a UUA Welcoming Congregation, today we will celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility. UUCK member Kevyn Breedon and guest speaker Jacob Nash, co-founder and President of Margie’s Hope, will share some of the stories of their life’s journeys with us, tell us about some of the issues transgender people face every day, and invite us to join in the work of seeking equality for transgender people.