May 11 "Peter Mayer's Religious Perspective" - Jill McAllister & Peter Mayer
How have your religious beliefs and practices changed over time? Many of us experienced growing up within traditional religions such as Christianity and Judaism, only to find ourselves questioning those teachings and practices as we got older. This evolution is evident in several of Peter Mayer’s songs, in which he articulates an Earth-centered and universalistic religious perspective. Singer/songwriter Peter Mayer joins Jill this morning, to share more of his music and talk about his religious perspective.
May 4 "Economies" - Jill McAllister
Money drives the majority of our actions. But economies are about much more than money. An economy is a complicated web of relations between people and the earth, and therefore a primary religious and spiritual concern. Are right relations the goal of any existing economies? How do our current needs and wants for food, fuel, peace and justice fit together within an economic framework? What do different economic systems have to offer, from a religious perspective?
Great jazz music will accompany this service, and the third of our four quarterly collections will be taken in support of our campus/young adult outreach and work.
April 27 "The Sarajevo Haggadah" - Jill McAllister, Barb McCrea
The Jewish celebration of Passover is guided by a liturgical text called the Passover Haggadah. Barb and Jill will share the fascinating story of the preservation of a 14th-century copy of this text which has come to be known as the ‘Sarajevo Haggadah.’ Within the story, as within the text itself, there is timeless inspiration and wisdom for us to hear once again, or for the first time.
April 20 "The Home We Share - Jill McAllister, Diane Melvin and All
In our annual intergenerational Earth Day Service, all ages of the church community gather to celebrate our home, the Earth, and to learn with each other about ways to make our living more compatible with its living systems. How can we each become more Earth-conscious and Earth-centered, as ways of moving closer to right relations with ourselves, other people, and other living things? Following the service, the labyrinth will be available once again, in the Memorial Garden.
April 13 'Move in the Hand': Bringing Spirit to our Everyday Lives - Janet French and "Spirit of Life" class
Earlier this year, an adult education class at People’s field-tested a new UU curriculum based on the text of one of our most popular hymns, “Spirit of Life.” The class offered participants a chance to consider many ideas and interpretations of ‘spirit’ and to share what that means in their own lives and experience. Members of the class will join Janet in presenting this service.
April 6, 2008 Sexuality, Science, and Religion - Jill McAllister
The prevailing evolutionary theory today understands sex to be the driving force in survival of species, including humans. Yet sexuality is much too complicated and mysterious to be reduced to scientific explanations alone. “To live wisely with sexual energy is a daunting task,” says the editor of a monthly journal of religion and mythology. If our project as human beings is to learn to live in right relations, how does sexuality both help and hinder our progress?
March 30, 2008 War, Peace, and Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address - Jill McAllister & Tim Bartik
Five years ago this month the United States invaded Iraq. One of the largest evangelical Christian organizations in the country is now calling for repentance for this act. One hundred forty-three years ago this month, President Abraham Lincoln began his second term in office, as the Union Army finished its defeat of the Confederacy. His comments on that war took almost everyone by surprise, by calling for repentance and healing. What can we learn from Lincoln’s approach to war and peace?
March 23, 2008 How the Darkness Has Nourished Us - Jill McAllister
This year, Easter Sunday falls just two days after the Spring Equinox. Easter is one of many holidays shaped by the fact of the Equinox (in the Northern hemisphere, that is). So we mark and celebrate the time of new light, new beginnings, and new life. But how often do we recognize and celebrate what we have experienced and learned in the dark? A re-telling of the Easter story, from an Equinox perspective, with an appreciation for the gifts of Winter. A special collection will be taken, in support of our local campus ministry, KUULS (one of our four collections each year).
March 16, 2008 Can You Say "Hallelujah?" - Jill McAllister
It is an ancient word, with Hebrew roots, and translates roughly as “Praise God.” It expresses a sentiment, or sentiments, of gratitude, celebration, even wild enthusiasm. It is the title of a song by Leonard Cohen which has been sung and interpreted by many, many musicians. What does it mean to you? Join us for a musical Sunday, exploring the meaning and the potential of ‘hallelujah’ for religious liberals.
March 9, 2008 The Mystery of Joy - Karen Horneffer-Ginter
When asked what we truly want in life, the most common response people offer is “to be happy.” Often, however, the path to acquiring authentic joy in our lives is more challenging than it seems it should be. In this talk, we’ll explore our cultural relationship to joy, the key research findings on happiness, and the diverse, even paradoxical, guidance offered by various spiritual and wisdom traditions.
Karen Horneffer-Ginter, Ph.D, psychologist, focuses on mind-body-spirit approaches to health and healing, with a particular interest in finding balance and vitality in our day-to-day lives. She is the co-founder of the Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness in Kalamazoo, and the former director of the WMU Holistic Health Care Program.
March 2, 2008 The New World - Jill McAllister
The American spirit has traditionally been described in terms of a sense of manifest destiny, which has too often been fed by a radical isolationism. The world we now live in is too interdependent for this illusion of separateness, with its attendant sense of entitlement and privilege. Are we living into the New World, or running in the other direction?
February 24, 2008 The Home We Share - Jill McAllister and Vincent Deroches
The hymn “Our World Is One World” (Number 134 in our hymnal) begins with these words: “Our world is one world, what touches one affects us all.” I have had this conviction for a long time, but it has deepened and intensified during my visit to Unitarians in Africa. Vincent Desroches, who traveled to Kenya with me, will join me to share stories, pictures, music and reflections about our connections in the wider world of our global U-U family.
February 17, 2008 Becoming Right With Nature - Janet French
Inconvenient truths abound, and as religious people we are called to search for ways to incorporate and respond to these truths. The Green Sanctuary movement within Unitarian Universalism is one of the ways we have begun to respond. Our intern minister Janet French will share some of the history of the Green Sanctuary movement; how it is already being incorporated into the work of People’s Church, and the challenges and opportunities it offers us for religious growth and for living in right relations.
Hear the February 17th Service
February 10, 2008 Living in Interesting Times - Maynard Kaufman
The winter-spring focus for our religious growth and learning is respect for the interdependent web of life, and what it means to live in right relations with all that share this planet. Maynard Kaufman, former faculty member of the WMU Religion Department for 23 years, who helped create the WMU Environmental Studies Program, will focus on twin threats not only to right relations, but to much of life: the end of cheap oil, and global warming. He will share insights and perspectives which are incorporated into a book he has just finished writing, titled Adapting to the End of Oil: Toward an Earth-Centered Spirituality.
Hear the February 10th Service
February 3, 2008 A Rehabilitation of the Human Spirit - Jill McAllister
On the eve of my departure for an international Unitarian leadership conference in Africa, I want to reflect upon some of the words and wisdom of playwright, poet and former President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel. Havel offers hope for the rehabilitation of tolerance, unity in diversity, mutual respect and genuine pluralism in coming to embrace the order of Being.
January 27, 2008 A Jewnitarian Meditation - Jill McAllister & David Isaacson
Jill welcomes People’s friend David Isaacson to the pulpit this morning, to share his reflections on the struggles and insights of a ‘searching agnostic.’ David has been a frequent speaker at our People’s Church forums over the years. He is a compelling writer, and an engaging speaker, who is not afraid to face the big questions of life head-on. He is recently retired from the WMU Library.
January 20, 2008 The Bare Necessities - Jill McAllister
What do we truly need, to survive, to live? What does this unique time in history ask of us, and offer to us? Once again, as I usually do at this time of year, I have turned to the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for insight and inspiration, and once again, I have been surprised. You might want to brush up on the song from the Disney version of “A Jungle Book” which lends its name to the sermon this morning, to join in the sing-a-long.
January 13, 2008 On Gratitude - Jill McAllister & Kathy Rickey
After moving from Kalamazoo to Atlanta, GA, former People's Administrator Kathy Rickey decided to pursue the goal of becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister. She is currently a student in the Modified Regency Program at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. During her stay in Chicago for January Intensive courses, she will take a break to spend a day with us in Kalamazoo and offer us a sermon for our Sunday service.
January 6, 2008 Twelfth Night, Epiphany, and the Beginning of a New Year - Jill McAllister
In various Christian traditions, twelfth night was the end of the holiday season. For us, I think of it as the "real" beginning of winter--that long stretch of cold snowy darkness, without any holiday glimmer and glamour. An epiphany is generally understood to be a 'coming to know,' or a realization of truth. Is this what a new year is for?
December 30, 2007 Boxing Day
In the old English tradition of sharing holiday surplus, we begin with a very short service and then work together to make and prepare gifts to help meet needs locally and farther away. Past projects have included making quilts, blankets and food for local shelters. This year we may include preparation of gifts for new Unitarian partners in Burundi. All ages are welcome!
Hear the December 30th Service
December 24, 2007 Christmas Eve Service for All Ages 7:30pm
Our traditional candlelight service of stories and carols, sharing of the meanings of Christmas, musical offerings, and a candle lit rendition of "Silent Night." Stay for a cookie or two and a warm drink before heading home.
Hear the December 24th Service
December 23, 2007 Peace on Earth? - Janet French & Jill McAllister
Religious holy days and rituals of winter have always focused on light, whether that of communal fires, candles or stars. During these especially dark times of war, is it possible to truly see peace?
Hear the December 23rd Service
December 21, 2007 Winter Solstice Service
6:00pm - Potluck Supper 7:00pm - Solstice Celebration
Join in the Commons to celebrate the longest night of the year and the return of the sun. Bring a festive dish to share. All ages are welcomed.
December 16, 2007 To Open Doors - Jill McAllister and Diane Melvin
Our winter *intergenerational holiday service will focus on justice teachings in the stories of Channukah and Christmas, with special attention to a traditional Mexican telling of the Nativity Story, called the Posada. Stay after the service for traditional Mexican chocolate and churros. (*Children attend the service and sit with their families. Toddler and baby-care provided.)
Hear the December 16th Service
December 9, 2007 A Season of Joy - Jill McAllister
Winter holiday traditions and advertising make a big deal of the "joys of the season," while for many people these holidays bring anything but joy. And yet joy is real, and necessary, and available, not only in this season but in every season. The sermon will include some thoughts about staying present to joy. The Music Committee will present lots of beautiful music for this morning, including the People's Choir, Bell Choir, Children's Choir, organ and piano duets, and Christmas jazz piano.
December 2, 2007 Death Is Not Optional - Jill McAllister and Elizabeth Warner
How easily we ignore, or avoid, or even deny sometimes, the fact of death. Yet nothing is more factual. To face death may be our greatest challenge, and it has everything to do with how we face and embrace life. Our own Dr. Elizabeth Warner, a physician specializing in internal medicine, joins Jill to reflect upon some of the facts of life and death. First Sunday Lunch follows the service, sponsored by YRUU.
November 25, 2007 Come, Contentment - Jill McAllister
One of the most common challenges in our lives is the tension between working to make the world better on the one hand, and enjoying the blessing the world offers on the other. Contentment is often very hard to find, especially if we equate it with being uncaring, or with being selfish. Wise teachers would have us realize that contentment is necessary, for the life of the activist as a well as the contemplative. What does contentment look like to you?
Hear the November 25th Service
November 18, 2007 Guests at Our Table - Janet French
Pilgrims inviting Indians to sit down together for an autumnal feast of thanksgiving is a uniquely American story that continues to captivate, even now, expressed by our own attempts to create over-stuffed tables surrounded by family (and followed by football). But what has happened to the invitation to join the feast for those outside of our families and close friends; those different from ourselves? Is this 'tradition' worth reclaiming?
Hear the November 18th Service
November 11, 2007 Recognition Sunday Service - Roger Greeley & Jill McAllister
This service will be Roger Greeley's final annual Sunday Service at People's. His first Sunday was in September 1957, his last in June of 1985. He never missed a Sunday for which he had responsibility, but says fifty years is enough! The service will be an atypical Veterans Day service, with Jill doing the service is the usual format and Roger closing with the final thought.
Hear the November 11th Service
November 4, 2007 Black/White Disparities in Birth Outcomes - Dr. Arthur James
Dr. James, a Kalamazoo pediatrician and obstetrician/gynecologist, is Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Borgess Medical Center and an Associate Clinical Professor with Michigan State University. His involvement in infant mortality reduction efforts have included directing the State of Michigan's Infant Mortality Task Force, founding Kalamazoo County's Fetal and Infant Mortality Review, and much more. Michigan has one of the highest rates of black infant mortality in the country, and Kalamazoo one of the highest rates in the state. Our collaborative work through the ISSAC Education Task Force has focused on this problem for several years, and is helping to make a difference.
October 28 Begin with the Third Question - Jill McAllister
What is it that we humans really want? How does what we really want compare with what we need the most, and what is it that we need the most? Hindus say we seek ultimate knowledge, ultimate joy, ultimate existence. Monotheists say it is salvation. Can we describe these yearnings literally, or is metaphor the only approach?
October 21 Ecology and the Judeo-Christian Tradition - Jill McAllister
In 1967 Lynn White, a medieval historian who taught at Princeton, Stanford and UCLA, published what would become a seminal article in the history of American environmentalism. Titled "The Historical Roots of our Ecological Crisis," it laid the blame for destruction and degredation of the natural environment squarely at the feet of Judeo-Christian theology. Since then, many Jewish and Christian theologians have looked closely at their traditions and practices in light of White's claims. How do modern Judaism and Christianity relate to ecology and environmentalism today? Do they have anything of value to say to earth-centered perspectives?
October 14 To See All That Must Be Seen - Jill McAllister
This Sunday we join other Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country to celebrate "Association Sunday," to remember that we are not alone and that in so many ways we are better together. The religious question at the heart of this celebration is the relationship between the individual and the community--a relevant question nearly every day of our lives. The first of our four annual special collections will be taken in support of the health and growth of our wider community, the Unitarian Universalist Association.
October 7 Seventy Times Seven - Jill McAllister
Forgiveness is a complicated issue and a difficult practice. In general, most of us think it is a good idea, yet we have trouble doing it. Sometimes we think teachings about forgiveness are overly simplistic, or cliche, and other times we understand that to forgive is life-giving. What does it mean to forgive, what difference does it make, and for whom? Following the service, the Social Justice Coordinating Committee will present the film "Forgiving Dr. Mengele." All are invited to stay for the First Sunday Lunch sponsored by the Green Sanctuary Task Force, then the film and discussion, with Jill and Cantor Larry Charson of Temple B'nai Israel.
September 30 The Burden of the Gospels - Jill McAllister
Mahatma Gandhi was quoted as saying: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Many UUs have echoed this sentiment, while at the same time claiming to honor Jeses as a great teacher. Yet his teachings still present profound challenges to how we live. Shall we try to listen again, in new ways?
September 23 Seek Reconciliation - Jill McAllister
The Jewish High Holy Days, between Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, are a time of nurturing right relations, a time to "seek reconciliation" in the words of one Rabbi. A noble ideal, but oh, so difficult for most of us. To seek reconciliation begins with acknowledging that we have hurt others, unintentionally or intentionally. In common parlance, it is "not pretty." Yet none of us is perfect, and we do hurt others (our own hurts are testaments to this fact). What can we learn this year from the traditions of the High Holy Days?
Hear the September 23rd Service
September 16th The Reasons Why - Jill McAllister
The religious life is an endeavor to move beyond questions of why, toward questions with more satisfying answers, such as "How will I respond?" and "Who am I?"
Hear the September 16th Service
September 9th Homecoming Service - Jill McAllister
All ages are welcome to join us at this intergenerational service as we gather together to begin a new church year. Bring a small amount of water from somewhere special to you to be shared in our annual Joining of the Waters ceremony. The service will be followed by a lunch which everyone is invited to stay and enjoy.
September 2nd "The Third Way: Nonviolence in Everyday Life" (Chapter 10)
Service topics will be drawn from the book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker Palmer. Service will consider aspects of Palmer's work around weaving community in a wounded world. Several copies of the book are available for sale at the Sunday book table. Reading the book is not required for attendance or for participation.
August 26th Science for Mystics - Dennis McCarty
We take a break from reading A Hidden Wholeness to welcome back our former ministerial intern to the pulpit. A reception for Dennis will follow the service.
August 19th "Laughter and Silence: Not-So-Strange Bedfellows" (Chapter 9)
Service topics will be drawn from the book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker Palmer. Service will consider aspects of Palmer's work around weaving community in a wounded world. Several copies of the book are available for sale at the Sunday book table. Reading the book is not required for attendance or for participation.
August 12th "Experiments with Truth" (Chapter 8)
Service topics will be drawn from the book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker Palmer. Service will consider aspects of Palmer's work around weaving community in a wounded world. Several copies of the book are available for sale at the Sunday book table. Reading the book is not required for attendance or for participation.
August 5th "Learning to Speak and Listen" (Chapter 7)
Service topics will be drawn from the book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker Palmer. Service will consider aspects of Palmer's work around weaving community in a wounded world. Several copies of the book are available for sale at the Sunday book table. Reading the book is not required for attendance or for participation.
July 29th "The Power of Metaphor" (Chapter 6)
Service topics will be drawn from the book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker Palmer. Service will consider aspects of Palmer's work around weaving community in a wounded world. Several copies of the book are available for sale at the Sunday book table. Reading the book is not required for attendance or for participation.
July 22nd "A Community of Solitudes" and "Creating Circles of Trust" (Chapters 4 & 5)
Service topics will be drawn from the book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker Palmer. Service will consider aspects of Palmer's work around weaving community in a wounded world. Several copies of the book are available for sale at the Sunday book table. Reading the book is not required for attendance or for participation.
July 15th "Intimations of the Soul" (Chapter 3)
Service topics will be drawn from the book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker Palmer. Service will consider aspects of Palmer's work around weaving community in a wounded world. Several copies of the book are available for sale at the Sunday book table. Reading the book is not required for attendance or for participation.
July 8th "Living Divided No More" and "Rejoining Soul and Role" (Chapters 1 & 2)
Service topics will be drawn from the book A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life, by Parker Palmer. Service will consider aspects of Palmer's work around weaving community in a wounded world. Several copies of the book are available for sale at the Sunday book table. Reading the book is not required for attendance or for participation.
July 1st The Marriage of Science and Religion for Personal and Planetary Well-being - Rev. Michael Dowd
Rev. Michael Dowd is a UU who, during the past five years, has preached and presented at more than 200 UU churches and many other venues as well. His iitinerant ministry is featured as the cover story in the Spring 2006 issue of UU World. A related public workshop, "Thank God for Evolution," will also be offered by Reverend Dowd at the church on Tuesday, July 3 at 7:00 p.m.
June 24th Callings - Rev. Walter Balk
A service discussing how religious communities & individuals live toward or away from their calling. Rev. Walter Balk is the Pastoral Care Coordinator at Bronson Methodist Hospital.
June 17th The Wheel of Elements: Fire - Jill McAllister
Acknowledge the coming of summer with the final segment of our earth-centered series of services. The service includes a traditional Unitarian Universalist "Question-Box Sermon." Bring your questions about life, religion and the universe for Jill, and she will do her best to respond to as many as possible.
June 10th To Arrive Where We Began - Jill McAllister
Our final service of the "regular" church year will include the flower ceremony created by Norbert Capek, the founder of the Religious Society of Czech Unitarians in the 1930s. Please bring a flower or flowers to share - especially one of your favorites. In addition, a child dedication will be included for families who would like to have their children dedicated.
June 3rd Who Are You?: Parts of the Whole - YRUU
The not-to-be missed annual Youth Service, created and led by members of our Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU), our high school class. A thought-provoking and experiential service. Graduating high-school seniors will be introduced, and 8th graders going into high school will be "bridged" into the YRUU.
May 27th The Wheel of Life
In our annual Memorial Day service, we will acknowledge our losses and honor important people in outr lives who have died in the past year. If there is someone you would like to remember in this service, please bring a picture and/or a reading to the church office by Sunday, May 20th, or call Jill.
May 20th New Traditions: Singing the Journey - Jill McAllister, Thom Mienk
Songs and hymns are part of nearly every religious tradition, adding many dimensions to religious rituals and gatherings, including our own. In recent years, liberal religious composers and musicians have been writing and collecting music to enrich our wide diversity of practices and beliefs. This morning, under the direction of Thom Mienk, People's choir band, and soloists share some of the newest music in our movement. New members will be introduced and welcomed on this festive morning.
May 13th Mother's Peace Day - Janet French
The original proposal for this day was made by Unitarian Julia Ward Howe, illustrating her hope that mothers would unite for peace rather than continue to sacrifice their sons for war. Come honor her belief in the power of motherhood as we celebrate this day.
May 6th Atheism and Agnosticism: Mistakenly Maligned - Jill McAllister
At our recent service auction, Steve Feruguson won the bhid to suggest a sermon topic. He asked me to preach about the atheist hymn and the agnostic hymn, noting that "popular songwriters recognize the value of two maligned religions!" Considering myself, among other things, to be both an atheist and an agnostic (aren't you?), I readily agreed. Who knows where we'd be today without these two important religious perspectives? Don't know the hymns? Come, and you'll find out.
April 29th How We Listen to Each Other - Hilary Lake, Bill Ginn
So much talking--news, TV, politicians, celebrities, us--but so little real listening. Listening is not just hearing and talking back. Real listening involves holding and considering what you hear, for the sake of both the speaker and yourself. Several participants in one of our People's Church Chalice Circles will lead this service, to share some of what they have learned in the art and practice of deep listening.
April 22nd Earth Day Every Day - Jill McAllister, Diane Melvin
All ages join for our spring intergenerational service focusing on Earth Day. Children and youth will present special songs and messages; we will all consider ways to deepen our understanding of our responsibilities as members of the Earth family, and renew our commitment to right relations.
April 15th The Other On-Going War - Jill McAllister
Where are we in the so-called “war on drugs.”? Have we won, or lost, are we stuck in the trenches or still skirmishing? Is “war” the best approach to understanding and dealing with the complicated relations between humans and addictive substances?
April 8th Easter Sunday - Jill McAllister
Resurrection. What does it mean, and where does the notion come from? Is it simply an archaic notion? Mere supernaturalism? Or a nuanced metaphor of life and death which is understood by most, if not all human beings? Is the interweaving of death and life important for us to feel, to understand, and to describe, or are we better off leaving it alone?
April 1st Wind and Breath - Jill McAllister
Spring is the season of rebirth, its beginning often noted as a “warm wind from the East.” In our cycle of services highlighting the seasons and essential elements, we focus this morning on air, which we know best as wind and breath. We will consider air from perspectives of mythology, poetry, religion, science and experience. First Sunday Lunch follows the service.
March 25th My Brilliant Philanthropic Career - Jill McAllister, Janet French
Our annual Stewardship campaign begins with a light-hearted yet serious look at giving. Do you have everything you need, yet still yearn for happiness? When did you stop wanting to make a great contribution to make the world a better place? (Wish they’d asked you to be part of “The Promise”?) Figure you’ve outgrown the pull of money? Think stewardship is a stuffy, stupid idea, touted by religious fanatics? Or is stewardship what you need to understand most in your life, but just didn’t know it?
March 18th Peace, Justice, Care of the Earth - Robert Weir
Jill will introduce local author Robert Weir, biographer of Earth Day Founder and Earth Flag creator John McConnell. He'll share with us about the little-known history of Earth Day, UN Earth Day traditions, the symbolism of the Earth Flag, and McConnell's vision of a formula for Earth Care, exploring the essential link between peace through understanding, social justice and planetary care.