Living in Wonder and Gratitude
Sunday, Jun 14, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Rev. Jennifer Innis & A Cast of Thousands Overview: Join us at the Herm Farm for our annual picnic and celebration of the past year. The picnic begins at 9:30am. The service at the farm begins around 10:45am. A recorded...Litha: Celebrating the Summer Solstice
Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, Jun 21, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Keepers of the Great Grove Overview: Join us as we observe the summer solstice, continuing humanity’s tradition of marking the earth’s seasonal shifts. This turning point brings the...Proud of Love: Blessing the Courage to Be
Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, Jun 28, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Regina Stanley Overview: On this Pride Sunday, we celebrate the sacred worth of LGBTQ+ lives and the holy courage it takes to live authentically. Through story, music, reflection, and community,...
A Just Community?
Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: As Juneteenth approaches and Peoria becomes a center of celebration and Black Joy, how does a largely white congregation fit in the conversation? This service is inspired by the UU value of...
Becoming a More Perfect Union
Sunday, May 24, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:As we recognize Memorial Day and those who made deep sacrifices, what is the state of our work as a nation? This service is inspired by the UU value of Transformation. Coffee Hour Afterwards...
Faith in Games
Sunday, May 17, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Senior High Youth Overview: In this joyful, interactive service, Senior Youth will lead us in learning some of the games they have been playing this year. We’ll all explore how these games can help develop our UU faith. Come...
The Right to Flourish
Sunday, May 10, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: So often we struggle to see each other as fully human. What does respect and dignity mean in this time? This service draws on the UU value of Equity. Special Music from the Peoria Recorder...
Gifts of the Spirit
Sunday, May 3, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Generosity is often associated with fundraisers and amounts of money. What about other forms, such as skill, time, and compassion? How might we be more filled and connected? This service...
Many Faiths Among Us
Sunday, Apr 26, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Unitarian Universalism draws on many sources, including world religions. How do we balance curiosity with respect? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Celebrating the Earth
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Jesi Laughlin and a Cast of Thousands Overview: This all-ages worship service will be a time to gather together and celebrate the earth, all those who rely on her, and the ways we can care for our unique planet! Coffee Hour...
Love Out Loud
Sunday, Apr 12, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In Unitarian Universalism, we talk about having Love at the center of all things. How is love relevant in an often unloving world?Join us in the sanctuary at the end of service for the...
Easter Sunday: Resurrection as Possibility
Sunday, Apr 5, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In the first ending of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus does not appear after his death. What have we received from his life and his death? What do we bring into the world? Join us for the Egg...
Wholeness
Sunday, Mar 29, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In a time of everyday moral struggle, how do we live lives of integrity inside and out? During this service, we honor Transgender Day of Visibility. Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
The Sacred Power of Witness
Sunday, Mar 22, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: We are told that attention must be paid to people and their experiences, especially in the work of justice. Why are we so called? What comes from listening and watching? Coffee Hour...
The Righteous Compassion of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: As part of Women’s History Month, hear about a woman who sought equality for all people as she navigated being a Black Unitarian woman in antebellum United States. Coffee Hour Afterwards...
How Do We Know What We Know?
Sunday, Mar 8, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: With so many sources of information, how do we know what is true, or even fact? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Being Together, Building Together
Sunday, Mar 1, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Amid the pulls and needs of the world, we also are called to care for our own lives and this congregation. What is the purpose of the church and Unitarian Universalism in this moment? Coffee...
The Practice of Resilience
Sunday, Feb 22, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Theologian Howard Thurman speaks of finding a way forward amid remembered radiance. How do we find our way as individuals and as a people? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
A Love Note to Myself
Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: When is the last time you knew you loved yourself? Have you ever? On this Valentine’s Day weekend, we consider the path of self-love. Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Grief as Ritual, Resistance, and Resilience
Sunday, Feb 8, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Many of us know deep losses in this time. Let us honor our grief and how it starts to lead to possibility. Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Resistance and Resilience
Sunday, Feb 1, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: We begin our February theme of “Embodying Resilience” by exploring the relationship between how we show up for our values and how we sustain our lives. Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
A New Era of Action in Illinois
Sunday, Jan 25, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Natasha Walker, Guest Speaker Overview: What happens when 30+ congregations speak with one moral voice? We are delighted to welcome Natasha Walker, our new leader at the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI), to the...
Resistance Delayed
Sunday, Jan 18, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: We tell proud stories of Unitarian and Universalist ancestors who fought against enslavement in this country. What about those who waited and hesitated? Coffee Hour Afterwards &...
A Conflict Avoidant’s Guide to Resistance
Sunday, Jan 11, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Some of us thrive during conflict. Many of us run away as fast as we can. How do we choose resistance when we want to flee? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
To Deny the King
Sunday, Jan 4, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: The wise people of the Nativity story saved a child by not returning to King Herod. What are our new roads as the year begins? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Releasing and Readying: A New Year’s Ritual
Sunday, Dec 28, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Regina Stanley and Friends Overview: On this last Sunday of the year, join us as we let go of what has been and prepare to begin the New Year. Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve: A Light of Hope
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025 @ 7pm Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: For Christmas Eve, we share the message of Jesus’ birth through ancient and modern texts and beautiful music. This service will feature violin music from EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks and piano and...
Winter Solstice Pageant: The Snow Tree
Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, Dec 21, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Jesi Laughlin and a Cast of Thousands Overview: Celebrate the season with the children and youth of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria as they present a playful adaptation of The Snow...
Present and Future Hope
Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: If we get a say in our definitions of hope, what stays with us today? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
A Grateful Heart, A Generous Life (Rescheduled)
Sunday, Dec 7th, 2025 @ 10:30 am (Rescheduled from Nov 30) Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: As we close the monthly theme of gratitude, we consider the relationship between giving thanks and generosity. Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
What Do We Do with All This Rage?
Sunday, Nov 23, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Despite having so many reasons to be angry, we have precious few ways to express this feeling that is at our human core. Join us this Sunday–you won’t be told to “Calm down.” Coffee...
Wake, Now, My Conscience
Sunday, Nov 16, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: The freedom to follow a moral and ethical path is central to our liberal tradition. What does conscience mean in this moment? Please join us after the service for the fall congregational...
The Forbidden and the Controversial: Banned Books
Sunday, Nov 9, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: There is something powerful and affirming in the act of holding our Annual Book Sale. This service includes the voice of Rev. Julie Conrady, minister with Unitarian Universalist churches in...
Grief & Gratitude: A Service of Remembrance
Sunday, Nov 2, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis, Jesi Laughlin, and the Congregation Overview: At this time of year, many cultures and faiths set aside time for when the veil between the living and the dead grows thin. We will have time to share the...
Compassion in a Broken World
Sunday, Oct 26, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Our hearts are broken open in so many ways in our time. How do we address the pain in the world and care for ourselves? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Sacred and Holy Words
Sunday, Oct 19, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In the big tent of Unitarian Universalism, we have more feelings about language than people in Peoria. How do we speak of what inspires us? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Breaking Up with Colonialism
Sunday, Oct 12, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day and amid the wave of anti-immigration detention, how do we address our own biases and concerns? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
We Are All Choir Members
Sunday, Oct 5, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Seth Major Overview:What are ways in which we can think about how we should interact with the world around us? How should we “show up” in the places where we live, work, and play? Rev. Seth Major will present the...
Divided – and Yet…
Sunday, Sep 28, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In the deepening struggle for agency, democracy, and justice, how shall we show up in this moment? How do we care for ourselves and the world when so much is pulling us apart? Coffee Hour...
The Big Heart of Superman and Punk Rock
Sunday, Sep 21, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Inspired by this year’s new Superman film, how do we focus on love and decency while finding our way in strange times? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Belonging
Sunday, Sep 14, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Unitarian Universalist ancestor Marge Keip reminds us, “As surely as we belong to the universe, we belong together.” That belonging is not so simple. What are we seeking when we come into...
Ingathering Water Communion: Come, You Longing, Thirsty Souls
Sunday, Sep 7, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:This Ingathering marks the start of the church year. We offer our commitments to one another and celebrate being part of community that is called to create more love, freedom, growth, and...
Wondering Together: The Question Box Sermon 2025
Sunday, Aug 31, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: For our end of summer Question Box Sermon, you are part of creating the message along with Reverend Jennifer. Send her your questions ahead of time or offer them in person during the...
Blessing of the Animals – and the Backpacks 2025
Sunday, Aug 24, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Join us for our Blessing of the Animals! Beloved animals are welcome to join us onsite or in a photo. In-person pets must be leashed or in a kennel or carrier. See Rev. Jennifer for...
The Lamp Beside the Golden Door: Welcoming Immigrants to America
Sunday, Aug 17, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): February Sky ~ Susan Urban and Phil Cooper Overview:The path of immigrants in America has not been all easy money and streets paved with gold. Besides leaving behind family and beloved homelands, immigrants have often been...
New Horizons: Principles to Dream and Create a New World
Sunday, Aug 10, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Gary Chatham Overview: How do we create positive change today in the face of negativity? Ideas from the past can help us heal ourselves, heal our relationship with the Earth, and create deeper community. Coffee Hour...
T-Shirt Theology 2025
Sunday, Aug 3, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Regina Stanley & the Congregation Overview:(This service is inspired by Jill Thomas.) It has been said, “You are what you wear.” A message on a t-shirt can tell us a lot about the person wearing it. During this service,...
The Wisdom of the Treasure Hunt Way
Sunday, Jul 17, 2025 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Edward Flint & Jeanette Gruber Overview: Kids’ birthday parties create a very special opportunity to share a memorable (and age-appropriate) story about our shared human quest to find the essence of TREASURE–the good...