The Promise and the Practice

The Promise and the Practice

Sunday, Jan 8, 2023 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:Our efforts at a liberal approach to religion is based on deep mutual commitments. Speaking our covenant out loud lifts the heart. How do our promises work with real, live human beings? The...
Gifts of the Season

Gifts of the Season

Sunday, Dec 25, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis and the Congregation Overview: On Christmas Morning, join us for carols, stories, and brunch in Fellowship Hall. We will take turns unwrapping the parts of the service and sharing them as they emerge....
Lessons and Carols for the Wonder of Christmas

Lessons and Carols for the Wonder of Christmas

Saturday, Dec 24, 2022 @ 7:00 pm Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis and the Congregation Overview:For Christmas Eve, we share the message of the birth of Jesus through ancient and modern texts and beautiful music. This service will feature music from Dave Breeden and...
Cherish the Dark

Cherish the Dark

Sunday, Dec 18, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: So often in our language we use “black” or “dark” to refer to what is fearful and evil. Let us explore the richness of the Dark in our lives. The choir will sing. Coffee Hour Afterwards...
Owl and Robin, A Winter Solstice Fable

Owl and Robin, A Winter Solstice Fable

Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, Dec 11, 2022 @ 10:30 am No Facebook Stream or Posted Recording on 12/11 To honor the privacy of our youngest members and friends, worship on December 11th will be available on the church’s public Zoom feed but will not be streamed...
The Body of Change

The Body of Change

Sunday, Nov 27, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: How do you feel in your body as well as your heart? Before we enter into December’s theme of Wonder, let’s spend a moment on locating ourselves and our ever-shifting physical forms. Coffee...
Brave New Words: Under Construction

Brave New Words: Under Construction

Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, Nov 20, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: For over 40 years, Unitarian Universalists have worked from a core expression of our values as named in seven Principles and six Sources. Now we are asked to...
Democracy with Dignity?

Democracy with Dignity?

Sunday, Nov 13, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: On this Sunday after the elections, we explore what it means to live in a divided time and hold true to a democratic process. The Fall Congregational Meeting is after the service. Coffee...
The Way of Change

The Way of Change

Sunday, Nov 6, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:We begin this month’s theme of the Path of Change by addressing it directly. William Bridges offers a guide on how to make sense of change, even when everything is in flux. The choir...
Thinning the Veil: A Service of Remembrance

Thinning the Veil: A Service of Remembrance

Sunday, Oct 30, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis, Jesi Laughlin DLRE & 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. This year we will...
The Courage to Learn

The Courage to Learn

Sunday, Oct 23, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis & Jesi Laughlin, DLRE Overview:The mission of this congregation includes the call to grow spiritually. What does spiritual growth mean to you? What do we offer and what would you like to explore?...
Defending Democracy

Defending Democracy

Sunday, Oct 16, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Dawn Dannenbring Overview:Illinois People’s Action organize everyday people and the faith community across downstate Illinois to be a powerful voice on justice issues. As a faith that understands the need for people to have...
Encounter with a World of Faiths

Encounter with a World of Faiths

Sunday, Oct 9, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:The first global dialogue of faiths was with the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. The Parliament returns to Chicago in August 2023. How are we called to be with our siblings...
The Heart of Courage

The Heart of Courage

Sunday, Oct 2, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:Join us for the first Sunday with our monthly theme of “Courage.” What does it mean to take a chance with each other? Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound

Sunday, Sep 18, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:We offered a powerful, positive message when we added, “Welcome Home” to our shirts and banner for Pride Fest. “Home” also is complicated for many of us. What does “home” mean? How does our...
Meeting and Merging

Meeting and Merging

Sunday, Sep 11, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis, Jesi Laughlin, and the Congregation Overview:Ingathering Water Communion, Potluck to follow, and Splish Splash Games at NoonThis Ingathering marks the beginning of the church year. We offer our...
NOW Is a Moment

NOW Is a Moment

Sunday, Sep 2, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:Join Reverend Jennifer as she offers highlights from her summer travels in our larger Unitarian Universalist world, including notes from when Ibram X. Kendi (How to Be an Antiracist) addressed...
Clean and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)

Clean and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)

Sunday, Aug 28, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Kiersten Sheets Overview:As part of fulfilling our commitment to being good stewards of the earth, this service features a general overview of CEJA as passed in the Illinois legislature last fall. CEJA is the mostprogressive...
The Question is the Answer

The Question is the Answer

Sunday, Aug 21, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:For our end of summer Question Box Sermon, we are part of creating the message along with Reverend Jennifer. Send her your questions ahead of time or in person during the service. She will...
Blessing of the Animals

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, Aug 14, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis and a Cast of Thousands Overview:Join us for our first ever 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...
The Circle of Love

The Circle of Love

Sunday, Aug 7, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Allison Farnum Overview:We gather in the Universalist spirit and are reminded that no one is outside the circle of love. Joining with guest speaker, Reverend Allison Farnum, we are invited to feel the power of our...
Stories of Gratitude

Stories of Gratitude

Sunday, Jul 24, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Carol Manny and Bob Woolsey Overview:Join us this Sunday as Peoria businessman and philanthropist Bob Woolsey talks about how our stories can lead us to embrace gratitude and mentor others to do the same. Coffee Hour...
Building Our Church

Building Our Church

Sunday, Jul 17, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Amy Kordonowy and Carol Manny Overview: What is the foundation of this congregation? Love? Compassion? Justice? How might it all fit together? All ages are welcome to share in the service. Coffee Hour Afterwards &...
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident…

We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident…

Sunday, Jul 3, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Rica Kaufel Overview:What does the best friend of this German UU minister grandfather have to do with the 4th of July, and how can this help us to love this country even better?  Come find out at church on Sunday!...
Believing Us

Believing Us

Sunday, Jun 26, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Leela Sinha (ze/zim/zir) Overview: Ours is a living faith. What does it mean to be the UUs we say we are? If we were to follow our deepest passions, what might we become? Reverend Leela Sinha joins us via Zoom from...
The Paths We Do Not Choose

The Paths We Do Not Choose

Sunday, Jun 19, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Tom Byrom Overview:I am going to talk about my spiritual journey, in particular some unwelcome events that have, I hope, led to a more meaningful life. This journey will always be a work in progress, but there are some...
Celebrating Blessings

Celebrating Blessings

Sunday, Jun 12, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer and 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...
Flower Communion: Emerging Beauty

Flower Communion: Emerging Beauty

Sunday, Jun 5, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis and Amy Popp, CRE Overview: Join us for a celebration of story and the abundance of life as we honor our ritual of the Flower Communion. For this multi-age service, all are invited to bring flowers as...
The Beauty of Music

The Beauty of Music

Sunday, May 29, 2020 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis and Graduating Senior High Youth Overview: Join us as we enjoy the return of Music Sunday with our excellent choir led by Dave Breeden. We will also honor the senior high youth who are moving from...
Riding the Winds of Change

Riding the Winds of Change

Sunday, May 22, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis and Amy Popp Overview:  Join us for Religious Education Teacher Appreciation and marking the transitions in our lives. Amy Popp will offer the message in her next-to-last in person Sunday before she...
The Beauty That Makes Us

The Beauty That Makes Us

Sunday, May 15, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:  How has beauty transformed your life? Reverend Jennifer shares reflections from many sources, including the words and images of members of the congregation. Note: This service is in lieu of...
Invisible Work

Invisible Work

Sunday, May 8, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: The past few years have revealed major shifts in how and where we work. What is our religious response to how we value labor? Our special music comes from the Peoria Recorder Consort. Coffee...
The Wonder of Co-Creation

The Wonder of Co-Creation

Sunday, May 1, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: As we begin the monthly theme of Nurturing Beauty, what do we create together? Join us as we celebrate the official end of our Annual Campaign. Share memories during Social Hour as we honor...
Get Rooted and Get Ready

Get Rooted and Get Ready

Sunday, Apr 24, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): UU Ministry for the Earth with Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: When you imagine pathways to embodying the inherent worth and dignity of all people, particularly climate migrants, what do you see? Who is with you on in this...
After Easter

After Easter

Sunday, Apr 17, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: The accounts of Easter tell of Jesus’ ministry, death, and the mystery of what happens after he dies. But his followers have to answer the question of, “What now?” This Easter Sunday also...
Awakenings

Awakenings

Sunday, Apr 10, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:John O’Donohue tells us, “We live between the act of awakening and the act of surrender… they frame each day and each life; between them the journey where anything can happen, the beauty and...
The Breadth of Existence

The Breadth of Existence

Sunday, Apr 3, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, join us for a time of witness and voice. Our guest voices include UUCP member Reverend Marcus Fogliano....
Ready for the Evolution

Ready for the Evolution

Sunday, Mar 27, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: We close the month with a focus on who we are and what we might become as a faith and as a beloved collection of people.  Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
A Question of Faith

A Question of Faith

Sunday, Mar 20, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In the effort to renew faith, we must consider the nature of faith. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. offers, “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”...
Shaken and Stirred

Shaken and Stirred

Sunday, Mar 13, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: On the second anniversary of pandemic lockdowns, we set aside this moment and recognize the major events and our highly varied experience of life and loss. See Reverend Jennifer if you would...
The Blessing of Rest

The Blessing of Rest

Sunday, Mar 6, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: We begin the theme of Renewing Faith with an essential element: Rest. Groups such as The Nap Ministry call us to the sacred work of taking care of ourselves. Rest is Resistance. Get ready...
Follow the Breath

Follow the Breath

Sunday, Jan 30, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:We close the month of living with intention by exploring the Buddhist practice of mindfulness. If we follow our breath, where will it lead us? Stay on Zoom after the service and join the...
Abortion and Faith

Abortion and Faith

Sunday, Jan 23, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:The 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade is next year, but the conversation is now. Given the range of theologies and personal choices, how do we talk about abortion as a people of faith? Stay on...
Choose to Love

Choose to Love

Sunday, Jan 16, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:Have you heard of bell hooks? bell hooks was the pen name of Gloria Jean Watkins. She was a writer, teacher, and activist who called us to put love into action. On this MLK Sunday, hear about...
Shoot the Moon

Shoot the Moon

Sunday, Jan 9, 2022 @ 10:30 am – ONLINE ONLY Online Only – Service Zoom Link Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: For our theme of “Living with Intention”, we begin with how we are called onward. What if we were willing to “Shoot the Moon?” Coffee Hour...
Gratitude

Gratitude

Sunday, Jan 2, 2022 10:30 AM – ONLINE ONLY Online Only – Service Zoom Link Speaker(s): Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray & Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:For the first Sunday of 2022, we gather only online for service. Reverend Jennifer will offer a path...
Kwanzaa and COVID

Kwanzaa and COVID

Sunday, Dec 26, 2021 @ 10:30 am – Online Only, Not In-Person Speaker(s): Garry Moore Service Zoom Link Overview: For the day after Christmas, we gather only online for service. Wear comfy pajamas and enjoy your coffee as Garry Moore shares a celebration of...