Being Out as an Ally: A Work in Progress
Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, October 11, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In honor of National Coming Out Day on October 11, join Rev. Jennifer as she reflects on the opportunities and challenges of how each of us grow in our...The Courage to Love in a Broken World
Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, October 18, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:In Universalism, we are assured of the presence of Love and that all will be healed and made whole. How does this work in our fractured, mortal lives? Coffee...The Courage to Keep Going
Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Seth Major Overview:Some aspects of life can be difficult and unenjoyable, and with virtually limitless options for distraction and invitation, sticking with the right — but...Absence and Presence: A Service of Remembrance
Join the 10:30am Service Zoom Sunday, November 1, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis 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...
A Meditation on Connections
Sunday, September 27, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Brian “Fox” Ellis Overview: Did we leave the garden? How do we cultivate a broader sense of connection… to each other, our community, the wilder world? How does an apple give us knowledge, nutrients,...
A House for Hope: Theology Under Construction
Sunday, September 20, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Unitarian Universalist theology is open and always evolving. There also are deep foundations at the heart of our message of hope. This sermon draws on the image of a theological house...
Ingathering Water Communion 2026
Sunday, September 13, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis and the Congregation Overview: We honor the start of our year by collecting gifts of water (actual and symbolic) from that which sustained us over the summer. Please join us and bring your...
The Great UU Book Sale 2026
The Great UU Book Sale Is Coming Soon! Stop by The Great UU book sale on Friday & Saturday, October 9-10 from 8 AM to 3 PM. The church is located at 3000 W. Richwoods Blvd., Peoria. This fund-raiser for the church’s work will have a variety of hardcover and...
Wondering Together: The Question Box Sermon 2026
Sunday, September 6, 2026 @ 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 2026
Sunday, Aug 30, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis & Beloved Creatures 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. We...
Humans Wrote the Bible, God Wrote Life – The Teachings of John Shelby Spong
Sunday, Aug 23, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): February Sky (Susan Urban & Phil Cooper) Overview:The word “God” can be a hot-button for many Unitarian Universalists. But late maverick retired Episcopal bishop John Shelby Spong, whose best known book is “Why...
Wisdom of the Ages: Lessons We Can Learn from Each Generation
Sunday, Aug 16, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): BJ Lindsey Overview:In today’s divisive sociopolitical climate, negative stereotypes often fuel intergenerational conflicts and resentments. In this service, Aging Studies graduate student BJ Lindsey invites us to set aside...
Meaning in Maintenance
Sunday, Aug 9, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): David Spelman Overview: We never notice the disasters that don’t happen. David draws on his work as a civil engineer to explore how the quiet, unglamorous discipline of maintaining what already exists can be a profound...
Medicare for All
Sunday, Aug 2, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Illinois People’s Action Overview:Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Illinois People’s Action is advocating for quality healthcare for all of us. Learn more about their effort and share your experience...
How Games Can Bring Us Together
Sunday, July 26, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Jennifer Stubbs Overview: Games foster social emotional learning and executive function skill development in a low stakes environment. These translate to better communication with family or neighbors, especially applicable...
T-Shirt Theology 2026
Sunday, July 19, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): BJ Lindsey & 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,...
Braver Angels: Learning to Talk Across Differences
Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Steve Fairbanks & Braver Angels Overview: Braver Angels is a national grassroots initiative to bring together people with opposing political views to rediscover our shared humanity. Bill Poorman and David Pittman...
Solving Mysteries
Sunday, July 5, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Brad Keefauver Overview: Mystery stories come in many shapes and sizes, from books to TV to movies, and have been with us long as fiction. What draws us to them, and what do they tell us about ourselves? Join Brad Keefauver...
Rummage Sale 2026
The Rummage Sale is Coming! Sale: Friday 8-5, & Saturday 8-3, July 17 & 18 Our Annual Rummage Sale has a wide variety of items including tons of kids clothes, toys, furniture, art, housewares, and more! Don’t forget to come back on Saturday for half...
Proud of Love: Blessing the Courage to Be
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, we honor the long journey...
Litha: Celebrating the Summer Solstice
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 official beginning of summer,...
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...
Community in Bloom: A Flower Communion
Sunday, Jun 7, 2026 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Rev. Jennifer Innis and Jesi Laughlin Overview:Join us for a celebration of story and the abundance of life as we honor our ritual of the Flower Communion. All are invited to bring flowers as we create our common bouquet....
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...
Annual Campaign Kickoff Lunch 2026
Sunday, April 12th After Service The launch of our 2026-27 Annual Campaign is Sunday, April 12. We want to use this lively occasion to start the tradition of an all-church picture, so please plan to be at church service with your best smile. A served, free lunch will...
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...
American Teenager by Nico Lang
American Teenager by Nico Lang Author Event & LGBTQIA+ Community Resource Fair 3 PM, Saturday, April 25th Join us for an inspiring and heartwarming event as award-winning journalist and author Nico Lang shares stories from their powerful new book, “American...
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...
Trivia Night
Saturday, March 14th 6 – 8 PM Fellowship Hall Ready to have a rousing contest and lots of fun with other UUs and friends? Join or gather a team of eight for the return of Trivia Night! We’ll have ballpark-like refreshments–popcorn, brats, and hot dogs....
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...
LOVE WINS Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance
Spread the LOVE at our annual LOVE WINS Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance! Saturday, February 14th, 6-8 PM in Fellowship Hall Tickets: $25 each or $125 for a table of 6. On sale when available through February 8th We are thrilled to announce the return of our...