| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Sep 25, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:The Transcendentalists of the 19th century laid the foundation for the liberal religion we know today. The big names were Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. But Margaret Fuller’s...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, July 31, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Mary Warren Kuester Overview:Growing up I never saw myself represented in the books I read or the other media I consumed, and if I did it was never in a positive light. It wasn’t until I happened upon a romance novel...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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 &...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Jul 10, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Brad Keefauver Overview:In the late 1800s, a new legend was born from the pen of a doctor named Arthur Conan Doyle that literally inspired both real and fictional detectives for the century that followed. What do those...
| Past Services/Sermons
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!...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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....
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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.”...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Feb 27, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:In the mid-20th century, a group of young Universalist ministers organized under the name, the Humiliati. Their symbol was a circle that enclosed an off-center cross. They sought the revival...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Feb 20, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Philosopher Karl Popper describes the paradox of tolerance: “Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance.” What are the limits of communication and relationship when we...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Feb 13, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: In honor of Charles Darwin’s birthday, we explore the crisis of faith and marriage that impacted the development of his theory of evolution. The worship is inspired by Evolution Sunday as...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Feb 6, 2022 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Church of the Larger Fellowship Overview: The Worthy Now Prison Ministry Network helps those in the free-world better serve our incarcerated siblings in Unitarian Universalism. Hear about the power of this growing ministry...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
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...
| Past Services/Sermons
Tuesday, Dec 21, 2021 @ 7 PM Overview: We will chant, dance, and offer up our own gifts to add to the coming light on the eve before the longest, darkest night of the year. Coffee Hour Afterwards & Offering...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Dec 19, 2021 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Guest Presenter, Brian Fox-Ellis Overview: Join us, people of all ages and stages, as we have a unique and wondrous visit from a very special guest who, through stories and music, will help us gain a deeper appreciation...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Dec 12, 2021 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: There are so many forms for joy – ordinary, personal, shared, divine, radical, musical, and more. What is joy for our time? Join us for our New Member Recognition, too! Coffee Hour...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Dec 5, 2021 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: The premise of Stephen Prothero in his book, “God is Not One”, is that each religion answers a different question. If each faith, or each of us, is answering a different question,...
| Past Services/Sermons
Friday, Dec 24, 2021 ~ Christmas Eve @ 6 & 8 PM 6 PM Service8 PM Service Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Join us for beautiful music and ancient and modern lessons as we celebrate Christmas. To have enough room for everyone and allow for space...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Nov 28, 2021 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis & Friends Overview: A long line of dedicated people made it possible for this congregation to exist and thrive today. What are the great stories? What are the small stories? Join Reverend Jennifer...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Nov 21, 2021 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Tet Gallardo Overview: Culture is lived religion. Cultural differences also cause religious differences. Folks who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have long complained that the lack of culture in white...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Nov 14, 2021 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview: Many of us cite the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism as a core expression of our shared values. From we covenant to promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person to the...
| Past Services/Sermons
Sunday, Nov 7, 2021 @ 10:30 am Speaker(s): Reverend Jennifer Innis Overview:The pandemic upended everything about church life, especially how we congregate on Sunday mornings. As we keep learning about multi-platform worship, we can ask “why?” along with the “how?”...
| Past Services/Sermons
Due to a technical error, audio was not recorded in the sanctuary and the service has been taken down Sunday, Oct 31, 2021 @ 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...