Radio host Krista Tippett calls virtues ‘tools for the art of living’ and ‘spiritual technologies.’ Prudence is one of the seven heavenly virtues, praised by the ancient Greeks and incorporated into the Christian tradition by early church leaders. What wisdom does this virtue, defined as ‘the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason’ hold for us today? How might we make use of this ‘spiritual technology’ in our lives?

What is about the wondering and wandering through life that is best navigated with poetry? The 2017 People’s Poetry Service will explore the cause and effect relationship between life and its varied, mysterious, healing and poetic expression. Featuring poets among us along with the great wordsmiths of the world.

Unitarian Universalist minister Forrest Church often shared this mantra: ‘Want what you have. Do what you can. Be who you are.’ Rev. Rachel will explore the topic of envy and how we might incorporate these words of wisdom into our lives.

In "The Cure at Troy: A Version of Sophocles’ Philoctetes" Irish poet Seamus Heaney writes, ‘History says, Don’t hope / On this side of the grave, / But then, once in a lifetime / The longed-for tidal wave / of justice can rise up / And hope and history rhyme.’ On this Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend we will look back at the tidal wave of justice of the Civil Rights Movement and let it bring us inspiration and hope today.

“What is life calling People’s Church to be?” This is the question that will guide us as we develop a new mission and vision. That mission and vision will shape the ministries and programs of People’s Church for the next 5-10 years. What does life call us to be now? What are the strengths from the past that we will carry into the future? We will be answering these questions together beginning during the service and continuing in workshops.

People of all ages are invited to join us in The Commons to ring in the new year. There will be dancing, music, and ritual to rid ourselves of what we don’t want to carry with us into 2017.

Rev. Rachel and Catherine Niessink will lead a simple, intergenerational service where we will celebrate and share the joys of the holidays in story and music. Nursery care will be available for the youngest children. Everyone else is invited to join us in The Commons for the service.

This Sunday’s sermon will be delivered in the form of a one act play. “Mrs. Jaye” is a story about how we might honor someone who has made a profound difference in our life. It’s a play about death and dying, and about teachers. It is a unique play and not to be missed. It features Chris Measzros, and is directed by Matthew McCormick. We will also be honoring Religious Education director, Diane Melvin as she embarks on her sabbatical.

In this intergenerational service, members and friends of our community will be acting out the fictional story of Duke Dwayne’s attempts to outlaw jellybeans (and other things) and some courageous children’s efforts to stand up for justice and inclusion. (And yes, there will be jellybeans to eat.)

At the First Council of Nicaea, an important gathering of early Christians in 325CE, Bishop Nikolaos of Myra (the man who later became known as Saint Nicholas and whose myth evolved into our modern Santa Claus) slapped a Unitarian Christian priest across the face. Rev. Rachel will tell this dramatic story and draw out what it might teach us today.