Rev. Jane Ellen Nickell

Rethinking Religion

UUCM begins its third century at a time when religion is going through a sea change, as it experiences the same tensions and challenges as other institutions. After some background about religious change that brought us to this point, we will look at how UUCM is positioned to thrive in this new religious climate and … Continued

Peace on Earth

Throughout the centuries, even in times of conflict, the holiday season has served as a beacon of hope, joy, and peace. Through readings and music, our candlelight service will affirm the promise of peace that is embodied in the stories and songs of this season.

Give and Take

December ushers in a season full of holidays when many of us will both give and receive gifts. This service looks at the challenge of giving in a culture that encourages taking, the joy of discovering how much you have to give, and the grace in receiving gifts from others. LISTEN:

Practicing Gratitude

With bad news filling the airwaves, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of what is going right in our lives and in the world. As we approach Thanksgiving, we’ll talk about the benefits of practicing gratitude as a spiritual discipline. LISTEN:  

Down to Earth

In this season when plants die off and nature prepares to rest for the winter, we focus on the earth as the source of all life and to which all life returns. The final service in a series celebrating the elements of air, water, fire, and earth, our worship will reference Samhain and harvest rituals … Continued

Great Ball of Fire

Our service on fire will focus on the power of the sun and the promise that solar energy offers as we move away from burning fossil fuels. This service is part of Sun Day, a national day of action celebrating the power of clean energy. LISTEN:

The Covenant of Water

As we return to worship in the sanctuary, this service focuses on water and continues a series of services on the elements of air, water, fire, and earth, which we started in June. Focusing on how water connects us to each other and every living thing, our service with include a Water Ritual, or Ingathering, … Continued

Air

Using the Hebrew word ruach, which can be translated as “spirit,” “breath,” or “wind,” this service will look at air as the intangible, invisible spirit that animates all of life. This is the first of four services on the elements of air, water, fire, and earth, which will continue in the fall.

Mothering Day

While Mother’s Day is a happy celebration for many people, it can be a painful reminder of loss or difficult relationships for others. This service will look at maternal work more generally and how we can both give and receive the gifts of mothering. We will also observe a flower communion, so plan to bring … Continued

From Death Comes Life 

As Passover ends and Easter rolls around, we look at how these spring holidays mirror the rebirth of nature. Our culture is not comfortable with death, but in both the Exodus story and the resurrection of Jesus, death sets the stage for a miraculous return of life, just as the natural world seems to come … Continued