Did you hear something on Sunday that piqued your interest? Find more information below about what our ministry team has been reading, reciting, and reflecting on.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
During Time for All Ages, Laura talked about disability rights activist, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, who climbed up the Capitol steps on her arms to promote the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The book about Jennifer is called All the Way to the Top, written by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Nabi H Ali, and including a foreword from Jennifer herself!
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Our TFAA book this Sunday invited people to Say Something in many different ways, ensuring their voices are heard.
The book is Say Something!, written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Sunday, March 1, 2026
In her sermon, “The Small Things in the Great Things,” Rev. Wendy:
spoke about Octavia Butler and referenced two of her books: “Parable of the Sower” and “Parable of the Talents”;
shared a story from an article that Octavia Butler wrote for Essence Magazine in 2000, portions of which can be found here.
quoted from an interview of Matthew Fox regarding his book “The Reinvention of Work.”
NOTE: Rev. Wendy mistakenly said Matthew Fox had been an Episcopal Priest. He was not. He was a Catholic Priest and was excommunicated for his support of women and departure from church doctrine.
quoted from Ross Gay’s book “Inciting Joy”
During Time for All Ages, Laura read a book about Desmond, a mouse who lived in a beautiful meadow, who had an elephant fall asleep on his tail. The book speaks to “being neutral” to an unjust situation.
The book is Desmond Gets Free, written by Matt Meyer and illustrated by Khim Fam.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
In our Youth-led service, the high school youth group read a story about a young girl who creates a museum for her neighborhood that represents the people in it.
The book is called Milo’s Museum, written by Zetta Elliot and illustrated by Purple Wong.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
During this Sunday service, Laura spoke of the history of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and referenced the following quote:
“We are all bound up together in one great bundle of humanity, and society cannot trample on the weakest and feeblest of its members without receiving the curse in its own soul.”
Sunday, February 8, 2026
In her sermon, Rev. Wendy:
Quoted from Michelle Obama’s book, The Light We Carry,
told the story of the Esther from the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament),
and shared a story from Naomi Shahib Nye, contained in her prose poem Gate A4.
During Time for All Ages, Paula read a story about belonging.
The book is All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
In her sermon, Rev. Wendy offered a few quotes:
“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” ~ Caesar Chavez
“When the margins become the center our whole moral calculus changes.” ~ Dr. Jemar Tisby
“The most common way people give up their power is by believing they don’t have any.” ~ Alice Walker
Rev. Wendy also shared a prayer by Dr. Brian Baker found in A Black Rock Book of Prayer:
“The world now is too dangerous and too beautiful for anything but love.
May your eyes be so blessed you see God in everyone.
Your ears, so you hear the cry of the poor.
May your hands be so blessed
that everything you touch is a sacrament.
Your lips, so you speak nothing but the truth with love.
May your feet be so blessed you run
to those who need you.
And may your heart be so opened,
so set on fire, that your love,
your love, changes everything.”
Rev. Wendy also mentioned the work of Canadian trans activist, author, and professor, Kai Cheng Thom, referencing her keynote address at a conference and her book, I Hope We Choose Love.
During Time for All Ages, Laura shared a story about Equality vs. Equity.
The book is Oliver Octopus and the Unwinnable Game by Ben Okon.