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Upcoming Online Services
July 12: Thriving on Joy, Julie Taylor Donald Trump acquitted. Kobe died. Australia on fire and koalas burning. Coronavirus. Quarantine. Millions lose jobs. No toilet paper. 100,000+ dead. Tiger King. Kids learning at home. Face masks. Murder hornets. Armed gunmen at the Michigan capital. George Floyd. Protests. Are you exhausted yet? We all are. There’s one practice that can help us cultivate the resilience. Let’s look at how we can practice joy every day, and how joy can be the difference between surviving and thriving. Click here for login information to use Zoom. Previous Sunday's Service
July 5: Discovering Joy, Rev. Joan Montagnes "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. As Dr. Phil would ask, “How’s that working for you?” 
We are a compassionate, thoughtful,
and diverse religious community who nurture and challenge each other to deeper understanding, meaning and purpose in our lives. We use our hearts and our heads (and a good deal of humor) to make a difference not only in our lives, but the lives of those beyond our doors. Learn more about our beliefs, our services, and our history in the About Us tab. Visitors are always welcomed to our worship services! |
What Does it Mean to be a People of Joy?
It is hard work these days to reach deep down into the well to pull up a little joy. Indeed, the well may seem bone dry.
What with the pandemic claiming lives of some of our loved ones and keeping us away from others, grief is at the forefront of our minds. And then there is the “unprecedented” political climate. And the great righteous uprising that calls us to justice in the face of murderous racism. That’s a lot to bear. The well of joy may seem bone dry. And so, this is exactly when we need to dig a deeper well. We may even need to dig a new well. We will not, cannot survive this pandemic, or get out of our current political pickle, or dismantle the structures of white supremacy if we don’t find joy and get it on our side. We need to be the People of Joy. Anger, guilt, defensiveness, blame, and hopelessness are only going to get us so far. We can yell, point fingers, and burn the whole thing down, but if we don’t sing, dance, love and laugh then we will tear ourselves apart body and soul. The revolution has songs that lift the spirit. Laughter will give you energy to carry on. Dancing shakes the shakes and the nasties away. And the transformative power of radical love can overcome all fear, hatred and oppression. Give yourself permission to seek and find joy. It will save you. Yours in faith and affection, Rev. Joan Montagnes |
Our Vision
We will gather in loving community, creating a shared vision of compassion and dignity for all,
to radically transform the world in which we live.
We will gather in loving community, creating a shared vision of compassion and dignity for all,
to radically transform the world in which we live.
JULY Share-the-Plate - RAPP
Our Justice Ministry team is excited to dedicate our July Share-the-Plate to Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP). Formerly incarcerated persons and advocates for those with long sentences founded RAPP based on the firm belief that no human being is disposable. WNY regional organizer Donna Robinson tirelessly supports her daughter and other women incarcerated at Bedford Hills, while working toward fair and timely parole, elder parole, and to transform the criminal justice system together.
Our Justice Ministry team is excited to dedicate our July Share-the-Plate to Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP). Formerly incarcerated persons and advocates for those with long sentences founded RAPP based on the firm belief that no human being is disposable. WNY regional organizer Donna Robinson tirelessly supports her daughter and other women incarcerated at Bedford Hills, while working toward fair and timely parole, elder parole, and to transform the criminal justice system together.