Five years ago, the members and friends of Peoples Church discerned that it was time to enter Developmental Ministry: a time-limited, goal-oriented program designed to help struggling congregations stabilize, achieve their goals, and prepare to call a settled minister. I know it would have been much easier not to Read more
Just like any other type of organization, churches can come and go. People form them all the time and many open up with enthusiasm only to close their doors after a few years. Even the more well-established, historic churches are struggling to stay open these days. If current trends continue, more and more Read more
For the last few years here at Peoples Church we have been focusing our social justice efforts on understanding and dismantling racism and white supremacy culture. Our Social Justice Team has led the way, inviting us to read, reflect, and learn more about whiteness and racism, wrestle with our own role(s) in a Read more
When was the last time you had an experience of awe? Were you looking up at the night sky, gazing at the face of a newborn baby, or listening to your favorite piece of music? Did your heart expand, did your breath quicken or stop, and did the skin on your arms raise with goosebumps? […]Read more
There is so much to pay attention to: the news, the election, the latest trends, the daily to-do list, and much more. So, as we head into a new month built around the theme of ATTENTION, I got to thinking about what we can let go of. What can we stop paying attention to? What […]Read more
Phew! What a wild and wonderful month it was at Peoples Church. Our Sesquicentennial Celebration was a huge success! Old friends, former members, former ministers, current neighbors, community supporters, and so many more joined us for a fabulous weekend of events. It was a real Homecoming celebration! Not only Read more
In 1869, when a small group of people met in Brown’s Hotel in downtown Cedar Rapids to form what eventually became Peoples Church, what were they expecting? What did they think they were creating and how long did they expect it to last? Did they know they were founding a church that would last 150 […]Read more
After time away for parental leave and study leave, I am thrilled to be back! As you can imagine, these last few months have been full and life changing. I want to thank you for the generous parental leave you allowed me to take in late May and June in order to be present for […]Read more
Spring is here and I could not be more delighted! The yellow and red tulips opening in my garden are a warm, welcome sight. Last fall, when I planted the tulip bulbs, I was thinking to myself: By the time these tulips bloom it will be just about the time for Casey and me to […]Read more
What are we doing the weekend of September 14-15, 2019, you ask? Why, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Peoples Church of course! Our sesquicentennial celebration is shaping up to be a meaningful, jam-packed, and fun-filled weekend. We have an open house, guest speakers, a community-wide celebration dinner out Read more