Buffy Guide | "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 2, episode 16 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and Angel! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries

Sermon | "Creating Life"

 

This was the sermon delivered at Peace UCC on May 31, 2026, Trinity Sunday. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV. "Creating Life," based on Genesis 1:26-2:3.

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Intersection Allies

 

This week, we're sharing a favorite: "Intersection Allies" by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi. This story explores a group of friends from diverse backgrounds and how they each support each other in their passions and identities. It's an important message for PRIDE Month because it reminds us that no matter who we are, how we identify, or whom we love, that our authentic living and support of others helps others to live their fullest selves, too! You can find this week's story video by clicking this link!

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for Pride Sunday. This week we're reading "Intersection Allies" by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using this link. Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Family Stories for Peace UCC | The Truly Brave Princesses

 

This month our theme is "Hearts on Fire!" It is a nod to Pentecost, which was last Sunday.

Fire is a metaphor for passion and this month we are exploring what it means to follow our passions with books focused on individuals who have created beautiful lives following their own passions-- sometimes despite odds and nay-sayers!

This week our story is "The Truly Brave Princesses" by Dolores Brown. This story explores how each of us is a princess when we follow our passions! The characters in this book each follow their hearts in different ways, pursuing different careers and hobbies. Each of them finds joy and happiness, but also puts that joy into the world for others.

You can find this week's story video by clicking this link!

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Trinity Sunday. This week we're reading "The Truly Brave Princesses" by Dolores Brown. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using this link (it's also available in Spanish!) Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Beyonce: Shine Your Light

 

This month our theme is "Hearts on Fire!" It is a nod to Pentecost, which comes later this month. Fire is a metaphor for passion and this month we are exploring what it means to follow our passions with books focused on individuals who have created beautiful lives following their own passions-- sometimes despite odds and nay-sayers! This week our story is "Beyonce: Shine Your Light" by Sarah Warren. This story tells about the life of Beyonce Knowles-Carter and how her passion for music, singing, and performing led her to a unique and special life. Beyonce followed her passion, worked hard, and was able to create an inspirational, award winning career and legacy. We can all learn from the life of Beyonce that we should believe in ourselves and our passion, keep learning and giving effort, and to use our success and privilege to shine light on others. You can find this week's story video by clicking this link! This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Seventh Sunday of Easter. This week we're reading "Beyonce: Shine Your Light" by Sarah Warren and Geneva Bowers. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using this link. Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Buffy Guide | "Phases"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 2, episode 15 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Phases." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and the reboot, once available! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Oprah: The Little Speaker

 

This month our theme is "Hearts on Fire!" It is a nod to Pentecost, which comes later this month.

Fire is a metaphor for passion and this month we are exploring what it means to follow our passions with books focused on individuals who have created beautiful lives following their own passions-- sometimes despite odds and nay-sayers!

This week our story is "Oprah: The Little Speaker" by Carole Boston Weatherford, a great children's book author who focuses on black stories. This story tells about the young life of Oprah Winfrey and how her passion for speaking and words led her to a unique and special life that was unexpected for a black girl from the rural south at that time.

We can all learn from the life of Oprah that sometimes we need to believe in ourselves and our passion more than other people and remain faithful to our vision. Miss Oprah Winfrey has created a big life that gives back and inspires people in many ways. How can we be inspired by Oprah?

You can find this week's story video here.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. This week we're reading "Oprah: The Little Speaker" by Carole Boston Weatherford. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using this link.

Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Family Stories for Peace UCC | You Will Always Belong

 

Communion is a reminder that we are all loved by God and welcome to take our place at the table.  God's love is for everyone and we are all part of God's family.

This week's storybook helps us remember that truth!  This week we're reading "You Will Always Belong" by Matthew Paul Turner, a great writer of positive and inclusive Christian picture books.  This story follows a young boy and is a loving affirmation of his (and everyone's!) place in the world as he follows his passions and finds his people.  This book reminds us that we are all made to belong in this world and when we know and believe that, we can flourish and become our most authentic selves.  

You can find this week's story video here.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Fifth Sunday of Easter. This week we're reading "You Will Always Belong" by Matthew Paul Turner. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using this link. Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Sermon | "What Needs Saving?"

 

This was the sermon delivered at Peace UCC on April 26, 2026, the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV. "What needs saving?"

Family Stories for Peace UCC | The Earth Book

 

This month we're celebrating Earth Month! We'll be discussing ways that the Earth blesses us and ways that we can be a blessing for the Earth!

As we think about how we are blessed and cared for by our beautiful planet, this week we're sharing a storybook by Todd Parr, a great Bay Area children's author. His short stories with simple, silly images are full of love and whimsy. This week's book is "The Earth Book," which explores ways we can be thoughtful in caring for our planet and why we do such things!

You can find this week's story video here (click link).

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Fourth Sunday of Easter Sunday (Earth Month!). This week we're reading "The Earth Book" by Todd Parr. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using the link below: AbeBooks

Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Family Stories for Peace UCC | "What a Wonderful World"

 

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Third Sunday of Easter Sunday (Earth Month!). This week we're reading "What a Wonderful World" based on the song made famous by Louis Armstrong. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using the link below: What a Wonderful World Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Family Stories for Peace UCC | "A Very Big Problem"

 

April is Earth Month!

As we focus on our planet and how we can be good stewards, we are sharing "A Very Big Problem" by Rabbi Amy-Jill Levine and Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Both Levine and Sasso create wonderful spiritual children's books, both together and individually.

In this week's story, different animals and elements argue about which things are most important to God. Is it the rain? Is it the sun? In the end, everyone realizes God's love is for everyone and that we are all made to work together!

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Second Sunday of Easter Sunday. This week we're reading "A Very Big Problem" by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using the link below:

A Very Big Problem Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Buffy Guide | "Innocence"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 2, episode 14 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Innocence." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and the reboot, once available! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries

Word Made Plain at Peace UCC | Easter Sunday

 

This was the Word Made Plain at Peace UCC on April 5, 2026. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV.. It's Easter Sunday. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Easter Sunday

 

At Easter, we remember God's amazing power of resurrection. This reminds us that even when things are difficult or we feel defeated, God is with us and wants us to RISE UP! As our story this week illustrates, we can best achieve this with the support of our friends.

This week, we are sharing "Binkle's Time to Fly" by Sharmila Collins. Inspired by her daughter's journey with a rare skin condition, Collins tells a beautiful tale about a butterfly born without wings. With the help of a diverse community, Binkle learns to fly in a unique and beautiful way. Binkle's story teaches us that through community and creativity, we can all soar to new heights.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for Easter Sunday. This week we're reading "Binkle's Time to Fly" by Sharmilla Collins. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using the link below: https://www.flyawaybooks.com/book/binkles-time-to-fly Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids