by Ed Busch, UU Lansing Church Archivist

It is hard to believe that January 2002 was twenty-four years ago. Yet the stories and questions from that season still feel strikingly familiar today.
Twenty-four years ago this January, UU Lansing welcomed a traveling exhibit that transformed the church building into a gallery of women’s courage, justice, and faith.

In January 2002, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing—then worshiping at 855 Grove Street in East Lansing—hosted a powerful traveling exhibit:

“Standing Before Us: A Traveling Exhibition of the Lives and Works of Unitarian Universalist Women.”

From January 20–27, 2002, the church displayed 77 panels honoring women whose lives helped shape Unitarian Universalism and the wider world. Their stories of courage, justice, education, and compassion surrounded the congregation all week—turning the building itself into a sacred gallery of memory and meaning.

At the time, Rev. Kimi Riegel was serving as UU Lansing’s interim minister, and Ed Loomis was church president. The congregation was also in the midst of an active ministerial search, reflecting on who they were and who they hoped to become.

The exhibit did not stand alone. It shaped worship, education, and the shared life of the church.

Worship Framed by Women’s Voices

January 20, 2002 – UU Women and Anti-Racism

The Sunday the exhibit opened, Rev. Riegel preached “UU Women of Anti-Racism Work.” Music and readings centered the voices of women and the long struggle for justice. A key reading came from Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s 1893 speech to the World’s Congress of Representative Women—connecting history directly to present-day witness.

The service closed with the congregation singing “We Shall Overcome,” setting the tone for the week ahead.

January 27, 2002 – Honoring Our Women

The second Sunday of the exhibit became a living expression of Standing Before Us. The service wove music, poetry, and story together before arriving at a special section titled “Honoring Our Women.”

The following women from the UU Lansing community were honored (with the presenter listed after each name):

Emma (Jerry) Thornton — honored by Pearl Ann Miller
Alice Erickson — honored by Rev. Kimi Riegel
Janet Howes — honored by Pat Colburn
Jody Valley — honored by Laurie Thomas
Chris Triola — honored by Regina Fry

Poetry, reflections, and music accompanied each name, reminding the congregation that the women on the exhibit panels were mirrored by women sitting right in our own pews.

The Adult Choir then sang “Standing Before Us,” and the congregation closed with “As We Come Marching, Marching.” A reception followed, giving people time to linger with the stories and bring their children to see the exhibit.

A Living Example: Alice Erickson

The January 22, 2002 issue of The Liberal Express included a full-page tribute to Alice Erickson, one of the women honored during the exhibit week.

A third-generation Unitarian Universalist, Alice began teaching Sunday school at age 16 and later built a career in child development and education. After moving to the Lansing area in 1968 with her husband Roy, she became deeply involved at UU Lansing:

Director of Religious Education
Choir member
Board member
School volunteer
Liaison to the fourth ministerial search committee

She earned her bachelor’s degree right after high school and a master’s degree in elementary education while raising her children. Her professional life focused on early childhood development, supporting teachers and families, and helping children grow in environments rooted in compassion, reason, and respect.

The article concludes:

“Alice, we honor you for all you have done to improve the lives of the young and not so young.”

In Alice, the congregation could see that the women who “stood before us” were not only historical figures—but also neighbors, mentors, and friends.

More than two decades later, Alice Erickson is still an active member of UU Lansing. Her ongoing presence is a living reminder that the women who “stood before us” are not only part of our history—they are still among us, still shaping the life of the church.

What Else Was Happening at UU Lansing?

The January 22 newsletter captures a church alive with movement and purpose.

Searching for a New Minister

The Ministerial Search Committee reported it had narrowed candidates to seven ministers. The congregation hoped for a minister who was:

deliberate, intellectual, inspirational, and spiritual
compassionate and caring
committed to strengthening community
emotionally aware and self-reflective

It was a season of discernment and anticipation.

Later that year, that search would bear fruit. On November 3, 2002, the congregation celebrated the ordination of Rev. Kathryn Bert, marking the joyful conclusion of the search and the beginning of a new chapter in UU Lansing’s life.

A Congregation Reflecting on Its Future

In her column, “Hello, I Must Be Going,” Rev. Riegel invited the congregation into a deeper conversation about vision. She reminded readers that many had already done visioning work in their professional lives—and now it was time to bring that same energy to the church.

She asked:

What is the church to you?
What is it to the community?
What is it becoming?

Rev. Riegel wrote that UU identity does not rest on a single creed, but grows through listening, reflection, and compromise. She encouraged members to help create a shared vision—“a vision that belongs to you.”

A Community Supporting Its Work

The January 22, 2002 Liberal Express did not shy away from the financial realities facing the congregation.

At the time, 231 people had pledged approximately $203,000—fewer pledges than the year before, but at roughly the same average amount. Other revenue sources were down while costs were rising.

Even with no staff raises and a 20% cut to program budgets, there would still be a $14,000 shortfall. If the church wanted small 2% staff raises and only 10% program cuts, the shortfall would grow to $25,000.

None of the proposed budgets allowed for growth or expanded outreach. To support the vision members were expressing—expanded programs, a second Religious Education program, greater campus outreach, stronger volunteer support, and funding for a new settled minister—the church would need an additional $70,000.

The newsletter made the math tangible:

A household pledging $1,000 would add about $21 per month
The average pledge of $875 would rise by about $18 per month

These increases would fund music, RE, building care, outreach, and administrative support.

The appeal closed with a reminder:

“This is truly your church. This is truly your chance to fund the dream of a vibrant liberal religious voice in the Lansing community.”

Then—and Now

Reading the 2002 Canvas Update today feels surprisingly familiar.

Today, UU Lansing continues to face similar funding challenges. The difference is that recent pledge reports and received payments from last year show real progress. Together, they indicate that we can fund the priorities discussed at our most recent congregational meeting.

We still could use more. But we are no longer moving backward. We are holding steady—and in important ways, moving forward.

Just as in 2002, the future of the church rests in shared commitment. The dream of a vibrant liberal religious community remains possible because people still choose to believe in it.

UU Lansing Board of Trustees - Marcus Cheatham, Judith Rowell-Devaney, Regina Frye, Karl Paananen, Chris Clampitt, Jane Whittington, Ed Loomis, Kimi Riegel, Laurie Thomas, Theresa Putnam, 2002. (2008.0822)

Honoring a Pioneer for Women’s Rights

The January newsletter also announced plans to celebrate the birthday of Susan B. Anthony, connecting the congregation to the long history of women’s leadership and justice work lifted up in the Standing Before Us exhibit.

Then and Now

In January 2002, the women in Standing Before Us stood before the congregation as witnesses to courage, resilience, and faith.

More than two decades later, they still do—reminding us that change happens because people choose to stand up, speak out, and keep marching.

Share Your Memories

If you have photographs, documents, or memories connected to the early years of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing — including the 2002 exhibit “Standing Before Us: A Traveling Exhibition of the Lives and Works of Unitarian Universalist Women” — the archives would love to hear from you.

We are especially interested in any photographs of the exhibit or of related services and events. Personal recollections and images help bring these newsletters and names to life for today’s congregation.

You can share materials or comments by emailing uucgl.archives@gmail.com.

About Me

I’m a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing and serve as the volunteer archivist for our congregation. I’m retired from Michigan State University, where I worked in digital preservation and archives. I enjoy uncovering stories from church newsletters, board records, and local history sources to help connect our past with the present.

I also serve on the UU Lansing Stewardship Team and help with Building and Grounds.

Sources

The Liberal Express, Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing, January 22, 2002.
Order of Service, January 20, 2002, Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing.
Order of Service, January 27, 2002, Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing.
References to Standing Before Us: A Traveling Exhibition of the Lives and Works of Unitarian Universalist Women as noted in the January 2002 newsletter and worship services.

This piece was developed with research assistance and editorial support from ChatGPT.