The Wall Came Down: A Glimpse at August 1975 in UU Lansing
By Ed Busch, Church Archivist
This week, I’m stepping away from annual reports and diving into another archival gem—the August 1975 UU Lansing newsletter, published 50 years ago. At the time, I had just graduated high school out in California and was preparing to head to Humboldt State University. Meanwhile, right here in Lansing, some of our current members were already part of our UU congregation—helping guide it through a pivotal year of change and resilience.
Setting the Stage: 1975 in Michigan and Beyond
August 1975 was a time of uncertainty and transition across the country—not just at UU Lansing. The United States was still reeling from the Vietnam War’s end just months earlier in April, and trust in government remained shaky in the aftermath of Watergate and President Nixon’s resignation the year before. Gerald Ford, Michigan's own native son, was serving as president, and the economy was strained by inflation, energy shortages, and unemployment. In Michigan, the auto industry was facing growing competition from Japanese imports, and environmental concerns were rising across the Great Lakes region.
A Congregation in Transition
Amidst this backdrop of national soul-searching and economic tension, UU Lansing was also navigating a transition of its own—without a settled minister but full of determination to move forward with intention and creativity.
In July 1974, Rev. Green resigned, and the church entered a period without a settled minister. Rather than retreat, the congregation stepped up. A dedicated Program Committee—led by Jackie Miller, Helen Weaver, and later Anita Wolfe—organized a wide variety of services, many of them lay-led or presented by visiting ministers. That church year, the congregation even chose a unifying theme for worship:
“How Can One Prepare for Life in a World Where There is No Longer an Abundance of Food, Water, and Other Resources?”
That question feels surprisingly current today and speaks to the thoughtful, forward-looking spirit of UU Lansing in the 1970s.
By the summer of 1975, with no permanent minister and a small but committed leadership team—Toni Miller (church president), Anita Wolfe (church executive), and Naomi Freiheit (Director of Religious Education)—the church continued to thrive. As is common in UU congregations, summer brought a lighter schedule and shorter newsletters, but the community energy remained strong.
The Wall Is Down!
The headline story that August was “The Wall is Down!” In the Grove Street building, a physical wall had once split the worship space in two. The minister would stand between both halves, able to see everyone, though the congregants themselves couldn’t see each other.
Rev. Green at the Dedication Service for the Grove St. building. The wall dividing the congregation can be seen to the right. (2007.0084)
That summer, workers took down the wall—a project that took about a week and a half. The newsletter called for more helpers to finish the cleanup in time for the new church year. As a fundraiser, the church sold bricks from the wall. Do any longtime members still have one of those historic bricks at home?
Church Calendar Highlights
· Thu, July 31 – Tri-County Bike Association Meeting
· Sat–Sun, August 2–3 – Humongous Yard Sale
· Sat, August 2 – Work Party
· Thu, August 14 – Committee Chairmen Meeting
· Sat, August 16 – Lamplighters Monthly Potluck
· Sat, August 23 – Lamplighters Steak Barbecue at Millie Cooper’s
(Learn more about the Lamplighters, our social group for single adults, in the Dec 5, 2024 blog post.)
Other newsletter content included a birth announcement for a grandchild and a welcome to a new building tenant—the Citizen Advocacy Program, which served developmentally disabled individuals. Their mission emphasized the role of compassionate, everyday citizens acting as personal advocates and friends in the community.
August Sunday Programming
· August 3 – The Place of Environmental Education in Public Schools, Einar Olstrom, MSU
· August 10 – Progress in Conservation of the Most Important Natural Resource, Russell G. Nill, MSU
· August 17 – Listen to the River, Fred Haskin, MI Dept. of Natural Resources
· August 24 – Economic Growth: An Essential Ingredient in the National Economy, John P. Kavanaugh, MI Dept. of Commerce
Humongous Yard and Bake Sale
The August 2–3 sale was a major event, offering everything from TVs and books to jewelry, clothing, plants, and knick-knacks. These kinds of fundraisers not only supported church operations, but also brought members together and strengthened UU Lansing’s community presence.
Flyer for the August 2-3 Yard Sale, 1975.
Looking Back to Look Forward
Reflecting on August 1975, I’m struck by how much determination and community-building was happening—even in the absence of a settled minister. From tearing down literal walls to welcoming new voices into the pulpit and the community, the spirit of UU Lansing was resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking.
If you were part of the congregation during that time—or if you have memories, photos, or stories to share—please reach out. I’d also love your ideas for future archival blog posts. You can reach me at uucgl.archives@gmail.com.
With editing support from ChatGPT AI.
Sources
1. Church Newsletter, August 1975
2. Busch, E., Beckman, S., & Schwarzweller, H. (2011). Dedicated Lives: 162 Years of Liberal Ministry and Its Ministers in Lansing, Michigan 1849–2011 (p. 152). Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing. Available on Amazon
About the Author
Hi, I’m Ed Busch, the writer behind these blog posts exploring the history of UU Lansing. After retiring in 2023 from a 15-year career as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections, I’m thrilled to dedicate my time to sharing our church’s rich history.
I hold a Master’s in Library and Information Science, specializing in archival administration, and my academic background also includes a degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. Before shifting to a career in archives, I worked across diverse fields, including fisheries, aerospace, and IT.
My wife, Leigh White, and I have been part of the UU Lansing community since the early 2000s and became members in 2006. I’ve been actively involved with the church archives since 2007, and both of our daughters enjoyed growing up in UU Lansing’s Religious Education (RE) program.
I look forward to connecting with you through these blog posts as we delve into the stories that have shaped UU Lansing over the years.