Dear Ones,
Over the last years, it has been my great joy to lead this wonderful congregation as Pastor and to serve alongside you as we discerned our way forward together. This time with you has been so beautiful and rewarding and I will treasure the memories of this season of my life always. However, as I mentioned at Church Council after much prayer and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to step down as Pastor at the end of August.
There will be an ALL CHURCH MEETING on August16 to collaborate and prepare for First UCC’s next steps. I am deeply grateful for all our wonderful lay leaders (every one of you!). Please continue to hold this Leadership/Church Council in prayer as the future unfolds and please know that I will continue to pray for you and whatever unfolds. I thank you all for the love, tireless support, and grace you have shown me and Jack.
The peace of Christ be with you all,
Reverend Katie Dailey
My last Sunday will be the last Sunday of August. For those who have been in person of late, I hope you have loved the Genesis stories from Abraham to Joseph and the application to life. Again, from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of Jack; Thank you. For your trust, your partnership, your love, and the privilege of serving among you. You will remain in our prayers and in our hearts.
With deep gratitude,
KatieD+
Morning Reflections
Thursday Hello, 2026 July 9 Reflection
‘Remembering ‘
'Himself' is currently reading “Your Detroit Tigers – the Great, the Good, the Top 400” by Tom Gage with Alex Avila (thanks, McDonald Library). While I expect all of you know we are celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary, I am not sure how many know that the Detroit Tigers have been around for half of those years. Founded in 1901 (that’s why season ticket holders are called “The 1901 Society”), our MLB team is celebrating its 125th anniversary. This has prompted me to reflect upon my life.
Using a very specific metric, Gage lists the top 10 Tiger hitters of all time as 1) Ty Cobb, 2) Al Kaline, 3) Charlie Gehringer, 4) Lou Whitaker, 5) Alan Trammell, 6) Harry Heilmann, 7) Migel Cabrera, 8) Sam Crawford, 9) Hank Greenberg, and 10) Norm Cash. (Harry Heilman) died at the age of 56. How many did you root for during your lifetime? (Al Kaline’s career as a Tiger started the year 1952). That is a whole lot of history.
Using a different metric, the top 10 pitchers list is as follows: 1) Micky Lolich, 2) Justin Verlander, 3) Hal Newhouser, 4) Jack Morris, 5) George Mullin, 6) Hooks Dauss, 7) Tommy Bridges, 8) Dizzy Trout, 9) Wild Bill Donovan, and 10) Jim Bunning. Two of them (Mullin at 64 and Donovan at 47) left this earth kinda young. And himself admits that he had never before heard of Hooks or Wild Bill. However, three of the top four many of you long time MI residents saw pitch for our Tigers – and number 10 was a hero of many at Tiger Stadium (did you “followe him” all the way to the US Senate). Finally, overlapping Mr. Tiger’s career, Hal Newhouser’s last year as a Tiger was 1952.
At a recent funeral I found myself reflecting on the many times I have had the privilege of serving families in this regard over the years. In my first years of ministry I did the prayers at the visitation of some World War One veterans. Since then there have been vets from World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, and multiple other military actions. There was a time when I was visiting three different men in hospice – one a veteran from WW2, one from Korea, and one from Vietnam – and I was amazed at how similar their post-war trauma stories were. I also note that in every year since being in ministry in one form or another I have led prayers for at least one individual who was younger than me (an ever-present reminder of my mortality).
It’s more pleasant to reflect upon other “major life events” that have privileged me. I haven’t stayed in touch with all of the couples with whom I did pre-marriage work, but I know some are grandparents (I confess I am not sure about any being great-grandparents) … talk about feeling old! However, I must confess it puts a special smile on my face as I hear about their children - and grandchildren - growing up.
The privileged life we all are granted in our baptism is described by Peter this way: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2.9) One does not need to be in ministry for over 40 years or have lived for over 83 to have reflections like mine. Our privileges – like our gifts and our life stories – are all different, but equally real and equally blessed by our Lord and Savior Jesus.
The verse following the previous quote also is true for all of us. “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2.10) I love how the word “now” appears twice in this verse. The more consistently I am conscious of the constant grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus, the more free I am to truly enjoy life – no matter what it brings … This is my major reflection /research for today.
Friday, June 19: Prayer
Thursday, 2026 June 11th Reflection - 2nd after Pentecost/Mt 9:9-13, 18-26
On June 7, I shared about Abraham's call, and on June 14, it will be about Sarah's laugh. I know some prefer to hear about the Gospel so that is attached about the June 7 Gospel. I audio so you can be doing whatever as you listen. Pastor Katie
Saturday, 2026 May 23 - Memorial Day Greeting
Pastor's Reports to Council
Four Week Bible Study
Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures
Week 1:
- YouTube discussion
- Handout: Names of God
Week 2:
Week 3:
Pastor Katie’s Office Hours and Pastoral Care
If Pastor Katie is not in the office when you need pastoral care, please know that Pastor Katie is always glad to take your call or to arrange a day and time to meet with you.
Cell number: 586-202-8644
Home phone: 586-716-9543
Email: daileystory@gmail.com.
You can also call the office at 586-727-3155 and leave a message with Helen or on the answering machine. In the old days, hospitals and rehab/nursing facilities used to inform pastors when one of their flock was admitted. That doesn’t happen anymore, so please feel free to give us a call when needed.
Rev. Katie Dailey, Pastor
E-Mail: daileystory@gmail.com
Phone: CELL: 586-202-8644
Office hours:Pastor Katie is available before worship on Sundays from 9 - 10 am and then again
after worship from 11 am - 1 pm. She is also in on Wednesdays from 10 am until 2 pm.
OFFICE: 586-727-3155
Church E-Mail: firstunitedcc@outlook.com
OFFICE HOURS:
The secretary is in the office on Tuesdays, 8:30 am —12 noon and Fridays 8:30 am till 1 pm. If you need additional assistance at other times, please send Helen an email at firstunitedcc@outlook.com or leave a phone message at the church office: 586-727-3155.
Thank you.