Community Worship: Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel

Lakeside is excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Michigan Conference Minister of the United Church of Christ in East Lansing, Michigan, as Preacher of the Week July 30-Aug. 3. This week’s preacher is supported by the Charles & Susan Baker Family Endowment. 

Daniel will lead the 10:30 a.m. Chautauqua Community Worship Service on Sunday, July 30 in Hoover Auditorium.

Michael Shirtz and Nataliya Pshenychna, cellist from Ukraine, will provide gospel musical leadership during the service. Liturgy will be led by Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care. Worship music for the 2023 summer season is supported by James E. Beardsley and Doris F. Beardsley.

Following the opening prayer, children (ages 5-11) will proceed to Bradley Temple for Children’s Church with Chip Richter. There will be a message by Richter, songs, crafts, lemonade and cookies to share. Preschoolers are welcome if accompanied by an adult.  

Daniel is a preacher, teacher and writer who serves as the Michigan Conference Minister of the United Church of Christ in East Lansing. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, she has served at several urban congregations across the country, working to build vibrant community. Most recently, Daniel was the Senior Pastor for a historic urban church in Dubuque, Iowa.  

Featured in the New York Times and on PBS, Daniel’s writing is described as “biting, hilarious, pitch perfect, tender and often stunningly beautiful.” Her book, Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don’t Belong To, generated international conversation about the changing religious landscape.  

“The book is kind of for the person who in some ways is half in and half out of religion,” Daniel said in an interview. “They know it might be meaningful, but they don’t know how to make a case for it or tell a story about the religious life that does not sound obnoxious or judgmental.”  

It continues the theme of her book When ‘Spiritual but Not Religious’ is Not Enough about the growing number of people who claim “none” as their religious preference. 

Passionate about faith formation for both clergy and laity, Lillian Daniel currently teaches UCC History and Polity at Chicago Theological Seminary where she is also on the Board of Trustees. She has taught preaching at a number of schools, including Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Chicago, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and Yale Divinity School. 

Daniel has spoken at the National Cathedral, Duke Chapel, King’s College London and Queen’s College, Ontario.  

Join Daniel for Faith for Living Hour at 9 a.m. Monday-Thursday in Orchestra Hall. Daniel will give the sermon at Vespers by the Lake at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Steele Memorial Bandstand. 

Guests are welcome to attend Community Worship free of charge by requesting a complimentary Church Pass between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday; valid until 1 p.m. The pass includes admittance for guests and auto. This pass must be presented to the gate attendant upon departure. If the time allotted is exceeded, the guest(s) will be charged a fee. This pass does not include access to the Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus pool. Complimentary passes are available for all worship services and Faith for Living Hour.