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With four drastically different takes on spirituality – also known as the search for purpose – the September edition of MainStream is now available across Illinois and Iowa, in 475 distribution spots.

In case you’re counting …. that’s 175 more spots than last edition. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find in the new edition:

September 2025 edition of MainStream

Above, the September 2025 cover of MainStream features (l to r) Dennis Irwin of Galena United Methoidst Church; The Satanic Temple; Rev. Jin-Hee Kang of Galena United Methodist Church; the ReAlive Metaphysical Shop in Cedar Rapids’ Sonya Sanchez of Bloomington, Ill; and Lester Leavitt of Galena UMC and the Driftless Rivers Coalition.

 

  • How is “Grant’s Church” – also known as Galena United Methodist Church – uniting an LGBTQ welcoming reverend and message, with social justice, with a plan to offer inclusive weddings and a meeting space? Learn about how this church is melding its historical connections to former President Ulysses S. Grant with inclusiveness, self-sufficiency, and welcoming same-sex marriage.
  • Sonya Sanchez of Bloomington — and formerly of Pontiac and Waukegan — has had a long, challenging and often painful spiritual journey. Read about her early years growing up gay in a church environment that left her feeling condemned.
  • The Satanic Temple isn’t about Satan, and it doesn’t worship. Instead, it advocates through its seven tenets for compassion, empathy, inclusion, protection from religious extremism, and more.
  • For more than a decade, the late Korrina Dawson and her daughter Nicki Goodall have been a beacon for alternative spirituality, running ReAlive Metaphysical Shop and all of its soul-searching classes in Marion and Cedar Rapids. Read about how Nicki is continuing the traditions.
Grant's Church also known as Galena United Methodist Church

Above, the Galena United Methodist Church (soon to be known as Grant’s Church) is among the top features in the September 2025 edition of MainStream.

 

 

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Also featured in this edition:

  • Kerry West of Moline shares another chapter in her story about earning to thrive as a transgender woman living with HIV.
  • Allaina Humphreys, a graphic designer who owns Free Wheelin’ Design, created  this month’s amazing cover. She also showcases her unique photographic perspective as a quadriplegic, as the featured artist in this month’s Arts Centerspread.
  • Words matter when you’re talking about mental health – and especially about suicide prevention. Foundation 2 Crisis Services of Cedar Rapids offers timely guidance on how to use our words sensitively, during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and eveyr month.
  • The Green Wave offers the latest news on cannabis policy and research.
  • Find HIV-related events and fundraisers – plus briefs about HIV and STI news – in an information-packed “HIV And ….” section.
  • And as usual, you’ll find event highlights in both states, a special focus on spiritual events, the monthly Crossword Puzzle, and the Advertisers Directory.

For the 475 spots where you can pick up a free copy, or read one in-house, at this map: https://main-stream.org/find. You can also order home delivery at https://main-stream.org/order-print-edition.