Celebrant: Molly Smith
Accompaniment is the radical act of being with someone even when it is hard and you don’t know how things will turn out. With the increase in fascism across our country, our society often tells us to isolate, take care of our own first, and fear the other. However, our faith calls us to hold love at the center, to recognize everyone as family even if we’ve never met, and to support and follow the lead of those most impacted by systems of oppression. Join us to learn of the ways UUs are accompanying trans and gender expansive individuals and families, asylum seekers and others on the frontlines of building the beloved community.
Bio:
Heather Vickery (she/her) is the Coordinator for Congregational Activism at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and she supports UU congregations and other groups that want to do their justice work more effectively and faithfully. In both her paid and unpaid organizing work, she works deeply for trans and migrant liberation through the Pink Haven Coalition and the Community Accompaniment Program with Asylum Seekers. Heather is also an aspirant for UU ministry and a student at the Starr King School for the Ministry. When she is not working and organizing, you can find her and her rescue pup Nova hiking, gardening and cooking with their loved ones.
Welcome
Greeting and Announcements
Territorial Acknowledgement
Chalice Lighting and Sung Affirmation
Opening Words: We Arrive Here Together, by Andrew Pakula
Opening Hymn: #1017, Building a New Way
Time for All Ages
Reeb Benediction
Offertory
Candles of Joys and Sorrows
Readings: A series of quotes from the Star Wars Universe
Gift of Music
Homily: Sacred Solidarity: Accompaniment as Resistance
Closing Hymn: #407, We’re Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table
Closing Reading: Fitted for this Day, by Kimberly Quinn Johnson
Musical Benediction: There Is a Love
Embodying the Flame
Spoken Benediction
Topics: Perseverance