Celebrant: Trish Hartzell Our war dead are often said to have made the ultimate sacrifice, and they deserve to be honored for it. We also have people who are martyrs for peace and justice; their sacrifice is equally meaningful. In this service, we’ll reflect together on the nature of sacrifice, and what it will take … Continue reading Sacrifice and Peace
The Flower Ceremony is a unique Unitarian Universalist tradition that began in Hungary during World War II. Everyone is invited to bring a flower, which represents their unique gifts. We create a shared bouquet, and together celebrate the beauty of our collective presence. Welcome Greeting and Announcements Territorial Acknowledgement Chalice Lighting and Sung Affirmation Opening … Continue reading Intergenerational Flower Ceremony
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 … Continue reading Sacred Solidarity: Accompaniment as Resistance
Celebrant: Jen Elliott Centered on the poem by the brilliant Amanda Gorman, we will reflect together on the ways we have risen, are rising, and must continue to rise to defend and protect our precious planet. Greeting and Announcements Territorial Acknowledgement Chalice Lighting and Sung Affirmation Opening Words Opening Hymn: #163, For the Earth Forever Turning Time … Continue reading Earthrise
Celebrant: Mark Willis Medieval Christians proclaimed the ‘kingdom” of God, placing God, or the Divine, at the top of a hierarchy that also theorized that humans were more sacred than plants and animals, and men were more sacred than women. We are still suffering the consequences of this misguided idea. A more accurate reflection of … Continue reading Celebrating the Kin-dom
We are what we tell. Story defines us, our identities, our values, our dreams of what we seek. We are homo narrativus – humans that define our experiences and existence through the narratives we tell. So much can and must be said about our stories. While our stories and their act of telling necessary go … Continue reading Storytelling Our Humanity: Applications of an Ancient Art
Celebrant: Leanne Parker Join us for our annual Blessing of the Animals, a service celebrating the deep interconnection of all living beings. We will explore how every creature— human, furred, feathered, or scaled—holds a unique and sacred place in the great web of life. We invite your companions to join us in church for a … Continue reading Pet Blessing
Celebrant: Nancy Nelson Poetry and music can speak to people across boundaries, communicating ideas that can be too tender for conversation. What are songwriters and poets saying to us now? Songs by Will Fontaine and poetry will help us listen. Welcome Greeting and Announcements Territorial Acknowledgement Chalice Lighting and Sung Affirmation Opening Words Where have … Continue reading Poetry
Celebrant: Martha Schmidt On the 60th anniversary of his death, we’ll reflect on the story of the Rev. James Reeb, a Unitarian minister killed in Selma because of his participation in the Civil Rights Movement. How might his life inspire us to deeper commitment and greater courage? What lessons might we learn that can help … Continue reading Remembering James Reeb
In difficult times it can be tempting to turn inward, cling to what we have, and focus only on ourselves. However, this timeless fable reminds us that it’s precisely when we’re most desperate that we need to be generous and seek community. Come enjoy a hot meal and learn about the magic of collective abundance. … Continue reading Stone Soup Service
