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  • A tale of salvation, ecology, and sharing. Characters Narrator Noelle Voice in a dream Noelle’s sisters Jane, Rain, and Elaine Friendly farmer(s) Ship builder(s) Numerous animals: dogs, cats, mice, cows, horses, frogs, etc. Act 1 (Noelle at center stage, sitting, covered in blanket and appearing...
    Story | By Christian Schmidt | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Activism, Children's Sabbath, Christianity, Direct Experience, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Environment, God, Interdependence, Justice Sunday, Service, Water Communion
  • We ask blessings on this, our church home. May this building be a tool to continue the good work of our helping hands, our loving hearts, and open minds. May this home be safe harbor for all who sail upon the sea of Life, and a beacon of hope to those on rough waters....
    Blessing | By Jennifer Stokes | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Building/Space Dedication, Commitment, Community, Empathy, Generosity, Gratitude, Home, Responsibility, Reverence, Stewardship, Vision, WorshipWeb
  • "Why a flaming chalice?” the question comes. It’s the cup of life, we answer. A cup of blessings overflowing. A cup of water to quench our spirits’ thirst. A cup of wine for celebration and dedication. The flame of truth. The fire of purification. Oil for anointing, healing. Out of chaos,...
    Chalice Lighting | By Lisa Doege | January 22, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Anger, Anti-Oppression, Beliefs & Principles, Brokenness, Courage, Disaster or Crisis, Healing, Oppression, Solidarity, Sorrow, Tradition, Truth
  • Good Friend, your soul is within me now, And I hallow your spirit with my love. Our peace will come and goodwill shall be done, And we will learn that our Earth is our Heaven. This day and all days, I offer you My bread, my hand and my heart....
    Meditation | By David R Chapman | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christianity, Relationships, Reverence
  • I invite you to join me in a special ingathering ritual in which we will gather in energy and love from all directions. Your responsive call is the “Gathered Here” chant. Some of you will participate perhaps in a more metaphysical sense and for others your participation may be more metaphorical;...
    Opening | By Jane Altman Page | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Earth-Centered, Homecoming / Ingathering, Paganism, Water Communion
  • "Few of their children in the country learn English Unless the stream of their importation could be turned they will soon so outnumber us that all the advantages we have will not be able to preserve our Language, and even our Government will become precarious." Does this sound familiar? This...
    Sermon | By James (Jay) C Leach | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), Anti-Oppression, Globalism, Immigration, Oppression, Privilege, Immigration
  • Today we are recognizing those in the congregation who have recently retired or are about to retire. The transition from an active work life to retirement is an important life transition....
    Ritual | By Carol Hepokoski | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Aging, Direct Experience, Ending, Letting Go, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Respect, Work
  • In a world filled with the darkness of ignorance, let us bring the light of reason In a world filled with the darkness of despair, may we share the light of hope In a world filled with the darkness of hate, let us shine the light of love...
    Chalice Lighting | By Douglas John Traversa | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Compassion, Despair, Faith, Fear, Growth, Healing, Hope, Inclusion, Love, Reason
  • As we gather to celebrate In this time of beginnings In the season of birth and rebirth, We hear the heart beat of Mother Earth With the spring time comes the blossoming of the plants A time of exploration and creation And the emerging patterns of life We hear the heart beat of Mother Earth Let u...
    Reading | By Addae Ama Kraba | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
  • We come together this morning as celebrants, as seekers and companions. We enter into this, the longest day, joyfully, allowing ourselves the beauty of this time together in which we may rest our cares and sorrows, and allow our hearts and spirits to be uplifted....
    Opening | By B Leslie Koons | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Balance, Beauty, Earth, Presence, Searching, Summer Solstice
  • Every third Tuesday, I am a Buddhist I empty my mind and lighten my heart And try to let go of attachments Every other Friday, I am a Christian. I look for the least of these And try to love God and my neighbor The full moon of the month finds me Wiccan; I honor the dual nature of God And find my...
    Reading | By Joanna Fontaine Crawford | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Buddhism, Freedom, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Unitarian Universalism
  • The children being dedicated will take a walk around the sanctuary. Different church members and older children present in the pews will offer objects that will become a part of the child throughout the poem....
    Ritual | By Kate Howard | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Child Dedication, Children, Community, International, Joy, Parents, Responsibility, Unitarian Universalism
  • To those of you who are visitors here for the first time, thank you again for being with us. If you are lonely, here you will find a warm companionship....
    Welcome | By David R Chapman | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Connections, Direct Experience, Friendship, Home, Secular, Strength, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
  • To the God of our own understanding, the spirit with whom we commune this morning – we ask that our minds be open, our hearts welcoming, our arms embracing. We lift up those whose lives are touched by sadness, by illness, by worry, or by loneliness. May they find comfort, hope, and healing...
    Meditation | By Chrystal Hogan | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: God, Healing, Strength
  • Minister: Today, we welcome into our community these new members, who have chosen to make a commitment to this congregation by signing our Membership Book....
    Ritual | By Laura Randall | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Commitment, Community, Covenant, Identity, Living Our Faith, New Member Ceremony, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
  • In the spirit of love and compassion, let us pray. Spirit of Life, gods of many names, be in our hearts and minds as we come together today to pray for our world. We come today as people of privilege, grateful for this blessing, and hopeful for our future. Let us know that each from our own...
    Prayer | By Claudene (Deane) Oliva | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Interdependence, Seven Principles, Solidarity, Strength, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
  • We light our chalice this morning, grateful for the love that we experience in this beloved community. May the flame light the way for all who seek such abundance.
    Chalice Lighting | By Dawn Skjei Cooley | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Abundance, Caring, Commitment, Community, Gratitude, Inclusion, Journey, Love, Searching
  • The tale I am about to tell is a based on a true story. It is a tale woven from the stories of those who remember. It is a tale of wayward travels, a tale of the stranded tourist. Some of the people who recounted the events described it as a Happy Accident....
    Reading | By Carie J Johnsen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Connections, Hospitality, Inclusion
  • I believe music is god given Singing is an act of creation, of bringing into the world something that wasn't there before. Singing is a natural expression of my spirit—at the same time it can be soothing, energizing, crying, laughing, angelic or down in the dirt blues...it's all good! Singing is...
    Litany | By Carie J Johnsen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Arts & Music, Beauty, Direct Experience, Joy, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
  • Opening Prayer As we draw together this evening, let us pause for moment to remember the faces of the many women who have gathered in this space to build a house for <name>....
    Blessing | By Carie J Johnsen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Abundance, Building/Space Dedication, Community, Family, Grace, Gratitude, Home, Interdependence, Love, New Home, Sacred, Strength, Unitarian Universalism
  • Once a month we have an adult and a child lead a multigenerational part of the service called, “Living the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Principles.” The adult and child are chosen ahead of time so they can prepare the words they will say. We do a different principle every month, from October to...
    Ritual | By Karen J Hirsch | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Generations
  • Singing the Journey uses our Six Sources as organizing themes, as shown in the sections of the Table of Contents. “The Living Tradition we share draws from many sources,” so come with me now on a short spiritual romp through these six sections as I draw only from the song titles in each section...
    Reading | By Jaco ten Hove | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Playfulness, Reverence, Unitarian Universalism
  • Joy and grief Health and sickness Light and Darkness Peace and anger Life and death Wholeness and brokeness We each bring all of these here to this sanctuary of unity in diversity For this one hour of this one day And pour them out Commingling the oil of our lives To become the flame of this chal...
    Chalice Lighting | By Paul Stephan Dodenhoff | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Anger, Birth, Brokenness, Death, Diversity, Grief, Joy, Peace, Unity, Wholeness
  • May the truth that makes us free, and the hope that never dies, and the love that casts out all fear lead us forward together, 'till the day breaks, and the shadows flee away.
    Closing | By Anonymous | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Truth
  • To the blessings of this season, may our senses be alert and our hearts take heed, for in a busy and sometimes tragic world, beauty is often the comfort most sure. To the blessings of warm, accepting human relationship, may our hearts be open and our minds take heed, for in a lonely and sometimes...
    Meditation | By Ken Sawyer | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Beauty, Forgiveness, Friendship, Justice
  • Universal mystery, Guide us away from the desire to Shine light in all the corners. Teach us to embrace the night, For without the darkness, We never see the stars.
    Chalice Lighting | By Jennifer Gracen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Awe, Balance, Challenge, Courage, Discernment, Fear, Grace, Mystery, Shadow
  • All that we have ever loved And all that we have ever been Stands with us on the brink Of all that we aspire to create: A deeper peace, A larger love, A more embracing hope, A deeper joy in this life we share.
    Chalice Lighting | By Leslie Takahashi | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Creativity, Growth, Hope, Identity, Individualism, Joy, Love, Peace, Vision
  • Here find a house of welcoming Here find vision and hope Here be received as you truly are Unique and beautiful Your journey acknowledged Your love honored Let us rejoice together...
    Opening | By Orlanda R Brugnola | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Inclusion
  • Every day brings struggle, every day brings joy. Every day brings us the opportunity to ease the struggle of another, to be the joy in another's life. May this flame remind us to carry our light to each other and to the world.
    Chalice Lighting | By Vance Bass | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Caring, Community, Compassion, Covenant, Despair, Healing, Hope, Hospitality, Living Our Faith, Solidarity
  • We have not forgotten In nature we seek you In the whisper of wind In the new green wood Your presence is near We have not lost hope In the dust of the desert In the rush of the wave In the rise of the mountain Your presence is near We remember the cycle In the promise of blossoms In the dying...
    Meditation | By Julianne Lepp | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Earth-Centered, Presence
  • Little flame, Light the tender kindling of our souls... And soon a roaring blaze shall be Of warmth and love and community. From this little spark May a fire of passion spread from heart to heart, And light our way, sweet spirit. And light our way.
    Chalice Lighting | By Kathryn Estey | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Beginnings, Caring, Commitment, Community, Compassion, Growth, Inclusion, Journey, Playfulness
  • Out of our separate lives we come, to walk this path together for an hour or a day, for a week or a month or a series of months and years. For this space of time we travel together, making much or little or nothing at all of the fact that another walks beside us. We can keep our eyes cast down...
    Opening | By Eileen B Karpeles | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Connections, Love, Vulnerability
  • There was a young man who grew up in China. Everyone said that he was so calm and peaceful, he should become a monk. Not wanting to displease his family and friends by telling the truth, the young man let them think he was indeed peaceful and calm. Inside, however, the young man was filled with...
    Story | By Denise Tracy | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Body, History, Multiculturalism, Peace, Self-Care, Taoism, Multiculturalism
  • As part of my seminary training I spent a summer working as a hospital chaplain, assigned to the psychiatric floor. I found it to be deeply gratifying work, and I was able to build relationships with many of the patients. Some were long-term and others had a quick turnaround. Some were what we...
    Sermon | By Peter Friedrichs | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Calling, Identity, Meaning, Self-Respect, Unitarian Universalism
  • Today is the second of our three-part sermon series dedicated to Rev. Forrest Church. As I noted last week, Church spent nearly 30 years as the senior minister of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in New York City....
    Sermon | By Peter Friedrichs | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Limitations, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Purpose, Service, Unitarian Universalism
  • The storm outside echoes the storm raging within my soul. So many people in need… so much pain, so much grief. Too many causes and campaigns fill my mailboxes, sap my energy, beg for my money. Three things I must do...only three things? You've got to be kidding—which three do I choose? Books and...
    Meditation | By Jan Taddeo | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), Calling, Choice, Direct Experience, Listening, Peace, Power, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism
  • Reader 1: They teach us to read in black and white. Reader 2: Truth is this—the rest is false. Reader 3: You are whole—or broken. Reader 2: Who you love is acceptable—or not. Reader 1: My life tells its truth in many hues. Reader 2: We are taught to think in "either/or"s Reader 1: I believe...
    Reading | By Leslie Takahashi | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Diversity, Inclusion, Unity
  • With thankful hearts we have come together this morning to celebrate the bounty of the day, to bask in the warmth of this community, to share with friends the tides of our lives, to entertain, perennially, our hopes for a better future....
    Opening | By Alison Wohler | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Unity
  • There was a Mystery. She was a great Mystery. And nobody understood or appreciated her mainly because there was no one else around to appreciate or understand much of anything.
    Story | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Earth Day, God, Mystery, Playfulness
  • In this religious community we reach back into the past to honor those who came before us and those who have given much so that we may be here today. And we reach forward with hands of welcome to embrace those who have newly joined our Fellowship....
    Closing | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Connections, Direct Experience, Generations, Gratitude, New Member Ceremony, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
  • Spirit of Life and Love, We have gathered again out of our separateness to know that we are not alone. In our fears, we are not alone. In our grasping for peace, finding it in fleeting moments, and losing it again to some turmoil of the mind and heart, we are not alone....
    Meditation | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Peace, Unity, Wholeness
  • Opening words (by Tess Baumberger) Reader 1: There will be a brightness to this day Even if there be but cloud and rain outdoors. Reader 2: The brightness of this day comes from within, From this gladly gathered company....
    Ritual | By Tess Baumberger | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Beauty, Connections
  • Come, come to this place, whoever you are: Wanderer, worshipper, lover of learning, All seekers after what is true, All who seek a community of compassion & diversity Come, come to this place, whoever you are: Though you’ve broken your vows a thousand times And you’re too busy and you don’t...
    Opening | By Daniel Budd | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Hope, Inclusion
  • Great Spirit of Life, be with us now as we honor these, our young adults. By laying our hands on you, we infuse you with the power of our love. The many generations of families who have participated in the life of this congregation have left for you the legacy of their love and commitment. Those...
    Meditation | By Paul Langston-Daley | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Generations, Solidarity, Unity
  • Great Spirit of Life, be with us now as we witness these, our youth. By laying our hands on you, we infuse you with the power of our love. The many generations of families who have participated in the life of this congregation have left for you the legacy of their love and commitment....
    Meditation | By Paul Langston-Daley | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Generations, Solidarity, Unity, Youth/Teens
  • May love permeate your every heartbeat May faith guide your every step May truth and compassion be your Eternal travelling companions And may a deep, abiding Spirit rest joyously In your every waking wish And your every resting dream...
    Closing | By Becca Reynolds | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Compassion, Love, Peace
  • How clearly I remember it. My husband, Dan, and our daughter, Sarah, had spent the night in Taos, New Mexico. The next morning we set out for the pueblo, an ancient village inhabited by indigenous people known as the Pueblo. Clearly tourists, easily identified as European Americans, we were...
    Sermon | By Jan Carlsson-Bull | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), America, Anti-Oppression, Healing, History, Indigenous American, Indigenous Peoples Day, Race/Ethnicity, Secular, Anti-Oppression
  • We give thanks for the animals Who live close to nature, Who remind us of the sanctities of birth and death, Who do not trouble their lives with foreboding or grief, Who let go each moment as it passes, And accept each new one as it comes With serenity and grace....
    Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Acceptance, Animals, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Peace
  • If God is your strength and companion and prayer the means of centering your thoughts, There is room for you here. If the teachings of the Buddha give you clarity and calm in the midst of human striving, There is room for you here If Gaia’s seasonal rhythms lead you best through the myriad steps...
    Meditation | By Mary Edes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Buddhism, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Silence
  • Here we are gathered, Humanist, and Christian, Non-theist, Buddhist, and Jew, Pagan, and Seeker—a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Let us confess what we know to be true.We are quick to proclaim our faith, but slow to live the teachings of that faith as it has been handed down to us, across...
    Meditation | By Mary Edes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Forgiveness, Unitarian Universalism

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