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Displaying 1 - 50 of 177
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We come from many places—along different paths, bringing different truths.Chalice Lighting | By Pat Uribe-Lichty | March 31, 2024 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Diversity, Healing, Justice, Peace, Unity, Wholeness, WorshipWeb, Worship -
We gather this morning as one communityChalice Lighting | By Adam Slate | March 9, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Connections, Individualism, Unity, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Ultimately it will be the small things that unite us...Poetry | By Jennifer Pratt-Walter | March 7, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beauty, Compassion, Contemplation, Nature, Unity
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I didn’t know the human heart could hold so much love before I met this congregation.Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Community, Love, Salvation, Spiritual Practice, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
The only way we survive this modern agony is together.Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Brokenness, Community, Compassion, Connections, Globalism, Humanism, Mental Health, Unity
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Breathe in us, with us, and through us as we gather—one in community.Invocation | By Kristin Grassel Schmidt | September 22, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Earth-Centered, Judaism, Nature, Rosh Hashanah, Unity, WorshipWeb, Worship -
It is in gathering that we find our hope.Opening | By Pat Uribe-Lichty | March 24, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Hope, Interdependence, Solidarity, Unity -
Let us marvel at the miracle of being here, right now.Opening | By Tania Márquez | November 30, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Friendship, Gratitude, Joy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Wonder, WorshipWeb, Worship -
We gather together....Opening | By Michelle LaGrave | November 18, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Community, Inclusion, Interdependence, Unity, WorshipWeb, Worship -
We are one, a diverse group of proudly kindred spirits, here not by coincidence but because we choose to journey together.Affirmation | By Hope Johnson | February 3, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Community, Humanism, Relationships, Seven Principles, Unity, WorshipWeb, Worship -
We all honor the Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Compassion, the Spirit of Justice, the Spirit of LovePrayer | By Lindasusan Ulrich | January 15, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beauty, Earth, Earth-Centered, Interfaith, Nature, Unity, WorshipWeb, Worship -
God, teach us to consider also how others experience the world. To understand how my reality and their reality are different and yet they share qualities of the same core desire. Teach us to listen for shared feelings, for places of connection. Teach us to be curious and open to hearing differences.Prayer | By Tanya Cothran | September 11, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Christianity, Compassion, Direct Experience, Empathy, God, Healing, Imagination, Immanence, Love, Unity, Vulnerability -
God of Many Names, Mystery Beyond All Our Naming – Lift us above the divisions, Move us beyond inaction, And heal us that we may know our wholeness, within and together. As we emerge from this week’s election, A time of regrouping, of celebration and despair, let us continue on. May the...Prayer | By Beth Dana | January 16, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Challenge, Commitment, Compromise, Courage, Empathy, Reconciliation, Transcendence, Unity -
We all know loss and pain. Let none of it divide us. In the rising sun today Let us do together what we cannot do alone: Roll away the stones that close our hearts.Closing | By Joel Miller | December 21, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Easter, Love, Pain, Unity, Wholeness
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Voice One, Elder (with chalice): Across the generations we have carried the flame. We fought the injustice, sang the songs, spoke for truth, and built something lasting. We join in the line and we carry the flame forward. (pass chalice and mic to next speaker) Voice Two, Active Leader (with metal...Chalice Lighting | By Douglas Taylor | December 7, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Bridging, Bridging Ceremony, Building/Space Dedication, Coming of Age, Coming-of-Age, Commitment, Faith, Family, Generations, Justice, Leadership, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
In the unity of the spirit, in the sanctity of this gathering, let us quiet ourselves as we settle into a meditative moment, a time when we can each listen to that still, small voice within. All our souls speak to us, if we trust ourselves to hear them. What do they tell us this day, in this very...Meditation | By Kelly Murphy Mason | October 27, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Contemplation, Direct Experience, God, Immanence, Presence, Unity -
This is a prayer for when words fail, for when they are not big enough or small enough to slip into the little cracks left in our hearts by life’s unbearable pressures....Prayer | By Leslie Takahashi | July 17, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Challenge, Community, Disaster or Crisis, Fear, Hope, Power, Suffering, Transcendence, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
May the flame of this chalice, the symbol of our faith, connect us to all who have come before us, all who are with us in body and and spirit, and all who are yet to come into being. May it serve as a reminder of our unity and connection across all time and space.Chalice Lighting | By Katie Romano Griffin | March 15, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Generations, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Come, let us enter this space of hope and community. Come, let us enter this space with our sorrows, our joys, our passion and compassion. Come. let us enter this space with the stories of our ancestors, for their strength and wisdom beats in our hearts....Opening | By Katie Romano Griffin | March 15, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Community, Community Ministry Sunday, Connections, Generations, History, Homecoming / Ingathering, Humanism, Interdependence, New Member Ceremony, Purpose, Scout Sunday, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Vision, Water Communion -
To offer hospitality, we first have to identify ourselves — sometimes in inconvenient or uncomfortable ways — as helpers; as willing to offer kindness or connection to someone we might disagree with.Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | March 7, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Abundance, Acceptance, Connections, Direct Experience, Diversity, Generosity, Hospitality, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Hallelujah! is a dangerous word, especially in the mouths of the creatively maladjusted.* Hallelujah! is a dangerous word, for it comes always with an exclamation point. Hallelujah!...Reading | By Marcia McFee | March 4, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Commitment, Connections, Direct Experience, Joy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Our communities of memory and promise are founded upon covenants because we all need a defense against the impulse of immediate feelings that challenge our best intentions. It is necessary to be reminded from time to time of what you said you were going to do, and what you really want, over and...Reading | By Kendyl L. R. Gibbons | February 21, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Building/Space Dedication, Business Meetings, Commitment, Community, Connections, Covenant, Homecoming / Ingathering, Installations, Integrity, Interdependence, Living Our Faith, Ordinations, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
“We are all broken by something. We have all hurt someone and have been hurt. We all share the condition of brokenness even if our brokenness is not equivalent. The ways in which I have been hurt—and have hurt others—are different from the ways [others have] suffered and caused suffering. But...Quote | By Bryan Stevenson | February 8, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Brokenness, Connections, Direct Experience, Healing, Humanism, Interdependence, Secular, Unity -
I do not wish to breathe another breath if it is not shared with others. The breath of life is not mine alone. I brought myself to be with you, hoping that by inhaling the compassion, the courage, the hope found here, I can exhale the fear, the selfishness, the separateness I keep so close to my...Affirmation | By Kristen L. Harper | August 22, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Body, Direct Experience, Humanism, Interdependence, Intimacy, Relationships, Reverence, Secular, Unity -
We gather with a hunger for reconciliation. What is done cannot be undone. What is done next must now be done with care. We gather because we are hopeful, Because we have visions and dreams of a brighter future. That there may be more than vision in this room, These are the wounds we must heal...Prayer | By Anne Barker | August 22, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Beginnings, Community, Forgiveness, Healing, Indigenous Peoples Day, Listening, Peace, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
When the angel Gabriel brought to Mary the news that she would give birth to a son, Luke records that “she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” The angel said to Mary, [response:] Do not be afraid. When an angel appeared before the shepherds living...Responsive Reading | By Andrew Millard | August 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Christianity, Community, Despair, Direct Experience, Faith, Fear, Hope, Solidarity, Tradition, Unity -
Leader: We know that hurt moves through the world, perpetrated by action, inaction, and indifference. Our values call us to live in the reality of the heartbreak of our world, remembering that: Congregation: “No one is outside the circle of love.” L: We who are Unitarian Universalist not only...Litany | By Erika Hewitt, Susan Frederick-Gray | August 6, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Acceptance, Community, Compassion, Living Our Faith, Love, Salvation, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Universalism -
As we create and share sacred space together, let us reflect upon what brings us here. We have all come here for different reasons, from different decisions, faced different challenges and shared different love. And yet all of our differences have led us to this space, right here, right now. Some...Opening | By Ella Boyer | July 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Awe, Diversity, Generations, Love, Purpose, Transcendence, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Humanism… is primarily about who we are connected to, what we think about each other, and how we work for justice in the world. No matter what else they believe, Humanists insist on the inherent worth of every person....Reading | By Amanda Poppei | April 20, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Acceptance, Belief, Humanism, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism, Unity -
Unitarian Universalist minister Rev. Theresa Soto writes, "All of us need all of us to make it." I want you to get used to those words; make them your prayer. All of us need all of us to make it. This is why Unitarian Universalists support the Black Lives Matter movement. Please take a moment to...Litany | By Megan Foley, Julián Jamaica Soto | April 1, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Anti-Oppression, Commitment, Direct Experience, Humanism, Interdependence, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Salvation, Secular, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Vulnerability -
Here is where we gather in the presence of the Sacred. Here is where we gather to experience the Holy Here is where, together, we face the unanswerable questions and acknowledge that not knowing is as sublime as it is frustrating....Opening | By Patricia Shelden | February 27, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Community, Direct Experience, Diversity, Sacred, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
"What we need is here" is a perfect, simple song by Episcopalian priest Rev. Amy McCreath. Its five words are the closing sentence of a Wendell Berry poem, "The Wild Geese," which inspired Amy to write this tune....Music | By Amy McCreath | February 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Arts & Music, Community, Direct Experience, Faith, Humanism, Living Our Faith, Power, Presence, Purpose, Self-Respect, Solidarity, Unity -
Out of the darkness, light. Out of the light, warmth. Out of the warmth, joy. Out of the joy, togetherness. May this flame hold us for the time we are here with one another.Chalice Lighting | By Ben Soule | February 7, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Community, Connections, Joy, Presence, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
How does it happen? this transformation....Opening | By Everett Howe | February 1, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Business Meetings, Community, Direct Experience, Humanism, Inclusion, Interdependence, Sacred, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
“Suddenly summoned to witness something great and horrendous, we kept fighting not to reduce it to our own smallness.” —John Updike, “Tuesday, and After,” The New Yorker, September 24, 2001 We sat on the back steps watching transfixed as hundreds of rust-red spiders, big as thumbs, dropped...Reflection | By Teresa Honey Youngblood | January 18, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Balance, Brokenness, Courage, Despair, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Hope, Nature, Solidarity, Unity, Violence -
There are two questions that [a person] must ask [themselves]. The first is "Where am I going?" and the second is "Who will go with me?" If you ever get these questions in the wrong order, you are in trouble. source: Fire in the Belly by Sam Keen, p. 12.Quote | By Howard Thurman | January 3, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Compromise, Direct Experience, Discernment, Ethics, Humanism, Interdependence, Journey, Leadership, Listening, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Purpose, Secular, Unity, Vision -
May we see all as it is, and may it all be as we see it. May we be the ones to make it as it should be, For if not us, who? If not now, when?...Closing | By Andrea Hawkins-Kamper | December 8, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Anti-Oppression, Calling, Conscience, Human Rights, Humanism, Inclusion, Justice, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unity -
Loving and Transforming Grace, Source of creation who some know as God -- Be with us now. We have endured the hard night of struggle for our nation’s soul for lo these many months, and find ourselves looking inward, to each other, to all fonts of wisdom, for guidance....Prayer | By Deborah Weiner | November 28, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), 6th Principle (World Community), America, Brokenness, Democracy, Despair, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
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Our first breath is followed by our first song Lusty, loud and primal A solo that announces to the world, “I have arrived!” We are the music. As toddlers hearing our first reggae beat We let our spines and hips bend and sway in response As natural as the beat of our hearts We are the music. The...Reading | By Renee Ruchotzke | November 12, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Arts & Music, Direct Experience, Humanism, Music Sunday, Secular, Unity -
How is it with your soul? This is the question that John Wesley, Anglican priest and the founder of Methodism, was known to ask of participants in small reflection groups. I ask you because, for me, this has been a hard week. So, beloveds, how is it with your souls?...Affirmation | By Ashley Horan | November 9, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Community, Despair, Direct Experience, Disaster or Crisis, Hope, Interdependence, Self-Care, Self-Respect, Spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Spirit of Life and Love, In this time of uncertainty Of fear and angst Our nation holds its collective breath In this time When rhetoric blusters about And words are used as weapons Our nation clenches its fists Tightens its shoulders Eyes squeezed shut Some are preparing for a fight May we remem...Prayer | By Sara Eileen LaWall | November 7, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: America, Democracy, Diversity, Interdependence, Unity -
The circle of the chalice helps keep the fire small.Chalice Lighting | By Elizabeth Harding | October 27, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Generations, Identity, Spiritual Practice, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
This reading is an excerpt of the sermon delivered by Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd on Sunday morning at General Assembly 2016. For as long as two or more have gathered in the name of the spirit, those two or more have fought some fake fights. You remember, perhaps, the classic wedding reading from...Reading | By Nancy McDonald Ladd | October 19, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anger, Christianity, Community, Compromise, Conflict, Conscience, Purpose, Relationships, Secular, Self-Respect, Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Wholeness -
Spirit of Wisdom, As we prepare to elect new citizens to lead us, in our communities, town and cities, in our counties, states, and our heart-torn nation, grant us wisdom and discernment so that we may choose those of peaceful heart, of competent mind and of servant spirit. Spirit of the Harvest,...Prayer | By Tess Baumberger | October 6, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), America, Community, Democracy, Discernment, Leadership, Secular, Unity, Wisdom -
We know that our financial contributions to this congregation come from sacrifice and hard work. We are so grateful for this, and commit together to ensure the funds we gather collectively do a greater good for ourselves and our world than they could have done alone. May there be an offering to...Offering | By Kayla Parker | September 25, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Gratitude, Responsibility, Stewardship, Unity, Vision -
My friends, when you go from here know that our hearts are always in a holy place, for we are always connected to one another. Know that deep down, our hearts beat in one universal rhythm. May we each find the sacred space to hear it.Benediction | By Israel Buffardi | September 22, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Arts & Music, Community, Connections, Love, Music Sunday, Sacred, Unity, Valentine's Day
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"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." —Rumi ...Reflection | By Robin Tanner | September 14, 2016 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), Community, Direct Experience, Diversity, Division, Humanism, Secular, Unity -
There's my temple! Believer, unbeliever or wild one. You are welcome! We have no definition of who we are but human. We have no code but that of respect. We have no creed but that of equality. There's my temple! Identity-seeker, sinner, stateless or not. You are welcome! We have no constraints on...Affirmation | By Ma Theresa "Tet" Gustilo Gallardo | August 11, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Community, Covenant, Inclusion, Truth, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Note: these words were written for a Sunday following a significant national tragedy Far too often, we are forced to confront the terrible things that people can do to each other. When these things happen, all we can do is come together in places like this church to remind ourselves that there is...Offering | By Elena Westbrook | August 8, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Brokenness, Community, Disaster or Crisis, Purpose, Secular, Solidarity, Trauma, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
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Do not be alone right now. Gather together. Gathering together grows courage: in ourselves and in others who see the numbers swelling. It is a small thing, but right now it is an important thing....Affirmation | By Karen G. Johnston | August 1, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Community, Direct Experience, Justice, Power, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Purpose, Responsibility, Solidarity, Unity