EVENT: B2016 0624 SYNERGY BRIDGING WORSHIP 0730PM EST CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: HEARING INK http://www.hearingink.com PHONE: 314‑427‑1113 **********DISCLAIMER********** THE FOLLOWING IS AN UNEDITED ROUGH DRAFT TRANSLATION FROM THE CART CAPTIONER'S OUTPUT FILE. THIS TRANSCRIPT IS NOT VERBATIM AND HAS NOT BEEN PROOFREAD. TO DO SO IS AN EXTRA FEE. THIS FILE MAY CONTAIN ERRORS. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE SPEAKER(S) FOR ANY CLARIFICATION. THIS TRANSCRIPT MAY NOT BE COPIED OR DISSEMINATED TO ANYONE UNLESS YOU OBTAIN WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IS PROVIDING CART CAPTIONING TO YOU; FINALLY, THIS TRANSCRIPT MAY NOT BE USED IN A COURT OF LAW. **********DISCLAIMER********** [SINGING] [APPLAUSE] >> WELCOME, FRIENDS, TO SYNERGY 2,016TH. WHAT A WONDERFUL EVENING FOR A SERVICE LIKE WITH SO MANY INCREDIBLE PEOPLE. >> YOU'VE MADE IT, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT'S AHEAD. I KNOW THAT THIS TRANSITION CAN SEEM A LITTLE SCARY, BUT HEY, WE ONLY HAVE MORE ADVENTURES AHEAD OF US. RIGHT? >> AND DON'T WORRY. US YOUNG ADULTS ARE SO EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU INTO A NEW HOME AND COMMUNITY. WE MIGHT ONLY BE YOUTH FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER, THEN THE LAST MOMENTS BEFORE CROSSING THE APPROXIMATE PET AN FOR I CAL BRIDGE AND THE INTO THE NEXT PART OF WHERE OUR FAITH WILL TAKE US. I THINK WE SHOULD CELEBRATE. DON'T YOU AGREE? [APPLAUSE] AND THIS CELEBRATION WOULDN'T BE HALF AS WONDERFUL AS IT IS IF IT WEREN'T FOR ALL THE AWESOME AND TALENTED PEOPLE INVOLVED. WE'RE SO VERY THANKFUL FOR THEM. >> TO OUR VISITING MUSICIANS FROM SANCTUARIES DC, WEST HER TYSON AND PAT HUMPHRIES IF SHE'S THERE. TO ALL OUR WORSHIP SERVICE PARTICIPANTS. TO OUR BRIDGERS AND TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS BELOVED UU COMMUNITY WHO IS HERE TO CELEBRATE WITH US TONIGHT. WE SAY THANK YOU. >> IN A TIME OF CHANGE, LET US BAND TOGETHER. LET US TAKE THE JOURNEY. LET THE FLAME BRIGHTEN THE PATH. LET THE WARMTH KISS OUR CHEEKS. LET THE DANCING LIGHTEN COURAGE US TO VENTURE AND THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE STAND GIVE US THE MEANS TO DO SO. NOW, WITH WE WELCOME THREE LEADERS OF THE SANCTUARIES, A RACIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY DIVERSE ARTS THE COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. FOUNDED BY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST MINISTER REVEREND ERIK MARTINEZ RESLY. [APPLAUSE] >> AT THE SANCTUARIES, WE OFTEN SAY THAT THE PROCESS IS THE POINT. WHEN WE'RE MAKING ART, THERE'S OFTENTIMES SO MUCH PRESSURE TO CREATE THE PERFECT PRODUCT, BE BUT BELIEVE THAT THE PROCESS OF CREATION IS EQUALLY, IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT. THIS NEXT SONG, ENTITLED HUMAN, WAS COMPOSED BY FOUR OF OUR ARTISTS LAST SUMMER. IT COMBINES AN ORIGINAL POEM WRITTEN BY ONE OF OUR ARTISTS WHO COULDN'T BE HERE THIS EVENING, JOCELYN FONG, WITH A TAMIL POEM WRITTEN BY THE 20TH CENTURY POET AND INDIAN INDEPENDENCE ACTIVIST, SUBRAMANIA BHARATI. >> [SINGING] >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> GROWING UP IN FLORIDA, I SAW AND FACED A LOT HATRED AND IGNORANCE, ON THE ONLY PLACE I FELT I COULD HAVE RELATE‑ABLE, DEEP CONVERSATIONS WAS WITH MY PEERS AT MY CHURCH. WHEN I WENT TO BOSTON FOR THE MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP SCHOOL, NOW KNOWN AS THE THRIVE PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, I SPENT ONLY FIVE DAYS WITH A GROUP OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS OF COLOR, YET IT FELT LIKE WE HAD KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR YEARS. THE UU YOUTH COMMUNITY IS JUST THAT, A COMMUNITY. AMONG UU YOUTH, BONDS ARE EASILY ESTABLISHED AND DIFFICULT TO BREAK. >> THE UU YOUNG ADULT COMMUNITY IS ALSO STRONG. WE HAVE BOUNDLESS COMPASSION AND CREATIVITY. NO LONGER YOUTH, WE HAVE AUTONOMY, MATURITY, AND AN ENDLESS HORIZON OF OPPORTUNITIES. NOT FULLY GROWN, WE HAVE PASSION, INNOVATION, AND THE ENERGY TO FULFILL OUR DREAMS. I WAS WELL SUPPORTED AT MY HOME CONGREGATION IN MADISON, WISCONSIN, AS A YOUTH. BUT ATTEMPTING TO BRIDGE THE TRANSITION TO A YOUNG ADULTHOOD IN A NEW COMMUNITY WAS LONELY. I HAD BEEN PAINTING IN THE UU YOUTH PROGRAMS FOR YEARS AND FELT I AVOID THERE ONCE I WAS ON MY OWN. >> I'M AT A CROSSROADS IN MY LIFE AND I STILL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN. I'M GOING TO COLLEGE. I'M LEAVING FOR A COMPLETELY NEW ENVIRONMENT AND I HAVE MANY HOPES THAT THE UU COMMUNITY WILL HELP ME ALLEVIATE MY FEARS AND GUIDE ME THROUGH THIS CONFUSING TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN I BRIDGE NEXT YEAR. >> BECOMING A YOUNG ADULT ISN'T EASY. TRANSITIONS CAN BE LONELY AND REQUIRE A STABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM. TO FOLLOW OUR FAITH THROUGH THIS TRANSITION, IT HELPS TO FIND MENTORS, ROLE MODELS, COWORKERS, NEW FRIENDS, AND CHOSEN FAMILY. WHEN I WENT AWAY TO COLLEGE, I FELT LOST AND WITHOUT SUPPORT. MY COMMUNITY MINISTER WAS ALWAYS THERE TO LISTEN AND GUIDE ME THROUGH THAT TRYING PERIOD. SHE TOOK ME IN, DROVE ME TO THE LOCAL CONGREGATIONS ON SUNDAY MORNINGS, CHECKED IN ON ME PERIODICALLY, GOT EXCITED ABOUT MY FIRST COLLEGE BOYFRIEND, SUPPORTED ME THROUGH DIFFICULT DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, SHE WAS THE MENTOR THAT I WAS MISSING. I LEARNED THAT I COULD ALWAYS FIND A HOME IN A FELLOW UU, EVEN IF I'M THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY FROM MY CHILDHOOD HOME. >> I KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHERE I GO, THERE WILL BE SOMEONE WHO SHARES MY FAITH AND FOLLOWS THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES AS I DO, ALTHOUGH MOST LIKELY IN A DIFFERENT WAY. I ALWAYS FEEL THE UU COMMUNITY SUPPORTS ME THROUGH THE REASSURANCE THAT IT ACCEPTS ME FOR WHO I AM, AND NO MATTER WHERE I GO, I HAVE COMMUNITY, NO, A FAMILY TO GO TO. >> THAT FAMILY HAS TO INCLUDE ALL AGES. OLDER ADULTS TEND TO LEAVE CHANGE‑MAKING TO US. TO SOME DEGREE, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING THEM BACK TO THE PASSION AND POWER THEY FELT WHEN THEY WERE OUR AGE. [APPLAUSE] ON THE OTHER HAND, THEIR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE WILL AID US IN ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE WERE >> WHAT I WANT FROM THE LARGER UU COMMUNITY ADDRESSES THE LARGER ISSUE OF DIVERSITY. IT TOOK ME YEARS TO MEET UU YOUTH OF COLOR MY AGE THAT I COULD CONNECT WITH OVER ISSUES THAT ONLY UU YOUTH OF COLOR COULD UNDERSTAND. ISSUES WITHIN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM AND ISSUES THAT SOMEONE LIKE ME FACES ON A DAILY BASIS, ALL BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF MY SKIN AND THE CULTURE I GREW UP WITH. THERE IS SO MUCH THE UU COMMUNITY DOES RIGHT, AND WITH A MORE DIVERSE BASE, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH MORE OF WHAT WE WANT TO. IT JUST STARTS WITH ONE STEP. >> EACH OF US ‑‑ YOU CAN CLAP. [APPLAUSE] EACH OF US HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN TRANSFORMING OUR FAITH FOR THE BETTER. AS A YOUNG ADULT, I COMMIT TO DOING MY PART TO WELCOME IN NEW BRIDGERS. TO MAKE OUR FAITH EVEN MORE MULTICULTURAL AND MULTIGENERATIONAL. WE NEED ADULTS OF ALL AGES TO JOIN WITH US. WE JUST ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT, BUT DON'T STIFLE, THE INCREDIBLE GROWTH AHEAD FOR ALL OF US. [APPLAUSE] >> BUILDINGS BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR DIVISIONS. BUILDING BRIDGES. HOW HARD IT IS TO MAKE THINGS. MY HANDS RAW. MY PALMS SOAKED IN SWEAT. TREMBLING WITH THE WEIGHT OF NOT KNOWING WHETHER I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD A BRIDGE. NOT KNOWING WHETHER I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD A BRIDGE BETWEEN MY COMFORT AND YOUR DIFFERENCE. BETWEEN YOUR COMFORT AND MY DIFFERENCE. BECAUSE LET'S BE REAL HERE FOR A SECOND. IT IS EASY TO SPEAK OF RECONCILIATION. IT IS EASY TO SPEAK OF HEALING, BUT DEEP IN MY BONES, I MUST CONFESS, THERE ARE TIMES I WOULD RATHER US STAY DIVIDED THAN RISK THE WOUNDS OF CHANGE. BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR DIVISIONS. BUILDINGS BRIDGES. >> NOW CHECK THIS OUT. WHEN I MOVED TO DC, THE 11TH STREET BRIDGE WAS ALMOST COMPLETE IN THE SOUTHEAST QUADRANT. NOW, WE CALL THAT THE SOUTH SIDE. THIS CONNECTS THE FAMOUS CAPITOL HILL TO THE NOTORIOUS ANACOSTIA NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE NOBODY WANTS TO GO. WHAT A WAY TO CONNECT THE TWO SPACES. WELL, FOR SOME, THAT IS. OTHERS SEE NEW NIGHTMARES AS THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS DISAPPEAR RAPIDLY. STRANGERS FROM EVERYWHERE BUT THE CITY NOW ENGULF DC NATIVES. ONE NOTING HOW THE NEW NEIGHBORS SPEAK TO THEIR DOGS, BUT NEVER TO HER. THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT, BUT NOW WE'RE EVEN MORE DIVIDED, IT SEEMS, AS WELL‑TO‑DO NEWCOMERS ARE JUXTAPOSED WITH VICTIMS OF POVERTY. THE IRONY. BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN YOUR DIVISIONS. BUILDING BRIDGES. >> WHAT IF YOUR DIFFERENCES WERE THE NOT DIVISIONS. WHAT IF YOUR DIFFERENCES WERE NOT DIVISIONS, BUT RATHER INVITATIONS TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD IN A NEW WAY. NOT TO BECOME SOMEONE ELSE, BUT RATHER TO BE WITH SOMEONE ELSE. A WITNESS TO THEIR STORY, A CHAMPION OF THEIR VOICE, A FRIEND IN THEIR SEASONS OF STRUGGLE WHEN ALL ELSE IS LOST, AND YET SO MUCH CAN BE FOUND JUST BEYOND OUR COMFORT, JUST BEYOND OUR SELF‑DOUBT, JUST BEYOND OUR OWN GUILT. JUST BEYOND ALL THOSE PETTY ARGUMENTS AND OPINIONS THAT STIFLE WHO WE ARE. JUST BEYOND THE WORDS THAT CLOG UP MY MOUTH. BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR DIVISIONS. BUILDING BRIDGES. >> NOW LOOK, CALL ME CRAZY, BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME WAY TO CONNECT THE DOTS. I MEAN, MAYBE NOT IN SOME PHYSICAL WAY, BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING THAT, BUT PERHAPS IN A METAPHYSICAL WAY. I MEAN, COMMUNITY ISN'T MUCH OF A COMMUNITY WITHOUT THE UNITY. MY HIGHEST HOPE IS THAT WE CAN BRIDGE THESE GAPS WITH MORE ACTION AND LESS LIPS THAT JUST FLAP. WE TALK ABOUT THE CHANGE, YET WE SELDOM EVER SEE IT. I LOOK AROUND DC EVERY DAY. UNTIL NOW, THAT IS. I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IT, THE CHANGE WHICH I WANT TO SEE. DO YOU BELIEVE IT? REALLY, I MEAN, IF GIVEN THE CHANCE TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH, HOW FAR WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO REACH? BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR DIVISIONS. BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR DIVISIONS. [APPLAUSE] [SINGING] [APPLAUSE] >> MY NAME IS KATE WALKER. I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS THE MINISTER OF THE MOUNT VERNON UNITARIAN CHURCH IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA. I ALSO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING ON THE GRANT COMMITTEE FOR THE KATIE TYSON FUND. THE KATIE TYSON FUND FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS THAT HIS STARTED TO HONOR AN EXTRAORDINARY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST WHO GREW UP IN MY CHURCH. KATIE WAS TRAGICALLY KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN COLORADO IN JULY OF 2009 SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING GENERAL ASSEMBLY. SINCE 2009, THE FUND THAT WAS CREATED TO HONOR HER HAS GROWN TO OVER $100,000 AND HELPS COVER COSTS TO ATTEND MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP TRAININGS, AND SUPPORT SPECIAL PROJECTS IN INNER CITY NEIGHBORHOODS. LAST YEAR, THE FUND COVERED MOST OF THE TRAVEL COST TO SEND 20 YOUTH TO SUMMER SEMINARY IN DENVER, WHICH INSPIRING UU YOUTH GOT TO TASTE WHAT MINISTRY IS ALL ABOUT IN AN INTENSIVE WEEK OF CLASSES AND PREACHING. THIS YEAR, THE FUND WILL HELP PAY FOR ANOTHER 25 YOUTH TO ATTEND SUMMER SEMINARY IN BERKLEY. THE KATIE TYSON FUND HAS ALSO BEEN PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND GA, INCLUDING THIS ONE. NEW THIS YEAR, THE FUND WILL SUPPORT A CRITICAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CALLED MEANING MAKERS FOR EMERGING ADULTS AGES 18 TO 24. THE PROGRAM FEATURES IN‑PERSON RETREATS, VIRTUAL SMALL GROUP MINISTRY AND MENTORING, WHERE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INVITED TO EXPLORE THE CENTRAL QUESTIONS OF WHO AM I AND HOW CAN I LIVE MY UU FAITH IN THIS WORLD? NOW, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO CAS BURR WHO ATTENDED SUMMER SEMINARY JUST LAST SUMMER. >> FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO THANK KATE. SUMMER SEMINARY WAS INCREDIBLE. I LEARNED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO GO INTO A RELIGIOUS PROFESSION AND THE BOND THAT I FORMED WITH MANY. ANY FELLOW SEMINARIANS WILL LAST ME FOREVER. I TOOK A LOT AWAY FROM THE SESSIONS THAT WERE HELD REGULARLY, AND IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE COUNTRY TO CERTAIN FROM PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALS EVERY DAY THAT I WAS THERE. THE SPACE WAS TRULY UNIQUE IN THAT I HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE I WAS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE ON MY AGE WANTING TO LEARN WHAT A CAREER IN RELIGION ENTAILS. ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS FROM THE SUMMER SEMINARY WAS THE WORSHIP ON THE FIRST NIGHT. I CAME INTO THE PROGRAM, ONLY KNOWING THREE PEOPLE. I WAS BEGINNING TO DOUBT WHETHER THE OTHER PEOPLE THERE WERE MESH WITH MY PERSONALITY, AND VICE VERSA. IT WAS AT THE WORSHIP THAT I REALIZED THAT I WAS RIGHT WHERE I WANTED TO BE. WE SANG SONGS, READ PASSAGES, AND SHARED OUR EMOTIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER. YOU KNOW, UNITARIAN STUFF. [LAUGHTER] IT WAS DURING THIS WORSHIP THAT I BEGAN TO FORGE THE FRIENDSHIPS THAT I STILL HAVE WITH MY FELLOW SEMINARIANS. BEING IN A SPACE WITH SPECIFICALLY UU YOUTH IS REALLY A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE AND ONE THAT I WOULDN'T GIVE UP FOR ANYTHING. FAITH AND FRIENDSHIP WAS WHAT MADE THE TRIP SO SPECIAL. I REALLY APPRECIATE HOW THE KATIE TYSON FUND WAS ABLE TO HELP FUND MY AMAZING EXPERIENCE IN DENVER. THIS FUND MEANS A LOT TO ME, BECAUSE ALLOWS KIDS FROM ALL SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE THAT I DID. NO ONE SHOULD BE DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT A CAREER THAT THEY MIGHT BE PASSIONATE ABOUT JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE TRIP. I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO GIVE AS GENEROUSLY AS YOU CAN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> AS YOU HEARD FROM CAS, THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT ON THE LIVES OF THESE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IS SIGNIFICANT. KATIE TYSON'S SHORT LIFE IS WORTH CELEBRATING FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP AND HER COMMITMENT TO UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM. SHE WAS AT THE HEART OF MY CHURCH'S YOUTH GROUP, ATTENDING LOCAL AND REGIONAL CON'S, SERVING ON THE BOARD, AND AS A DISTRICT YOUTH LEADER. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AS A FRESHMAN AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY, KATIE JOINED THE ARLINGTON STREET CHURCH WHERE SHE SERVED AS A LEADER OF THE LARGE AND THRIVING YOUNG ADULT GROUP, SANG IN THE CHOIR, AND EVEN JOINED THE CANVAS COMMITTEE. SHE WAS A BRIGHT LIGHT IN THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS OTHER YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS, AND OLDER ADULTS, WITH ASPIRATIONS OF HERSELF BECOMING A UU MINISTER. KATIE WAS THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF KAREN AND HERB TYSON, YET THEY WERE NOT DONE PARENTING. VERY SHORTLY AFTER KATIE'S DEATH, THEY KNEW THEY HAD TO CREATE THIS FUND IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. AND THEN IT WAS A SAD DAY FOR MY COMMUNITY AND HER TYSON IN 2012 WHEN KAREN ALSO DIED. BUT THEIR DREAM OF ENSURING OTHER UU YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOVED AND AFFIRMED HAS COME TRUE. KATIE'S COMMITMENT TO OUR FAITH STANDS AS A TESTIMONY TO THE POWER OF YOUNG LEADERSHIP AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SUPPORT IT WITH BOTH OUR PRESENCE AND OUR FINANCIAL GENEROSITY. KATIE WAS AN INCREDIBLE YOUNG WOMAN, BUT SHE CANNOT ACHIEVE ALL THAT SHE DID WITHOUT HELP FROM OTHER LEADERS IN THE CHURCH. SHE WAS ENCOURAGED, SHE WAS INVITED, AND SHE WAS EXPECTED TO BE THE PERSON THAT SHE WAS FAST BECOMING. TODAY WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE, INVITE AND EXPECT ALL OF OUR YOUTH AND OUR YOUNG ADULTS TO BE THE BEST THAT THEY CAN BE. A FUTURE THAT IS EVER UNFOLDING, A FUTURE THAT STANDS BEFORE ALL OF US. THEY NEED OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT. AND YOU CAN GIVE BY WRITING A CHECK PAYABLE TO THE UUA WITH SYNERGY IN THE MEMO. YOU CAN FIGURE OUT CREDIT CARD DETAILS ON THE ENVELOPE YOU ARE HANDED AT THE DOOR. YOU CAN FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS THAT APPEAR ON THE SCREEN FOR MOBILE GIVING IF YOU WANT TO FEEL EXTRA COOL. CASH IS PARTICULARLY WELCOME. PARTICULARLY IF IT HAS LARGE NUMBERS ON IT. PLEASE RECOGNIZE THAT THE FUTURE OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FAITH LIES IN OUR HANDS. IT LIES IN OUR GENEROSITY. I PERSONALLY EX‑BE TEND MY GRATITUDE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS TODAY. I NOW WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION AND INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF MY PERSONAL HEROES, A MAN WHO HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO ENSURING UU YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME WHO THEY MOST WANT TO BE. THROUGH HIS MUSIC, HIS WIT AND HIS KINDNESS AND HIS CONSTANT PRESENCE ON FACEBOOK, HE IS HELPING TRANSFORM OUR MOVEMENT, JUST AS HIS DAUGHTER DID. KAREN TYSON IS IN HERE IN BODY AND SPIRIT. WE WILL NEVER FORGET HER. TODAY WE HAVE HER TYSON, ACCOMPANIED BY ABBY TENNIS AND PAT HUMPHRIES. [APPLAUSE] >> THIS FIRST SONG IS ONE THAT I WROTE AFTER HEARING A SERMON BY THE REVEREND LINDA OLSON PEBBLES, WHO WAS THE MINISTER OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT THE MOUNTED VERNON CHURCH, ONE OF PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED AND MENTORED KATIE. SHE GAVE A SERMON, AND THE SERVICE WAS ENTITLED FOR THE HEART OF IT ALL. AND SHE SET UP A CONTRAST. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO THINGS FOR THE HECK OF IT ALL, BUT UNITARIANS DON'T. WE DO THINGS WITH PURPOSE. WE DO THINGS FOR THE HEART OF IT ALL. SO I WROTE THIS SONG AFTER HEARING HER SERMON, AND WE'RE GOING TO SING IT FOR YOU NOW. >> [SINGING] [APPLAUSE] >> SO ABBY TENNIS AND HERB ARE JOINING THE REVOLUTION TONIGHT. >> [SINGING] [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. IT IS TIME. IT IS TIME TO HONOR THE LONGSTANDING TRADITION OF SURROUNDING OUR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST YOUTH WITH LOVE AS THEY TRANSITION AND METAPHORICALLY MOVE ONTO THE BRIDGE OF BECOMING UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST YOUNG ADULTS. THE ACTIONS YOU TAKE IN THIS PHYSICAL RITUAL ARE BUT A FEW YOU WILL TAKE AS THIS JOURNEY UNFOLDS PIECE BY PIECE. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS HONOR THIS TRADITION AS OUR DENOMINATIONAL GATHERING, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE BEGIN ANY JOURNEY, WE DO NOT DO IT ALONE. THIS TRANSITION, WHICH NEITHER BEGAN NOR ENDS TONIGHT, WILL NO DOUBT BE A VERY HUMAN EXPERIENCE FOR WHICH YOU ARE WELL EQUIPPED. AFTER YOU COMPLETE TONIGHT'S RITUAL, IT MAY, AT TIMES, FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE BUILDING THE BRIDGE AS YOU CROSSES IT. AT OTHER TIMES, YOU MAY JOIN OTHERS ON A PATH THAT PREVIOUS GENERATIONS OF BRIDGERS BUILT, EXPECTING YOU. WE ASK EACH BRIDGING YOUTH TO COME FORWARD TO THE PULPIT AND SAY THEIR NAME AND CONGREGATION SO THAT WE CAN BEAR WITNESS TO YOUR JOURNEY. AS A CELEBRATION OF THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE ALREADY BROUGHT TO OUR FAITH AND THE BLESSINGS, PERHAPS YET UNKNOWN, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BRING TO THIS FAITH, PLEASE CROSS THE STAGE TO SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES, BART FROST, AND RECEIVE A GIFT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF YOUR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION, REVEREND PETER MORALES. WE SUPPORT YOU NOW IN THESE MOMENTS AND IN THE MANY MOMENTS THAT LIE AHEAD AS YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE INTO OUR FAITH, BRINGING EVEN MORE GRACE AND LOVE AND WISDOM TO OUR MOVEMENT. LET US BEGIN THE BRIDGING RITUAL. [BRIDGING RITUAL] [APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. AND WELCOME TO YOU, OUR NEW BRIDGERS. WE YOUNG ADULTS ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE YOU JOIN OUR COMMUNITY. YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE US AND CHALLENGE US WITH YOUR VOICES AND YOUR PRESENCE, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO START BUILDING A COMMUNITY WITH YOU. DEAR BRIDGERS, I REMEMBER BEING RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE ON THIS STAGE AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY LOUISVILLE. YOU'VE JUST BRIDGED OUT OF YOUTH CAUCUS AND PROBABLY OUT OF THE YOUTH COMMUNITIES IN YOUR HOME CHURCHES. YOU'RE ON THE EDGE OF A LIFE TRANSITION, BE IT STARTING A FIRST JOB, GOING TO COLLEGE, JOINING THE MILITARY, OR SOME OTHER ADVENTURE. EVEN AS YOU MAKE THESE PLANS, THE FUTURE CAN STILL SEEM PRETTY UNCERTAIN. SO HERE BRIDGERS, ARE A FEW THINGS THAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE OR TO CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AS YOU ENTER YOUNG ADULTHOOD. OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, YOU MAY GRAPPLE SERIOUSLY WITH THREE THINGS: DIVERSITY, FAILURE, AND LOSS. YOU MIGHT MEET PEOPLE VERY DIFFERENT FROM YOU, PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES, PASSIONS, LANGUAGES, AND YOU'LL HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM THAT OPEN YOUR HEART AND YOUR MIND. YOU MIGHT MAKE SOME MISTAKES OR AS THE SANCTUARIES DC SO BEAUTIFULLY REMINDED US, YOU WILL BE HUMAN. AS YOU EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM THAT COMES WITH YOUNG ADULTHOOD, YOU MIGHT MAKE A BAD DECISION OR FAIL AT SOMETHING, DISAPPOINTING YOURSELF OR OTHERS. AND DURING THIS SEASON OF YOUNG ADULTHOOD, YOU WILL LIKELY LOSE SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE. FOR ME, IT WAS THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A STUDENT IN MY DORM FRESHMAN YEAR. FOR YOU IT MIGHT BE A GRAND PARENT, A MENTOR, OR EVEN A FRIEND. BUT THIS LOSS CAN CHANGE YOU. EMBRACING DIVERSITY, OVER COMING FAILURE, AND MOURNING LOSS MAY BE MORE FAMILIAR TO SOME OF YOU. THESE HUMAN COLLEGES MAY AFFECT US AT ANY AGE, BUT IN MY EXPERIENCE, THEY'RE OFTEN MORE DIFFICULT IN YOUNG ADULTHOOD. WITH NEWFOUND INDEPENDENCE, THERE CAN BE A SENSES OF ISOLATION THAT COMPOUNDS ALL OF THESE EXPERIENCES. NOW, I'M NOT TELLING YOU THESE THINGS TO SCARE YOU OR TO PUT A SAD NOTE ON WHAT SHOULD RIGHTFULLY BE A JOYFUL CELEBRATION. INSTEAD IT, I WANT TO LIFT UP THESE MOMENTS, BECAUSE THEY ARE SOME OF THE TIMES IN YOUNG ADULTHOOD WHEN I HAVE FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO RELY ON MY FAITH THE MOST. I NEEDED TO HOLD ON TO WHAT I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, AND LEAN ON BELOVED SPIRITUAL COMPANIONS AS I'VE NAVIGATED THESE CHALLENGES. AS YOUTH WHO ARE A PART OF OUR MOVEMENT, AS YOU BECOME YOUNG ADULTS, I WANT TO REMIND YOU OF YOUR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST TOOL BELT. YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT YOUR UU TOOL BELT, BUT SURPRISE, YOU HAVE ONE. THIS TOOL BELT HOLDS ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU, AS A YOUNG ADULT, AND AS A YOUNG UU, ARE EQUIPPED WITH. IT HOLDS OUR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRINCIPLES. OUR COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND OUR LOVING COMMUNITY. JOINING THESE THINGS IN THE TOOL BELT ARE YOUR OWN GIFTS AND TALENTS, NURTURED IN THIS COMMUNITY. THIS TOOL BELT IS HERE FOR YOU TO HELP YOU WHEN YOU'RE FEELING ISOLATED, ENCOUNTERING DIVERSITY OR MOURNING A FAILURE OR LOSS. I KNOW I'VE CERTAINLY USED MY TOOL BELT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WHEN A NEW FRIEND IN COLLEGE TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD NEVER USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. MY GUT REACTION WAS NEGATIVE AND DEFENSIVE. I THOUGHT, HOW ENTITLED AND SUBTILELY RACIST TO MAKE A STATEMENT LIKE THAT. IN THAT MOMENT, ENCOUNTERING DIVERSITY, I RELIED ON MY FAITH. I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW OUR FAITH TEACHES US TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE'S STORIES AND TO LOVE AND NOT JUDGE THEM. AS SHE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT SHE WOULD NOT USE THE TRAIN OR THE BUSES, BECAUSE IN THE COUNTRY SHE GREW UP IN, THOSE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION WERE OFTEN TARGETED AND BOMBED. I REALIZED THAT THE IGNORANCE AND PRIVILEGE THAT I THOUGHT WAS HERS WAS ACTUALLY MINE. OUR UU TOOL BELTS REMIND US TO LOVE OTHERS AND HELP US LEARN FROM THESE MISTAKES. NOW I WANT YOU TO PICTURE YOUR UU TOOL BELT FILLED WITH YOUR GIFTS AND SOME OF THE WISDOM AND LOVE OF THIS COMMUNITY. KEEP PICTURING IT. NOW I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT A TOOL BELT DOES. REMEMBER, I DIDN'T GIVE YOU A UU BACKPACK OR A UU DUFFLE BAG. YOU HAVE A TOOL BELT. A TOOL BELT IS SPECIAL, BECAUSE UNLIKE A BACKPACK THAT IS DESIGNED TO CARRY YOUR SUPPLIES AS YOU LEAVE A PLACE, A TOOL BELT CARRIES WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE. A TOOL BELT HELPS YOU BUILD. DEAR BRIDGERS, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO RISE AS I CHARGE YOU TONIGHT FROM YOUR SEATS AS YOU'RE WILLING AND ABLE. DEAR BRIDGERS, YOU HAVE A TOOL BELT. IN YOUR TOOL BELT IS ALL YOU HAVE LEARNED SO FAR, LESSONS THAT WE HOPE WILL KEEP YOU SAFE AS YOU MOVE INTO YOUNG ADULTHOOD. IN THIS TOOL BELT IS ALSO WHAT YOU BRING, THOSE TALENTS AND TRAITS AND THOSE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU BEAUTIFUL HUMAN. BRIDGERS, THIS COMMUNITY OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS NEEDS WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR TOOL BELT. WE NEED YOUR CREATIVITY AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE. AND YOUR VISION. WE NEED THE WORLD CHANGING SOUND OF YOUR VOICE SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN THE WORLD. YOU HAVE YOUR TOOL BELT, JUST AS YOU ARE IN THIS MOMENT, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED THAT WE NEED. BRIDGERS, JOIN ME IN USING YOUR TOOLS AND YOUR TALENTS TO BUILD OUR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST HOME TOGETHER. AMEN. [APPLAUSE] >> WE ENCOURAGE TO YOU SING ALONG WITH US IF YOU KNOW IT. [SINGING] >> MAY YOU LEAVE US MORE PREPARED. THE PATH AHEAD A LITTLE MORE CLEAR. KNOWING YOU HAVE ADDED THE UNIVERSAL HOME, YOU ARE A PART OF. MAY YOU FIND ALL TOOLS THAT YOU CAN CARRY TO HELP YOU IN THE FUTURE. MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A SENSE. HOME CONNECTED TO THIS LOVING COMMUNITY. NOW GO WITH A CLEAR PATH, A FULL TOOL BELT, AND A SENSE OF HOME. BLESSED WITH. AMEN. AND MAY IT BE SO. [APPLAUSE] >> [SINGING] [APPLAUSE] EVENT: B2016 0624 SYNERGY BRIDGING WORSHIP 0730PM EST CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: HEARING INK http://www.hearingink.com PHONE: 314‑427‑1113 **********DISCLAIMER********** THE FOLLOWING IS AN UNEDITED ROUGH DRAFT TRANSLATION FROM THE CART CAPTIONER'S OUTPUT FILE. THIS TRANSCRIPT IS NOT VERBATIM AND HAS NOT BEEN PROOFREAD. TO DO SO IS AN EXTRA FEE. THIS FILE MAY CONTAIN ERRORS. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE SPEAKER(S) FOR ANY CLARIFICATION. THIS TRANSCRIPT MAY NOT BE COPIED OR DISSEMINATED TO ANYONE UNLESS YOU OBTAIN WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IS PROVIDING CART CAPTIONING TO YOU; FINALLY, THIS TRANSCRIPT MAY NOT BE USED IN A COURT OF LAW. **********DISCLAIMER**********