Oh, you can be anybody you want to be, you can love whomever you will. — "Everything Possible," Hymn 1019 in Singing the Journey

IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "At [name of congregation], we have weddings and services of union celebrating love."

EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Read one or more of the suggested books for this session:

The Wedding by Eve Bunting, 2003. On her way to town, Miss Brindle Cow meets a host of animals who are late for a very important wedding.
The Rabbits' Wedding by Garth Williams, 1958. Animals in a moonlit forest attend the wedding of a white rabbit and a black rabbit. Note: Intimations of interracial marriage caused some Alabama politicians to call for this book to be banned in the late 1950s. But the racial concerns of the past seem to have dissipated; contemporary, online reviews are positive. One reader notes that the book "brought clarity and understanding to what my parents [white Scottish mother, black Caribbean father] must have had to experience in their own travels and after their own 'rabbits' wedding.'"
King and King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nyland, 2003. In this postmodern fractured fairy tale, a worn-out Queen is ready for retirement. After much nagging, the Prince, who "never cared much for princesses," finally caves in and agrees to wed in order to ascend the throne. However, no one strikes the Prince's fancy—until he meets Prince Lee. A "very special wedding" ensues!
Uncle Bobby's Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen, 2008. Bobby's niece Chloe worries that when Bobby and Jamie, his boyfriend, get married, Chloe won't be his favorite person anymore. This warm story embraces the alternative family while keeping its focus on the uncle and niece's love for one another.

EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Look at a wedding album and talk about the pictures together. Or, ask a relative to tell a story of their wedding or service of union.

A Family Adventure. Visit a cake decorating shop or crafts store and look at the variety of wedding cakes and decorations.

A Family Discovery. Find out more about weddings performed in your congregation. Is there a guide you can read? Currently, UUs are on the forefront of the marriage equality movement. Read about historic same-sex wedding ceremonies recently performed by UU ministers:

"U.U. Minister Says Historic "I DO" in Hawaii," UU World Magazine, December 9, 2013

"Michigan UU Ministers Marry 200 Same-Sex Couples," UU World Magazine, March 13, 2014