"Affirmation" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, June 1, 2025

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome (Emmy Galbraith)

Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek)

Centering (Meadow Bornhorst)

Prelude

“Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire” 

Traditional English Melody

Dan Thompson

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words 

Excerpt from a letter to a young artist

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá

spoken by Dean Gonzalez

Opening Hymn

“Spirit of Life”

By Carolyn McDade

Spirit of Life, come unto me.

Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.

Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;

move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.

Roots hold me close; wings set me free;

Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

Time for All Ages

Musical Meditation

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation

Offering

Trans Voice and Visibility-365 (TV-365) is a ministry dedicated to uplifting and supporting the well-being of transgender individuals in Connecticut by providing basic human needs, information and referral, service coordination and support to individuals.  This ministry also works to support and collaborate with relevant support groups and service providers. Our emphasis is on those most underserved, neglected, victimized and oppressed.  This includes, but is not limited to, transgender women and men of color, those with disabilities, youth and elderly, immigrants (documented and undocumented), low income and victims of crime.

Offering Music

“Blue Boat Home”

By Peter Mayer

Mia, Christian and Dean Gonzales, vocals

Reading

“To Live Deliberately” 

Henry David Thoreau

Spoken by Meadow Bornhorst

Credos

Dean Gonzales

Respondent: Dan Thompson

Meadow Bornhorst

Respondents: Sande Hartdagen, Graham Bornhorst

Gifts

Congregation: Just as we have been with you in days past, we are with you now,

and will be with you in the future. We care for you. We love you. In you we place our faith. In you we place our hope for a more peaceful, just and loving world.

Youth: We are grateful for your love and support and for the faith and hope you place in us as we move into the future.

All: We are never complete. We are never finished. We are always becoming more than we have been. May we always help and encourage each other to grow toward all we are capable of becoming.

Closing Hymn

#298 “Wake Now My Senses”

Words by Thomas S.J. Mikelson

Traditional Irish melody

Wake, now, my senses, and hear the earth call;

feel the deep power of being in all;

keep, with the web of creation your vow,

giving, receiving as love shows us how.

Wake, now, my reason, reach out to the new;

join with each pilgrim who quests for the true;

honor the beauty and wisdom of time;

suffer thy limit, and praise the sublime.

Wake, now, compassion, give heed to the cry;

voices of suffering fill the wide sky;

take as your neighbor both stranger and friend,

praying and striving their hardship to end.

Wake, now, my conscience, with justice thy guide;

join with all people whose rights are denied;

take not for granted a privileged place;

God’s love embraces the whole human race.

Wake, now, my vision of ministry clear;

brighten my pathway with radiance here;

mingle my calling with all who will share;

work toward a planet transformed by our care.

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle

May faith in the spirit of life

And hope for the community of earth

And love of the light in each other

Be ours now, and in all the days to come.