"Homecoming: Where Fire Belongs" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, Sunday, September 7, 2025

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome, Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek)

Centering (Emmy Galbraith)

Prelude

“Anthem” by Leonard Cohen

Led by the Homecoming Singers

Forget your perfect offering, (forget your perfect offering)

Ring the bells that you can ring, (ring the bells that you can ring)

There is a crack in everything, (there is a crack in everything)

That’s how, (that’s how)

The light, (the light)

Gets in, (All:) That’s how the light gets in

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words (Rev. Josh Pawelek)

“Gather”

by James Crews

Introduction to the Service (Emmy Galbraith)

Opening Hymn

#1028 Fire of Commitment

Words: Mary Katherine Morn and Jason Shelton

Music: Jason Shelton

From the light of days remembered burns a beacon bright and clear

Guiding hands and hearts and spirits into faith set free from fear.

When the fire of commitment sets our mind and soul a blaze

When our hunger and our passion meet to call us on our way

When we live with deep assurance of the flame that burns within,

Then our promise finds fulfillment and our future can begin.

From the stories of our living rings a song both brave and free,

Calling pilgrims still to witness to the life of liberty.

When the fire of commitment sets our mind and soul a blaze

When our hunger and our passion meet to call us on our way

When we live with deep assurance of the flame that burns within,

Then our promise finds fulfillment and our future can begin.

From the dreams of youthful vision comes a new, prophetic voice,

Which demands a deeper justice built by our courageous choice

When the fire of commitment sets our mind and soul a blaze

When our hunger and our passion meet to call us on our way

When we live with deep assurance of the flame that burns within,

Then our promise finds fulfillment and our future can begin.

Back to School Slideshow

Blessing of the Backpacks

Joys & Concerns

Musical Meditation (Mary Bopp)

Offering Recipients: The September Community Outreach Ministry recipients are the Manchester Latino Affairs Council and She Leads Justice.

She Leads Justice

She Leads Justice advocates for under-resourced, marginalized women in Connecticut. They work to close the civil legal justice gap and to create state policy for economic security. Formerly known as the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund, their work supports women who identify as cisgender and transgender, and non-binary individuals, as well as people of all marginalized gender identities.

Manchester Latino Affairs Council 

The Manchester Latino Affairs Council (M.L.A.C.) was established in January of 2007.  Its current mission is to address social issues with a focus on diversity, inclusivity and equality within Manchester’s Latino community.

Offering Music

“Highland Cathedral” 

By Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb

Benjamin Elzerman (Scottish Bagpipes)

Vera Elzerman (Snare Drum)

UU Principles & Values  

UUSE Covenant

Chant

“Love is the Spirit of This Church”

words by James Vila Blake, music by Mary Bopp

Love is the spirit of this church and service its law.

This is our great covenant: To dwell together in peace. 

Love is the spirit of this church and service its law.

To seek the truth in love, and to help one another. 

Love is the spirit of this church and service its law.

Reflection (Emmy Galbraith & Rev. Josh Pawelek)

Closing Hymn

#118 This Little Light of Mine

Words & music: African American spiritual

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.

Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.

Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Building up a world, I’m gonna let it shine.

Building up a world, I’m gonna let it shine.

Building up a world, I’m gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

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.