"Imagination as a Sacred Tool" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, May 25, 2025

Gathering Music

Welcome and Announcements

Centering

Prelude 

“Imagine”

Words and music by John Lennon

Andy Ricci, guitar

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

Opening Hymn 

#1024 “When the Spirit Says Do”

Words and Music: African-American spiritual

Mary Bopp, piano

 You got to do when the spirit says do!

You got to do when the spirit says do!

When the spirit says do, you got to do, oh Lord!

You got to do when the spirit says do!

Spirit says do

*sing

*draw

*dance

Time for All Ages

 “What Do You Do With an Idea?

Written by Kobi Yamada

Illustrated by Mae Besom

 Joys and Concerns

Offering

Hartford Deportation Defense says, "we are an immigrant organization in Hartford, CT, working alongside our neighbors to build a just and dignified future for our families and communities in the Hartford region." They engage in a variety of activities in support of immigrants, including fundraising (especially for people facing health emergencies), providing resources for families with a loved-one in detention, working with immigration attorneys, rapid response, accompaniment to hearings and legislative advocacy.

Offering Music 

“Choose to be Near”

Words and Music by Andy Ricci

Andy Ricci, guitar

Introduction to the Service/Speakers

Reflections from Jane Penfield

Reading

 “Soul Lifts”

Rev. Tess Baumberger

 Wouldn't it be great if you could take a picture of your soul?

Then when your mother wanted to brag about you

she could show people the picture and say,

"That's my daughter, doesn't she have a beautiful soul, all sparkly and many-colored and flowing all around her?"

Wouldn't it be great if we walked around

surrounded by our souls,

so that they were the first things people saw

instead of the last things?

Then people would judge us by who we really are

instead of how we look.

Imagine no more racism, ageism, sexism, fatism, shortism, homophobia.

Imagine falling in love with who a person is,

just by looking at them.

It would be a kind of cloaking device,

hiding physical faults, defects, or even perfections.

I'd want it to be mandatory.

Then people would work at making their souls more attractive

instead of their bodies and faces.

Imagine people knowing by your soul that you really need a hug.

Imagine people helping each other and their souls changing colors

or growing.

Imagine soul gyms

with exercises to get your sagging soul in shape.

Imagine the long lines forming for soul-lifts

at churches, temples, mosques, synagogues

or nature's grand cathedrals.

Reflections from Carol Marion

Closing Hymn 

#311 “Let It Be a Dance” (Verses 1 & 3)

Words & Music: Ric Masten

Mary Bopp, piano

(Chorus)

Let it be a dance we do.

May I have this dance with you?

Through the good times and the bad times, too,

let it be a dance.

Let a dancing song be heard.

Play the music, say the words,

and fill the sky with sailing birds.

Let it be a dance.

Let it be a dance. Let it be a dance.

Learn to follow, learn to lead,

feel the rhythm, fill the need

to reap the harvest, plant the seed.

Let it be a dance.

(Chorus)

Morning star comes out at night,

without the dark there is no light.

If nothing’s wrong, then nothing’s right.

Let it be a dance.

Let it be a dance. Let it be a dance.

Let the sun shine, let it rain;

share the laughter, bear* the pain,

and round and round we go again.

Let it be a dance.

Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words 

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.