"Our Poetry Connection" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, August 16, 2026

Gathering Music

Welcome

Centering

Prelude

"Song Without Words"

by Mary Bopp

Chalice Lighting & Opening Words

Opening Hymn

#360 "Here We Have Gathered"

Words: Alicia S. Carpenter

Music: Genevan psalter

Here we have gathered, gathered side by side;

circle of kinship, come and step inside!

May all who seek here find a kindly word;

may all who speak here feel they have been heard.

Sing now together this, our hearts' own song.

Here we have gathered, called to celebrate

days of our lifetime, matters small and great:

we of all ages, women, children, men,

infants and sages, sharing what we can.

Sing now together, this, our hearts' own song.

Life has its battles, sorrows, and regret:

but in the shadows, let us not forget:

we who now gather know each other's pain;

kindness can heal us: as we give, we gain.

Sing now in friendship this, our hearts' own song.

Time for All Ages

Hymn

#413 "Go Now In Peace"

Words & Music by Natalie Sleeth

Adapted

(repeat 2x)

Go now in peace. Go now in peace.

May the love of God surround you

everywhere, everywhere you may go.

Announcements

Introduction to the Service

Joys and Concerns

Musical Interlude

Poetry

Anne Vaughan - Morning Run Becomes Morning Walk

Mike Baxter - Lessons

Eileen Driscoll - The Family of Humanity

Chris Northrup - The Three Feather Day

Offering

The recipients of our July and August community outreach offerings are the MACC Food Pantry, the Hockanum Valley Food Pantry, and the CT Mutual Aid East of the River food security program, along with the TLC Foundation.

As a reminder, you can also donate on our website. There's a yellow donate button in the top center of the home page.

Offering Music

"The Poet Speaks"

by Robert Schumann

Poetry

André Thouin - Love in the Darkness

Marian Vitali - My Legs are Flowers in a Field

Dottie Reiss - One Day

Rosemary Lockard - Little Birdie

Musical Interlude

Poetry

Sheila Foran - Remember

Andy Ricci - Earth Mover

Cory Clark - The Miracle

Gina Campellone - God Says Yes to Me & A Memo to Alice

Closing Hymn

#83 "Winds Be Still"

Words: Richard S. Kimball

Music: Samuel Sebastian Wesley

Winds be still.

Storm clouds pass and silence come.

Peace grace this time with harmony.

Fly, bird of hope, and shine, light of love,

and in calm let all find tranquility.

Bird fly high.

Lift our gaze toward distant view.

Help us to sense life's mystery.

Fly high and far, and lead us each to see

how we move through the winds of eternity.

Light shine in.

Luminate our inward view.

Help us to see with clarity.

Shine bright and true so we may join our songs

in new sounds that become full symphony.

Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words

"The Flame in Our Hearts Never Ceases Burning."

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.