"Reimagining Motherhood" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, May 11, 2025
- uuseoffice
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)
Welcome and Announcements
Centering
Prelude
"Ave Maria"
by Charles Gounod, inspired by JS Bach
Mary Bopp, piano
Chalice Lighting and Opening Words
# 429 "Come into this place of peace”"
by William F. Schultz
Come into this place of peace
and let its silence heal your spirit;
Come into this place of memory
and let its history warm your soul;
Come into this place of prophecy and power
and let its vision change your heart.
Opening Hymn
STJ #1069, “Ancient Mother”
Traditional Navajo prayer
Ancient Mother, I hear you calling.
Ancient Mother, I hear your song.
Ancient Mother, I feel your laughter.
Ancient Mother, I taste your tears.
Time for All Ages
“Love You Forever”
Written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Sheila McGraw
Hymn as the children leave for their classes
STLT #118, “This Little Light of Mine”
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. . .
Building up a world, I’m gonna let it shine. . .
Joys and Concerns
Musical Interlude
Introduction to the Service/Speakers
Reflection from Elise Cotrone
Musical Interlude
Reading
#715 “Your Children”
by Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness.
Reflection from Michelle Spadaccini
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
“The Girl with the Flaxen Hair”
by Claude Debussy)
Dedicated to Helen Bopp
Mary Bopp, Piano
Reflection from Kate Kimmerle
Closing Hymn
#95 “There Is More Love Somewhere”
African American Hymn
There is more love somewhere.
There is more love somewhere.
I’m gonna keep on ‘til I find it.
There is more love somewhere.
There is more hope somewhere. . .
There is more peace somewhere. . .
There is more joy somewhere. . .
Extinguishing the Chalice
#684 “The blessing of truth be upon us”
by Duke T. Gray
The blessing of truth be upon us,
the power of love direct us and sustain us,
and may the peace of this community
preserve our going out and our coming in,
from this time forth,
until we meet again.
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.