"Supporting Dignity through Compassion and Love" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, November 9, 2025

Gathering Music

Welcome and Announcements

Centering

Prelude

Chalice Lighting & Opening Words

"Chalice Lighting Words" by Albert Schweitzer

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

In the glow of that gratitude, let our worship begin.

Opening Hymn

STJ #1008 "When Our Heart Is in a Holy Place"

When our heart is in a holy place,

When our heart is in a holy place,

We are bless'd with love and amazing grace,

When our heart is in a holy place.

When we trust the wisdom in each of us,

Ev'ry color ev'ry creed and kind,

And we see our faces in each other's eyes,

Then our heart is in a holy place.

Chorus

When we tell our story from deep inside,

And we listen with a loving mind,

And we hear our voices in each other's words,

Then our heart is in a holy place.

Chorus

When we share the silence of sacred space,

And the God of our Heart stirs within,

And we feel the power of each other's faith,

Then our heart is in a holy place.

Time for All Ages

The Next Place

Written and illustrated by Warren Hanson

Ready by Sam Taylor

Musical Interlude

Joys and Concerns

Musical Interlude

Offering

The recipient of our November Community Outreach offering is Manchester Senior, Adult and Family Services, which provides social work and conservator services to any Manchester resident over age 18. Social work services can include providing information, guidance, assistance completing applications, advocacy, referrals, and outreach/wellness checks. Services are provided in-person (office, home, community), by phone, email or Zoom.

Offering Music

Reading

"Otherwise" by Jane Kenyon"

I got out of bed

on two strong legs.

It might have been

otherwise.

I ate cereal, sweet

milk, ripe, flawless

peach. It might

have been otherwise.

I took the dog uphill

to the birch wood.

All morning I did

the work I love.

At noon I lay down

with my mate. It might

have been otherwise.

We ate dinner together

at a table with silver

candlesticks. It might

have been otherwise.

I slept in a bed

in a room with paintings

on the walls, and

planned another day

just like this day.

But one day, I know,

it will be otherwise.

Introduction to the Service and Speakers

Musical Interlude

Reflections by Nancy Madar, a Hospice Volunteer

Musical Interlude

Reflections by Peter Marotto: "Lost Recipes: What We Lose and What We Gain

When Caring for a Loved One in Their Final Days"

Closing Hymn

STJ #1002 "Comfort Me"

Comfort me, comfort me

comfort me, oh my soul.

Comfort me, comfort me,

comfort me, oh my soul.

Sing with me, sing with me ...

Speak for me, speak for me ...

Dance with me, dance with me ...

Closing Words

Wiccan Burial Prayer

This is a place which is not a place

in a time which is not a time

halfway between the worlds of the Gods

and of mortals.

As the sun sets

So our friend has left us

The water of our tears like the salt water of the sea, and

like the water of our mothers' womb, blesses this Circle.

As life is a day

So our friend has passed into the night

The fire of our life, the memories and courage, the

strength given to us by our friend blesses this Circle.

As all that falls shall rise again

So our friend will be reborn

The air we breathe, this treasure of our life, the

compassionate caring we give each other blesses this Circle.

As the Earth forms us

So our friend shall return to the earth

Our Mother feeds us, and clothes us.

She gives us everything and in the end she takes our bodies back.

And earth blesses this Circle.

We all come from the Goddess

and to Her we shall return

like a drop of rain

falling to the ocean

We all come from the Horned One

and through Him we are reborn

corn and grain, corn and grain

all that falls shall rise again.

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.