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- "America the Compassionate" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, November 10, 2024
Welcome and Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek) Centering Prelude "Spirit of Life" by Carolyn McDade Mary Bopp, piano Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Matthew 25: 34-40 Opening Song “For a World Made Whole” Music by Mary Bopp Words by Josh Pawelek May we be people, people of faith. May we be people, people of faith. May we be people, people of faith. For a world made whole, may we be people of faith. May we be people, people of hope. May we people, people of love. May we be people of peace. Time for All Ages Song #1053 “How Could Anyone” By Libby Roderick How could anyone ever tell you you were anything less than beautiful? How could anyone ever tell you you were less than whole? How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle? How deeply you're connected to my soul. Joys and Concerns Musical Response Offering The recipient of our November community outreach offering is Manchester Senior, Adult, and Family Services. Offering Music "O Mio Babbino Caro" by Giacomo Puccini Eric Rosenberg, saxophone Mary Bopp, piano Sermon “For a World Made Whole” Rev. Josh Pawelek Closing Song #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 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.
- America the Beautiful, Rev. Josh Pawelek, Nov. 3rd, 2024
I am going to speak about Tuesday’s election, but perhaps less about the election and more about what the United States of America means to me, and what I believe is at stake in this election. To begin, historically, the Sunday before election day features the ‘get out the vote’ sermon. Unitarian Universalist ministers really don’t need to remind their parishioners to vote. Democracy, freedom, liberty, the right of conscience—all lie at the heart of our spiritual identity. For many of us, voting is a sacred obligation. I know from experience that you take voting very seriously, and I have never felt a strong need to urge any of you to vote. Many of you have taken advantage of CT’s new option for early voting. When I went to vote I saw UUSE member Randy Kurker-Stewart in line. And it was UUSE member Paul Lorenzo who checked me in, gave me a double high five, and handed me my ballot. That was a rush. I was really happy—and really proud—to receive my ballot in this election from a member of our congregation. Some of you volunteer to drive elderly and disabled voters to the polls. Some work on campaigns. Some of you run for office. Some of you volunteer for voter turn-out operations. I will note that since 2016 members of UUSE have participated in letter-writing efforts through the auspices of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s non-partisan “UU the Vote” campaign. This year, most of you who’ve done this in the past opted to volunteer for partisan voter-turnout operations. Because they are partisan, we don’t organize or keep track of them in any way. I do want to point out that one UUSE member, Ollie Cohen, continued with UU the Vote and wrote letters to voters in swing states through the non-partisan voter turnout organization Vote Forward. Ollie wrote 800 letters to help turn out the vote in North Carolina! Please know I take the separation of church and state very seriously. Although that language – ‘separation of church and state’ – does not appear in the United States Constitution, its spirit figures prominently in the first half of the first amendment to the Constitution: “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” I interpret that language to mean that the United States government is, always has been, and will continue to be a secular government. While there are some in our nation who long for a theocracy and would replace our time-honored religious freedoms with the tenets of Christian Nationalism, the United States is and always has been religiously pluralistic; respects and upholds the freedom of individuals and organizations to practice religion in accordance with their conscience, respects and supports religious minorities, and offers safe harbor to people fleeing religious persecution in other parts of the world. This is one of the reasons I love the United States of America and proudly sing “America the Beautiful.” As the scholar of religion Diana Eck has said, “freedom of religion is part of the blueprint for America.” [1] To oppose religious freedom, to oppose the separation of church and state, is profoundly un-American. One of the ways the United States maintains the separation of church and state is through the federal tax code, specifically through the Johnson Amendment of 1954 (that’s then Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson). This amendment to the code’s section 501(c)(3) prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches and other religious bodies, from engaging in political campaign activities. As a church, we cannot endorse or oppose candidates for public office, which is why any voter turnout efforts we participate in have to be non-partisan. It is my understanding that churches and other religious organizations did historically participate in electoral politics, blurring the line of separation. The Johnson Amendment ended that practice, and continues to serve as a powerful guardrail for preserving the separation of church and state. For me, upholding it rises to the level of a sacred obligation. While I have always found it relatively easy to refrain from making an explicit endorsement of a candidate for office, I confess that in every federal election going back to 2016, it has become increasingly difficult for me—and in this election I find it virtually impossible—to talk about what’s at stake in the election without implying an endorsement. That is, when we look at what is at stake; when we use our Unitarian Universalist principles or our new Unitarian Universalist values and covenants to assess what the presidential and down-ballot candidates say, one candidate—and essentially one party—clearly represents a set of policy proposals that contradict our principles and values. And not only that, one candidate—and essentially one party—explicitly promotes a set of anti-democratic measures that would erode constitutional protections, for example asking the Department of Justice to investigate political opponents, revoking broadcasting licenses for media outlets who report in ways deemed unfavorable to that candidate, or using the military to conduct domestic law enforcement operations, including operations against protestors. Any of these actions would violate the second half of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which grants the people of the United States freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. These are threats to our democracy, and I am unwilling to ignore them when I speak from this pulpit. But how do I—how do we—talk about these threats without making an implicit endorsement? I really don’t know. Yet, I’m also unwilling to take responsibility for the problem. One candidate—and essentially one party—has created this problem by refusing to uphold long-standing democratic norms and threatening to abandon others. Maybe I’ll draft a letter. “Dear Internal Revenue Service: This sermon as not an endorsement of any political candidate. It’s not my fault that one of the candidates equates virtually everything dear to me and my religion as the ‘enemy within.’ Any advice you can give on how to navigate these treacherous legal waters will be greatly appreciated.” The United States of America was founded as a promise to future generations. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” I’ve never read these words as a declaration that the nation was perfect upon its founding. The founders didn’t regard it as perfect. They argued about it relentlessly, and continued to argue after the founding. Looking back over these past 237 years, clearly it was riddled with imperfections the founders couldn’t collectively grasp. We live with the legacies of those imperfections and are still coming to terms with them—settler colonialism, slavery, the disenfranchisement of women and anyone not wealthy enough to own property. The founders bequeathed to us an imperfect union with the promise that it could be perfected, that there could be greater justice, lasting tranquility, robust public welfare, a reliable common defense and all the blessings of liberty: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, freedom of religion. Blessings all. They promised us—their posterity—that in using the tools or representative democracy, we the people could craft solutions to our most vexing problems. By coming together, dealing with facts, dealing with what is known to work, finding common ground, we the people could fulfill the founders’ promise slowly, over time. And that is precisely what has happened. This movement toward perfection has included the slow expansion of democratic participation, the inclusion of more and more constituencies in the rights the founders identified. I point to the 13th amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery—though not perfectly. I point to the 14th amendment establishing criteria for citizenship and equal protection under the law—though not perfectly. I point to the 15th amendment establishing the right of men to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude—though not perfectly. I point to the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote—though not perfectly. All of this I regard as the slow, incremental fulfillment of the founders’ original promise. All of this I regard as America the beautiful. And, with every movement toward perfection, toward justice, toward greater inclusion and participation, toward an expanding franchise, there has been harsh, sometimes violent resistance—a painful truth of United States history. Resistance to expanding democracy for People of Color. Resistance to women voting, women in the workplace, women having access to their own property and other forms of wealth; women making choices about their reproductive healthcare. Resistance to workers organizing for a living wage, for decent benefits, for protections in the workplace. In more recent decades, resistance to GLBTQ rights and inclusion. Resistance to any effort to address climate change despite the overwhelming scientific evidence for impending climate catastrophes; resistance to any influx of immigrants in all eras of our history—Irish in one era, Italian in another, Jewish, Eastern European, Chinese, Mexican, Syrian, Afghan, Haitian—people have come to the United States from every country in the world Inevitably, there is resistance despite the evidence that immigrants contribute positively to the general welfare. (Sidebar: Puerto Ricans are United States citizens, not immigrants, which one candidate’s campaign staff doesn’t quite seem to understand.) Resistance is inevitable. Today one candidate—and essentially one party—has harnessed the longstanding American impulse to resist progress. If it prevails in this election, it is quite possible we will see retrenchment on democracy, on who can participate, on who is entitled to certain rights, on who has control over their own body. That’s what’s at stake in this election. I’m not endorsing a candidate. I am endorsing the promise of America for all Americans. I am endorsing the long, slow expansion of democratic participation, the long, slow expansion of civil rights, the time-honored separation of church and state. I am endorsing fairness, kindness, caring, compassion and love. I am not endorsing the return to a mythical golden age of American greatness—no such age ever existed. I am endorsing the look forward, the hard work, the perennial struggle to establish a more perfect union. Finally, here we are. It’s the eve of the 2024 presidential election. We are facing an existential moment for our democracy. Though we don’t know what will happen, we do know that in the very least, the next few weeks are going to be hard, not only because of disinformation campaigns and legal challenges leading to chaos and distrust, but also because of the very real possibility of violence. So many of you have told me you’re not doing well: you’re nervous, anxious, stomach in knots, terrified, can’t sleep, can’t focus. “Despair for the world,” as the poet Wendell Berry said in our opening words, grows in us. We wake in the night at the last sound in fear of what our lives and our children’s lives may be. Berry urges us, in moments like this, to “come into the peace of wild things … into the presence of still water ….” To rest for a time in the grace of the world and be free. [2] Some may hear these words in this moment as a form of escapism or denial. I disagree. We need to take care of ourselves, in order to stay strong for what lies ahead. It’s good advice in the near term. Find peace now, because surely there is hard work ahead. I also urge you, during the post-election period, to rest in the grace of each other. As I said in my November newsletter column, whatever happens after Tuesday, let’s be present to each other. Let’s hold each other, because we’re going to need holding. Let’s be kind to each other, because we’re going to need kindness. Let’s love each other, because we’re going to need the support of a loving community. Whatever happens, let’s not go through it alone. Let’s go through it together. This Tuesday evening, Janet Dauphin, who is co-chair of our Membership Committee, will host an online gathering from 7:00 to 9:00 for people who want to be together on election night. Thursday from 4:00 to 6;00, Mary and I will host an in-person gathering in this space. We’ll have readings, music, silence, candle-lighting, an opportunity for sharing thoughts and feelings. I’ll host an online gathering Friday from 3:30 to 5:30. And we’ll plan more the following week depending on what happens, how people are feeling and what people need. My prayer for you on election eve, is that this congregation, this beloved spiritual community, may be a haven for you in the coming weeks. May it hold you. May it calm you. May it sustain you. May your Unitarian Universalist community be a source of hope and resilience for you. And may it always inspire you to take the forward look, to engage in the hard work, the perennial struggle to establish a more perfect union, to build America the beautiful. Amen and blessed be. [1] Pitney, Nico, “Her Modern Family: Four Moms, Four Refugee Kids, and Plenty More, Huffington Post, August 27, 2016. See: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/diana-eck-interview_n_57bf669de4b04193420e6e65 . [2] Berry, Wendell, “The Peace of Wild Things,” Singing the Living Tradition (Boston: Beacon Press and the UUA, 1993) #483.
- "America the Beautiful" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, November 3, 2024
Welcome (Rev. Josh Pawelek) Announcements Centering Prelude Americana I: "Fantasia on America the Beautiful" Music by Samuel A. Ward Mary Bopp, piano Chalice Lighting and Opening Words “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry spoken by Genna Bender (11:00) Opening Hymn #155 “Circle Round for Freedom” by Linda Hirschhorn Circle 'round for freedom, circle round for peace, for all of us imprisoned, circle for release circle for the planet, circle for each soul, for the children of our children keep the circle whole. Time for All Ages “Our Youth Weigh In” Song #1009 “Meditation on Breathing” By Sara Dan Jones When I breathe in, I’ll breathe in peace When I breathe out, I’ll breathe out love. Joys and Concerns Musical Meditation Offering The recipient of our November community outreach offering is Manchester Senior, Adult, and Family Services. Offering Music Americana II: "Fantasia on Themes from Aaron Copland” Mary Bopp, piano Sermon “America the Beautiful” Rev. Josh Pawelek Closing Song “America the Beautiful” adapted from Katherine Lee Bates O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed thy grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy soul refine, Till justice, love and mercy reign, And all hearts are divine! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years, Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! 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.
Other Pages (348)
- Deck the Halls | UUSE
Deck The Halls There is no Deck the Halls Scheduled for 2023. Deck The Halls is where kids and families get together to decorate the sanctuary for the holiday season, making constrution paper chains, threading popcorn, hanging lights and ornaments on the tree, singing carols and enjoying good cheer. Heading 2
- Newcomers | UUSE
Considering Joining UUSE? Have you taken the Intro to UU seminar? Would you like to become a member of UUSE? If yes, please contact Carol Boster and Janet Dauphin at membership@uuse.org . If you have any other questions, please contact Rev. Josh Pawelek at minister@uuse.org .
- Music | UUSE
Music Music plays a huge part in our worship and in our community, and there's room for everyone to participate in our music programs. Many talented individuals take part in our services individually, in groups, in singing circles, and in choirs. Whether it's leading hymns, participating in choirs, playing piano or guitar, or even gifted professional musicians providing spirited musical themes, everyone can play a part. Our music director, Mary Bopp, with help from a very active music committee, plays a key role in all of the musical offerings that take place at UUSE. Mary Bopp Music Director Mary has served UUSE since 2015, after over 30 years as a professional full-time musician in New York City! An award-winning artist, Mary brings more than hymns and classical composers' music to our services. She is also an improv-magician to many, directs our choir with her unique creativity and adaptability, and brings a variety of professional artists to perform at services and more! Mary is a beloved inspiration to us all. Choir News Wednesdays, starting October 30th at 7:15 PM Do you love to sing? Do you love to have fun? You don't have to audition. If you answered “yes” to these questions you can sing with the UUSE Choir! Weekly rehearsals start Wednesday, October 30th at 7:15 PM. in preparation for the Holiday Music Services on December 15th. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Mary Bopp at music@uuse.org . #NovemberNewsletter Music Reporting The Music Report lists all of the music performed at UUSE Sunday Services during the reporting period Starting Mon Jul 01 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) today is Sat Nov 09 2024 06:15:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) -------------------------------------------------------- "Principles and Values: Reflections on Article 2" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, July 14, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Teach Your Children Well" - by Graham Nash - Pat Eaton-Robb, guitar Opening Song --------------------- - #1031 "Filled With Loving Kindness" - Traditional Buddhist meditation, ad. by Mark W. Hayes - Music by Ian Riddell Offering Music --------------------- - "All Some Kind of Dream" - By Josh Ritter - Pat Eaton-Robb, guitar Closing Song --------------------- - #95 "There is More Love Somewhere" - African American hymn -------------------------------------------------------- "Let Us All Sing" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, July 21, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Sing Break Into Song" - Members of the - Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle What Makes a Hymn UU? --------------------- - --Reading from the Preface to - Read by Nancy Madar Opening Hymn --------------------- - #108 "My Life Flows On in Endless Song" - Words: Traditional, Verse 3 by Doria Penn - Music: Robert Lowry Congregational Hymn Sing Part 1 --------------------- - #123 "Spirit of Life" - Words and music: Carolyn McDade - Introduced by Martha Larson - #205 "Amazing Grace" - Words: John Newton - Music: Columbian Harmony, arr. by J. Jefferson Cleveland - Introduced by Anne Vaughan - #16 "'Tis a Gift to Be Simple" - Words: Joseph Brackett - Music: American Shaker tune - Introduced by Martha Larson Congregational Hymn Sing Part 2 --------------------- - #159 "This Is My Song" - Words: Lloyd Stone - Music: Jean Sibelius - #1064 "Blue Boat Home" - Words: Peter Mayer - Music: Roland Hugh Prichard, adapted by Peter Mayer - Introduced by Stacey Musulin Congregational Hymn Sing Part 3 --------------------- - #1053 "How Could Anyone" - Words & music: Libby Roderick - Introduced by Leslie Greene - #203 "All Creatures of the Earth and Sky" - Verses, 1, 2, 3 - Words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi - Music: Ausserlesene Catholische Kirchengesang, - Adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams - Introduced by Stacey Musulin - "In the Garden" - Words and music: Charles Miles - Introduced by Martha Larson Closing Hymn --------------------- - #1057 "Go Lifted Up" - Words and music: Mortimer Barron -------------------------------------------------------- "Spinoza's God: Wisdom from the 1600s" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, July 28, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "God is All, All is God" - by Mary Bopp Opening Hymn --------------------- - #155 "Circle Round for Freedom" - by Linda Hirschhorn Offering Music --------------------- - "Lawful Harmony of the World" - by Mary Bopp Closing Hymn --------------------- - #1064 "Blue Boat Home" - by Peter Mayer -------------------------------------------------------- "Sacred Words" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, August 4, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "The Song the World Still Sings" - Music and Lyrics by Jenn Richards Opening Hymn --------------------- - "Morning Has Broken" - #38 in - Words by Eleanor Farjeon; Music: traditional Gaelic melody Offering Music --------------------- - "The End" - Music and Lyrics by Lucky Luke Harper Closing Hymn --------------------- - “May Nothing Evil Cross This Door” - #1 in - Words by Louis Untermeyer, Music by Robert N. Quaile - - -------------------------------------------------------- "Unearthing Our Spiritual Roots" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, August 11, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------- "Ritual and Repetition: The Pathways to Spirituality" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, August 18, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Secret of Life" - by James Taylor - Andy Ricci, guitar and vocals Offertory Music --------------------- - "Circle Game" - by Joni Mitchell - Andy Ricci, guitar and vocals Hymn --------------------- - #1009 "Meditation on Breathing" - by Sarah Dan Jones - Dorothy Bognar, piano Musical Meditation --------------------- - "Meditation on Breathing" Closing Hymn --------------------- - #1031 "Filled with Loving Kindness" - Ancient Buddhist Chant - Adapted by Mark W. Hayes; Music by Ian W. Riddell -------------------------------------------------------- "Coffee House Worship" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, August 25, 2024 Gathering Music --------------------- - “Turn, Turn, Turn” - by Pete Seeger/Ecclesiastes - Pat Eaton-Robb, vocals, guitar Prelude --------------------- - “I Will” - by Paul McCartney - Sandy Johnson, vocals; Dan Thompson and Andy Ricci, guitars Opening Song --------------------- - “Morning Has Broken” - by Eleanor Farjeon - Pat Eaton-Robb, vocals, guitar Offering Music --------------------- - "Nosebleeds" - by Luke Harper Music and Poetry --------------------- - Original Song (to be announced) - Nick Glomb, guitar and vocals - “Independence Day” - by Gretchen Peters (Martina McBride version) - Kate Howard-Bender, guitar and vocals - “Rearview Mirror” - by Cory Clark - - “Girl from Ipanema” - Antonio Carlos Jobim - Sandy Johnson, vocals; Dan Thompson and Andy Ricci, guitars - “Wisdom of Athena” - by Bill Lautenbach - "Healing Time On Earth" - by John Denver - Nancy Madar, guitar and vocals; Joe Madar, vocals Closing song --------------------- - #131 “Love Will Guide Us - by Sally Rogers -------------------------------------------------------- "You're Invited!" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, September 1, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - Original Composition - by Mary Bopp Opening Hymn --------------------- - #361 Enter, Rejoice, & Come In - Words & Music by Louise Ruspini Closing Hymn --------------------- - #188 "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" - Words adapted from Rumi - Music by Lynn Adair Unger -------------------------------------------------------- "Homecoming" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, September 8, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - “Bulgarian Rhythm from Mikrokosmos” - By Béla Bartók - Mary Bopp, Dorothy Bognar, pianos Opening Hymn --------------------- - #361 “Enter, Rejoice and Come In” - Words and Music by Louise Ruspini Offertory Music --------------------- - “Allegro Molto ed Appassionato” from - Edvard Grieg - Anhared Stowe, violin; Mary Bopp, piano Chant --------------------- - “Love is the Spirit of This Church” - words by James Vila Blake, music by Mary Bopp Closing Hymn --------------------- - #1010 “We Give Thanks” - Words and music by Wendy Luella Perkins - -------------------------------------------------------- "Sitting at the Messianic Table" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, September 15, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - “Allegro” from - by Wolfgang A. Mozart - Greig Shearer, flute - Anhared Stowe, violin - Patricia Vance, viola - Pablo Issa, cello Opening Hymn --------------------- - #360 “Here We Have Gathered” - Words by Alicia Carpenter - Music: Genevan psalter, 1543 - Music --------------------- - “Adagio” from - by Wolfgang A. Mozart - Greig Shearer, flute - Anhared Stowe, violin - Patricia Vance, viola - Pablo Issa, cello - Offering Music --------------------- - “Rondeau” from - by Wolfgang A. Mozart - Greig Shearer, flute - Anhared Stowe, violin - Patricia Vance, viola - Pablo Issa, cello - “Sitting at the Messianic Table” - Rev. Josh Pawelek Closing Hymn --------------------- - #407 “We’re Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table” - Traditional -------------------------------------------------------- "Equinox: Harvest and Balance" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, September 22, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Mabon Magic - by Mary Bopp Opening Hymn --------------------- - #1069 "Ancient Mother" - Traditional Navajo Prayer Offering Music --------------------- - "Everything Will Be All Right" - by Kay Gardner Closing Hymn --------------------- - "Cycles of Life" - by Janet Ciano -------------------------------------------------------- "Are You Ready?" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, September 29, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Falling Colors" - by Mary Bopp Opening Song --------------------- - #1009 "Meditation on Breathing" - by Sarah Dan Jones Offering Music --------------------- - "Ritual Fire Dance" - by Manuel de Falla - Mary Bopp, piano Closing Song --------------------- - "Great Balls of Fire Alarm" - Adapted from Jerry Lee Lewis - Andy Ricci, guitar and vocals - Mary Bopp, piano -------------------------------------------------------- "Listen to the Voices" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, October 6, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Listen to the Voices" - written by Holly Near - and recorded by Joe Madar - New video by Dan Thompson and Jeannette LeSure Opening Hymn --------------------- - #112 "Do You Hear?" - Words: Emily L. Thorn - Music: William Caldwell's Union Harmony, 1837 Offertory Music --------------------- - "The Silence Between the Notes" - by Mary Bopp Closing Hymn --------------------- - #391 "Voice Still and Small" - Words and music by John Corrado -------------------------------------------------------- "All That We Let In" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, October 13, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Autumn Town Leaves" - by Iron and Wine - Jenn Richard, guitar and vocals Opening Hymn --------------------- - #298 “Wake Now My Senses” (verses 1-3) - Words by Thomas Mikelson - Music: traditional Irish melody - Offering Music --------------------- - “All That We Let In” - by the Indigo Girls - Jenn Richard, guitar and vocals Closing Hymn --------------------- - #318 “We Would Be One” - Words by Samuel Anthony Wright - Music by Jean Sibelius -------------------------------------------------------- "Ageism" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, October 20, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Autumnal" Opening Hymn --------------------- - #1007 "There's a River Flowin' in My Soul" - Words and Music: Rose Sanders Offering Music --------------------- - "How Could Anyone" - by Libby Roderick, arr. by Mary Bopp Closing Hymn --------------------- - #1028 "The Fire of Commitment" - Words: Mary Katherine Morn - Music Jason Shelton -------------------------------------------------------- "Ancestor Day" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, October 27, 2024 Prelude and Calling the Quarters --------------------- - "To the Four Directions" - Music by Mary Bopp - Words adapted from Joan Goodwin's "To the Four Directions" - Sandy Johnson, vocals Opening Hymn --------------------- - #103 "For All the Saints" Offering Music --------------------- - "Faded in the Sun" - by Lilly Coleman Closing Hymn --------------------- - #52 "In Sweet Fields of Autumn" - words by Elizabeth Madison - music by William James Kirkpatrick -------------------------------------------------------- "America the Beautiful" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, November 3, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - Americana I: "Fantasia on America the Beautiful" - Music by Samuel A. Ward - Mary Bopp, piano Song --------------------- - #1009 “Meditation on Breathing” - By Sara Dan Jones Offering Music --------------------- - Americana II: "Fantasia on Themes from Aaron Copland” - Mary Bopp, piano Closing Song --------------------- - “America the Beautiful” - adapted from Katherine Lee Bates - -------------------------------------------------------- "America the Compassionate" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, November 10, 2024 Prelude --------------------- - "Spirit of Life" - by Carolyn McDade - Mary Bopp, piano Opening Song --------------------- - “For a World Made Whole” - Music by Mary Bopp - Words by Josh Pawelek Song --------------------- - #1053 “How Could Anyone” - By Libby Roderick Offering Music --------------------- - "O Mio Babbino Caro" - by Giacomo Puccini - Eric Rosenberg, saxophone - Mary Bopp, piano Closing Song --------------------- - #95 “There is More Love Somewhere” - African American Hymn
Forum Posts (46)
- What is the NAUA?In Denominational AffairsOctober 23, 2024Hi Jim, I am not sure I understand your use of the word "hurtful" in your comments to the posting of the information about NAUA. "Hurtful" implies an intent to do either physical or emotional harm, neither of which exists here. The word "hurtful" going forward should not be used by anyone wishing to stifle open discussion simply because the listener may not want to hear or may not be in agreement with what is expressed. No matter what recommendations come out of the current Discernment process, UUSE is going to have to engage in open and sometimes difficult opposing viewpoints. Thanks for listening. Ann Stowe1
- Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt in person at West Hartford 10/20/2024In Denominational Affairs·October 17, 2024Sunday Worship UU West Hartford with Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, UUA President Sunday, October 20 Worship Service: 10 AM with Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith Can’t make it in person? Join us online: https://www.youtube.com/@theuniversalistchurchwesth5818/streams Our worship services are live-streamed on YouTube every Sunday at 10 AM EST. Click the link above to view a live service or to browse previously recorded services.1118
- November's NAUA events Special Program Presented by the International Alliance:In Denominational Affairs·November 3, 2024November's NAUA events include: Special Program Presented by the International Alliance: “Beyond all “—isms” — the creative, inquiring, free & liberative spirituality of Imaoka Shin'ichirō” When: November 9th, 2024 Time: 10.00 AM Pacific, 1.00 PM Eastern, 18.00 UK, 19.00 Central Europe “Beyond all “-isms” -the creative, inquiring, free and liberative spirituality of Imaoka Shin’ichro” presented by Rev. Andrew James Brown, Minister of theCambridge Unitarian Church, Cambridge, UK with Professor George M. Williams, President of the International Association for Religious Freedom. This program is open to all, please Register here. You will be given the Zoom URL for this meeting when you register Imaoka Shin’ichirō (1881-1988) was a pioneering Japanese religious leader and educator, deeply involved in the development of a creative, inquiring, free and liberative religion/spirituality (jiyū shūkyō 自由宗教), and interfaith dialogue. He played a key role in the Japanese Unitarian Mission and the Japanese Free Religious movement. In 1952 he brought the first Japanese groups into the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). His commitment to religious inclusivity and cooperation has left a lasting impact, and in this introduction to his life and work, we’ll look closely at two of his “Principles of Living/Statements of Faith.” In the conversation that follows the introduction, we will explore how Imaoka-sensei's understanding of jiyū shūkyō may be helpful in articulating a confident, contemporary, cosmopolitan liberal religion/spirituality. A spirituality that is able to look beyond any kind of "-ism". Register Now Download iCalendar entry for this event. Add event to Google Calendar November NAUA Academy Session: Overcoming Identity Politics in North America: The Organization FAIR Previously, Ken Ing traced the roots of the identity centric movement that dominates the UUA, and influences institutions throughout North America. As a follow-up, Sunil Wijeyesekera describes the work of The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), an organization that counters identity politics. FAIR is a non-partisan civil rights organization based on universal principles of Fairness (not discriminating based on skin color or other immutable characteristics), Understanding (being willing to listen to other points of view) and our Common Humanity. Sunil Wijeyesekera retired in 2020 after a career in material science/engineering. He has been a UU for 38 years. Sunil is currently a member of the NAUA Hayward Fellowship, as well as a Chapter Leader for FAIR. In describing the work of FAIR, Sunil Wijeyesekera plans to simulate a discussion of how we can apply our NAUA values in the larger society. The presentation features a guest speaker, a question and answer and then a breakout group. When Wed. Nov. 12 2024 at 4:30 PDT (7:30 EDT). Attendees must register to obtain the Zoom URL and a reminder email for this event. Anything Goes with Jack Join us for an evening of conversation led by UU Minister Rev. Jack Reich. These chats allow you to get to know other NAUA members and yourself a little better! Access this chat on the first Wednesday evening each month from 4:30 PM PST (7:30 EST) at https://tinyurl.com/naua-anything-goes When: Nov. 6, 2024 Monthly NAUA Community Worship Service - This month's service features a sermon by the Rev Dr. Todd Eklof in addition to readings, meditations and songs. All are welcomed! When: Saturday Nov. 16 10:00 AM PST (1:00 PM EST) Zoom link - https://tinyurl.com/NAUAService NAUA Book Club Invitation You are invited to join the NAUA book club which reads books chosen by members and normally meets by Zoom on the 4th Thursday of each month. This month, due to American Thanksgiving, the book club meets a week earlier on Nov. 21. All are welcome. Starts at 7:30 PM (EDT) 4:30 PM (PDT) This month featuring a discussion of Survival at Stake : How Our Treatment of Animals Is Key to Human Existence by Poorva Joshipura. The club is open to all so please invite a friend. For more details and to join the Book Club mailing list contact Ed Hudak at bookclub@naunitarians.org Monthly Ministers' Support Group On the fourth Thursday of each month, (a week earlier this month due to American Thanksgiving) NAUA ministers and ministerial friends attend a regular meeting meant to foster support, collegiality, and learning. Periodically, there are also longer ministerial gatherings that include unique programs and professional development. It is important that members of this group maintain confidentiality and anonymity. If you are a Minister and would like to explore or join this group, please email president@naunitarians.org When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Pacific Time, (1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Time). News and Announcements: NAUA Historic 1st Summit Gathering The historic first NAUA Summit was held in Spokane and online from Oct 17-20, 2024 The weekend attracted 62 delegates to Spokane and 96 delegates online. We are still gathering responses from delegates in an online Summit Evaluation form and we will be sharing the results of these evaluations with the Summit organizing committee, the new Board and our faithful members and subscribers. An overall impression is that the Summit was a great success! The keynote speaker John Wood Jr. from Braver Angels was outstanding. Rev Eklof's opening remarks, workshop and Sunday service sermon were all provoking and entertaining. The participant workshops allowed a wide variety of input on NAUA's future and on specific NAUA programs. Stay tuned for results of the registrant's evaluations. At our Annual General Meeting, delegates passed two important resolutions: 1. The NAUA membership voted to adopt the bylaws posted on the website to guide our organization. At the annual general meeting, we noted a few deficiencies with these initial bylaws that we will be addressing these through amendments at our next annual general meeting in 2025. 2. We elected our first Board of Trustees. Names, Photos and brief Bios of the board members are on the website at https://naunitarians.org/meet-the-board/ Of course, the online sessions had a few minor challenges, but we are proud of the technical team, both in Spokane and online who supported online registrants. We are pleased to say that we supported the Summit online with no professional e-conference support other than our dedicated volunteers and existing technical resources both online and at UU Church of Spokane. Recordings of the John Wood Jr. keynote and all the other sessions excepting the small group breakout sessions are available on Youtube Circle News Forum CIRCLE (Meets Sunday at 4pm Eastern) Forum CIRCLE is open for 5 or 6 more members. The purposes of Forum Circles are: • To discuss topics of interest and concern with fair-minded people • To get to know others who are participating in, or considering, NAUA events Format: The discussion leader will present a brief summary of the main readings, and then pose a question for follow-up discussion. Please keep your comments brief (preferably under one minute) so that everyone has a chance to be heard in an online meeting. There will be one or two primary readings and several secondary readings (optional) each week. Most readings (and all primary readings) are publicly available. Some secondary readings are behind paywalls; the text of some readings will be copied to Google Docs. New Circles forming. Rural Voters in America (Nov. 3) The Next 4 Years (Nov.10) TOPICS OF PAST FORUM • The promises and perils of Artificial Intelligence • The crisis in youth mental health • The outlook for liberal democracy in America • The origins of Western religious ideas • The Cass Report and youth gender transitions • What we can learn from two Native American Societies • Can brain science inform our spiritual path? • Socialized medicine: what are the pros and cons? • Transgender ideology: what’s the evidence? • The US Election New topics will be agreed on by group. There will be one or two primary readings and several secondary readings (optional) each week. Most readings (and all primary readings) are publicly available. Some secondary readings are behind paywalls; the text of some readings will be copied to Google Docs. If a link does not open when you click on it, copy and paste into your browser. If you are interested in joining, send an email to circles@naunitarians.org and add the word Circles in the Sunject line. How to Become a Member of the NAUA The Membership Team has been getting inquiries lately about how to become an official member of the NAUA. Some folks who have been receiving our electronic publications and attending our numerous events assumed they were already Members, but you aren’t considered a Member of the NAUA until you fill out the online Membership form. This form is accessible from our Main Menu under the Membership tab. Just click on Join Us and then enter a few personal identifiers. Be sure to use the same email address you received this email with while filling out the form to prevent the creation of a duplicate contact record. There is no harm in rejoining as a member if you are already a member, so if in doubt, just got ahead and join us. Our only membership requirement is to check the box that says “I agree to join the NAUA in good faith with a sincere interest to support its Mission”. We do occasionally make the contact info of members available to other members who are looking to connect with members in the same geographic area. If you do not want your contact info shared for such purposes, check on the “Do Not Share” box at the bottom of the form. That’s all it takes to become a member! Membership is required to vote at our Annual Meeting and to receive correspondence for members only. At some point we may require a minimal contribution in order to verify the identity of our members for voting purposes, but at this point, your contributions are welcome but not required. Follow NAUA on Social Media In addition to all latest NAUA news, program information in Liberal Beacon, and our online video archive of past events (available at www.naunitarians.org), we are now posting “news” items to a variety of sources, including X (formally Twitter) at https://twitter.com/NAUnitarians And on Meta (Facebook) at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553146776020 If you have news items you think might be of interest to other Unitarians, please share it (along with a photo, if possible) to web@naunitarians.org Contact Us: Many NAUA volunteers and board members are pleased to talk to you over the phone or correspond via email. However, for privacy reasons we do not publicize private emails or phone numbers on this website. Please drop us an email to the appropriate address below and we will respond. Website technical contact NAUA-web@googlegroups.com Membership inquiries NAUA-web@googlegroups.com NAUA Academy Academy@naunitarians.org Monthly Worship NAUA-worship@googlegroups.com NAUA Book Club bookclub@naunitarians.org NAUA Circles circles@naunitarians.org NAUA Board of Directors nauaboard@googlegroups.com NAUA President president@naunitarians.org NAUA Summit summit@naunitarians.org International Alliance alliance@naunitarians.org Other NAUA inquiries info@naunitarians.org0111