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Blog Posts (165)

  • "In the Morning, Joy: A Service for Easter" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, April 20, 2025

    Gathering Music "Egg Hunt" "Bunny Burrow" by Lilly Coleman Welcome (Emmy Galbraith) Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek) Centering Musical Invocation "Shanti" by Helen Yeomans UUSE Choir Chalice Lighting and Opening Words "i thank You God for most this amazing day" by E. E. Cummings Opening Hymn #38 "Morning Has Broken" Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word! Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where God's feet pass . Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise every morning, God's recreation of the new day! Story "Rabbityness" by Jo Empson Musical Interlude Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude Offering The recipient of our April Community Outreach offering is the Inter-Religious Eco-Justice Network, or IREJN, Connecticut's only faith-based environmental non-profit organization. Their mission is to inspire and equip Connecticut's religious communities and their spiritual allies to protect our planet through education, engagement and advocacy. Offering Music "Pavane" by Morton Gould Dorothy Bognar, Mary Bopp, pianos Music "In the Morning, Joy" by Mark Hayes UUSE Choir "Lead With Love" by Melanie DeMore UUSE Choir Homily "In the Morning, Joy" Rev. Josh Pawelek Closing Hymn #61 "Lo, the Earth Awakes Again" Lo, the earth awakes again -- Alleluia! From the winter's bond and pain. Alleluia! Bring we leaf and flower and spray -- Alleluia! to adorn this happy day Alleluia! Once again the word comes true, Alleluia! All the earth shall be made new. Alleluia! Now the dark, cold days are o'er, Alleluia! Spring and gladness are before. Alleluia! Change, then, mourning into praise, Alleluia! And, for dirges, anthems raise. Alleluia! How our spirits soar and sing, Alleluia! How our hearts leap with the spring! Alleluia! Music "Alleluia, Alleluia" by Roger Emerson UUSE Choir 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.

  • Dan's Test Blog

    Greetings CYM Families & Friends! Last Sunday I took the middle school class on a field trip to the Old State House in Hartford, the site of the city’s dedicated Witness Stones (https://witnessstonesproject.org). If you aren’t familiar with the project, it was started by middle schoolers in Guildford, CT with help from their teachers in 2017. A Witness Stone is a memorial to the last living enslaved person from that city or town. These sites raise awareness of important historical facts, such as the life and events of the dedicated persons’ lives. As well as that contrary to popular belief, forced human slavery of black, brown, bi-racial, and indigenous people existed in every town and city in the north. Several of the Witness Stones sites show a death date of the last enslaved person in town to be just over 100 years ago. The misconception that slavery didn’t exist in New England, or that we are far removed from it, hasn’t been perpetuated accidentally. In general, people from the north and south may talk about the history and generational impacts of slavery differently. But those impacts are quite similar, if not more difficult to repair in the north because personal and institutional values of superiority through class distinction, education, and generational wealth are gripped so tightly and quietly by the “haves”, and the coldness we are known for is seen in the blind eye turning away from the “have-nots.” This rumor that the north is not complicit or responsible is quieter, sneakier, and serves the wealthy. All the more reason to point it out and talk to your youth and fellows about it. Standing in the city of Hartford with our middle school youth, I am reminded that Hartford, CT is the insurance capital of the country, as well as the home to some of the top medical research sites and facilities in the country, in the wealthiest state in the country. Yet how is that abundance of wealth shared within this community? I encouraged our youth as I talked with them in Hartford last Sunday to think about what is important to them, as they should be doing at their age. I asked them to reflect on what their passions are, how they feel comfortable being in the world, and offered that those answers would guide their personal development of their own spirituality. What a gift to be on this journey with them, and all of you. Here’s what else is happening in Children & Youth Ministry on Sunday, April 13, 2025: @11 AM Children & Youth Ministry Groups: Children and Youth in 1st-8th grade will join their families in the Sanctuary for the beginning of worship Sunday. Students will be dismissed from the Sanctuary to the Garden Level for programming after a Time For All Ages. Garden Level programming ends at 12:15PM. Sunday Service: “Gracefully Amazing” - This morning we offer a multifaceted exploration of the hymn Amazing Grace. We’ll experience different musical approaches to this hymn, and we’ll probe it’s history and lyrics for spiritual guidance. Coordinators: Mary Bopp and Rev. Josh Pawelek Nursery (Ages 3 and under): Childcare is available in our Nursery on the Garden Level at 11 AM for children 3 and under. Care is provided by two regular childcare staff including our Nursery Coordinator Molly, our Nursery Assistant Lilly. Our nursery staff have grown up at UUSE, and are equipped with loads of experience, patience, and creativity to keep our youngest UUs safe and engaged. Families are always welcome to tour and stay in the nursery at any time. Spirit Play (Pre-K/Kindergarten): “Jesus Goes to Jerusalem”  - Spirit Play children start in their classroom at 11 AM. This Sunday’s tale is about the story of Easter. Easter happens in the spring when nature comes back to life, the trees get leaves, flowers bloom, and birds lay their eggs. Easter eggs, like eggs on Passover, remind us of the rebirth of the earth and the new life coming. Spirituality & Religion (Grades 1-5): “Easter” - This Sunday our elementary youth will hear a simple story of Easter and the legacy of Jesus.  The group will discuss Jesus and the things he taught, especially the importance and power of love. Participants will illustrate a page for their Sacred Books with imagery and colors inspired by the day’s lesson and Spring season. Anti-Racism (Grades 6-8): “Signs in Spanish” - Our junior youth will create Garden Level signage in Spanish to supplement the existing signs in English. The lesson is in radical hospitality, self empowerment for our Spanish-speaking youth and caregivers, and an act of inclusion and love of diversity. High School Youth Group : Volunteering at the Covenant Soup Kitchen - Those who have signed up to volunteer at the soup kitchen in Willimantic this Sunday should meet at UUSE no later than 7:45 AM! Bring a lunch, wear closed toed shoes, pull hair back/wear a hat, and leave valuables at home. Please see the email from Michelle for more details and permission slips. I’m excited for this! SAVE THE DATE: THIS SUNDAY, Apr 13: Author event with UUSE’s S.J. Taylor! She will read an excerpt from her latest book, which will appeal especially to our older elementary and teenage youth. This event is after service and CYM programming Sat, Apr 19: UUSE attends Kamora’s Cultural Corner’s “Thinking and Doing Day: Take Back the Land.” Please visit https://kamorasculturalcorner.com/ to learn more about KCC, a new (to us) partner in guiding our children, youth, and families about community engagement at a grass-roots level. Register to attend this free event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/2025-thinking-and-doing-days-3893073. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions! Sun, Apr 20: Easter Egg Hunt between services, beginning at 10:30 in the Memorial Garden. Sat, May 3: May Fair at UUSE! 10AM-2PM Sun, May 18: Flower Communion Service, Community Potluck, & UUSE Annual Meeting Sun, May 25: NO CYM programming, Memorial Day Weekend Sun, Jun 1: Affirmation Sunday Service Sun, Jun 8: CYM Field Day and final ‘24-’25 CYM Stakeholder’s Meeting in the field Sun, Jun 15: CYM Sunday Service Sun, Jun 22: UUA General Assembly (interested in attending as a family? Shoot me an email & more details to come.) With Love and Gratitude, Emmy Galbraith dcym@uuse.org Cell: (860)576-7889 CYM Committee Members: Desiree Holian-Borgnis, Chair Michelle Spadaccini Paula Baker Sudha Rhona Cohen Committee email: uusecym@uuse.org Angela Attardo, CYM Program Assistant CYMAsst@uuse.org

  • Towards a Spiritual Discipline of Love

    02/19/23 I am slightly embarrassed. My intention this morning was—and still is—to continue reflecting on the proposed changes to Article 2 of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) bylaws, which I began in my sermon on January 22nd. I’ll explain my embarrassment, but first, as a reminder, Article 2 is the section of the bylaws that tells the world, in writing, who we are as a religious people. It proclaims to the world, in writing , the center of our faith. It currently lists the seven Unitarian Universalist principles and the six sources of our living tradition. These lists—the principles and the sources—will go away, in writing , if the new version of Article 2 is accepted by the UUA General Assembly over the course of two years of voting. As an aside, I emphasize in writing , because while what we say in writing about who we are matters immensely (which is why I continue to talk about it), I firmly believe the world learns most about who we are, not by what we say about ourselves in writing , but by how we live, how we engage the world. As the 19th-century Transcendentalist Unitarian minister, Theodore Parker once prayed: Be ours a religion which, like / sunshine, goes everywhere; / its temple, all space; its shrine, the good heart; its creed, all truth; its ritual, works of love; its profession of faith, divine living. [1] In religious short-hand, we might say deeds, not creeds . I am embarrassed because when I spoke about the proposed new Article 2 last month, I was responding to a rough draft proposal originally published last fall. What I understood last fall is that the Article 2 Commission that produced that rough draft was holding a series of feedback sessions in November and December. Some of you attended those sessions. What I did not quite understand is that the Commissioners would use the feedback they received in those sessions to create a final version of their proposal to submit to the UUA Board of Trustees for its mid-January meeting. When I spoke about Article 2 a month ago, I was completely unaware of the final version, which has some significant differences from the rough draft. That’s why I am embarrassed. I was speaking to you about already outdated material. I hope and trust you will forgive me. [To read the final draft of the Article 2 Commission’s report, click here .] Love is our ministry theme for February, so I want to talk about the place of love in the proposed new Article 2. However, before I do, it feels really important to name that quite a few of you have shared reactions to and concerns about the Article 2 proposal. I don’t have the space to address all those reactions and concerns here—and I don’t necessarily think that’s my role—but I do want to say there will be opportunities for us to discuss the Article 2 proposal as a congregation. Carrie Kocher currently holds the role of UUS:E Denominational Affairs chairperson. Carrie, I’m pretty sure, accepted the nomination for that role, without knowing (because who knew?) that Article 2 would be up for debate this year. Carrie, like me, is receiving a lot of the comments, reactions, concerns, etc. Carrie and I are committed to organizing three UUS:E public forums on Article 2 proposal, likely in May. The purpose of those forums is for Carrie and I, and any other UUS:E delegates to the General Assembly, to develop a good sense of how you want your delegates to vote regarding Article 2 and the likely hundreds of amendments that delegates will be proposing during the General Assembly. Among those of you who’ve offered comments, observations, concerns, I want to thank in particular Malcolm and Susan Barlow, Carol Lacoss, Judy Durham, Lorry King, Fred Wildes, Carrie Kocher and Sudha. Many others have commented, but I want to personally acknowledge these eight. Their comments have gone into depth and are leading me to deepen and nuance my own assessment of the proposal. We’ve talked about everything from the wordiness of and lack of poetry in the proposal; to observations that there is too much emphasis on antiracism and anti-oppression identity and practice at the expense of promoting a more holistic religious setting for spiritual searching, experience and growth; to concerns that the rough draft makes no reference to democratic processes and what that implies for the future of our faith; to fears that with this proposal the UUA is actually attempting to usurp power from the congregations. There’s a lot to talk about. There’s a lot out there on the internet, some legitimate some not so legitimate. There’s a lot of anxiety in the system, so to speak. There are camps forming within Unitarian Universalism, which is problematic, though to some degree predictable and I don’t believe fatal. I have complete faith that the UUA’s democratic, General Assembly process, over the next two years, will produce the best final new Article 2 possible. Our ministry theme for February is love. I feel the most important and essential change the proposed Article 2 makes is the way it centers love as the preeminent value of Unitarian Universalism. My favorite sentence from the rough draft proposal is “Love is the enduring force that holds us together.” I kept repeating those words when I preached about this a month ago. Now I’m upset. That language was removed from the final version. The final version says “love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values.” It’s a clunky sentence. “Enduring” is such a beautiful, poetic word. Love is the enduring force that holds us together. I miss it already. Despite that change, something else emerged out of those national feedback sessions that moves me deeply. Vivian Carlson focused on this last Sunday in her reflections on love. The final version of the proposed new Article 2 adds this statement: “We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.” As an aside, I wish the statement didn’t use the phrase “doing the work.” Its jargony. It adds no value to the sentence. “We are accountable to one another for living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of love.” The spiritual discipline of love. Framing love as a discipline brings it out of the realm of pure feeling or mere sentiment, out of the realm of Hallmark and Valentine’s Day, and more importantly, out of the realm of consumer capitalism, asking: what is the practice of love? How do we manifest love in the world? How do me make love real, impactful, healing, transformative? Last week Vivian asked the question this way: “how do we keep our hearts open to the source of love when others are difficult, hurtful, hateful?” She reminded us that “the spiritual discipline of love calls us to understand that many who have been hurt, met with hatred and violence often know only how to share the same with others. They have not been held in the heart of another. They do not know the experience of love.” The spiritual discipline of love attunes us to the knowledge that we typically don’t know about a person’s life circumstances, that we typically don’t know about the ways they have or are suffering, about what burdens they are carrying, about how their day is going. I told the story earlier from my colleague, Rev. Jo VonRue, about her fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Fong. As a child Rev. VonRue was poor, at times homeless, often wore dirty clothes that didn’t smell good, struggled in school and was the target of bullying. Though she was terrified of Mrs. Fong, who tolerated no shenanigans, she says “she was never unkind towards me.” One day Mrs. Fong pulled her aside and asked if she knew what deodorant is. She was mortified. However, she writes, “when I was recently asked about a time when someone stuck their neck out for me, Mrs. Fong was the first person I thought of. It’s funny how perspective changes over time: something that once seemed mortifying now strikes me as a gesture of caring; of love.” I don’t want to speculate on Mrs. Fong’s motivations. She probably woudn’t say she was holding herself accountable for living her values through the spiritual discipline of love. But who knows? Maybe she was conducting her life and her teaching in accordance with the values of a faith community. Maybe she just had a wonderfully caring heart and knew what needed to be said in that moment, even if it would be difficult for the child to hear. I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. What matters is that opportunities to practice love abound. They are everywhere. They meet us every day. A Unitarian Universalist spiritual discipline of love, in my mind, orients us to these opportunities, sensitizes, alerts, attunes us to these opportunities, helps us not pass by without noticing them, helps us respond to them as best we can. A spiritual discipline of love helps us respond skillfully when, as Vivian challenges us, others are difficult, hurtful, hateful. A spiritual discipline of love helps us respond skillfully, as Rev. VonRue challenges us, in “the messy, vulnerable places.” A spiritual discipline of love helps us respond to the neighbor in crisis, the neighbor who is sinking down, as the hymn says, the neighbor facing homelessness, the neighbor whose anxiety will not subside, the neighbor whose depression keeps deepening despite treatment, the neighbor who is lonely, the neighbor whose child is struggling, the neighbor who cannot shake their addiction, the neighbor for whom the treatment did not work, the neighbor who has just lost their beloved, the health care worker neighbor or the teacher neighbor who are burned out and exhausted, the immigrant neighbor who cannot access health care to treat a condition that could be life threatening, the prisoner neighbor preparing for re-entry, the survivor neighbor of the earthquake who has lost everything and everyone, the child neighbor who needs deodorant. Indeed, a spiritual discipline of love calls us back to that ancient, moral commandment to love neighbor as self; the commandment, in Vivian’s language, to hold others in our hearts, even those who are hurtful and hateful. I don’t know what this spiritual discipline of love looks like, not yet. But I do look forward to figuring it out, exploring, experimenting, testing, practicing … with you. And assuming some version of this love-centered UUA Article 2 is adopted next year, I already have an elevator speech ready to go. When people ask me to explain Unitarian Universalism, I will tell them: It’s the practice of the spiritual discipline of love. Amen and blessed be. [1] Parker, Theodore, “Be Ours a Religion,” Singing the Living Tradition (Boston: UUA and Beacon Press, 1993) #683.

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  • Deck the Halls | UUSE

    Our annual appeal raises over 90% of our operating budget each year. 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

  • Goods and Services Auction | UUSE

    Our annual goods and services auction raises important funds to keep our doors open and the lights on. Goods & Services Auction and Chili Cookoff The Chili Cook-off & Auction is coming back—and it’s better than ever! Save the date: January 27, 2024. TASTE some of the region’s best chili! BID on terrific items and experiences! And HEAT up a cold January evening in the company of friends, new and old. To volunteer or ask a question email auction@uuse.org . Click for Auction Site Online Silent Auction Monday, January 15, 8 AM through Friday, January 26, 10 PM at fundraiser.bid/uubid . You can go there now to REGISTER to participate in the auction. Live Event Saturday, January 27 at 5 PM at the meetinghouse The Chili Cook-Off is Back! Enjoy a free, delicious chili dinner with vibrant beloved community, including beer & wine, cornbread, salad and dessert, plus pizza for those who don’t eat chili. Free! Exclusive Live Event Items Places at dinners and activities offered by members and the fabulous live auction items like Rev. Josh’s sermon will only be available at the live event. You will be able to preview all of these offerings under the “Live Events” tab at fundraiser.bid/uubid . If you cannot go to the live event but want to bid on something, just ask a friend! Your proxy can get your bidder number from us at the registration table at the live event (or register you if you haven’t already) and your bill will go to directly to you. For the Kids There will be a Kids Bid Table with items for kids ONLY to bid on. There will also be fun activities and childcare available! Raffle Basket Drawing The winners of the raffle baskets will be drawn at the Live Event, too. You do not need to be present to win. We’ll contact you! Lend a Hand! The Auction Committee would greatly appreciate an hour of your time to help this event run smoothly! We need help with set up, clean up and during the event. Contact auction@uuse.org if you can take a shift. The auction is one of our biggest fundraisers. It’s important to our congregation. We look forward to seeing you there! How You Can Help Donate! What can you contribute to auction off at this extraordinary event? Could you teach, repair, entertain, bake? Share your talent in other ways? We’ll have the ever-popular dinners, group activities, lessons, services and select items that need a new home. Contact your favorite merchants to ask for donations. If you love a place, others will, too. Stop by our table after services or email auction@uuse.org . Email your donation details to auction@uuse.org or complete our form ( 2024 Auction Donation ) by January 10, sooner is better. Include: • a thorough description • value of the item or service • time and date for any events (setting this in advance is a good idea!) • the number of places or offerings • photos: We can include several photos of each item. Use a plain background for best results. If you need help taking photos, let us know as soon as possible. • If you have a firm minimum bid requirement, please let us know. In general, we open bidding at 1/3 to 1/2 of the item’s value to promote active bidding. We will contact you about the timing to drop off your items. Space is very tight, so please don’t drop anything off until we ask. Raffle Baskets We are asking committees and small groups to compile and donate a themed basket for the Basket Raffle at the auction, but individuals are welcome to donate a basket, too. We will display the baskets in the lobby, and sell advance tickets for them, on Sunday, January 14 and 21. The drawing will be at the live event on Saturday, January 27. Timeline By Jan. 1: Claim your theme! There’s a 10-basket limit and we want them all to be different. Email auction@uuse.org. By January 9: Submit the description of your basket and its contents to auction@uuse.org . Write up a fun description that we can post on the auction site and estimate the value. We can include several photos in the posting, so feel free to take pictures of the contents individually or in small groups. Use a plain background for best results. If you need help taking photos, let us know as soon as possible. January 9-11: Drop the basket off at the meetinghouse. We can help package it if you need. We find that wrapping it in plastic is neither desirable nor necessary! What to include? Use your imagination! The value should Enter the Chili Cook-Off! Who makes the best chili? Enter your tried and true family recipe or a new experiment you’ve been wanting to try. Vegan, vegetarian and with meat—all are welcome! Bragging rights and a beautiful UUSE Chili Cook-Off Apron are up for grabs for the winners! Entry is limited, so contact auction@uuse.org ASAP to reserve your spot. Plan on making a crock pot full. You will receive detailed instructions before the event. Bid High and Often! Online Silent Auction Monday, Jan. 15 – Friday, Jan. 26, at fundraiser.bid/uubid . Share the link with your friends! Live Event Saturday, January 27 at 5 PM at the meetinghouse The Auction Committee— Robin Byrne, Susan Gabriele, Jennifer Klee, Chris Larson, Stan McMillen & Nancy Pappas Questions? Email auction@uuse.org !

  • Music | UUSE

    Music plays a key role in our services and in our congregational life. 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 Music Reporting The Music Report lists all of the music performed at UUSE Sunday Services during the reporting period Starting Wed Jan 01 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) today is Sun Apr 20 2025 06:15:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) -------------------------------------------------------- "Telling Our Stories" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, January 12, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - "A Story With No Words" Opening Hymn --------------------- - #1008 "When Our Heart Is In a Holy Place" - Music & words by Joyce Poley - Mary Bopp, piano & Jenn Richard, vocals Offering Music --------------------- - "The Story" Music --------------------- - "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" Closing Hymn --------------------- - #128 "For All That is Our Life" - Music by Patrick L. Rickey - Words by Bruce Findlow - Mary Bopp, piano and Jenn Richard, vocals -------------------------------------------------------- "The Stories We Inherit: The Stories We Pass Down" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, January 19, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" - By Thomas A. Dorsey - Eric Rosenberg, Saxophone Opening Hymn --------------------- - #153, "Oh I Woke Up This Morning" - African American spiritual - Eric Rosenberg, sax - Bob Janes, drums - Mary Bopp, piano Offering Music --------------------- - "Come and Go With Me" - African American spiritual - Eric Rosenberg, sax - Bob Janes, drums - Mary Bopp, piano Closing Hymn --------------------- - "We Shall Overcome" - African American spiritual - Words adapted by William Farley Smith -------------------------------------------------------- "The Power of Protest" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, January 26, 2025 Gathering Music --------------------- - "Ship of Fools" by Hunter/Garcia - "Just One Victory" by Rundgren - Dan Thompson, guitar & vocals - and Jen Richard, vocals Opening Hymn --------------------- - #170 "We Are a Gentle Angry People" - Words & music: Holly Near - arr. by Patrick L. Rickey Song --------------------- - "Will the Circle Be Unbroken/The Flame" - by Lara Herscovitch Closing Hymn --------------------- - "People Have the Power" - by Patti Smith - Dan Thompson, guitar and vocals; - and Mary Lawrence, vocals -------------------------------------------------------- "Turning" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, February 2, 2025 Gathering Music --------------------- - "Chuckles is Our Groundhog" - by Dan Thompson - Dan Thompson, guitar and vocals Prelude --------------------- - Adagio from E Major Sonata - for violin and keyboard - J.S. Bach - Anhared Stowe, violin; Mary Bopp, piano Opening Hymn --------------------- - #123 "Spirit of Life" - by Carolyn McDade Offering Music --------------------- - Allegro from Southland Sketches - for violin and piano - Harry Thacker Burleigh - Anhared Stowe, violin; Mary Bopp, piano Closing Hymn --------------------- - #122 "Sound Over All Waters" - Traditional Welsh melody - Words by John Greenleaf Whittier -------------------------------------------------------- "On Inclusion, Part I" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, February 9, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - “Swimming to the Other Side” - By Pat Humphries - Jennifer Richard, vocals and guitar Opening Hymn --------------------- - #188 “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” - Words ad. From Rumi, - Music by Lynn Adair Ungar Song --------------------- - #1023 “Building Bridges” - Words: The women of Greenham Common peace occupation in England, 1983 - Music: Contemporary English Quaker chant Offering Music --------------------- - “All Ye Refugees” - Jenn Richard, guitar and vocals - by Sandra McCracken Closing Hymn --------------------- - #155 “Circle Round for Freedom” - By Linda Hirschhorn -------------------------------------------------------- "On Inclusion, Part II" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, February 16, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - "Swimming to the Other Side" - By Pat Humphries - Jennifer Richard, vocals and guitar Opening Hymn --------------------- - #1023 "Building Bridges" - Words: The women of Greenham Common peace occupation in England, 1983 - Music: Contemporary English Quaker chant Responsive Hymn --------------------- - "What is this Church?" - words adapted from Eugene Sander - Music by Jean Sibelius Offering Music --------------------- - "All Ye Refugees" - Jenn Richard, guitar and vocals - By Sandra McCracken Closing Hymn --------------------- - #323 "Break Not the Circle" - Music by Fred Kaan - Words by Tom Benjamin -------------------------------------------------------- "Inclusion and Exclusion" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, February 23, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - “All Are Welcome Here” - Improvisation by Mary Bopp Opening Hymn --------------------- - #188 "Come, Come Whoever You Are" - Words by Rumi and Music by Noah Anderson Offertory Music --------------------- - “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” - Composed by E. Y. Warburg and Jay Gomey - Will Alexson, vocals Closing Hymn --------------------- - "Loving Kindness" - #1031 in - Words: Traditional Buddhist Meditation - Music: Ian W. Riddell -------------------------------------------------------- "Strengthening Our Connections" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, March 2, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - "Three Little Birds" - by Bob Marley and the Wailers - Kate Howard-Bender, guitar and vocals Opening Hymn --------------------- - #1 “May Nothing Evil Cross This Door” - Words by Louis Untermeyer - Music by Robert N. Quaile Responsive Hymn --------------------- - “This Meeting House” - words adapted from Eugene Sander by Josh Pawelek - Music by Jean Sibelius Offering Music --------------------- - “Finale” from - by Richard Rodney Bennett - Dorothy Bognar, Mary Bopp, pianos Closing Hymn --------------------- - #323 “Break Not the Circle” - Music by Fred Kaan - Words by Tom Benjamin -------------------------------------------------------- "Trust in Action" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, March 9, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - "I Know This Rose Will Open" - Meditation by Mary Bopp Opening Hymn --------------------- - - #131 “Love Will Guide Us” - Words: Sally Rogers - arr. by Betty A Wylder - - Offering Music --------------------- - “Spirit of Life” - Love offering by Mary Bopp - Closing Hymn --------------------- - #396 “I Know This Rose Will Open” - Words and Music: Mary E. Grigolia - - -------------------------------------------------------- "How's Your Rhythm Section?" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, March 16, 2025 Gathering Music --------------------- - Performer: Meetinghouse Prelude --------------------- - "Find Your People" - By Drew Holcomb - Performer: Meetinghouse Opening Song --------------------- - #1009 "Meditation on Breathing" - By Sarah Dann Jones Musical Response --------------------- - "Find Your People" reprise - By Drew Holcomb - Performer: Meetinghouse Musical Response --------------------- - "Find Your People" reprise - By Drew Holcomb - Performer: Meetinghouse Offering Music --------------------- - "Forgiveness" - By Patty Griffin - Performer: Meetinghouse Closing Song --------------------- - "Give Me Love" - By George Harrison - Performer: Meetinghouse -------------------------------------------------------- "Love Will Guide Us Through the Hard Night" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, March 23, 2025 Opening Hymn --------------------- - #131 “Love Will Guide Us” - Words by Sally Rogers - Music: traditional, arr. By Betty A. Wylder Offering Music --------------------- - “Love’s in Need of Love Today” - By Stevie Wonder - Will Alexon, vocals Closing Hymn --------------------- - #34 “Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire” - Words by Hal Hopson - Music traditional English melody, arr. By Hal Hopson -------------------------------------------------------- "The Truth About Trust" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, March 30, 2025 Opening Hymn --------------------- - #131 "Love Will Guide Us" - Words by Sally Rogers - Music: Traditional, arr. by Betty A. Wylder Closing Hymn --------------------- - #293 "O Star of Truth" - Words: Minot Judson Savage - Music: Finnish melody, adapt. by David Evans -------------------------------------------------------- "Poetry and Joy as Acts of Resistance" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, April 6, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - "Joy Variations" - George Frideric Handel and Mary Bopp Opening Song --------------------- - "Joy to the World" - Written by Hoyt Axton - guitar and vocals Offering Music --------------------- - "Rustle of Spring" - Written by Christian Sinding Closing Hymn --------------------- - #1010 "We Give Thanks" - Written by Wendy Luella Perkins -------------------------------------------------------- "Gracefully Amazing" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, April 13, 2025 Prelude --------------------- - "Amazing Grace" - Virginia Harmony, 1831 - Eric Rosenberg, Saxophone Opening Hymn --------------------- - #205 "Amazing Grace" - Words by John Newton - Set to the tune of "Gift of Love," traditional English folk melody Music --------------------- - "Meditation on Amazing Grace" - Dorothy Bognar, piano Offering Music --------------------- - "Amazing Grace" - music: "Rising Sun Blues" - Sandy Johnson, vocals; Mary Bopp, piano Closing Hymn --------------------- - #205 "Amazing Grace" - Words by John Newton - Music: Virginia Harmony, 1831 -------------------------------------------------------- "In the Morning, Joy: A Service for Easter" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, April 20, 2025 Gathering Music --------------------- - "Egg Hunt" - "Bunny Burrow" - by Lilly Coleman Musical Invocation --------------------- - "Shanti" - by Helen Yeomans - UUSE Choir Opening Hymn --------------------- - #38 "Morning Has Broken" Offering Music --------------------- - "Pavane" - by Morton Gould - Dorothy Bognar, Mary Bopp, pianos Music --------------------- - "In the Morning, Joy" - by Mark Hayes - UUSE Choir - "Lead With Love" - by Melanie DeMore - UUSE Choir Closing Hymn --------------------- - #61 "Lo, the Earth Awakes Again" Music --------------------- - "Alleluia, Alleluia" - by Roger Emerson - UUSE Choir

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