Thankful for Complex, Compassionate Communities

October 11, 2026, 10:30 am

Service Leader: Christina Swindells-Nader

Service Coordinator: Charlene Zelanko

Youth group (ages 15-19) meets October 11 and 25. Youth are always welcome to come downstairs and hang out in the youth room. It’s a safe space where you can enjoy books, play games, chat with other youth and get creative with art supplies. This is your space!

Welcome and Zoom Link

You can use this link to Connect to the service via Zoom. Participate via phone by dialing the Manitoba phone number 204 272 7920  and when prompted, enter Meeting ID # 968 8339 7324. If you are asked for a password it’s 676600. More information and additional phone numbers are on the Zoom Connections page.

Please note that if you have your camera turned on, your image will be visible in the gallery on the TV in the sanctuary for part of the service. We love to see your face but it is always your decision to have the camera on or not.

Thank you for joining us this morning! If you’re visiting today, please fill out this Visitor Form so we can help you feel connected to our community.

Centering Thought

We live by each other and for each other. Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much. Only love can break down the walls that stand between us and our happiness. ~ Helen Keller

Fanfare

The Prince of Denmark’s March (Trumpet Voluntary), by Jeremiah Clarke

Choral Prelude

Jazz Alleluia

The Choir, led by Shannon Unger, featuring Jennifer Bright on clarinet and accompanied by Daniel Clark

Opening Words

House of Welcoming, by Orlanda R. Brugnola

Chalice Lighting

Light of Our Creative Spirits, by Tracy Johnson

Gathering Hymn

#349 We Gather Together

Land Acknowledgment and Welcome

Charlene Zelanko

Affirmation

Love Is the Spirit

Love is the spirit of this church, the quest for truth its sacrament, and service is its law.

This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek truth in love, and to help one another to the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with life.

Joys and Concerns

Christina Swindells-Nader

Pastoral Hymn

#311 Let It Be a Dance  (sung seated)

Offering

Our Share the Plate Partner for October is RaY, Resource Assistance for Youth.

The offering will be gratefully received, during or after the service. Donation options are at this link.

In addition to monetary donations, there will be a box in the foyer or the kitchen for the month of October to collect: socks, underwear, hygiene products (soap, shampoo, pads, tampons), backpacks, as well as gently used adult clothing items such as hoodies, sweats, leggings and warm winter clothing.

Offertory

Misirlou (traditional)

Kelvin Seifert (clarinet), accompanied by Daniel Clark

Reading

From The Power of Ritual, by Casper ter Kuile

Meditation

What the Queer Community Should Have Told Us, by Kai Cheng Thom

Led by Charlene Zelanko

The sound of the bell and two minutes of silence will follow the spoken meditation.

Anthem

We Are One, by Brian Tate

The Choir, accompanied by Daniel Clark, led by Shannon Unger

Sermon

Thankful for Complex, Compassionate Communities, by Christina Swindells-Nader

Closing Hymn

#323 Break Not the Circle

Announcements

Charlene Zelanko and others

Closing Words

Songs for the People, by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again (x2)
Then we shall see a world of light and a world of joy
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.

Gratitude

Gratitude to all who made this service happen, including

• Leader: Christina Swindells-Nader
• Coordinator: Charlene Zelanko
• Music Director: Shannon Unger
• Music: Daniel Clark (piano), Kelvin Seifert (clarinet), Jennifer Bright (clarinet)
• Coordinator Lifespan Religious Exploration (CLRE): Ana G.Castañeda Aguilera
• Childcare: Caroline Lentz
• RE Volunteers: Melissa Mowrey (youth group), Debby Lake, and Carl von Baeyer
• Tech Team: Xilo Rader, Rafiq Nader, Theo Hawley
• Centering/fanfare videos: Ashlyn Noble
• This service’s ushers, greeters, and hospitality volunteers, including Paula Keirstead, Janet Toews
• Maintenance and set up: Jessica Hamm and Olivia Velazquez
• Music for Affirmation: P.J. Buchan
• Chalice Sculptor & Banner Designer: Jo’Anne Kelly
• Chalice Logo Designer: Nancy Gilbert
• Minister and Pastoral Care: Rev Stefan Jonasson
• Lay Chaplain: Christina Swindells-Nader
• Website, Office Support, and Rentals: Nathalie Waite

To contact SunServ (Sunday Services Team) with feedback or ideas for future services, please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca

Want to help on Sunday mornings? You can sign up for a hospitality setup or cleanup shift. Please contact the Volunteer Resources Committee for other ways to help.

To welcome and include all in our beloved community, please

• limit fragrances and scented products as much as you are able,
• turn off or mute electronic devices during the service,
• refrain from taking photographs or recording unless you have the express permission of everyone involved, and
• keep aisles clear for people with mobility challenges.

Thank you!

This webpage is updated weekly by Christina Swindells-Nader. Please send change requests to my uuwinnipeg.mb.ca email — anything sent to my gmail.com address will sadly almost certainly be missed.