All Creatures Great and Small

two dogs napping on a couchOur seventh principle is affirming and promoting respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. This applies to recognizing our interdependence with all animals and the ecology in addition to our fellow humans. We’ll be delving into the seventh principle, and taking advantage of our Zoom service to honour and bless the animals in our families. Please be ready to bring them to your screens (or your screens to them!) during this service.

Service Coordinator: Marian Siemens

Share your own candle of caring on future Sundays by emailing candles@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca before 9am Sunday morning. Be sure to let us know if you do not wish to have your candle shared with Our Caring Community Email Group.

Click here to join our service by Zoom.

All Creatures Great and Small

January 31, 2021

“What, exactly, are we doing when we invite love into our lives? Surely we know that it’s much tidier without it, when things stay at a distance. And yet: I’m sucked in every time, seduced by the possibility of an expanded heart. I hope that never changes. I hope every tiny, fuzzy, combative, ridiculous kitten asks me to open my heart just a tiny bit more. I know myself well enough: I’ll say yes.” — The Reverend Amanda Poppei

Centring

Big Black Dog, Emmylou Harris

Welcome

Marian Siemens

Hymn

94 What Is This Life

Chalice Lighting

“All Animals Are Our Relatives,” The Reverend Florence Caplow

Opening Words

“The Calling of the Creatures,” The Reverend Ian W. Riddell

Affirmation

Love is the Spirit sung by First UU Winnipeg Choir

Story Wisdom

PJ Buchan

Candles of Caring

The journey of our lives has brought us this morning to this place, to be here, together. What a miracle this is to share these moments and to be nourished by each otherʼs presence. May we approach this time with gratitude and hope. So may it be.

Hymn

49 Stillness Reigns

Share the Plate Testimonial

The Reverend Meghann Robern, for the Winnipeg Humane Society

Offertory

The Lone Wild Bird, Honey Whiskey Trio

Blessing Our Animals

Andrea James, Nicole McKay, The Reverend Meghann Robern, 

Hymn

203 All Creatures of the Earth and Sky

Meditation

when your best friend has four or so legs,” The Reverend Theresa I. Soto

Homily

The Reverend Meghann Robern

Hymn

1052 The Oneness of Everything

Announcements

Marian Siemens

Benediction

“We Give Thanks For The Animals,” The Reverend Gary Kowalski

Candle & Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the Flame sung by the First UU Winnipeg Choir

Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time

Finale (from Carnival of the Animals), Camille Saint Saens

Gratitude for our staff and our lay leaders who made this service happen:

    • Leaders: Rev. Meghann Robern, Nicole McKay, Andrea James, PJ Buchan
    • Coordinator: Marian Siemens, Sunday Services Team
    • Tech Host: Lauren Bailey, Tech Team
    • Chat Moderator: Ashlyn Noble, Tech Team
    • Candles of Caring Host: Marlene Schellenberg, Pastoral Care Team
    • Songleader Videos: PJ Buchan, Music Director, and the FUUW Choir; Paul Rodermond, accompanist; Josh Robern, editor