An All-Pervading Presence

At the annual meeting of the Free Religious Association in 1879, John W. Chadwick spoke of “our inheritance of beauty, truth and good,” invoking an uncommon trinity that would have been familiar to the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers, but which would have seemed secular (perhaps even alien) to religious sensitivities of the day. A century later, Mortimer J. Adler invoked the three together as “the values by which we judge everything in the universe – our ideas, our thoughts, human conduct, the world of nature, and the world of artistic products.”

But while philosophers might debate the objectivity of truth and goodness, he suggested, beauty belongs to the sphere of the subjective – a matter of taste and personal enjoyment. So while beauty may be, as William Ellery Channing suggested, “an all-pervading influence,” it is almost impossible to define and sometimes difficult to agree upon. It really is “in the eye of the beholder.”

Service coordinator: Steve Lennon

After the Service (Noon CDT)

Presentation and discussion with Elder Harry Bone, from the Speakers’ Bureau of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, and our Social Justice Team.


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An All-Pervading Presence

June 20th, 2021

Centering Thought

Words by John Keats

Centering Music

Return Again, performed by First UU Wpg. Choir

Welcome

Steve Lennon

Gathering Hymn

#313 O What a Piece of Work We Are

Chalice Lighting

Words by UUA Leadership Council

Opening Words

Rev. Stefan Jonasson, words by Rev. Gary Kowalski

Affirmation

Love Is The Spirit, music by PJ Buchan

Story Wisdom

Beholding Beauty, Andrea James DLFD

Candles of Caring

Esmat Elhami

Unison Words

As we gather in this virtual sanctuary as people of faith, with the intention to care for each others’ needs with the gifts we each bring, may we listen to one another, and share each other’s journey, and may we be comforted, strengthened, and enriched.

Pastoral Hymn

#60 In Time of Silver Rain

Reading

Rev. Stefan Jonasson, words by Rev. William Ellery Channing

Share the Plate

Partner for June Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Offertory

Circle Round for Freedom with First UU Wpg. Choir

Meditation

Steve Lennon, from Pieces of Good by Mary Shaffer

Anthem

#1068 Rising Green

Sermon

An All-Pervading Presence, by Rev. Stefan Jonasson

Hymn

#66 When the Summer Sun Is Shining

Announcements

Steve Lennon

Closing Words

Rev. Stefan Jonasson, words adapted from We Would Be One

Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the Flame

Transition

The Gift of Love, sung by First UU Winnipeg Choir

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

  • Leaders: Rev. Stefan Jonasson, Andrea James DLFD
  • Coordinator: Steve Lennon, Sunday Services Team
  • Tech Hosts: Janine Reid and Doreen Stroud, Tech Team
  • Chat Moderator: Lise Desrochers, Tech Team
  • Candles of Caring Host: Esmat Elhami, Pastoral Care Team
  • Songleader Videos: PJ Buchan, Music Director, and the First UU Winnipeg Choir; Paul Rodermond, accompanist; Josh Robern, editor
  • To contact the Sunday Services Team please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca