All Souls Day

painting of book with river and churchyard and birds

All Souls’ Day is a Universalist holiday when we remember all those whom we have loved and lost. By intentionally remembering, we allow them to continue to shape and guide our lives with their love and inspiration.

During this time when we are exclusively gathering via Zoom, please email photos of loved ones who have died — pets as well as humans — for our altar of remembrance to Nicole McKay at nmckay@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca before October 29.

Service Coordinator: Marian Siemens 

Click here to join our service by Zoom.

All Souls Day

November 1, 2020

“You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.” — Chinese proverb

Centring

Unsaid Emily, from Julie and the Phantoms

Welcome

Marian Siemens

Hymn of the Month

1019 Everything Possible

Chalice Lighting

“People of Memory” by the Reverend Kimberlee Anne Tomczak Carlson

Opening Words

“They Are With Us Still” by the Reverend Kathleen McTigue

Affirmation

Love Is The Spirit, words by James Vila Blake (adapted); music by P.J. Buchan

Candles of Caring

Unison Words:

Each of us enters this place with different needs. Some hearts are full of gratitude and joy. May we rejoice with them. Some hearts ache with sorrow. May our presence and compassion bring them comfort. Some hearts are searching. May the knowledge that we too are searching restore their hope and give them courage. May we, in our common need, give strength to each other as we share our joys, lighten each others’ burdens, and support our caring community.

Hymn

1001 Breaths

Share the Plate Testimonial

Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba

Offering

For November, as part of our Share the Plate program, our Social Justice Team has chosen the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba as our community partner. They’re a self-help organization dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for those living with a mood disorder, co-occurring disorders, or other mental health illnesses. They increase public awareness about mood disorders and empower people to develop hope and recovery.  Please visit their website at http://www.mooddisordersmanitoba.ca/ to learn more.

Our online-only format is a morally sound response by our community to the current pandemic on our planet. This also means that we are emphasizing remote giving during our offering this morning:

  • Donations can now be sent via e-transfer/Interac to office@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca; in the note, you MUST include your name and if your donation is for the Sunday offering, your pledge, or our capital campaign.
  • You may always mail cheques to the church!
  • We are also using Canada Helps to receive online donations. Go to their website to donate in this way.

Offertory

Apostle, The Big O soundtrack

Story Wisdom

Andrea James

Reading

“Collectively Remembering Those We’ve Lost” by Priya Parker

Hymn

105 From Age to Age

Meditation

Our Living Cemetery” by Lily Baldwin

The sound of a singing bowl and two minutes of silence will follow the meditation.

Altar of Remembrance

compiled and edited by Nicole McKay

Homily

The Reverend Meghann Robern

Hymn

103 For All the Saints

Announcements

Marian Siemens

Benediction

by Alice Walker

Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the Flame sung by the First UU Winnipeg Choir

Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time

Bell, Book, and Candle, Eddi Reader

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

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