Camp as a Spiritual Practice

lake Winnipeg

For many years, our congregation has taken a group camping trip. It’s one of our truly multigenerational events that also connects us to our shared values of community and the interdependent web of all life. The global pandemic has meant adjustments to this yearly tradition, but instead of defeat, camping ministry participants will share with us the power and presence of being together.

Camp as a Spiritual Practice

August 23, 2020

“Sunrise was heating the ring of the horizon and clouds were rising like loaves.”

Derek Walcott, from Omeros

Centering

Holy Now by Peter Mayer

Welcome

Steve Lennon

Hymn

1010 We Give Thanks

Chalice Lighting

by Steve Lennon

Opening Words

by Steve Lennon

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

342 O Slowly, Slowly, They Return

Offering

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.

Our Share the Plate Partner for July and August, receiving half of the collection taken each Sunday, is Villa Rosa.

Offertory

The Blue Green Hills of Earth from Paul Winter’s Missa Gaia

Reading

“Gimli Girls” (adapted) by David Arnason, from The New Icelanders: A North American Community

Homily

Steve Lennon

Hymn

15 The Lone Wild Bird

Meditation

“At Camp” by Steve Lennon

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

Homily

The Reverend Meghann Robern

Hymn

Rising For Our Lives

Announcements

Steve Lennon

Benediction

“To Soulfully Survive the World’s Mayhem” by The Reverend Heather Rion Starr

Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the Flame sung by the First UU Winnipeg Choir

Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time

The Promise of a Fisherman from Paul Winter’s Missa Gaia

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

  • Leaders: Steve Lennon & the Reverend Meghann Robern
  • Coordinator: Steve Lennon, Sunday Services Team
  • Zoom Tech Host: Lauren Bailey, Tech Team
  • Zoom Chat Moderator: Ashlyn Noble, Tech Team
  • Candles of Caring Host: Bonnie Theissen, Pastoral Care Team
  • Songleader Videos: PJ Buchan, Music Director; Paul Rodermond, accompanist; Josh Robern, editor