Coordinator: Steve Lennon
The wheel of the year has turned and the Spring Equinox is upon us. Join us for this Whole Church service in which we will use the works of Nick Cave and Lady Gaga to imagine what renewal, growth, and blossoming might feel like for each of us this year. We will also welcome and covenant with this year’s new members of the congregation.
Centering Thought:
Our ‘U-Universe’ is as wide as hearts can reach, as large as hope can span, as deep as faith itself. . . . We are the river. — Rev. JP Rodela
Gathering Hymn: 291 Die Gedanken Sind Frei
Chalice Lighting: excerpt from The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller
Many myths tell us that we will find ourselves, from time to time, alone and separated from all that is familiar. How we use these times will affect the richness of our return. We can come back to the world thickened, deepened, and opened by our time in silence and solitude. Those who undertake the full journey into their grief come back carrying medicine for the world.
Opening Words: excerpt from The Call: Discovering Why You Are Here by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Hold tenderly who you are, and let a deeper knowing colour the shape of your humanness. There is nowhere to go. What you are looking for is right here. Open the fist clenched in wanting and see what you already hold in your hand. There is no waiting for something to happen, no point in the future to get to. All you have ever longed for is here in this moment, right now.
Reading: “How Should I Behave” by Nick Cave
Hymn: 1053 How Could Anyone
Story Wisdom: Yennefer of Vengerberg (Grownups: to watch The Witcher, sign in to Netflix)
Anthem: “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
Meditation: “Be for Us a Moon of Joy” from An African Prayer Book, ed. by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
May you be for us a moon of joy and happiness. Let the young become strong and the grown man maintain his strength, the pregnant woman be delivered and the woman who has given birth suckle her child. Let the stranger come to the end of their journey and those who remain at home dwell safely in their houses. Let the flocks that go to feed in the pastures return happily. May you be a moon of harvest and of calves. May you be a moon of restoration and of good health.
Offertory: “What the World Needs Now Is Love” by Petra Haden
Hymn: 368 Now Let Us Sing
Announcements
Message from Your Pastoral Care Team
In recognition of our very real human need for meaningful social connection during this time of physical distancing and isolation, your Pastoral Care Team is offering several opportunities.
Our Caring Community
Our Caring Community has around 100 active members who share their joys and sorrows and offer support to one another by email. Candles of Caring are posted after the service and the platform supports our desire to form caring connections all week long. All adults, who call this church home, are welcome to join this private, monitored and secure group.
Phone Connections
Phone Connections is brand new, low-tech option. Some might recognize it as a revival of the “Phone Tree”. We believe it will be a perfect option for those who prefer to connect by phone. A necessary option to the social isolation and loneliness many are experiencing during this time of physical distancing. It will certainly help us stay connected with those who don’t have email. Our goal is to share Candles of Caring and other Church news – and – of course, have a wee chat at the same time. We already have a number of people who are willing to call up to 4 others – each week. So – news will travel fast! “Phone Connections” should be up and running later this week.
Candles of Caring
Virtual Church means virtual Candles of Caring. To streamline the process, we are asking folks to submit any thoughts they wish to share by 9:15 a.m. Sunday morning. If for some reason you cannot send an email, please phone before Sunday.
To participate in any of these opportunities:
Email Pastoral Care – pastoralcare@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca or contact Bonnie Thiessen directly by email or phone.
It’s World Water Day today!
It’s the perfect day to order a rain barrel or two. Go to rainbarrel.ca/uuwinnipeg
Rain barrels reduce your use of treated municipal water for watering plants outside and reduce the strain on our storm sewers during heavy rain events. The barrels are made from re-purposed food-grade containers. Accessories are also available. You can pick-up your barrels in the church parking lot on May 1. Home delivery is also available for a fee.All proceeds will be used for new refugee sponsorships to reunite a family from Burundi. Order at rainbarrel.ca/uuwinnipeg. Questions? email FriendsofRefuge@gmail.com
Benediction: “Blessed by Our Connections” by Rev. Susan Karlson
Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time: “Coffee Coffee Coffee” (music from “Holy Holy Holy”; words by Christopher Raible; arranged and performed by John Cowlishaw)