In ancient Rome, the state sought to pacify the people by feeding large groups of citizens and then distracting them with entertainment—such as feeding Christians to the lions and other such “sports.” In his Satire, the Roman poet Juvenal called this practice “bread and circuses.” How much has really changed since then?
Service Coordinator: Jill Moats
Sermon Video
Order of Service
Centering Thought
“Overcoming the “bread and circus” illusion necessitates a collective effort. By promoting transparency, authenticity, and social responsibility, we can create a culture of meaningful change. Advocating for ethical practices and supporting impactful initiatives, we can work towards dismantling systemic barriers and fostering a more equitable society.”
— Jyothikrishnan K S Achary
Centering Music
Pavane de la Belle au Bois Dormant from Mother Goose Suite, by Maurice Ravel, arr. by Lee Evans
Daniel Clark
Opening Words
Turbulence, by Gretchen Thompson
Rev Stefan Jonasson
Chalice Lighting
Adapted from Pat Uribe-Lichty
Jill Moats
Gathering Hymn
#326 Let All the Beauty We Have Known
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
Jill Moats
Affirmation
Love Is the Spirit
Story Wisdom
Catnapping a Napping Cat
Rev Stefan Jonasson
Sing and Rejoice
as children go downstairs and people return to their seats
Joys and Sorrows
Rev Stefan Jonasson
If you have a Joy or Sorrow to share in our upcoming service, please follow this link.
Pastoral Hymn
#134 Our World Is One World (sung seated)
Share the Plate Offering
Adapted from Erik Walker Wickstrom
Jill Moats
Our Share the Plate Partner for December is Food Matters Manitoba.
- The offering will be gratefully received, both right now, and continuing when our stream ends. Donation options are at this link.
Offertory
Widmung (Wedding Dedication) from Myrthen, Op. 25 by Robert Schumann, arr. by Quentin Thomas
Daniel Clark
Reading
From Brave New World Revisited, by Aldous Huxley,
Rev Stefan Jonasson
Meditation
Adapted from Joan Javier-Duval
Jill Moats
Hymn
# 190 Light of Ages and of Nations
Note: We will begin recording the sermon after the hymn
Sermon
Bread and Circuses, by Rev Stefan Jonasson
Closing Hymn
#300 With Heart and Mind
Announcements
Jill Moats
Please submit congregational announcements to worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca before 9:00 am each Sunday morning.
Closing Words
From Bread and Circuses: Leading Beyond Distractions by Dr. Ginny Whitelaw
Jill Moats
Chalice Extinguishing
Carry the Flame
Following the service, please join us for community and refreshments in the sanctuary. For Zoom participants, please consider staying for conversation in our breakout room.
Transition (Zoom only)
Arthur Burstow or Simer Kaur (Zoom only)
Gratitude
Gratitude to all who helped make this service happen:
- Leader: Stefan Jonasson
- Coordinator: Jill Moats
- Music Director: Vic Hooper
- Pianist: Daniel Clark
- Coordinator Lifespan Religious Exploration (CLRE): Ana Castañeda Aguilera
- Childcare: Paulina Hernandez
- Tech Team: Arthur Burstow, Simer Kaur, Ashlyn Noble, Christina Swindells-Nader
- Music for Affirmation: Composed by P.J. Buchan
- Ushers: Kristin Jimmy, Bromley Basford, Joan Carolyn, Ken Nicholson, Norman Mayer, Cheryl Simmonds, Janet Toews, Maxine Hebert Malo, et al
- Set Up/Maintenance: Michael Thiessen
- Greeter: Paula Keirstead, et al
- Hospitality: Cate Ziegler, Octavia MacIsaac, et al
- Chalice Sculptor: Jo’Anne Kelly
- Chalice Logo Designer: Nancy Gilbert
- All-Church Email Bulletin: Lorie Battershill
- Church Communicator and Pastoral Care: Rev Stefan Jonasson
- Website and office support: Larry Phillips
To contact SunServ (Sunday Services Team), please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca
Want to help on Sunday mornings? Sign up for a hospitality setup or cleanup shift, or sign up as an usher. Please contact the Volunteer Resources Committee or Norm Cobb or Jim Gardiner for other ways to help.
Please keep aisles clear, particularly for people with mobility challenges and turn off electronic devices during the service.
Some in our beloved community are affected by exposure to the ingredients or chemicals in scented products. We ask that you join our efforts to accommodate their health concerns by being mindful and where possible avoiding scented products such as hair spray, perfume and deodorant when attending services.
Please refrain from taking photographs and making recordings during and after the service unless you have the express permission of all people involved. Thank you!