“No one is outside the circle of love,” wrote Rev Susan Frederick-Gray in a 2017 pastoral message. Canada’s commitment to universal health care is rooted in the fundamental belief that every resident, regardless of their background, deserves high-quality care when they need support for their well-being. On this morning after the winter solstice, as we emerge from the longest night of the year and welcome the growing light, Mounir (Mike) Nader, President and CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, reflects on the ongoing need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare—and the path to achieving it.
The Choir will sing.
Service Coordinator: Christina Swindells-Nader
Sermon Video
Order of Service
Centering Thought
“There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.”
— Leonard Cohen, Anthem
Centering Music
One Light, One Sun, by Raffi
UU Winnipeg choir, led by Vic Hooper, accompanied by Daniel Clark
Opening Words
When Does Night End, a Jewish Wisdom Tale
Christina Swindells-Nader
Chalice Lighting
adapted from A Winter Solstice Prayer by Fr. Edward M. Hayes
Christina Swindells-Nader
Gathering Hymn
#55 Dark of Winter
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
Christina Swindells-Nader
Affirmation
Love Is the Spirit
Mitten Tree Interlude
introduced by Rob Malo, with Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, by Johnny Marks, played by Daniel Clark
Any warm new items are welcome. Mittens, scarves and toques will help us decorate the tree during the service.
The tree will still be up and accepting mittens for the 4pm service on December 24th and on Sunday December 29th.
The items will be donated to charity.
Note: We will be recording story wisdom and the sermon
Story Wisdom
Tommy Douglas and Universal Healthcare
Christina Swindells-Nader
Sing and Rejoice
as children go downstairs and people return to their seats
Sermon
Claiming the Growing Light: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Healthcare
Mounir Nader
Anthem
Silent Night, Holy Night, arr. by Buryl Red
UU Winnipeg Choir, led by Vic Hooper, accompanied by Daniel Clark
Share the Plate Offering
A Maybe-Too-Honest Solstice Reflection by Liz James
Christina Swindells-Nader
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
Christmas Time is Here, by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi; arr. by Tom Roed
Daniel Clark
Meditation
from Learn the Five Seasons of the Ojibwe Calendar, by Ninaatig
Christina Swindells-Nader
Joys and Sorrows
Rev. Stefan Jonasson
If you have a Joy or Sorrow to share in an upcoming service, please follow this link.
Pastoral Hymn
#318 We Would Be One (sung seated)
Announcements
Christina Swindells-Nader
Please submit congregational announcements to worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca before 9:00 am each Sunday morning.
Closing Hymn
#345 With Joy We Claim the Growing Light
Closing Words – Responsive Reading
No One Is Outside the Circle of Love by Erika Hewitt and Susan Frederick-Gray
Christina Swindells-Nader
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: Mounir Nader
- Coordinator: Christina Swindells-Nader
- Music: Vic Hooper (music director), Daniel Clark (piano), the UU Winnipeg choir
- Music for Affirmation: Composed by P.J. Buchan
- Coordinator Lifespan Religious Exploration (CLRE): Ana Castañeda Aguilera
- Childcare: Paulina Hernandez
- Tech Team: Arthur Burstow, Simer Kaur, Ashlyn Noble, Christina Swindells-Nader
- 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: Fred Nelson, Kathi Beachnelson, 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!
Topics: Diversity, Health, Inclusivity, Winter Solstice