The events of January suggest that the U.S. and the entire world are standing on a precipice. Domestic peace and order have been disrupted in Minnesota and civil rights have been set back more than half a century. As this happens, threats to America’s neighbours escalate and its leaders covet our resources while belittling our sovereignty. As the rules-based international order disintegrates before our eyes, the entire world is on edge. This year promises to be turbulent, so we must prepare ourselves for whatever comes next.
The Choir will sing.
Service Leader: Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Service Coordinator: Cate Ziegler
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Order of Service
Centering Thought
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. ~ the Dalai Lama (maybe)
Fanfare
Daniel Clark
Prelude
May Your Life Be as a Song, by Jim Scott
sung by the choir, directed by Shannon Unger, accompanied by Daniel Clark
Opening Words
Come In, by Carolyn Owen-Towle
Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Chalice Lighting
A Reminder, by Beatrice Hitchcock
Cate Ziegler
Gathering Hymn
#112 Do You Hear?
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
Cate Ziegler
Affirmation
Love Is the Spirit
Love is the spirit of this church, the quest for truth its sacrament, and service is its law.
This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek truth in love, and to help one another to the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with life.
Joys and Concerns
Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Pastoral Hymn
#121 We’ll Build a Land (sung seated)
Story Wisdom
Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Sing and Rejoice
Sing and rejoice, sing and rejoice, let all things living now sing and rejoice
Offering
Our Share the Plate partner for February 2026 is Manitoba Underdog Rescue.
The offering will be gratefully received, during or after the service. Donation options are at this link.
Offertory
Suite No.7 (Allegro), by G. F. Handel,
Daniel Clark
Reading
Sleeping with an Elephant, by Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Meditation
meditation led by Cate Ziegler
Anthem
Come By Here/Peace Like a River*, arrangement by Jean Anne Shafferman
sung by the choir, directed by Shannon Unger, accompanied by Daniel Clark
*note, with thanks to Frances Ravinsky: The title Kumbaya is a word that has no meaning and reflects the failure of English speakers to interpret the accent of Gullah speakers. The first known recording of Come by Here was of H. Wylie in Georgia in 1926, and attributed to the Gullah Geechee islanders of coastal Georgia, descendants of enslaved African Americans. Respecting the original lyric of this traditional spiritual, a heartfelt cry rooted in the realities of oppression, we will sing the lyric “Come by Here”.
We will begin recording the sermon after the anthem.
Sermon
Elbows Up! Arms Out! Hands Ready! by Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Closing Hymn
#1026 If Every Woman in the World
Announcements
Cate Ziegler and others
Closing Words
Our Own Gaits, by Warren G. Harding
Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Chalice Extinguishing
Carry the Flame
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again (x2)
Then we shall see a world of light and a world of joy
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again
Gratitude
Gratitude to all who made this service happen, including
- Leader: Rev. Stefan Jonasson
- Coordinator: Cate Ziegler
- Music Director: Shannon Unger
- Music: Daniel Clark (piano), the UU Winnipeg Choir
- Coordinator Lifespan Religious Exploration (CLRE): Ana G.Castañeda A.
- Childcare Provider: Paulina Hernandez
- RE Volunteers: Amari Poppone
- Tech Team: Khalil Nader, Alejandra Nikkel
- Centering/fanfare videos: Ashlyn Noble
- This service’s ushers, greeters, and hospitality volunteers, including Norm Cobb, Claire Nimmagadda, Paula Keirstead, Michael Thiessen, and others
- Maintenance and set up: Jessica Hamm and Alejandra Nikkel
- Music for Affirmation: P.J. Buchan
- Chalice Sculptor & Banner Designer: Jo’Anne Kelly
- Chalice Logo Designer: Nancy Gilbert
- Pastoral Care: Rev Stefan Jonasson
- Website and office support: Nathalie Waite
To contact SunServ (Sunday Services Team) with feedback or ideas for future services, please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca
Want to help on Sunday mornings? You can sign up for a hospitality setup or cleanup shift. Please contact the Volunteer Resources Committee or Norm Cobb or Jim Gardiner for other ways to help.
Please limit fragrances and scented products as much as you are able, so we may include all in our beloved community.
Please keep aisles clear, particularly for people with mobility challenges, and turn off electronic devices during the service.
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.