Legally Kidnapped, Legally Redeemed

Grey-scale illustration showing people in 1800s clothing picking up a woman and loading her onto a train.
Kidnapping Mrs. Packard, illustration from Modern Persecution, written by Mrs. E. P. W. Packard in 1873

“There exists in the minds of men a tone of feeling toward women as toward slaves,” asserted Margaret Fuller when she reflected on the plight of women in the mid-19th century. Nowhere was this more clearly seen, perhaps, than in the case of Elizabeth Packard, who was “legally kidnapped and imprisoned three years” in an insane asylum when her views on religion and childrearing put her at odds with her husband, a Calvinist minister. She fought back, and, at a jury trial to determine her sanity, a doctor declared: “I do not call people insane because they differ with me.” Elizabeth prevailed and upon her release, she became a champion of reforming laws related to mental health and the rights of women. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we will learn more about Elizabeth’s life and the reforms that flowed from it.

Service Leader: Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Service Coordinator: Christina Swindells-Nader

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Order of Service

Centering Thought

I believe that women have a right to life. I will not take any refusal of that right from anybody. And the government does not even feel obliged to protect the women so if we do not do it, if I do not make myself part of that struggle, it’s not happening. ~ Iraqi Canadian activist Yanar Mohammed, interviewed after receiving the Rafto Prize in 2016

Fanfare

The Prince of Denmark’s March (Trumpet Voluntary), by Jeremiah Clarke

Daniel Clark, with nature video by Ashlyn Noble

Centering Music

Prelude II from Three Preludes and Fugues, by Clara Schumann

Daniel Clark

Clara Schumann was an internationally renowned concert pianist and composer, and was married to composer Robert Schumann, after a lengthy legal battle with her father. The celebratory “Year of Song” (1840) inspired Robert Schumann’s finest compositions. Clara had a 61 year performing career while maintaining her home, family, financial responsibilities and supporting her husband who suffered from mental illness and was hospitalized for the remainder of his life after attempting suicide.

Opening Words

Rev. Stefan Jonasson

Chalice Lighting

from the Canadian Unitarian Universalist Women’s Association

Christina Swindells-Nader

Gathering Hymn

#1008 When Our Heart is in a Holy Place, by Joyce Poley

Welcome and Land Acknowledgement

Christina Swindells-Nader

Widening Our Welcome

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.

Story Wisdom

Rev. Stefan Jonasson

Sing and Rejoice

Antiphonal Reading

#575 A New Manifestation, by Margaret Fuller (grey hymnal) led by Rev. Stefan Jonasson

Joys and Sorrows

Rev. Stefan Jonasson

Pastoral Hymn

#1002 Comfort Me, by Mimi Bornstein-Doble (sung seated)

Meditation

led by Christina Swindells-Nader

Offering

Our Share the Plate Partner for March is Agape Table.

The offering will be gratefully received, during or after the service. Donation options are at this link.

Offertory

Love Like Breathing, by Marcie Heisler and Zina Goldrich

Daniel Clark and Shannon Unger

The musical theatre song writing duo of Marcie Heisler and Zina Goldrich have been performing together since 1992, and won the prestigious recognition of the American Society of Composers. Their compositions have been performed internationally and their friendship and their work has been profiled on NPR and in the LA Times. I think my favourite reference in “Love like Breathing” is to “purred love”; because as any cat lover knows, there is no companion quite like a contented cat!

Reading

excerpt from Modern Persecution, by Elizabeth Packard

Anthem

We Are, by Ysaye M. Barnwell

the Choir, directed by Shannon Unger, accompanied by Daniel Clark

Ysaye Maria Barnwell was an African American singer and composer,  renowned for her workshops: “Building Community: Singing in the African American Tradition.” As a member of the “Sweet Honey in the Rock” some of her recorded a cappella compositions include works found in the hymnal: “Breaths”, “We Are” and her arrangement of “Woyaya” by the Ghana band “Osibisa”.

Note: We will begin recording the sermon after the anthem.

Sermon

Legally Kidnapped, Legally Redeemed, by Rev Stefan Jonasson

Closing Hymn

#1026 If Every Woman in the World, by Karen MacKay

Announcements

Christina Swindells-Nader and others

Closing Words

Inward and Outward Freedom for Woman, by Margaret Fuller

Christina Swindells-Nader

Chalice Extinguishing

from the Canadian Unitarian Universalist Women’s Association

Christina Swindells-Nader

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: Christina Swindells-Nader
  • Music Director and Composer Notes: Shannon Unger
  • Music: Daniel Clark (piano), the Choir, and Shannon Unger
  • Coordinator Lifespan Religious Exploration (CLRE): Ana G.Castañeda A.
  • Childcare Provider: Paulina Hernandez
  • RE Volunteers: Amari Poponne
  • Tech Team: Khalil Nader, Alejandra Nikkel
  • Centering/fanfare videos: Ashlyn Noble
  • This service’s ushers, greeters, and hospitality volunteers, including Claire Nimmagadda, Alejandra Nikkel, Paula Keirstead, Michael Thiessen
  • 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, Office Support, and Rentals: 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.

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