Living Waters

rocks under water in the sun

For our ingathering rituals this year in our Zoom service, please bring to your participation space: your face masks, a small stone, and a bowl of water.

Each year we celebrate a new program year with water communion and ingathering. Just as flowing, living water that is always changing is the building block of life, so too are we adapting to new worlds and new realities.

Service Coordinator: Odell Havsdotter

Living Waters

September 20, 2020

“I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.”- John O’Donohue

Photo by Jack Anstey on Unsplash

Centring

River of Nations

Welcome

Odell Havsdotter

Hymn of the Month

299 Make Channels for the Streams of Love

Chalice Lighting

“The Spirit of Water” by Katie Gelfand

Opening Interlude

“Baby Moana and the Ocean”

Affirmation

Love Is The Spirit, words by James Vila Blake (adapted); music by P.J. Buchan

Candles of Caring

Unison Words:

As we set aside this time for quiet, may we hear the heart-felt whisperings of our spirit, and also that of others. May those who share from their hearts today feel the power of our attention and the strength of our love. May we all feel uplifted by words of comfort, and be supported by the presence of our caring community.

Hymn

100 Peace Like a River

Meditation

Please have your stone and water ready!

“The Strength of Water” by Jamila Batchelder and the Reverend Molly Housh Gordon

The sound of a singing bowl and two minutes of silence will follow the meditation.

Offering

Our online-only format is a morally sound response by our community to the current pandemic on our planet. This also means that we are emphasizing remote giving during our offering this morning:

  • Donations can now be sent via e-transfer/Interac to office@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca; in the note, you MUST include your name and if your donation is for the Sunday offering, your pledge, or our capital campaign.
  • You may always mail cheques to the church!
  • We are also using Canada Helps to receive online donations. Go to their website to donate in this way.

Our Share the Plate Partner for September, receiving half of the collection taken each Sunday, is L.I.T.E. (Local Investment Toward Employment).

Offertory

River of Dreams by Billy Joel

Homily

“Dead Languages,” PJ Buchan, Music Director

Story Wisdom

Our Library of Sources, adapted from Beth Casebolt, told by Andrea James, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Hymn

108 My Flows On in Endless Song

Homily & Blessing of Our Masks

the Reverend Meghann Robern

Story Wisdom

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, read by Nicole McKay, Student Minister

Hymn

1074 Turn the World Around

Announcements

Odell Havsdotter

Benediction

“We Gather As Many Drops” by the Reverend Leslie Takahashi

Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the Flame sung by the First UU Winnipeg Choir

Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time

Reach Out (I’ll Be There) by The Four Tops

Gratitude for our staff and our lay leaders who made this service happen:

  • Leaders: the Reverend Meghann Robern, Andrea James, PJ Buchan, Nicole McKay
  • Coordinator: Odell Havsdotter, Sunday Services Team
  • Zoom Tech Host: Mel Leslie, Tech Team
  • Zoom Chat Moderator: Lise Desrochers, Tech Team
  • Candles of Caring Host: Marlene Schellenberg, Pastoral Care Team
  • Songleader Videos: PJ Buchan, Music Director; Paul Rodermond, accompanist; Josh Robern, editor