Renewing our Welcome

We are a welcoming congregationIn Unitarian Universalist lingo, the term “Welcoming Congregation” means being welcoming to and inclusive of beloveds who are Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and many other points on the gender and sexuality spectra (2SLGBTQIA+). This congregation was certified “welcoming” waaaay back in the 1990s; how do we understand and renew our welcome in the 2020s? 

Service Coordinator: Steve Lennon


Renewing Our Welcome

March 14, 2021

There is a significant difference between “all are welcome here” and “this was created with you in mind”.

~ Dr. Crystal Jones

Centering Music

Saint Swagger, Melanie DeMore

Welcome

Steve Lennon

Gathering Hymn

407 We’re Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table

Chalice Lighting

Words by Charles Howe

Opening Words

Words by Steve Lennon

Affirmation

Love is the Spirit

Story

Julián Is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love, told by the author

Candles of Caring

Sarah Cummings

Unison Words

We set aside this space to honour the human journey with all its peaks and valleys, and the paths in between. Let us fill this room, this time, with warmth and love as we listen to the heart-felt sharing of fellow travellers in our caring community.

Hymn

1023 Building Bridges

Offering

Steve Lennon

We welcome Scott McFadyen from this month’s Share the Plate partner, Inclusion Winnipeg.

Joe’s Story

Offertory

I Am Light, India Arie

Stories

People of a Wide Path, Andrea James, DLFD

Hymn

318 We Would Be One

Meditation

Nicole McKay, student minister

Embodiment & Sexuality, by Seth Carrier-Ladd

Reflection

Renewing Our Welcome, Andrea James, DLFD

Resources mentioned by Andrea during her reflection:

Hymn

1028 The Fire of Commitment

Announcements

Steve Lennon

Benediction

Words by Jean M. Rickard Rowe

Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the Flame sung by the First UU Winnipeg Choir

Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time

This Is Me, The Greatest Showman Cast

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

  • Leaders: Andrea James, Nicole McKay
  • Coordinator: Steve Lennon, Sunday Services Team
  • Tech Hosts: Marjorie Doyle, Tech Team
  • Chat Moderator: Odell Havsdotter, Tech Team
  • Candles of Caring Host: Sarah Cummings, Pastoral Care Team
  • Songleader Videos: PJ Buchan, Music Director, and the FUUW Choir; Paul Rodermond, accompanist; Josh Robern, editor

To contact the Sunday Services Team please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca