What if to “side with love” meant making bold, faith-full choices? What if it were even a little bit scary? This worship service brings together sterling worship leaders and musicians from across the continent in partnership with our team to offer hopeful, moving, challenging reminders about what we, as Unitarian Universalists, are called to do, and BE, in the world.
Side With Love Sunday
“Our Side With Love worship team has worked to create a cohesive whole, not “à la carte” selections. Participants in this service have important and powerful wisdom to share about their experiences of being UUs with marginalized identities. The impact of selecting only some material—and choosing to omit other pieces—carries uncomfortable implications about whose wisdom is worthy of attention and whose isn’t.”
February 14, 2021
“Sometimes we build a barrier to keep love tightly bound. Corrupted by fear, unwilling to hear, denying the beauty we’ve found.”
Hymn #1014 Answering the Call of Love
UUA Welcome
Everette R. H. Thompson
Centring
“When Our Heart Is in a Holy Place” by Joyce Poley (#1008, Singing the Journey). Performed by David B. Smith, Rick Fortner, and Matt Edwards.
Welcome
Steve Lennon
Opening Words & Chalice Lighting
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Dr. Takiyah Nur Amin, Dr. Tuli Patel, Rev. Michael Crumpler, Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Laura Conkle, and Rev. Erika Hewitt.
Story Wisdom
Introduced and told by Dr. Tuli Patel, based on “The Agreement” by Barry Lopez.
Offering
Steve Lennon
Offertory
“Love Train” by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (BMI/CCS). Performed by David B. Smith, Rick Fortner, and Matt Edwards.
Reflection
“Healing the We” by Laura Conkle
Reflection
“Embodied Learning” by Julica Hermann de la Fuente
For those of you curious about “holy muscle of interruption,” Julica says more about that here.
Hymn
“Love Will Guide Us” by Sally Rogers (#131, Singing the Living Tradition). Performed by David B. Smith, Rick Fortner, and Matt Edwards.
Reflection
“The Call of Our Faith” by Dr. Takiyah Nur Amin
Hymn
“There Is More Love Somewhere” (African American spiritual; #95, Singing the Living Tradition). Arranged by Adam Podd and sung by the choir of First Unitarian Society, Brooklyn.
Candles of Caring
As we set aside this time for quiet, may we hear the whisperings of our heart, and also those of others.
May those who share 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.
Affirmation
Love is the Spirit sung by First UU Winnipeg Choir
Pastoral Prayer
Rev. Michael Crumpler, LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director, UUA
Reflection
Rev. Meghann Robern
Announcements
Steve Lennon
Closing Words & Chalice Extinguishing
Rev. Erika Hewitt, Dr. Tuli Patel, Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Dr. Takiyah Nur Amin, Laura Conkle, and Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Carry the Flame sung by the First UU Winnipeg Choir
Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time
“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. (#1021, Singing the Journey). Performed by David B. Smith, Rick Fortner, and Matt Edwards
Gratitude for our staff and our lay leaders who made this service happen:
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- Minister: Rev. Meghann Robern
- Coordinator: Steve Lennon, Sunday Services Team
- Tech Host: Mel Leslie, Tech Team
- Chat Moderator: Marjorie Doyle, Tech Team
- Candles of Caring Host: Marlene Schellenberg, Pastoral Care Team
- FUUW Songleader Videos: PJ Buchan, Music Director, and the FUUW Choir; Paul Rodermond, accompanist; Josh Robern, editor
We offer thanks to these contributors, whose complete biographies can be found on WorshipWeb.
- Everette Thompson (he/him) serves as Campaign Manager for Side With Love.
- Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray (she/her) is President of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
- Dr. Takiyah Nur Amin (she/her) has been a member of the Black Lives of UU Organizing Collective Board since 2016.
- Dr. Tuli Patel (she/her) is the Executive Director and the lead for the Lifespan Ministry team at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, NJ.
- Rev. Michael Crumpler (he/him) serves as the LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (she/her) serves as the Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries at the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis, and is currently completing her path toward ordination.
- Laura Conkle (they/them) is a lay leader who serves Unitarian Universalism at the local, regional, and national levels.
- Rev. Erika Hewitt (she/her), the UUA coordinator and liturgist for this service, serves as Minister of Worship Arts for the Unitarian Universalist Association.
- David B. Smith (he/him) serves as Executive Director of Worship at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, OK.
- Rick Fortner is Director of Music at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, OK.
- Adam Podd is Music Director and choral conductor at First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, NY.
Additional Thanks
- Greg Raw and Tanner Fox (All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa), technical engineering
- Ted Resnikoff, UUA editing
- Audra Friend, UUA/Side With Love
- Rev. Patrice Curtis, UUA
Learn More
This service was created as part of 30 Days of Love, an annual celebration that focuses on bold, courageous action for intersectional racial justice.