Physical barriers to the outside invite us to look inward, to explore our relationship with ourself. What insights are we gaining about who we are in the midst of this transforming reality and who do we want to be when we emerged? This service will also feature our High School Senior Bridging Ceremony.
Hymns: 344 A Promise Through the Ages Rings; 292 If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking; 108 My Life Flows On in Endless Song; 300 With Heart and Mind
Service Coordinator: Marian Siemens
All services are streamed via Zoom; connection details are below.
The Face Behind the Mask
May 24, 2020
“But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice, which you slowly recognized as your own…” — from “The Journey” by Mary Oliver
Centering
Welcome
Marian Siemens
Hymn of the Month
344 A Promise Through the Ages Rings
Chalice Lighting
“Who We Were” by Soul Matters
Opening Words
“Let Us Be Real” by the Rev. Scott Tayler
Affirmation
Love Is The Spirit, words by James Vila Blake (adapted); music by P.J. Buchan
Senior High School Bridging
Juliana Roe, Andrea James, DLFD, & the Rev. Meghann Robern
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
292 If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking
Reading
“Full” by the Rev. Lynn Ungar
Hymn
300 With Heart and Mind
Meditation
“My High Resolve” by the Rev. Howard Thurman
Share the Plate Testimonial
Marcy Tschetter, President of the Autism Society of Manitoba
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 May, receiving half of the collection for the first four Sundays of the month, is the Autism Society of Manitoba.
Offertory
Fix You by Coldplay from Abominable
Sermon Part I
the Rev. Lara Cowtan
Interlude
Be Ye Lamps Unto Yourselves performed by the Chancel Choir of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland
Sermon Part II
the Rev. Lara Cowtan
Hymn
108 My Life Flows On in Endless Song
Announcements
Marian Siemens
- First we’ll hear from our religious educator, Andrea James
- I want to draw your attention to this lovely chalice behind me.
- The Canadian Unitarian Council’s (CUC) Shining Lights Award celebrates innovation and sustainability in Unitarian Universalist initiatives and programming.
- Last weekend it was awarded to our own Inquiring Minds: Dialogue on Death – a week-long series offered last fall and the brain child of Kay Gardiner and Liz Redston – for demonstrating new and creative ways to engage congregation and larger community in life-long learning and faith development with topics of meaning and relevance.
- I’m happy to house it until it can take up residence in our building. Next year it will on to the 2021 recipient.
- Rev. Meghann has two announcements:
- Congregational Meeting June 7th: Because we are a democratic community, members are collectively vested with responsibility for the congregation. Because we are a covenanted congregation, members have certain responsibilities to the congregation and to one another. One of the ways we do this is by voting at congregational meetings. Responsible participation includes imagining the needs of the entire congregation, rather than focusing only on one’s own needs or desires. Consider how issues affect all members of the congregation, as well as potential members and others in the world outside the congregation. Meeting will be June 7th: board elections, reports from the many ministries of our congregation, and budget decisions for the 2020-21 fiscal year. The packet will be distributed electronically this week.
- Next Sunday’s service, May 31: “Progressive faith is at a crossroads. Liberal pulpits ring with grand sermons about the arc that bends towards justice and about progress ‘onward and upward forever.’ Meanwhile the people in the pews struggle to attend to the suffering of their souls and the tragic aspects of life.” We will explore this book from UU minister the Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, to glean what it offers us as we reshape and reimagine our community for the future.
Benediction
“Let us be Real” by the Rev. Scott Tayler
Chalice Extinguishing
Carry the Flame, performed by the First UU Winnipeg Choir
Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time
Many thanks to our guest minister, the Rev. Lara Cowtan, for leading our service today.
Gratitude for staff and lay leaders who made this service happen:
- Coordinator: Marian Siemens, Sunday Services Team
- Zoom Tech Host: the Rev. Meghann Robern, Minister
- Zoom Chat Moderator: Carol Lindsey, Lifespan Faith Development Assistant
- Candles of Caring Host: Marlene Schellenberg, Pastoral Care Team
- Songleader Videos: PJ Buchan, Music Director; Paul Rodermond, accompanist; Josh Robern, editor
- Bridging: Andrea James, Director of Lifespan Faith Development