After a jolting wagon ride over the bumpy road of 2025, maybe we need to start the New Year with something lighter, something silly, perhaps some folderol and flapdoodle – something to tickle your ribs. So come open the year 2026 with our UU poets, and be prepared for just a bunch of utter nonsense.
Service Leaders: UU Poets
Service Coordinator: Steve Lennon
Welcome and Zoom Link
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Order of Service
Centering Thought
What little sense I once possessed
Has quite gone out of my head! Edward Lear
Centering Music
Allegro from Water Music, by G.F. Handel
Daniel Clark
Welcome
Steve Lennon
Gathering Hymn
#51 Lady of the Seasons’ Laughter
Chalice Lighting
by Steve Lennon, read by Patricia Lane
Opening Words
We Carry in Our Hearts, by Steve Lennon
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.
Sharing and Caring
Steve Lennon
Pastoral Hymn
#1002 Comfort Me (sung while seated)
Offering
Our Share the Plate partner for January 2026 is Willow Place.
The offering will be gratefully received, during or after the service. Donation options are at this link.
Offertory
Art Thou Troubled? from Rosalinda, by G.F. Handel
Daniel Clark
Meditation
adapted from First Snow, by James Armstrong, led by Steve Lennon
Hymn
#19 The Sun That Shines
Introduction to Nonsense Poetry and UU Poets
Steve Lennon
Roger Rochester and Pat Lane
Robert Malo
Wendy Buckle
Octavia MacIsaac
Steve Lennon
Closing Hymn
#345 With Joy We Claim the Growing Light
Announcements
Steve Lennon and others
Closing Words
by Loreena McKennit, read by Octavia MacIsaac
Chalice Extinguishing
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
Transition
Arthur Burstow
Gratitude
Gratitude to all who made this service happen, including
- Leaders: Roger Rochester, Patricia Lane, Robert Malo, Wendy Buckle, Octavia MacIsaac, Steve Lennon
- Coordinator: Steve Lennon
- Music Director: Shannon Unger
- Music: Daniel Clark (piano)
- Coordinator Lifespan Religious Exploration (CLRE): Ana G.Castañeda A.
- Childcare Provider: Paulina Hernandez
- Tech Team: Arthur Burstow, Christina Swindells-Nader
- Centering/fanfare videos: Ashlyn Noble
- This service’s ushers, greeters, and hospitality volunteers, including Maxine Hébert Malo, Paula Keirstead, Michael Thiessen, and others
- 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 and office support: 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.
Topics: Creativity, New Year, Poetry, The Arts, Writing