Story for All Ages Click this link to read the story “Many Ways to Share a Hug” by Jess Rackleyeft NOTE: This story was read by Nick in the service, but the audio for this portion of the recorded service was not good, so we are presenting the text of the story with pictures instead.
On September 13th we began our 2020-2021 Program Year with a new format: a Hybrid Service in which a small safe group of socially-distanced members and friends were joined by a number of participants on Zoom. Despite lots of preparation and testing, we experienced some audio problems resulting from our objective of integrating Zoom audio with the sound system in our Sanctuary. We are working hard to analyze, test and resolve these problems prior to our planned September 20th Hybrid Service, but meanwhile, we will share the main elements of the September 13th with you here in this blog post.
“Water Communion Celebration” Service Leader: Pat Lucey Speakers: Rev. Evangeline Danseco, E.N.Hill, Ministerial Intern
Introduction to Meditation We are pleased to invite Rev. Evangeline Danseco to lead us in a water meditation. She will now be joining us by recorded audio.
Introducing E.N. Hill, Ministerial Intern Our next featured speaker for today is E.N. Hill, the new Ministerial Intern for First Unitarian, and for our Fellowship. In the following audio recording, Fran Mowbray and Nancy Rubenstein will introduce E.N. to us, and then E.N.’s video talk will follow. Click this link to listen to Fran and Nancy’s Introduction.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
JOYS and SORROWS & COFFEE HOUR
Sunday, June 14th – 11:30 am (on Zoom) Following the regular time slot for our 10:30 Sunday morning service, we will hold a “Joys and Sorrows” online check-in, where everyone has a chance to share our worries and sorrows, as well as our joys and sources of happiness, without questions or discussion. This will be followed by a “Coffee Hour” when we can ask questions, and delve deeper into conversation, if we choose. Join us at 11:30 am by clicking the Zoom link which was emailed to you on Friday and/or Saturday by our Fellowship Office Administrator. Instructions on how to join a Zoom gathering are available here.
“Flower Communion Celebration”
Service Leader: Pat Lucey
Readers: Lucie-Marie Castonguay-Bower, Chris Baddeley Girard, Louka Kavcic, Nick Lepan, Martha Nabatian, Nancy Rubenstein
NOTE: Before beginning this service, you may wish to gather up your own candle to light, and select a stone, or another meaningful object, to hold as we consider our Joys and Concerns together.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – NOTE changed time for Zoom!
GUEST SPEAKER’S ZOOM PRESENTATION, Followed by JOYS and SORROWS & COFFEE HOUR: We are trying something a little different today, by offering you part of the service on Zoom. By zooming in a little before 11:00 (i.e., about 5 minutes before) to the Zoom link which was sent to you on Friday and/or Saturday, you will get a chance to hear our Guest Speaker from Riverkeeper, Elizabeth Logue, who will present the work of Ottawa Riverkeeper. Time permitting, there will be a chance to ask questions. Following Elizabeth Logue’s presentation, we will hold a “Joys and Sorrows” online check-in, where everyone has a chance to share our worries and sorrows, as well as our joys and sources of happiness, without questions or discussion. This will be followed by a “Coffee Hour” when we can ask questions, and delve deeper into conversation, if we choose.
Join us at 11:00 am by clicking the Zoom link which was emailed to you on Friday and/or Saturday by our Fellowship Office Administrator. Instructions on how to join a Zoom gathering are available here.
“Our Water – Respecting and Protecting the Ottawa River Watershed” Service Leader: Elinor Mueller Speaker: Elizabeth Logue
NOTE: Before beginning this service, you may wish to gather up your own candle to light, and select a stone, or another meaningful object, to hold as we consider our Joys and Concerns together.
Spirit of Life, come unto me. Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion. Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice. Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.
FOR PART TWO OF THIS SERVICE: As noted above, at 11:00 am on Sunday, Zoom to the link which was sent to you on Friday and/or Saturday to hear Elizabeth Logue, Ottawa Riverkeeper, today’s Special Guest Speaker. And then you are invited to stay for Joys and Sorrows and Coffee Hour.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: JOYS and SORROWS & COFFEE HOUR Sunday, May 31st – 11:30 am (on Zoom) Following the regular time slot for our 10:30 Sunday morning service, we will hold a “Joys and Sorrows” online check-in, where everyone has a chance to share our worries and sorrows, as well as our joys and sources of happiness, without questions or discussion. This will be followed by a “Coffee Hour” when we can ask questions, and delve deeper into conversation, if we choose. Join us at 11:30 am by clicking the Zoom link which was emailed to you on Friday and/or Saturday by our Fellowship Office Administrator. Instructions on how to join a Zoom gathering are available here.
“Joy in the time of COVID-19” Service Leader: Enrique Soto Speaker: Evangeline Danseco
NOTE: Before beginning this service, you may wish to gather up your own candle to light, and select a stone, or another meaningful object, to hold as we consider our Joys and Concerns together.
We shall be known by the company we keep, By the ones who circle round to tend these fires. We shall be known by the ones who sow and reap The seeds of change, alive from deep within the earth
It is time now, it is time now that we thrive. It is time we lead ourselves into the well. It is time now, and what a time to be alive! In this Great Turning we shall learn to lead in love. In this Great Turning we shall learn to lead in love. (sing twice from the beginning, and sing the last 2 lines again at the end.)
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
JOYS and SORROWS & COFFEE HOUR
Sunday, May 24th – 11:30 am (on Zoom) Following the regular time slot for our 10:30 Sunday morning service, we will hold a “Joys and Sorrows” online check-in, where everyone has a chance to share our worries and sorrows, as well as our joys and sources of happiness, without questions or discussion. This will be followed by a “Coffee Hour” when we can ask questions, and delve deeper into conversation, if we choose. Join us at 11:30 am by clicking the Zoom link which was emailed to you on Friday and/or Saturday by our Fellowship Office Administrator. Instructions on how to join a Zoom gathering are available here.
“The Power of Our Religious Symbols”
Service Leader: Helmut Kuhn
Speaker: Fred Harland
Welcome
Song: “Joy To The Morning” Michel Boudreau
Joy, Joy to the morning, sing holy bird.
Joy, Joy at the dawning, notes sweetly heard.
Hail, Hail to the sunrise! Hail to the sky!
Blessed be our great earth. Blessed am I.
Joy, Joy to the evening, shine setting sun.
Joy, Joy to the twilight, day’s work is done.
Hail, hail to the moonrise! Hail starry sky!
At peace be our great world. At peace am I.
Joy, Joy to the music, everywhere heard.
Joy, Joy in the one light, bright in our world.
Hail, hail to the wonder! Nature’s reply.
Grateful all creation. Grateful am I.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
JOYS and SORROWS & COFFEE HOUR
Sunday, May 17th – 11:30 am (on Zoom) Following the regular time slot for our 10:30 Sunday morning service, we will hold a “Joys and Sorrows” online check-in, where everyone has a chance to share our worries and sorrows, as well as our joys and sources of happiness, without questions or discussion. This will be followed by a “Coffee Hour” when we can ask questions, and delve deeper into conversation, if we choose. Join us at 11:30 am by clicking the Zoom link which was emailed to you on Friday and/or Saturday by our Fellowship Office Administrator. Instructions on how to join a Zoom gathering are available here.
“The Joy of Music”
Service Leader: Pat Lucey
Musicians: Michel Boudreau, Nick Lepan, Fran Mowbray, Katie Lunn, Pat Lucey
NOTE: Before beginning this service, you may wish to gather up your own candle to light, and select a stone, or another meaningful object, to hold as we consider our Joys and Concerns together.
“Music can name the unnameable, and communicate the unknowable.” Leonard Bernstein (1918–90), American composer, conductor, and pianist
(Chorus:)
Gather in peace, gather in thanks. Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength. Gather to celebrate once again.
1. Gather the spirit, harvest the power. Our sep’rate fires will kindle one flame.
Witness the mystery of this hour. Our trials in this light appear all the same. (Chorus)
2. Gather the spirit of heart and mind. Seeds for the sowing are laid in store.
Nurtured in love, and conscience refined, With body and spirit united once more. (Chorus)
(Instrumental Interlude)
3. Gather the spirit growing in all, Drawn by the moon and fed by the sun.
Winter to spring, and summer to fall, The chorus of life resounding as one. (Chorus)
Offering and Joys and Sorrows
Moment of Musical Reflection “Simple Gifts” Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss
Digital Duet “Blue Moon” Katie Lunn (harmonica) and Pat Lucey (arranger & accompanist)
Talk “Why Can Music Make You Feel So Good?” Pat Lucey
Let’s Talk Music With Michel Michel Boudreau
The Covid Rag Nick Lepan and Fran Mowbray
Play Along Rhythm (Intro) Nick Lepan and Fran Mowbray
Play Along Rhythm Nick Lepan and Fran Mowbray
Closing Song #18 “What Wondrous Love” Our Daily Bread
(Recorder solo)
1. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this that brings my heart such bliss,
and takes away the pain of my soul, of my soul, and takes away the pain of my soul.
2. When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath my sorrows ground,
friends to me gather’d round, O my soul, O my soul, friends to me gather’d round, O my soul.
3. To love and to all friends I will sing, I will sing, to love and to all friends I will sing.
To love and to all friends who pain and sorrow mend,
with thanks unto the end I will sing, I will sing, with thanks unto the end I will sing.
Art thou troubled? Music will calm thee. Art thou weary? Rest shall be thine.
Music, source of all gladness heals thy sadness at her shrine.
Music, music ever divine. Music, music calleth with voice divine.
When the welcome spring is smiling, all the earth with flow’rs beguiling after winter’s dreary reign,
Sweetest music doth attend her, heavenly harmonies doth lend her, chanting praises in her train.
More On Music and Happiness: The 2017 study at McGill University which was referred to above found that Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” was one of the most chill-inducing pieces of music they encountered. Perhaps you would like to listen to it and see if it gives you the chills! Barber “Adagio for Strings” Detroit Symphony Orchestra
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: JOYS and SORROWS & COFFEE HOUR
Sunday, May 10th – 11:30 am (on Zoom)
Following the regular time slot for our 10:30 Sunday morning service, we will hold a “Joys and Sorrows” online check-in, where everyone has a chance to share our worries and sorrows, as well as our joys and sources of happiness, without questions or discussion. This will be followed by a “Coffee Hour” when we can ask questions, and delve deeper into conversation, if we choose. Join us at 11:30 am by clicking the link which was emailed to you on Friday by our Fellowship Office Administrator. Instructions on how to join a Zoom gathering are available here.
“Nurturing Sunday”
Service Leader: Christine Baddeley Girard
Speakers: Christine Baddeley Girard, Michel Boudreau, Sara Girard
NOTE: Before beginning this service, you may wish to gather up your own candle to light, and select a stone, or another meaningful object, to hold as we consider our Joys and Concerns together.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
JOYS and SORROWS & COFFEE HOUR Sunday, May 3rd – 11:30 am (on Zoom)
Following the regular time slot for our 10:30 Sunday morning service, we will hold a “Joys and Sorrows” online check-in, where everyone has a chance to share our worries and sorrows, as well as our joys and sources of happiness, without questions or discussion. This will be followed by a “Coffee Hour” when we can ask questions, and delve deeper into conversation, if we choose. Join us at 11:30 am by clicking the link which was emailed to you on Friday by our Fellowship Office Administrator. Instructions on how to join a Zoom gathering are available here.
“Laughter As A Spiritual Practice”
Speaker: Rev. Patricia Guthmann Haresch
Service Leader: Laura Evans
NOTE: Before beginning this service, you may wish to gather up your own candle to light, and select a stone, or another meaningful object, to hold as we consider our Joys and Concerns together.
Introduction
Welcome and Chalice Lighting
Opening Words adapted from Rev. Barbara Wells tenHove Rev. Pat Haresch
Joys and Sorrows
Video To enjoy today’s first video selection, click this link: “I Love To Laugh” from “Mary Poppins”
Reading from George Carlin Rev. Pat Haresch
Sermon “Laughter As A Spiritual Discipline” Rev. Pat Haresch
Video To enjoy today’s second video selection, click this link: “Happy” Pharrell Williams
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: JOYS and SORROWS & COFFEE HOUR Sunday, April 26th – 11:30 am (on Zoom) Following the regular time slot for our 10:30 Sunday morning service, we will hold a “Joys and Sorrows” online check-in, where everyone has a chance to share our worries and sorrows, as well as our joys and sources of happiness, without questions or discussion. This will be followed by a “Coffee Hour” when we can ask questions, and delve deeper into conversation, if we choose. Join us at 11:30 am by clicking the link which was emailed to you yesterday by our Fellowship Office Administrator. Instructions on how to join a Zoom gathering are available here.
le 26 avril – Célébration mensuelle francophone ZOOM, 10h30 – CORRECTION La pandémie nous force de s’isoler physiquement. Par conséquent, elle emporte le désastre économique mais aussi une réduction de la pollution de notre chère terre. Question alors; qu’est-ce que la pandémie m’apporte ou m’apprend à moi, personnellement? Voici le lien: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/869452338
“Tra La, it’s [Almost] May! Where’s the Maypole?” Speaker: Caroline Balderston Parry Service Leader: Pat Lucey
NOTE: Before beginning this service, you may wish to gather up your own candle to light, and select a stone, or another meaningful object, to hold as we consider our Joys and Concerns together.
Prelude “In The Lusty Month of May” Julie Andrews
Welcome and Chalice Lighting
Opening Words “Great Green Goodness”
Hymn #207 “Earth Was Given As A Garden”
Earth was given as a garden, cradle for humanity; Tree of life and tree of knowledge placed for our discovery. Here was home for all your creatures born of land and sky and sea; All created in your image, all to live in harmony.
Show to us again the garden where all life flows fresh and free. Gently guide your sons and daughters into full maturity. Teach us how to trust each other, how to use for good our power, How to touch the earth with rev’rence. Then once more will Eden flower.
Bless the earth and all your children, one creation: make us whole, Interwoven, all connected, planet wide and inmost soul. Holy mother, life bestowing, bid our waste and warfare cease. Fill us all with grace o’erflowing. Teach us how to live in peace.
Offering and Joys and Sorrows
Moment of Musical Reflection “Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)” Shima Rossitto, flute
Introducing the Speaker
Click on this link: Celtic Wheel of the Year to view an image which will be referenced by Caroline in her Talk Part I.
Click on this link: May Celebration Slide Show to view the pictures which Caroline will reference throughout her presentation. Talk Part I “Introduction to May and a Singing Game” Caroline Balderston Parry
Talk Part II “More May Festivals and Maypole History” Caroline Balderston Parry
A Singing Game for Everyone “All Around the Maypole”
Closing Words and Entrusting the Flame
Postlude #311 “Let It Be A Dance” – Click on this link: Let It Be A Dance to view the lyrics and images which go with the song:
