UUFO Online Worship Blog

“Deep Gratitude”
Service Leader: Pat Lucey
Speaker: Bahram Nabatian
Readers: Christine Baddeley Girard, Laurie-Anne Muldoon, Hoppy Roy
Zoom Coordinators: Sara Baxter, Martha Nabatian

Announcements Pat Lucey
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Prelude “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning”
Click on this link to view the music video of this song (and sing along with the lyrics)

Welcome and Chalice Lighting Pat Lucey
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First Reading: “What Is Gratitude?” read by Christine Baddeley Girard
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Two Stories for all Ages:
(1) Aesop’s Fable: “The Lion and the Mouse” told by Laurie-Anne Muldoon
Click on this link to view the video of this part of the service.

(2) “Bloom”(short film)
Click on this link to view the video of this story.

Joys and Sorrows We shared our personal Joys and Sorrows in small groups in Zoom breakout rooms.

Introduction to the Film Pat Lucey
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Film “Gratitude: The Short Film”
Click on this link to view this meditative video.

Talk “Gratitude: A Personal View” Bahram Nabatian
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Second Reading: “Desiderata” read by Hoppy Roy
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Closing, Entrusting the Flame Pat Lucey
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Postlude #128 “For All That Is Our Life”
Christopher Watkins Lamb, Sally Lee, and Dyane Rogelstad, Foothills Unitarian Church
Click on this link to view this music video (and sing along)

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We thank our production crew for all their support.

“Imagining Ourselves: How Imagination Makes us Human (and
Play Makes Us Happy)”
Service Leader: allison calvern
Speaker: Laurie Anne Fuhr
Zoom Coordinator: Sarah Baxter

Announcements allison calvern
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Prelude: “Revival” Gregory Porter
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Welcome/Bienvenue, Chalice Lighting, and Opening Words allison calvern
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Joys and Sorrows We shared our personal Joys and Sorrows in small groups in Zoom breakout rooms.

Song: “Just as Long as I Have Breath, # 6” performed by members of the Kitsap UU Fellowship
Click on this link to view the video of this song and sing along with the words.

Children’s Story: “How Imagination Makes us Feel Small, and then Big”
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Introduction to the Speaker allison calvern
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Presentation: “How Imagination Makes us Human (and Play Makes Us Happy)” Laurie Anne Fuhr
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Imagination Exercise allison calvern
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Music: “Ain’t Gonna Work” Laurie Anne Fuhr and Craig Galambos (Bluebird Telegraph)
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Closing Words allison calvern
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Postlude: “Jolene” Written by and sung by Dolly Parton in 2021, age 74, accompanied by strings.
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We thank our production crew for all their support.

“Imagination, Art & Fear”
Service Leader and Speaker: Nick LePan
Reader: Fran Mowbray
Zoom Coordinator: Sarah Baxter

Announcements Nick Lepan
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Prelude: Images, Milena Cord-a-Krax Bach Prelude
Click on this link to view this art and music video.

Opening Words, Welcome and Chalice Lighting Nick LePan
Imagination Opportunity(1): Pen, Pencil and Paper Activity
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Song: “Dream Baby Dream” Bruce Springsteen
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Story for All Ages: “The Museum” Nick LePan
Reading: “Art and Fear”, by D. Baylis and T. Orland, read by Fran Mowbray
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Joys and Sorrows We shared our personal Joys and Sorrows in small groups in Zoom breakout rooms.

Talk: “Paint Emotion” Nick LePan
Music Moment: 16 Dakota Unheard Music Concepts
Imagination Opportunity (2): Pencil, Pen and Paper Activity
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Song: “Let it be a Dance (Hymn #311)”
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Closing Words & Entrusting the Flame Nick LePan
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Postlude: Images, Milena Cord-a-Krax Bach Prelude
Click on this link to view this art and music video.
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We thank our production crew for all their support.

“A Neural Seesaw”
Service Leader: allison calvern
Speaker: Gabriella Brand
Zoom Coordinator: Sarah Baxter

Announcements allison calvern
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Prelude: “Down to the River to Pray” Allison Krauss
Click on this link to view this video of this musical performance.

Mindfulness Bell, Opening Words, Chalice Lighting & Welcome allison calvern
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Joys and Sorrows We shared our personal Joys and Sorrows in small groups in Zoom breakout rooms.

Song: “The Lone Wild Bird” Number 15 from our songbook, “The Lone Wild Bird” comes to us from First Unitarian Church of Victoria. Sung by the L.A. Choral Lab—Katharine Hoye (who arranged the music), Jess Freedman, and Rachel Bearer—the lyrics are by Henry Richard McFayden.
Click on this link to view the video of this musical performance.

Introduction to the Speaker: Seasoned educator, counselor, writer and lay minister, Gabriella Brand has spoken at UU churches on three continents, and serves as a chaplain for an interfaith group in Connecticut. She is also a writer. Widely anthologized, her poetry, stories, and essays appear in the Christian Science Monitor, Open Mic of the Air, NPR, and The Globe and Mail. A linguist and an adventurer, Gabriella travels the world on solo walking pilgrimages whenever she can. She is kind, generous, and brilliant in both imagination and deed, and she begins her participation in our UUFO service, with the Story for All Ages.

Story for All Ages Gabriella Brand
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Presentation: “A Neural Seesaw” Gabriella Brand
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Introduction to the Music allison clavern
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Music: “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream.” by Ed McCurdy, performed by Bill Woodley
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Offertory, Closing Words & Entrusting the Flame, Mindfulness Bell allison calvern
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Postlude: “Ain’t Got No” by Nina Simone NOTE: In this song, “Ain’t Got No”, Nina Simone allows us to feel an enormous act of imagination. She begins with what she does not have: “Ain’t got no home, ain’t got no love.” And then, asking, “What have i got?” she imagines herself into life, full, glorious life.
Click on this link to view the video of this musical performance.

~*~
We thank our production crew for all their support.

“Imagining Our Role as Global Citizens via the Refugee Mother”
Service Leader: Helmut Kuhn
Speakers: Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana (video) & Carolle Séguin
Zoom Coordinator: Sarah Baxter

Welcome Helmut Kuhn and Carolle Séguin
Opening Bell & Announcements Helmut Kuhn
A Virtual Offering Plate “Why do I give? I give to remind myself of who I am.” Please note: Offerings can be made by both eTransfer (to treasurer@uufo.org ) and cheque (mailed to UUFO at: 400 McArthur Ave., Ottawa, K1K 1G8) while we continue to maintain our building and staff.
Land Acknowledgement Helmut Kuhn and Carolle Séguin
Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Helmut Kuhn
Click on this link to view the video of this part of the service.

Joys and Sorrows We shared our personal Joys and Sorrows in small groups in Zoom breakout rooms.

Reflection: “On Mother’s Day at UUFO” Helmut Kuhn
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Music: “Let Justice Roll” Written by Bob Carty and played by Fallen Angles, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ottawa.
Click on this link to view the music video of this song.

Poem: “I am a Refugee” by Ifrah Mansour
Click on this link to view the performance video of this poem.

Reflection: “Announcing the UUFO Refugee Support Fund” Carolle Séguin
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Music: “Imagine” performed by Michel Boudreau
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Introduction of Speaker Helmut Kuhn
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Talk:“Imagining Our Role as Global Citizens via the Refugee Mother” Rev. Fulgence Ndagijamana
Click on this link to view the video of Rev. Fulgence’s Talk.

Thanking the speaker & Introducing the Music Helmut Kuhn
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Music: “De Colores” performed by José-Luis Orozo
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Closing Words and Entrusting the Flame Helmut Kuhn
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Postlude: “This Is My Song (Finlandia)” performed by Indigo Girls
Click on this link to view the music video of this song.

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We thank our production crew for all their support.

“Grandfather Gandhi: Lessons in Non-Violence”
Service Leader: Nancy Rubenstein
Speaker: Arun Gandhi
Discussion Moderator: E.N.Hill, Ministerial Intern
Zoom Coordinator: Sarah Baxter

Announcements Nancy Rubenstein
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Prelude “Nomathemba” Ladysmith Black Mambazo
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Welcome, Opening Words & Chalice Lighting Nancy Rubenstein
Introduction of the Speaker, Arun Gandhi – part 1 Nancy Rubenstein
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Story for All Ages: “Grandfather Gandhi” by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Evan Turk
Click on this link to view the video of this story.

Joys and Sorrows We shared our personal Joys and Sorrows in small groups in Zoom breakout rooms.

Music: “Sitar Concerto No. 2 by R. Shankar” performed by Anoushka Shankar with the Berliner Philharmoniker
Click on this link to view the music video of this performance.

Introduction of the Speaker, Arun Gandhi – part 2 Nancy Rubenstein
Talk “Reflections on Non Violence” Arun Gandhi
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Music: An excerpt from “Peace Piece” Bill Evans
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Closing Words & Entrusting of the Flame Nancy Rubenstein
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Postlude: “Siyahamba” performed by the Heralders Children’s Choir
Click on this link to view the music video of this song and sing along with the lyrics.

Time for Q&A and Discussion facilitated by E.N. Hill
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We thank our production crew for all their support.

“Water First!”
Service Leader: Marilynn Kuhn
Speaker: Dillon Koopmans, Educational Programs Manager, Water First
Zoom Coordinator: Sarah Baxter

Announcements Marilynn Kuhn
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Prelude “The Algonquin Water Song” Written by Irene Wawatie Jerome assisted by Kathleen DeShane for Grandfather William Commanda’s Circle of All Nations Gathering – 2002
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Welcome & Chalice Lighting (“Welcome Hearts” – Rev. Diane Rollert) Marilynn Kuhn
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Song: “I’ve Got Peace Like a River” Lynda Randle
Click on this link to view the music video of this song.

Joys and Sorrows We shared our personal Joys and Sorrows in small groups in Zoom breakout rooms.

Meditation “The Personhood of the Magpie-Muteshekau Shipu River” Elinor Mueller
Click on this link to view the video of this part of the service.

Introduction of the Speaker Marilynn Kuhn
Talk: “Water First!” Dillon Koopmans
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Entrusting of the Flame (“Thirst for Justice” – Ben Robins) Marilynn Kuhn
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Final Song: “Water is Life” (Song for Standing Rock) Sara Thomsen
Click on this link to view the music video of this song.

Questions and Answers Dillon Koopmans
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We thank our production crew for all their support.

“Anti-racism Work as a Spiritual Practice”
Service Leader: Pat Lucey
Speaker: Donovan Hayden
Zoom Coordinator: Sarah Baxter

Announcements Pat Lucey
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Prelude: “Glory” John Legend and Common from the movie “Selma”
Click on this link to view the music video of this Prelude.

Chalice Lighting and Welcome Pat Lucey
Opening Words: “Prayer for While in The Struggle” by Rev. Margalie Belizaire
Introduction to the Song Pat Lucey
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Music Video: “ If I Have A Son” by Ruth B.
Click on this link to view the music video of this Song.

Joys and Sorrows We shared our personal Joys and Sorrows in small groups in Zoom breakout rooms.

Introduction to the Speaker Pat Lucey
Presentation: “Anti-racism Work as a Spiritual Practice” Donovan Hayden
Click on this link to view the video of this part of the service.

Moment of Reflection Pat Lucey
Closing Words: “Empathy Is a Choice We Make” by Leslie Jamison
Entrusting the Flame Pat Lucey
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Postlude “Hymn to Freedom” by Oscar Peterson and Harriette Hamilton, performed by the
Leaside United Church Virtual Choir
Click on this link to view the music video of this Postlude.

~~ We thank our production crew for all their support. ~~

Media Credits:
“Lakeside dew drops” by Beachfront on Videvo, used under Creative Commons

“Self-Compassion”
Service Leader: Katie Lunn
Reader: Louka Kavcic
Zoom Coordinators: Sarah Baxter and Allison Armstrong

Announcements, Welcome, Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Katie Lunn
Click on this link to view the video of this part of the service.

Opening Song: “Open My Heart” Hymn #1013, performed by Susan T. Mashiyama
Click on this link to view the music video of this song.

Story for All Ages “Love the World” by Todd Parr, read by Louka Kavcic
Click on this link to view the video of this story.

Introduction to the Theme of Self-Compassion Katie Lunn
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Song “You’re Beautiful” Carole King
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Video: “The Science of a Meaningful Life” Kristen Neff
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Song: “Filled with Loving Kindness” Maki Ito Pardieck.
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Introduction to Joys and Sorrows Katie Lunn
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Video: “Why We Share Joys and Sorrows” Lauren Wyeth
Click on this link to view the video of this talk.
NOTE: Following this video, attendees at this service were invited to have a discussion about it in Zoom breakout rooms.

Closing Words and Entrusting of the Flame Katie Lunn
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Final Song: “Lo, The Earth Awaits Again” Hymn #61 Jess Huetteman, Soprano & Vince Edwards, Organ
Click on this link to view the music video of this song.


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We thank our production crew for all their support.

“Easter Service”
Service Leader: Laura Evans
Zoom Coordinator: Allison Armstrong
Musician: Michel Boudreau
Speakers and Readers: Louise McDiarmid, Dan Rubenstein, Hoppy Roy, Helmut Kuhn, Chris Baddeley Girard, Marilynn Kuhn, Don McDiarmid, Teddy Dong

Announcements Laura Evans
Click on this link to view the video of this part of the service.

Prelude: “Hallelujah Chorus” (Handel) performed by The Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House
Click on this link to view the music video of this performance.

Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, Reading:“For Holy Days” (Dillman Baker Sorrells), and Chalice Lighting Laura Evans
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Opening Words Laura Evans
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Song: “Most People Are Good” performed by Michel Boudreau
Reading: “Let the Hallelujahs Rise Up” (Ellen Cooper) Louise McDiarmid
Reflections on Passover Dan Rubenstein
Reading: “It Began with a Stone” (Rev. Lisa Fischbeck) Hoppy Roy
Song: “Spring Again” (Lou Rawls) performed by Michel Boudreau
Reading: “After ‘He Is Risen’” (Joshua Mason Pawelek) Helmut Kuhn
Reading: “Easter Resurrection” (Rev Kathleen McTigue) Chris Baddeley Girard
Reading: “Doubting Thomas” (Angela Herrera) Marilynn Kuhn
Closing Words: “The World is a Single Place” (Rev Kenneth W Collier) Don McDiarmid
Click on this link to view the video of this part of the service.

Entrusting of the Flame Laura Evans
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Special Guest Appearance by an Easter Celebrity Teddy Dong
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We thank our production crew for all their support.