All ages join together for this winter celebration of the longest night in story and song, followed by a sing-a-long of beloved songs from “Frozen”, because what better way to celebrate Winter?
with Rev. Jill McAllister
worship_council
“A Season of Generosity” 12/10/2023
There are plenty of ads, jingles, mailings, and conversations encouraging us to give at this time of year. But how is the giving of gifts related to generosity of spirit, a generous open heart and open mind, a generous respect for the basic needs of all? Perhaps instead of focusing on giving we should be contemplating deep and broad generosity, beginning with this season.
with Rev. Jill McAllister
“In Need of Awe” 12/3/2023
Without being aware of it, most of the time, we are deeply in need of experiences of awe to maintain our humanity. Experiences of awe are moments in which we understand how we are part of Life which is so much more than our ideas or our unique experiences.
“Disguised as our Life” 11/26/2023
As Unitarian Universalists, one of our primary “texts” for theological understanding is lived experience. In other words, we agree with Paula D’arcy’s insight that “God (or Meaning) comes to us disguised as our life.” From deeper questions about the history of Thanksgiving Day, and of indigenous ways of noticing how we are related, we’ll consider practices of observation that can help us search for meaning and sustain us.
Revs. Monica Jacobson-Tennessen and Jill McAllister
“What Is Transformation?”
It would be hard to argue that things don’t change, or that they aren’t changing constantly, and not always in ways we understand or are prepared for. Take this week for example, or almost any of the past seven years. A new generation of UU’s describes a need for us to be able and willing to not only change, but be changed, in order to keep adding love into the world.
Rev. Jill McAllister
Tending Our Grief Circle, 4/11
Thursday, April 11th at 12:00 – 1:30 pm in the UUFC library
We will gather together to share from our hearts about the griefs we are carrying and to witness one another. These may be very personal sorrows or extend to the losses that we witness in the world.
Our time together will include sharing, poetry and simple ritual.
“Every one of us must do this. We must learn how to work with the grief in our lives…simply gather the courage to speak from your heart, and let the others know that you are feeling sad and carrying grief in your body. What I have discovered in grief rituals over many years is that we feel relief when we finally are able to acknowledge our pain with one another.” ~ Francis Weller, The Wild Edge of Sorrow.
Facilitated by Anna Coffman and Susan Sanford.
Not So Like-Minded After All
It’s not uncommon for UU’s to note that they like being part of a congregation because they’re among “like-minded” people. It turns out, the more we learn about how brains function, and the more we listen to people instead of making assumptions about them, we’re not very like minded at all! What, then, do we offer one another for our religious lives?
Behind the Music: To everything there is a season
A heartfelt farewell took place today as the Fellowship gathered to say bid adieu to some of our beloved trees which have graced the grounds for generations. The three solo piano works played were selected for their messages of gratitude, closure, and acceptance.
Today’s prelude was Ombra Mai Fu, a well-loved classic from Handel’s opera Serse. Serse, the king of Persia, sings this aria at the opera’s beginning to express his thanks and admiration for a plane tree and the shade it provides. Our feelings for the UUFC trees are mirrored in this aria’s lyrics:
Tender and beautiful fronds
of my beloved plane tree,
let Fate smile upon you.
May thunder, lightning, and storms
never disturb your dear peace,
nor may you by blowing winds be profaned.
Never was a shade
of any plant
dearer and more lovely,
or more sweet.
The anthem “Time to Say Goodbye” seemed appropriate for an offertory following the honoring of the trees. This powerful anthem, made famous by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, encourages us to embrace life’s inevitable changes with courage and grace. With tomorrow’s cutting of the trees, this work is also a gentle reminder that while farewells can be bittersweet, they also pave the way for new beginnings.
As the service drew to a close, we adjourned to the timeless tune of “Turn, Turn, Turn” by The Byrds. This adaptation of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 beautifully illustrates life’s ever-changing rhythms, urging us to find peace and acceptance in the ebb and flow of existence. The song’s poetic verses remind us that there is “a time to plant, a time to reap, a time to gain, a time to lose.” We have celebrated and said goodbye to the trees…let us now celebrate the new birth of plants, flowers, and trees that will begin their time with us.
~ Lauren Servias
Services in July
July 2
Fellowship member Susan Sanford: “For the Country” Reflections on citizenship and interdependence
July 9
Rev. Jill McAllister, on meaning and what matters OUTDOOR SERVICE
July 16
Rev. Jill McAllister, on being a blessing. With special music from Johanna Beekman and Ben Leinbach
July 23
Rev. Jill McAllister, on climate action and justice, now
July 30
Wheel of the Year Celebration: Lughnasadh (Lammas)
August 6
Ceremony for the trees before the cutting begins – also outside. OUTDOOR SERVICE
Behind the Music: Lovely sky and sea; well, it used to be.
The earth has been a subject of inspiration for composers across the world for centuries; each of the musical compositions below were used for today’s service with this Sunday’s theme in mind: building relationships through care for our earth.
The choir’s first anthem, “Emerald Stream” (by Seth Houston) is a rollicking tune reminiscent of a sea shanty or drinking song, but while toe-tapping and moving to the beat, careful listeners will have caught the warning the song offers:
So, now, my people beware,
You’re in charge of the seas and the earth and the air,
You’d better take extr-odinary care
Of the earth, our only home.
“Earth Song”, the choir’s second anthem, originally started as an instrumental work, but Frank Ticheli stated “this music is just begging to be sung by a chorus”. “Earth Song” beseeches the world for kindness and peace, while praising the healing power of music and song.
Sing, Be, Live, See…the scorched earth cries out in vain.
Today’s offertory “Look Around” hails from the 1991 musical The Will Rodgers Follies. Alone, the music of “Look Around” is lovely and poignant, but only when the song lyrics are known is the sadness of this beautiful song understood.
Look around, the world’s a lovely place, lovely sky and sea; well, it used to be.
Look around, the world is shining bright, watch the green grass grow; well, that once was so.
Where’s the spring that loved the rain?
Where’s the grove down Lover’s Lane?
Look around, they vanish overnight
Where’s the lovely world we used to see.
And finally, Joni Mitchell’s beloved “Big Yellow Taxi” reminds us of the consequences of our actions on the environment and the need to take responsibility for protecting our planet.
Today’s service will hopefully inspire us to take action to care for our planet and build stronger relationships with each other and the earth. We can reflect on the importance of preserving our natural resources, taking responsibility for our actions, and fostering appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the world around us. By doing so, we can build a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world for all.