“Breathing in, I am Here. Breathing out, I am Home,” words of my dear teacher, Thay – Buddhist peace leader Thich Nhat Hanh. My Buddhist practice has transformed my life over the past almost twenty years, as I aspire to  live and breathe into each moment. Our service will explore areas of Buddhist history, belief and practice, and Thay’s unique embrace of living and being that has guided my life.

“Peace In Every Breath”
with Rev. Telos Whitfield

Order of Service
Sunday, June 13, 2021

 

Welcome                                                                           Rev. Telos Whitfield

Announcements                                                                 Sarah Lott

“Prelude No. 2”         George Gershwin
Eva Greene, pianist

Chalice Lighting  by Oberlin UU Fellowship                    Marie Gorst

“We light this chalice to find inner peace, Love for each other, and faith in ourselves. Also, to be welcoming to whomever we meet and kind to all living creatures. So gather around this light of hope as we share this time together. With the lighting of our chalice, we honor the energy of peace and re-dedicate ourselves to bringing peace through our words and actions, bodies and minds.”

Opening Words                                                                 Rev. Telos

Opening Hymn #83 – “Winds Be Still”
Music, Samuel Wesley    Words, Richard Kimball
sung by Marie Gorst

Story for All of Us – “I Am Peace”
Read by Susan Verde, Illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds

Anthem: “This Year That Comes”
poem by Fran Freeman and music by Tom Baehr
offered by our All Souls Choir and directed by Tom Baehr

Unison Reading: words of Thich Nhat Hanh

“Peace is every step.
The shining red sun is my heart.
Each flower smiles with me.
How green, how fresh all that grows.
How cool the wind blows.
Peace is every step.
It turns the endless path to joy.”

Hymn – #1009 “Meditation On Breathing”        Sarah Dan Jones
sung by Marie Gorst, Eva Greene, Bob Wyckoff

Sermon:  “Peace In Every Breath”                                 Rev. Telos 

Hymn – #168  “One More Step”          Joyce Poley
sung by Cathie Creed, Elizabeth Lewis, Maisie Crowther, Beth McKinney

Offering shared with Edible Brattleboro

Offertory: “Tamuke” (offerings)
Performed by Stan Richardson
The shakuhachi flute is used for suizen ( 吹禅, blowing meditation)                                              by Buddhist monks.

Blessing our Candles of Joy and Concerns

Closing Words                                                                 Rev. Telos

Extinguishing our Chalice                                              Marie Gorst

“We extinguish our chalice, but commit to carrying this light forward, sharing peace through our thoughts and words and actions. May we be mindful of all that we can offer to help in creating a more peaceful world.”

Closing Circle and Song
“Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.” (2X)

Conversation and Coffee