Coming of Age, Finding Home offered by David Schein and Rev. Telos Whitfield, Coming of age is a journey in itself, made more complicated for adopted children as they find their home away from their birthplace and culture. Author David Schein offers reflections from his novel “The Adoption” based on his work with youth in Ethiopia and their brothers and sisters in the Ethiopian diaspora. Join us for this illuminating service of stories and songs

 

We anticipate that this service will be both in-person and on Zoom. Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 a.m. to join via Zoom. Click here to read our protocols for in-person attendance.When attending in person, please completely power off your cell phone during the service to preserve the Church’s WiFi bandwidth for our Zoom attendees.

“Coming of Age, Finding Home”

Order of Service
Sunday, July 17, 2022

Greeting                                                                       Rev. Telos

Board Welcome & Announcements                         Jamie Gibson

Opening Song #188 “Come, Come Whoever You Are”

Chalice Lighting                                    
Each morning, we must hold out the chalice of our being to receive, to carry and to give back.

Lighting Our Children’s Chalice
We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism. We are the church of the open minds. We are the church of the helping hands.  We are the church of the loving hearts.

Call to Worship                                                       Rev. Telos                                                     

Hymn #118 “This Little Light of Mine”

Story For All of Us    

Sharing Our Covenant                                                   Jamie Gibson                                          
“We build our church on a foundation of love,
and covenant with one another:
to freely explore our values and honor our diversity
as a source of communal strength,
to accept responsibility for our individual acts
and promote justice and peace,
to celebrate the joys of discovery,
embracing the fullest measure of our humanity,
to communicate with kindness and support,
to serve with compassion and commitment,
to openly share our laughter and tears, and
to show reverence for the divine in all that is.”
(Covenant adopted on April 17, 2001)

Readings and Reflection on The Adoption – David Schein

Song – David Schein
    
Words for Our Offering shared with The Minister’s Discretionary Fund                        Rev. Telos  

Offertory #402 “From You I Receive, To You I Give”

Blessing Our Candles of Joys and Sorrows
                             
Closing Hymn #396 “I Know This Rose Will Open” 

Extinguishing the Chalice           
We extinguish our flame but we know that our light continues. In courage and community, remembering our home, we continue to spread our light far and wide, deep and true.

*Closing Circle: “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” (sung two times)

*Please join in standing as you are able.

Benediction                                                         Rev. Telos