Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 AM to join our online service.
We will celebrate the coming of Spring and explore ancient origins and modern beliefs of pagans. Join in a time of ritual, song, and story to beckon forth new growth and celebrate Spring!
“Pagans Among Us: Celebrating the Spring Equinox”
Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 AM to join our online service.
Order of Service
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Welcome Rev. Telos Whitfield
Announcements Ron Niswander
Prelude Very Early by Bill Evans
Eva Greene, piano
Chalice Lighting Dion LaShay
We light our chalice in celebration of the coming of Spring. May the light warm us and new growth offer inspiration.
Opening Words Rev. Telos Whitfield
Opening Hymn #57 All Beautiful the March of Days
sung by George Carvill, Eva Greene, piano
Story For All of Us “A New Beginning-Celebrating the Spring Equinox” by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Linda Black
read by Mara Berkley
Stewardship Campaign Update Christina Gibbons
My Stewardship Path to All Souls Sarah Lott
Anthem “Step by Step the Longest March”
words, anonymous, music, Irish folk song
sung by All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, director
produced by Tom Baehr and Daniel Kasnitz
The Vernal Equinox: Honoring Ancient Beginnings Rev. Telos Whitfield. 
Poem – “Remember” by Joy Harjo [adapted]
Interpretation by Bev Miller
“Remember the sky that you were born under.
Know each of the star’s stories.
Remember the moon.
Know who she is.
Remember the sun’s birth at dawn.
That is the strongest point of time.
Remember sundown and the giving away to night.
Remember the wind. Remember her voice.
She knows the origin of this universe.
Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their
tribes, their families, their histories, too.
Talk to them, listen to them. They are alive poems.
Remember the earth whose skin you are:
red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth
brown earth.
We are earth.
Remember your birth, how your mother struggled to give you form and breath.
You are evidence of her life and her mother’s and hers.
Remember your father. He is your life also.
Remember you are all people and all people are you.
Remember you are this universe and this universe is you.
Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.
Remember language comes from this.
Remember the dance language is, that life is.
Remember.”
“Invocation” written by Bev Miller
“Spirits of the East, Marty Shaw
We open to receive the blessings of Air to lift our Spirit,
the gift of Vision to see the Light and the Shadow,
and Clear Mind to guide us.
Spirits of the South, Katherine Innis
We open to receive the blessings of Fire to warm us,
the gift of Growth to move us through change,
and Passion to fuel our journey.
Spirits of the West, Bev Miller
We open to receive the blessings of Water to quench our thirst,
the gift of Grace to flow smoothly through life,
and Love to heal our wounds.
Spirits of the North, Mara Berkley
We open to receive the blessings of Earth to ground us,
the gift of Strength to support us,
and Courage to walk the truth.
Spirits Above, Spirits Below Rev. Telos Whitfield
We open to receive the blessings of Wisdom
that remind us we are one with All That Is.
We gather these blessings to the Center,
To bring our lives into Balance.
and we give thanks.”
Ritual: Preparing the Ground, Fruits and Nuts
Hymn #301 Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky
Christina Gibbons, soprano; Eva Greene, piano
Planting our Seed led by Rev. Telos Whitfield
Offering shared with Food Connects
Offertory The Rose Amanda McBroom
sung by Bette Midler, interpretation by Bev Miller
Blessing of our Candles of Joy and Concern
Closing Hymn #344 A Promise Through the Ages Rings
sung by Maisie Crowther, Beth McKinney Elizabeth Lewis; piano, Eva Greene
Extinguishing Our Chalice Dion LaShay
We extinguish our chalice but let us keep the light of this community alive until we meet again.
Closing Words Rev. Telos Whitfield
Closing Circle and song
“Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again” (sung 2 times)
Conversation and Coffee Hour