Since Aristotle, philosophers have extolled the virtues of belonging to a political community. When we listen to different points of view, we not only make better decisions, we become better people. Why is it then that so often politics tends to bring out our worst sides? Join Meg Mott and Howard Burrows as they test out the strategies of Braver Angels and the wisdom of political philosophers to ennoble our political clashes.

Order of Service
Sunday, August  15, 2021

Gathering and Board Greeting                     Jamie Gibson         

Prelude: Canción de cuna (1956)                  Leo Brouwer

Eva Greene, piano

Image:   “Peaceable Kingdom” by Edward Hicks:

William Penn signing 1683 treaty with the Delaware Indians

Chalice Lighting by Julianne Lepp                        Katherine Innis

We seek our place in the world
and the answers to our hearts’ deep questions.
As we seek, may our hearts be open to unexpected answers.
May the light of our chalice remind us that this is a community of warmth,
of wisdom,
and welcoming of multiple truths

Opening Words                                                           Meg Mott

Song: “Build a Bridge”      Alvin Slaughter

chorus: Marie Gorst, Robert Wyckoff, George Carvill & Steve Squires

verse: Janis Chaillou

Story For All Ages: “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson

Speakers: Meg Mott, Howard Burrows

Hymn #90:  “From All the Fret and Fever of the Day”

music: Cyril Taylor, words: Monroe Beardsley

Marie Gorst, soprano

Offering shared with The Women’s Freedom Center

Offertory:

“Accentuate the Positive” (1944)   Johnny Mercer & Harold Arlen

Eva Greene, piano

Candles of Joys and Concerns                                           Karen Tyler

Closing Hymn #311 “Let It Be a Dance”    Ric Masten

sung by Steve Squires;  Eva Greene, piano

Extinguishing the Chalice                                   Katherine Innis

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
There is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
The world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase each other
Doesn’t make any sense.

– Rumi

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

Benediction:

Touch the earth, speak of love, walk on common ground

Stephen Venzandi