The origins of our Unitarian and Universalist traditions are diverse and illuminating. We have been a people that sought the truth and built our communities to withstand and last through the centuries. Join in this exploration of our faith as we begin honoring 100 years of UU’s in Brattleboro!

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.

“Finding Our Way: Origins of Our Faith”
with Rev. Telos Whitfield

Order of Service
Sunday, October 23, 2022

Greeting                                                                       Rev. Telos

Board Welcome & Announcements                         Elizabeth Lewis

Prelude: “Theme from Symphony V”   Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)   
                     Eva Greene, piano

Chalice Lighting
As we kindle our flame, we look back in our history, learning the courage and openness it required to sustain a congregation then and today. We honor our origins, learn our stories and seek to know our ancestors, ourselves and each other more fully. May we welcome the light of history in!

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                                                     

Opening Hymn #103: “For All the Saints”

Story For All of Us       

Sharing Our Covenant
“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)  

Anthem: “Courage” music by Tom Baehr, poem by Amelia Earhart
                         All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director

“Courage” by Amelia Earhart
Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace.
The soul that knows it not knows no release
from little things:

Knows not the livid loneliness of fear,
nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear
the sound of wings.

How can Life grant us boon of living,
compensate for dull grey ugliness and pregnant hate
unless we dare the soul’s dominion?

Each time we make a choice,
we pay with courage
to behold the restless day,
and count it fair.

Sharing  Readings

Sermon: “Finding Our Way-Origins of Our Faith”                          Rev. Telos

Hymn #20: “Be Thou My Vision”

“Who Was Reverend Wells?”                            Linda Hay & Rev. Telos

Offering shared with Brattleboro Area Hospice

Offertory:  Chanson            Tchaikovsky
                                 Eva Greene, piano

Blessing Our Candles of Joys and Sorrows
                             
Closing Hymn #205: “Amazing Grace”

Chalice Extinguishing 
We extinguish our flame but we are honored to carry our history as a precious gift. In the spirit of inspiration, we move our legacy of freedom, caring and welcome forward together.

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

*Please join in standing as you are able.

Benediction                                                                   Rev. Telos 

                                      ALL SOULS CHURCH
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
Celebrating 50 years
at the West Village Meeting House,
100 years as All Souls Church,
over 200 years of Universalist
and191 years of Unitarian presence
In Brattleboro