Love in thought, word and action has been proposed as the center of Unitarian Universalism, and is spurring foundational changes at the national level within our UU Association. Join us in this exploration of ways that our congregation might respond, be impacted, and celebrate the possibilities of Love as the core of our faith.
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
Worship Service
Sunday, April 28th, 2024
Love As the Core of our Faith?
led by Rev. Telos Whitfield, Marty Shaw and Jamie Gibson
Gathering Music Sicilienne Gabriel Fauré
Greeting Rev. Telos Whitfield
Board Welcome and Announcements Jamie Gibson
Prelude Intermezzo, from “Carmen” Georges Bizet
Tom Baehr, flute, Eva Greene, piano
Chalice Lighting – words of Debra Faulk Marty Shaw
A chalice lit in our midst is a symbol of our liberal faith,
A faith built on the foundation of freedom, reason and tolerance,
sustained by acts of kindness and justice
A faith that visions a world flourishing with equality for all her people
and calls for living out of goodness
A faith that requires thoughtfulness and wholeness
This tiny flame is the symbol of the spark of all this within each of us.
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.
Opening Words Rev. Telos
*Opening Hymn #131 Love Will Guide Us
Story for All of Us “Love Grows Everywhere” by Barry Timms and Tisha Lee
What the Boys and Girls Club means to Me! Amelia
Our Evolving UU Faith… From Our Principles to Values, Beliefs and Actions
Anthem “God, Beyond All Names” text and music by Bernadette Farrell
Offered by our All Souls Choir with Tom Baehr, Director
Reflection – Love at the Core of Our Faith? Rev. Telos
Community Sharing
Offering to be shared with our Minister’s Discretionary Fund
Offertory Pure Imagination Bricusse/Newley Eva Greene, piano
Candles and Stones of Joy and Concern
*Hymn #1008 When Our Heart Is In a Holy Place
Extinguishing our Chalice – words of Pat Uribe-Lichty, adpt. Jamie Gibson
Let us go out now with hearts and hands and minds renewed,
to the world that is waiting for us.
Go out to that world to bring our gentle touch to those in pain,
to feed and house those in need, to speak truth to those with power.
Go out with courage to do the work which calls us.
With our passion and faith, may we heal the world.
*Closing Circle “Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again” (sung 2x)
Benediction
Refreshment and Conversation
*Please rise in body or spirit
Proposal to be voted on at General Assembly 2024 for inclusion in the UUA By-laws
Article II Purposes and Covenant
Section C-2.1. Purposes
The Unitarian Universalist Association will devote its resources to and use its organizational powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes. Its primary purposes are:
- to assist congregations in their vital ministries,
- to support and train leaders both lay and professional,
- to foster lifelong faith formation and spiritual development,
- to heal historic injustices,
- to support and encourage the creation of new Unitarian Universalist communities, and
- to advance our Unitarian Universalist values in the world.
The Unitarian Universalist Association will actively engage its members in the transformation of the world through liberating Love.
Section C-2.2. Values and Covenant
As Unitarian Universalists, we covenant, congregation-to-congregation and through our Association, to support and assist one another in our ministries. We draw from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love.
Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.
Inseparable from one another, these shared values are:
Shared Unitarian Universalist Values
Interdependence – We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
Pluralism – We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.
Justice – We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.
Transformation – We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
Generosity – We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
Equity – We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness. We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.
Section C-2.3. Inspirations
Direct experiences of transcending mystery and wonder are primary sources of Unitarian Universalist inspiration.
These experiences open our hearts, renew our spirits, and transform our lives. We draw upon, and are inspired by, sacred, secular, and scientific understandings that help us make meaning and live into our values. These sources ground us and sustain us in ordinary, difficult, and joyous times. We respect the histories, contexts, and cultures in which these sources were created and are currently practiced. Grateful for the experiences that move us, aware of the religious ancestries we inherit, and enlivened by the diversity which enriches our faith, we are called to ever deepen and expand our wisdom.
Section C-2.4. Inclusion
Systems of power, privilege, and oppression have traditionally created barriers for persons and groups with particular identities, ages, abilities, and histories. We pledge to replace such barriers with ever-widening circles of solidarity and mutual respect. We strive to be an Association of congregations that truly welcome all persons who share our values. We commit to being an Association of congregations that empowers and enhances everyone’s participation, especially those with historically marginalized identities.
Section C-2.5. Freedom of belief
Congregational freedom and the individual’s right of conscience are central to our Unitarian Universalist heritage.
Congregations may establish statements of purpose, covenants, and bonds of union so long as they do not require that members adhere to a particular creed.