UUs have a reputation for embracing a Don Quixote approach to life, we rally to causes of social and environmental injustices, write letters to the editor, stand on street corners with picket signs, bend the ears of politicians, attend forums and protests. But are we really champions of change? Along with environmental and social justice issues, what about personal change? We SAY we want change, but do we? We SAY we are open to change, but are we? Let’s share how we face the challenge of change together. And, in the spirit of sharing, let’s share our bounty with others struggling with food security. Please bring a donation for our collection of non-perishable foods to be delivered to our local food bank.
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.
The Challenge of Change
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Order of Service
Service Leaders: Marty Shaw & Trish Murtha
ASC Board Greeting and Announcements Catie G. Berg
Prelude: Wilt Heden Nu Treden Adrianus Valerius (1597),
written to celebrate a Dutch victory over Spain in the Battle of Turnhout.
Peter Gibbons, viola; Eva Greene, piano
Chalice Lighting: Why We’re Here By Erik Walker Wikstrom
Here, today, in this place and with these people,
May we listen so that we can hear;
May we hear so that we can feel;
May we feel so that we can know; and
May we know so that we can change ourselves and this world.
May this chalice we light,
Light our Way.
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 Hymn #359 “When We Are Gathered”
Opening Words: For A New Beginning by John O’Donohue
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.”
Anthem: Homeward Bound, words and music by Marta Keen, arr. by Jay Althouse
All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director
Story for All Ages: “After the Fall” by Dan Santat
Responsive Reading: When I Change by Ma Theresa “Tet” Gustilo Gallardo
Leader: We are here to derive meaning in our actions
All: When I change, the world changes
Leader: We are here to win our power back over our areas of powerlessness
All: When I change, the world changes
Leader: We are here to deepen our understanding of ourselves in order to strengthen self-discipline
All: When I change, the world changes
Leader: We are here to abolish prejudice with an appreciation for our diversity and differences
All: When I change, the world changes
Leader: We are here to feel our personal power and our capacity to affect the lives of other people
All: When I change, the world changes
Leader: We are here to become teachers to each other
All: When I change, the world changes
Leader: We are here to spend time away from the usual influences and re-learn reality
All: When I change, the world changes
Leader: When God gives me the desire, I am also given the power and means to achieve my goals.
All: When I change, the world changes
Leader: I am here to see that my singular life is a gateway to countless possibilities.
All: When I change, the world changes
Reflection I Marty Shaw
Offering shared with 350Brattleboro
Offertory: Cancion Nueve Federico Mompou
Honoring the Candles of Joys and Sorrows
Reflection II: It Shall Be Revealed Trish Murtha
Closing Hymn #6 “Just as Long as I Have Breath”
Extinguishing the Chalice: From “The Inner History of a Day” by John O’Donohue
“No one knew the name of this day;
Born quietly from deepest night,
It hid its face in light,
Demanded nothing for itself,
Opened out to offer each of us
A field of brightness that traveled ahead,
Providing in time, ground to hold our footsteps
And the light of thought to show the way…
Somewhere in us a dignity presides
That is more gracious than the smallness
That fuels us with fear and force,
A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.
So at the end of this day, we give thanks
For being betrothed to the unknown
And for the secret work
Through which the mind of the day
And wisdom of the soul become one.”
Closing Circle: “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” (sung two times)
Benediction
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Non
Coffee Hour and Conversation
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Presentation: Updates On The Landscape Design Process
Today at Noon
Sara Ozawa, graduate student at the Conway School of Landscape Design, has been at All Souls Church multiple times during the past two months to survey our property, review property plans and building designs, and discuss the many ideas we have had about using our land. She has offered to give a brief presentation on the status of her design work on Sunday, November 20 at Noon. Light luncheon items will be available for those who stay for this presentation which will be offered in a hybrid format. Those who attend worship services on Zoom can use the service link or stay online after the service. Please note that this is a status update and not the final design.
SAVE THE DATE
A Winter Solstice Ritual event will be offered to the community at the Meeting House, on Wednesday evening, December 21, at 6:30. If you are interested in co-creation this event, please contact Jody McAssey, Thank you.