Witness

Click right here on Sunday a little before 10:00 A.M. to join your ASC friends online.

 

At this First Sunday service presented by the Social and Environmental Action Committee, MacLean Gander and Shanta Lee Gander will talk about The Commons and its role in Windham County as a non-profit, independent newsweekly and the vital place that community-based journalism holds in the current moment. As investigative reporters who have volunteered their time to The Commons for several years, Shanta and Mac have produced a number of major stories on such challenging local issues as the opioid crisis, homelessness, and the impact of the pandemic on businesses and the arts. For the two of them, journalism connects to their broader work as poets, writers, and artists, which is animated and inspired by the core theme of bearing witness in a dark and difficult time.  This theme forms the center of their work as collaborators and as individuals.

“Witness”
Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 AM to join our online service.

Order of Service
Sunday, October 4, 2020

Gathering

ASC Board Greeting/Welcome and Announcements

Prelude  –  “Canción IX”     Federico Mompou

Chalice Lighting                      by Connie Simon
This is the hour. The time has come. Mindful of our responsibilities as leaders of this faith and guardians of the living tradition, we call upon that great cloud of witnesses—those who came before, those who are here now and those who have yet to come. We seek their presence, love and support in this place at this hour. We kindle this flame to light their path and call them near as we undertake this sacred work.

Opening Words

Opening Hymn #153      ” Gather the Spirit”   by Jim Scott
sung by Catie G. Berg

Reading       written by  Anna Akhmatova

Special Music   “I Am Willing” by Holly Near
  sung by George Carvill, Robert Wyckoff and Steve Squires

Story for All of Us   “Noni Speaks Up” Written by Heather Hartt-Sussman;                                                         illustrated by Genvieve Cote

Offering shared with The Commons
Guest Speakers  MacLean and Shanta Lee Gander

Offertory  “Bondens Sang” [Farmer’s Song]  Edvard Grieg

Acknowledging our Joys and Concerns

Closing Words 

Closing Hymn   “How Can I Keep From Singing?”
early Quaker hymn, sung by Marie Gorst & Eva Greene

Extinguishing the Chalice       by Bernie Glassman      
When we bear witness, when we become the situation – homelessness, poverty, illness, violence, death – the right action arises by itself. We don’t have to worry about what to do. We don’t have to figure out solutions ahead of time. Peacemaking is the functioning of bearing witness. Once we listen with our entire body and mind, loving action arises.

Closing Circle 
“Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.”
(sung 2 times)
Benediction