Gathering Music (begins at 10:50 AM) (Dorothy Bognar, piano)
Welcome (Gina Campellone, UUS:E Director of Religious Education)
Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek, UUS:E Minister)
Centering (Gina Campellone)
Prelude (Mary Bopp, piano)
Chalice Lighting and Opening Words
“We Are One”
by Hope Johnson
spoken by Elliot Vadas
Opening Hymn
“Meditation on Breathing”
by Sarah Dan Jones
#1009 in Singing the Journey
When I breathe in, I breathe in peace
When I breathe out, I breathe out love.
Blessing of the Backpacks (Gina Campellone)
Musical Meditation
BACK TO SCHOOL Slide Show
Joys and Concerns
Musical Meditation (Mary Bopp)
Offering
For the month of September, our Community Outreach offering will be shared by two organizations:
Power Up brings much-needed visibility to the ongoing realities of racism in Manchester and surrounding communities.
Some UUS:E members and friends have participated in Power Up’s pantry, after-school programs, rallies, protests, and other actions.
KIDSAFE CT is dedicated to the early intervention, prevention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect in the towns east of the Connecticut River in Hartford and Tolland Counties. Their mission is to “partner with the community to educate and empower families and promote the well-being of young people.” Their work has continued during the pandemic, though their staff is working from home.
Offertory (Dorothy Bognar, piano)
Story
“We Belong”
written by Laura Purdie Salas; illustrations by Carlos Velez Aguilera
spoken by Gina Campellone
Chant
“Love is the Spirit of This Church”
words by James Vila Blake, music by Mary Bopp
Love is the spirit of this church and service its law,
This is our great covenant: To dwell together in peace.
Love is the spirit of this church and service its law.
To seek the truth in love, and to help one another.
Reflection: “We Belong” (Rev. Josh Pawelek)
Closing Hymn
“Spirit of Life”
by Carolyn McDade
#123 in Singing the Living Tradition
Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.
Extinguishing the Chalice
Closing Circle
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come.
Postlude
Coffee Hour / Chat
