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Gathering Music (Mary Bopp) Welcome (Emmy Galbraith) Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek) Centering Prelude and Calling the Quarters "To the Four Directions" Music by Mary Bopp Words adapted from Joan Goodwin's "To the Four Directions" Sandy Johnson, vocals Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Ancestors by Emily Bridget Taylor spoken by Josie Bernier (11:00 AM) Opening Hymn #103 "For All the Saints" For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, they name most holy be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou wast their rock, their shelter, and their might; their strength and solace in the well-fought fight; thou, in the darkness deep their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia! O blest communion of the saints divine! We live in struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia! Alleluia! And when the strife is fierce, the conflict long, steals on the ear the distant triumph-song and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia! Story for All Ages "Ama's Spirit" by Beth Hudson Hankins Body Prayer "My Roots Go Down" by Sarah Pirtle, et al My roots go down, down into the earth My roots go down, down into the earth My roots go down, down into the earth My roots go down. I am a willow, bending in the wind... I am a waterfall skippin' home... I am an acorn waiting to be born... I am an oak tree, tall and bold... Building the Altar of Remembrance "Comfort Me" by Mimi Bornstein-Doble Comfort me, comfort me Comfort me oh my soul Comfort me, comfort me Comfort me, oh my soul Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude Offering The recipient of our October Community Outreach Offering is MARC, Inc. MARC, Inc. provides the opportunity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful lives of independence, choice, inclusion and continuous personal growth. Offering Music "Faded in the Sun" by Lilly Coleman Remembering our deceased UUSE members and friends Remembrances Closing Hymn #52 "In Sweet Fields of Autumn" words by Elizabeth Madison music by William James Kirkpatrick In sweet fields of autumn the gold grain is falling, the white clouds drift lonely, the wild swan is calling. Alas for the daisies, the tall fern and grasses, when wind-sweep and rainfall fill lowlands and passes. The snows of December shall fill windy hollow; the bleak rain trails after, the March wind shall follow. The deer through the valleys leave print of their going; and diamonds of sleet mark the ridges of snowing. The stillness of death shall stoop over the water, the plover sweep low where the pale streamlets falter; but deep in the earth clod the black seed is living; when spring sounds her bugles for rousing and giving. Closing Words "When I Leave Here" by Loryn Brantz 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.

Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude "Autumnal" Written and performed by Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Opening Hymn #1007 "There's a River Flowin' in My Soul" Words and Music: Rose Sanders There's a river flowin' in my soul. There's a river flowin' in my soul. And it's tellin' me that I'm somebody. There's a river flowin' in my soul. There's river flowin' in my heart... There's a river flowin' in my mind... Time for All Ages Call to Worship "Aging With Grace" (author unknown) Introduction to the Service Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude Reading "A Poem About Ageism: You Used to See Me But You Don't Anymore" by Melissa Mongoven Reflections from Carol Simpson Offering Offering Music "How Could Anyone" by Libby Roderick, arr. by Mary Bopp Reflections from Walter Glomb Closing Hymn #1028 "The Fire of Commitment" Words: Mary Katherine Morn Music Jason Shelton From the light of days remembered burns a beacon bright and clear Guiding hands and hearts and spirits into faith set free from fear. Chorus: When the fire of commitment sets our mind and soul a blaze When our hunger and our passion meet to call us on our way When we live with deep assurance of the flame that burns within, Then our promise finds fulfillment and our future can begin. From the stories of our living rings a song both brave and free, Calling pilgrims still to witness to the life of liberty. Chorus From the dreams of youthful vision comes a new, prophetic voice, Which demands a deeper justice built by our courageous choice. Chorus Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words 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.

“Well I don’t know where it all begins / And I don’t know where it all will end / We’re better off for all that we let in.” [1]  Lyrics from the American folk-rock band Indigo Girls. Once again, thanks to Jenn Richard for her gift of music this morning. I always do this to Jenn—or maybe she always does it to me. She suggests a few songs for a service, and I find the lyrics so evocative that a line or a phrase from one of the songs becomes the starting place for my sermon. This morning it’s “All That We Let In.” Our ministry theme for October is deep listening . I want to thank Carolyn Gimbrone and Martha Larson for last Sunday’s service on deep listening . This morning I am continuing with this theme, hopefully adding a further dimension to our collective exploration of what it means to listen deeply: to ourselves, to others, to the natural world, to divinity. In short, listening well is a spiritual discipline. The purpose of this discipline is to prop us open, to cultivate openness in us so that we can let in others’ perspectives, others’ experiences, others’ joy, pain, hopefulness, suffering, others’ anger, even rage. It is not easy. This letting in, as beautiful and as positively life-transforming as it can be, as much as it is the source of learning and growth for us, can also expose us to thoughts, feelings, opinions, philosophies, world-views and ideologies we’d rather not encounter. And although sometimes we simply cannot encounter them—they’re triggering or traumatic, they’re life-negating in some way, and we need to set boundaries—which is part of the spiritual discipline of deep listening—nevertheless, I agree with Emily Saliers, who wrote the lyrics to the song, “we’re better off for all that we let in.” Having worked and served as a pastor for a quarter century now, I do have significant experience when it comes to listening. I like to think it is a skill I possess. I hope those of you to whom I have listened over the years feel that I have heard you. And having said that, I’m confident my listening hasn’t been perfect. I have missed things. I am likely missing things now. I don’t pretend to be an expert listener, or to be always open to hearing thoughts, feelings and opinions I’d rather not encounter. I’m also aware that I listen better in some contexts than others, perhaps better here at the meeting house than at home. By now many of you have heard me tell the story of my visit to the audiologist a year ago, though I haven’t shared it from the pulpit. My wife was concerned that I might be developing hearing loss—a fairly common condition for people my age, especially for someone who played in rock bands for almost 30 years. I took the standard hearing test. The audiologist said he had good news and bad news. The good news was that my hearing was perfect. The bad news is that I need to listen to my wife better. Bottom line: I know something about how to listen, and that knowledge doesn’t always translate into actual listening. I know something about opening myself up to another, and I have evidence that my capacity for openness, at times, is limited.   We press on. I want to listen more deeply. I want to be propped open. I want the spiritual discipline of listening to be central to who I am, not only as a pastor, but as a husband, father and friend, indeed, as a human being. Despite my limitations and inconsistencies, I want to cultivate openness to others’ experience of the world, and openness to the world itself. I want to keep getting better at it. I want what the mid-19th century, one-time Unitarian minister, American essayist, poet, lecturer Transcendentalist leader, Ralph Waldo Emerson, called “an original relation to the universe” [2]  which, I believe, originates in deep listening. I want to let it all in, because I believe, as the song says, I am better off for it. I shared earlier the meditation, “Listen to the Leaves,” from Choctaw elder and Episcopal bishop and theologian Steven Charleston. When he was young his great-grandmother urged him to keep listening to the rustling leaves, listening to the voice of the Spirit in the trees. As an elder, recognizing that he still has much to learn, he says “I know one thing for certain: / The wind in the trees knows us by name. / If you don’t believe me, go out and listen. / Close your eyes, listen to the leaves, / And hear you name written on the wind.” [3] I did that when I was preparing this sermon. I stood beneath the trees at the edge of our yard. This was Wednesday, one of those beautiful, sunny autumn days. I heard the leaves rustling. I didn’t hear my name, but figured it would take years of listening to arrive at that kind of hearing. It definitely felt good to pause and listen. It felt like the right and necessary thing for me to be doing in that moment. I want that practice in my life. And more. I want to listen not only to the rustling leaves, but to the wind itself; both the gentle autumn breeze and the raging New England nor-easter. I want to let it all in—not only the wind, but the rain, the sleet, the snow, the hail. And more. I want to listen to the creatures, not only the rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, hawks, owls, ants and a hundred other critters that scurry around our yard, and sometimes our basement, but also the more distant, more difficult to imagine creatures—creatures of the deep seas, creatures of the hot, moist jungles, creatures of the great savannahs, creatures of the arid desserts. I want to let it all in: the cycles of days: dawn into morning, dusk into night; the cycles of the seasons: autumn into winter into spring into summer; the cycles of our lives: birth, growth, decline, death and rebirth in all the ways we are—or might be—reborn. I want to let it all in and be better off for it. And maybe, to begin, what it takes is a willingness simply to pause in the midst of life’s demands, and listen with no pre-conceived notions of what I will hear. Steven Charleston has another meditation called “What the Wind Says” in which he writes “There is a word for each of us, a message sent directly / That flows through the wind each day / Offering us insight and vision, clarity and creative ideas. / If only we will stop long enough to receive it. / Be still. Be awake. Trust your spiritual senses. / Listen to the wind. The Spirit is speaking to you.” [4]  I want that in my life. I want to learn the art of deep listening. I want, in time, to hear what Spirit is saying to me. I want to let it all in and be better off for it. So I commit myself to pausing more, to being still, to being awake, to listening deeply. Reality check #1! It’s hard enough to do this with consistency in response to the natural world. It’s even harder to do it in response to our fellow humans. It’s hard not only because our lives don’t always accommodate our longing to pause, be still, and listen. It’s hard also because some of what we let in doesn’t feel good. I said it at the outset of my remarks. As much as deep listening is a source of learning and growth for us, it can also expose us to thoughts, feelings, opinions, philosophies, world-views and ideologies we’d rather not encounter. In the United States we live now in a very polarized society, polarized along political, cultural and religious lines. On Thursday, many of us watched the film “Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy.”  That film, if nothing else, gives a glimpse into just how polarized we are. I am very mindful that, because of polarization, for the most part, I live in a communication bubble on one side of the so-called culture war. I tend to communicate almost exclusively with people who think and feel the same way I do about the future of the United States. I do not spend a significant amount of time in dialogue with people who think and feel radically differently than I do about the future of the United States. More now than ever before, I don’t really know many people who think and feel radically differently than I do about the future of the United States, and I know the same is true for a lot of you. For the record, at least one person who attended the film on Thursday was a pastor from a local, conservative Christian congregation. He didn’t stay for the discussion. I don’t know why, but I also don’t blame him. He’s not in our liberal bubble. And I can’t help thinking we missed an opportunity. We continue in our bubbles, yet we also recognize that our society won’t break out of polarization without dialogue across our divisions, without listening deeply to each other, and without a willingness to compromise. So we say, “let’s listen to each other.” And maybe in some instances we can get somewhere, especially at the local level, especially if the most extreme positions aren’t part of the conversation. But there need to be boundaries. I don’t want to listen to someone explain the need to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, based, at least recently, on blatant lies about legal Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. And the person who believes those lies likely doesn’t want to hear me talk about treating undocumented immigrants humanely. I don’t want to listen to someone explain why teachers shouldn’t be allowed to make space for children to safely explore their gender identity, or that books that celebrate GLBTQ identity shouldn’t be on library shelves in public schools. I don’t want to listen to someone explain to me that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and therefore I don’t understand the First Amendment of the Constitution. There are hundreds of examples. All this stuff is toxic, painful, traumatic—and if it doesn’t hurt me directly, it hurts people I love. I can’t take it all in. I won’t take it all in. I want to listen, but I also need to set some boundaries. The divides are stark and dangerous. The path forward, the path to healing and repair, is not clear. Reality Check #2! I want to close with a few words about our experience of division here at UUSE. Without a doubt, for those of you who’ve been in dialogue about the change to Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) bylaws; for those of you who’ve been in dialogue about changing our congregation’s constitution in response to concerns about the UUA, the differences among us have felt unbridgeable at times. With apologies to those who aren’t in the dialogue or who don’t know what I’m talking about, I want to name that we’ve had our own communication bubbles. We’ve had our own habits of not talking to people with whom we disagree. I will tell you that as one who has always loved the UUA, as one who has always been committed to the UUA and its efforts to address the way racism and other forms of oppression operate both in the larger society and within our congregations; and as one in whom the UUA invested considerable resources to train 30 years ago, it has been very difficult for me to listen to criticisms of the UUA. I have not wanted to let them in. But I’ve learned to let them in. I’ve learned—I hope—to really listen to the criticisms, to try my best to understand them, to say when I agree, to say when I disagree. And I believe I am better off for it. I also recognize—this is the reality check—that everybody who is involved in this dialogue, no matter what their position, has the best interests of our congregation at heart. That’s not just a hopeful statement. It’s a sturdy truth. Those of you involved in this dialogue, despite disagreements that at times feel unbridgeable, have the best interests of this congregation at heart. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, and it bodes well for our future. Our UUA Discernment Task Force is about to launch its long-awaited discernment process that will enable members and friends of the congregation who are in disagreement to come together, to share concerns, and to find, together, a common vision for what our institutional relationship to the UUA ought to be, and how it ought to be reflected in our constitution. We have strong disagreements, but not unbridgeable disagreements. I say, let it all in. Listen deeply to each other. Listen to each other like you might listen for your name in the rustling of the leaves. Listen to each other like you might listen to the still small voice within. Listen to each other. Let each other in, knowing, trusting, believing we will all be better off for it. Amen and blessed be. [1]  Saliers, Emily Ann, “All That We Let In” from the 2005 Indigo Girls album, All That We Let In. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6sDR2bOuGE [2]  Emerson, Ralph Waldo, Nature, in Whicher, Stephen E., ed., Selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson (Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1957) pp. 23. [3]  Charleston, Steven, “Listen to the Leaves,” in Spirit Wheel: Meditations from an Indigneous Elder (Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books, 2023) p. 173. [4]  Charleston, Steven, “What the Wind Says,” in Spirit Wheel: Meditations from an Indigneous Elder (Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books, 2023) p. 149.

Gathering Music (Jenn Richard) "Walls (No. 3) by Tom Petty "Timshel" by Mumford, Lovett, Marshall & Dwayne "Wonder" by Natalie Merchant   Welcome and Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek)   Centering   Prelude "Autumn Town Leaves" by Iron and Wine Jenn Richard, guitar and vocals   Chalice Lighting and Opening Words “Listen to the Leaves” by Steven Charleston   Opening Hymn #298 “Wake Now My Senses” (verses 1-3) Words by Thomas Mikelson Music: traditional Irish melody   Wake, now, my senses, and hear the earth call; feel the deep power of being in all; keep, with the web of creation your vow, giving, receiving as love shows us how. Wake, now, my reason, reach out to the new; join with each pilgrim who quests for the true; honor the beauty and wisdom of time; suffer thy limit, and praise the sublime. Wake, now, compassion, give heed to the cry; voices of suffering fill the wide sky; take as your neighbor both stranger and friend, praying and striving their hardship to end.   Time for All Ages   Joys and Concerns   Musical Interlude   Offering The recipient of our October Community Outreach Offering is Marc, Inc. Marc, Inc. provides the opportunity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful lives of independence, choice, inclusion, and continuous personal growth.   Offering Music “All That We Let In”  by the Indigo Girls Jenn Richard, guitar and vocals   Sermon “All That We Let In” Rev. Josh Pawelek   Closing Hymn #318 “We Would Be One” Words by Samuel Anthony Wright Music by Jean Sibelius   We would be one as now we join in singing our hymn of love, to pledge ourselves anew to that high cause of greater understanding of who we are, and what in us is true. We would be one in living for each other to show to all a new community. We would be one in building for tomorrow a nobler world than we have known today. We would be one in searching for that meaning which bends our hearts and points us on our way. As one, we pledge ourselves to greater service, with love and justice, strive to make us free. 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.

Welcome and Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek) Centering Prelude "Falling Colors" by Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting and Opening Words #485 "Turn Scarlet, Leaves" Words by Raymond J. Baughan Music by Mary Bopp Turn scarlet, Leaves! Spin Earth! Tumble the shadows into dawn. Tumble the shadows into dawn. Opening Song #1009 "Meditation on Breathing" by Sarah Dan Jones When I breathe in, I'll breathe in peace When I breathe out, I'll breathe out love. Time for All Ages "On Being Prepared" Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude Offering She Leads Justice She Leads Justice advocates for under-resourced, marginalized women in Connecticut. They work to close the civil legal justice gap and to create state policy for economic security. Formerly known as the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund, their work supports women who identify as cisgender and transgender, and non-binary individuals, as well as people of all marginalized gender identities. Manchester Latino Affairs Council The Manchester Latino Affairs Council (M.L.A.C.) was established in January of 2007. Its current mission is to address social issues with a focus on diversity, inclusivity and equality within Manchester's Latino Community. MLAC sponsors Manchester's annual Hispanic Heritage Day, a "Three Kings Celebration" in January and a "Latina Heart Health Walk" next April. Offering Music "Ritual Fire Dance" by Manuel de Falla Mary Bopp, piano Sermon "Are You Ready?" Rev. Josh Pawelek Closing Song "Great Balls of Fire Alarm" Adapted from Jerry Lee Lewis Andy Ricci, guitar and vocals Mary Bopp, piano 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. FIRE DRILL

Gathering Music Welcome & Announcements Centering Prelude "Mabon Magic by Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting "Prayer of Xuma" by Xuma, Shaman of the Amazonian Amahuaca tribe Calling the Quarters Time for All Ages (Emmy Galbraith, Director of Children & Youth Ministry) Opening Hymn #1069 "Ancient Mother" Traditional Navajo Prayer Ancient Mother, I hear you calling. Ancient Mother, I hear your song. Ancient Mother, I feel your laughter. Ancient Mother, I taste your tears Reading "The Last Leaf" by David Horst Introductions, Joys and Concerns Musical Response Offering For the month of September, our Community Outreach offering will be shared by two organizations:   She Leads Justice She Leads Justice advocates for under-resourced, marginalized women in Connecticut. They work to close the civil legal justice gap and to create state policy for economic security. Formerly known as the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund, their work supports women who identify as cisgender and transgender, and non-binary individuals, as well as people of all marginalized gender identities.   Manchester Latino Affairs Council   The Manchester Latino Affairs Council (M.L.A.C.) was established in January of 2007.  Its current mission is to address social issues with a focus on diversity, inclusivity and equality within Manchester’s Latino community. MLAC sponsors Manchester’s annual Hispanic Heritage Day and is looking forward to its first public “Three Kings Celebration” in January and a “Latina Heart Health Walk” next April. Offering Music "Everything Will Be All Right" by Kay Gardner Performed by Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Everything will be all right. Day is day and follows night. Everything will be all right. Darkness flows into the light. Reading "Earth Mother, Star Mother" by Starhawk Homily : Autumn Equinox (Mabon) Harvest, Letting Go, and Balance Closing Hymn "Cycles of Life" by Janet Ciano Performed by Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Cycles of life, seasons of the year, Rhythms of the earth and my heartbeat Closing the Quarters Closing Words : "Let Us Bless the Earth" by Eric Williams 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. Read on for an Important Update from the UUA Discernment Task Force Over the past three weeks the Discernment Task Force has been meeting with members of the congregation to discuss what, in their view, a good discernment process would look like. Members of the Task Force have met with members of the Policy Board, the minister, and the director of Children and Youth Ministries (CYM). We also reached out to folks who were active in raising concerns about the new Article 2 and the UUA. In addition, we met with folks who reached out to us, following our E-Blast (August 29) seeking input on what a good process would be. In addition, we identified additional folks to ensure different demographics were represented, for example a range of generations, people with children, people without children. We engaged with 35 people, of whom 33 agreed to share their views. NEXT STEPS Sept 23 The Task Force will meet to identify themes that emerged from our conversations with stakeholders. The congregation can expect a brief report – via a dedicated eblast, via the CYM weekly email, on UUSE’s Facebook page, and as an insert in the Sunday order of service -- regarding the main themes that emerged. Oct 6 The Task Force will have a four-hour meeting to design a process of congregational engagement based on the input received. The congregation can expect an overall description and timeline of opportunities for congregational engagement soon after this meeting -- via a dedicated eblast, via the CYM weekly email, on UUSE’s Facebook page, and as an insert in the Sunday order of service. Second half of Oct and November : likely time frame for congregational engagement events. Late December/Early January : Report to the Policy Board Discernment Task Force Members : Trisha Corey-Lisle, chair; Desiree Holian-Borgnis; David Lacoss; Sage Nitzan; Sylvia Ounpuu; Sid Soderholm; Monica van Beusekom; Lynn Dove, Policy Board Liaison Summary of mission of UUA Discernment Task Force : The UUA Discernment Task Force will design and implement a process by which UUSE members and friends can: 1) listen to each other’s concerns about the UUA and Unitarian Universalism; 2) determine together the institutional relationship we wish to have with the UUA; and 3) determine what changes to the UUSE constitution, if any, will enable us to formalize that relationship.

I shared with you earlier Jesus’ parable of the Messianic Banquet, also known as the Great Banquet, the Wedding Banquet, or the Great Dinner. Though this parable was likely told in many different ways among the early followers of Jesus, and was likely written down in many different versions in many books now lost to antiquity, by my count there are three versions that have survived into our time, one in the Christian New Testament Book of Luke, one in its sibling, Matthew, and one in the non-biblical, gnostic Gospel of Thomas. In short, the master of the house—context suggests a person of great wealth and status—intends to throw a banquet. He sends his servants—sometimes translated into English as slaves—to invite his friends who are also people of wealth and status. The friends decline the invitation. They all have reasonable excuses. In Luke the master becomes angry and says to his servants, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” They do this, and there is still room at the table, so the master then says “Go out into the roads and lanes”—sometimes translated as ‘highways and byways’ or  ‘highways and hedgerows’—“and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled.” In Mathew the master of the house is also the king. His friends kill the servants who bring the invitations. The king then sends soldiers who kill the “murderers” and burn the city. He then says to the servants, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” The text continues, “Those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad, so the wedding hall was filled with guests.” In the Gospel of Thomas we don’t learn how the master feels about those who decline the original invitation. He simply says to the servants, “Go out on the streets and bring back whomever you find to have dinner.” If nothing else, this is a story about invitation. Who is invited to the banquet table? What is at stake in the invitation? When I first learned that our ministry theme for September is invitation , I immediately thought of this story. I first encountered it as a child. I have a vague memory of hearing and discussing it—and absolutely not getting it—in a Sunday School class at my grandparents’ church in Hanover, Pennsylvania. In seminary, in the mid-1990s, I audited a class on Jesus with the theologian and scholar of religion Harvey Cox . His description of this story has never left me. I want to share from my notebook from that class to give you Cox’s take on what Jesus was doing when he told this parable. Those of you who are familiar with the parables know that Jesus was trying to explain to his followers what the kingdom of God is like. That’s purpose of the parables. The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. The kingdom of God is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour. The kingdom of God is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. The kingdom of God is like a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. Each of Jesus’ parables, in some way, subverts the dominant social, cultural and religious ideas and practices of his day, meaning, the rules that apply in society do not apply in the Kingdom of God. As in almost any society, ancient or otherwise, there were unwritten rules, social conventions, religious restrictions regarding who could associate with whom, and in the case of this parable in particular, who could eat with whom. As in almost any society, ancient or otherwise, there were powerful stigmas attached to certain groups of people, making them perennial outsiders. This would have included poor people, those deemed unrighteous, sinners, people with disabilities—the crippled, the blind, the lame—lepers, people perceived to be demon-possessed in some way—today we might say people with mental illness—menstruating women, and generally any woman who was not under the control of a man, and who might therefore be referred to as a prostitute, a sex worker, a whore, etc. Tax collectors are often added to the list. To provide cultural and religious context, Cox referred to passages in the Dead Sea scrolls, which were unearthed in the mid-twentieth century, and which provide scholars with a host of insights into the society in which Jesus lived. The texts belonged specifically to a somewhat isolated Jewish sect known as the Essenes, though their beliefs and practices likely would have overlapped with those of other Jewish groups in the region. The scrolls refer to a Messianic Banquet, a great feast at the end of time, at which all the righteous of Israel will sit before the Messiah. Absent from that feast, according to Cox, are the crippled, the blind, the lame, the deaf, the poor, etc. These outsiders do not get a seat at the Messianic Table. Cox claimed that Jesus and his followers would have been familiar with stories of the Messianic Banquet. And they would have been familiar with the basic rules about who could eat with whom. Many of Jesus’ followers would have been among those who were typically excluded. In hearing Jesus tell the parable, they would have expected the man of status and wealth to invite his friends of status and wealth to his banquet. But Jesus, in typical fashion, begins with this familiar image and then flips it on its head. Those who typically get the invite are not coming. But does the man cancel the banquet? No! Go out to the streets and bring in whoever you find. Bring in the blind, the crippled, the lame. Bring in the poor. Bring in the sex workers. Bring in the aliens and the immigrants. Bring in the tax collectors. He is saying “no” to hierarchy, “no” to systems of rank, “no” to exclusion based on arbitrary characteristics. He is saying “yes” to a different kind of society, clearly a more welcoming and inclusive society that doesn’t get hung up on tests of righteousness and purity, or tests of wealth and status; a more compassionate society, a more loving society. Cox says this was a truly radical, truly subversive vision. Pretty much everyone gets an invitation to the Messianic Table. When I wrote the blurb for this service I asked what this parable says to us, Unitarian Universalists, here in this beautiful meeting house, tucked away in a calm, woodsy Connecticut suburb, just shy of two thousand years from the time Jesus supposedly shared it with his followers. I have a few thoughts. We know Jesus uses the Great Banquet as a metaphor for the Kingdom of God, but it’s not just a metaphor. He and his disciples also lived this way. They weren’t waiting for the  kingdom to arrive. This, for them, was how to live here and now. And they were criticized for it. “Look, he eats with sinners and tax collectors.” I’m mindful that many Unitarian Universalists and many liberal Christians say some version of these words: “the idea of Christ—Jesus as the risen savior—doesn’t have any meaning for me. I’m not a believer in that sense. But I agree he was a great teacher and prophet, an excellent moral guide. I try to follow his teachings. I think that’s what matters.” Does that sound familiar to you?  I’ve said words to that effect many times over the years. But I also know I don’t eat like this. It’s almost as if there’s some unwritten rule, deep in our societal structure prevents us from eating like this. Some of us on the Social Justice / Anti-Oppression Committee have been helping out a local undocumented immigrant family whose breadwinner, until this past week, was detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. We’ve been delivering food and diapers once a week to the mom who’s been home with three children under five and a teenager. They need this support, and we’ll keep doing it for a little while longer; but it dawned on me in preparing for this service, “why haven’t we eaten with them?”  Why did that thought not occur to me? What unwritten rule prevented that thought from breaking into my consciousness? There are certainly many venues in our larger society where large groups of diverse people who don’t know each other come together and eat: fairs, malls food courts, restaurants, sporting events, etc. But the unwritten rules still operate in these venues. It’s rare that people are encouraged in such settings to eat with someone they don’t know, especially someone who is radically different from them and learn something about them, while also sharing about themselves. Breaking into conversation with someone you don’t know at the table next to you is as likely to be deemed rude as it is to be welcomed. There needs to be invitation. But can you imagine a mall staff person yelling to everyone sitting in the food court to get up and meet someone new. Eat with that person. Get to know something about them. Let them get to know something about you. It’s almost impossible to imagine. Our congregation used to organize events with Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bloomfield. I still remember one of the first times we had a meal together. People were sitting with people they knew. We very naturally failed to cross lines of church membership, which were also racial lines. Rev. Dr. Johnson, who was Bethel’s pastor at the time said, at the top of his lungs, “No, no, no. Everybody rise, find someone from a church you don’t belong to, and eat with them.” We did, and a great relationship evolved out of those meals. But it wasn’t instinctual. We had to be invited. We have our own version of a Messianic Table here at UUSE and within Unitarian Universalism. At our messianic table we celebrate freedom of spirit, conscience and belief; the free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the pursuit of justice and equity, living in right relationship with the earth, interdependence, democratic processes, religious pluralism, and a love that, once expressed, is never lost. All this is worth sharing with others. But as long as I’ve been a Unitarian Universalist, I’ve heard it said—and I think it’s largely true—that we’re uncomfortable sharing our faith. We often say we don’t like to proselytize. There are many reasons why it matters that we become more comfortable with inviting people—friends and strangers—to explore Unitarian Universalism, and many ways to do it. But there’s one group of people I feel I would be remiss if I did not name as I close out this sermon. I’m thinking about what sociologists and social workers, and even the United States Surgeon General are referring to as the epidemic of loneliness. Throughout and since the coronavirus pandemic, though even before it, loneliness has been on the rise, particularly among elders, though certainly not limited to elders. I commend to you Vivek Murthy’s 2023 Surgeon General’s report, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation . I also commend to you the website of the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness . It is clear to me that faith communities are uniquely situated to address this epidemic. Part of our Messianic Table is a caring, connected community, which is exactly what people of all ages need to help overcome the negative health outcomes associated with loneliness. Do you know someone who is lonely? Invite them to come to worship with you? Is there someone in your social orbit who may be struggling? Invite them to come to worship with you. Knowing there are lonely people; knowing there are all sorts of people who may be hungering for a table like ours, why not make the invitation? As we kick off our 2024-2025 congregational year, what better time to make the invitation? Why not go out into the streets and bring in whoever you may find? Why not go out to the highways and the byways and make the invitation? Make it with pride. Make it with confidence. Make it with spirit! Make it with the knowledge that not everyone will respond, but there are many who are waiting. Make the invitation. Amen and blessed be.

Comments are now disabled “Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws, Principles and Purposes, is the foundation for all of the work of our UUA and its member congregations and covenanted communities. It is the covenant to which all of our congregations and covenanted communities pledge themselves when they become members of our UUA.” - UUA Article II Study Report There are many differing points of view about Article II and UUA’s processes. As you consider your own thoughts, you might want to reflect on this Unofficial A2 Proposed Bylaws Revision DRAFT as amended 06.2023 , comments posted below, as well as Rev. Josh’s July 23, 2023 sermon with his reflections on GA2023 and Article II. To participate in the discussion add a comment or respond to one in the comments area below this article. You will be asked to sign in or create an account the first time you click publish. Your comments are public, with no expectation of privacy. If you are using a shared computer remember to log out of the UUSE website when done, otherwise anyone else using your computer can add comments as you. The website might notify you by email if someone "likes" your comment. This is a feature of the website and cannot be disabled. Principles and Purposes

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)   Welcome (Rev. Josh Pawelek)   Announcements   Centering   Prelude “Allegro” from Flute Quartet in D, KV 285 by Wolfgang A. Mozart Greig Shearer, flute Anhared Stowe, violin Patricia Vance, viola Pablo Issa, cello     Chalice Lighting and Opening Words You Are Beloved, and You Are Welcome Here By the Rev. Joan Javier-Duval  Opening Hymn #360 “Here We Have Gathered” Words by Alicia Carpenter Music: Genevan psalter, 1543   Here we have gathered, gathered side by side; circle of kinship, come and step inside! May all who seek here find a kindly word; may all who speak here feel they have been heard. Sing now together this, our hearts’ own song.   Here we have gathered, called to celebrate days of our lifetime, matters small and great: we of all ages, women, children, men, infants and sages, sharing what we can. Sing now together this, our hearts’ own song.   Life has its battles, sorrows, and regret: but in the shadows, let us not forget: we who now gather know each other’s pain; kindness can heal us: as we give, we gain. Sing now in friendship this, our hearts’ own song.   Time for All Ages “The Parable of the Great Banquet” Music “Adagio” from Flute Quartet in D, KV 285 by Wolfgang A. Mozart Greig Shearer, flute Anhared Stowe, violin Patricia Vance, viola Pablo Issa, cello     Joys and Concerns   Musical Interlude   Offering For the month of September, our Community Outreach offering will be shared by two organizations:   She Leads Justice She Leads Justice advocates for under-resourced, marginalized women in Connecticut. They work to close the civil legal justice gap and to create state policy for economic security. Formerly known as the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund, their work supports women who identify as cisgender and transgender, and non-binary individuals, as well as people of all marginalized gender identities.   Manchester Latino Affairs Council   The Manchester Latino Affairs Council (M.L.A.C.) was established in January of 2007.  Its current mission is to address social issues with a focus on diversity, inclusivity and equality within Manchester’s Latino community. MLAC sponsors Manchester’s annual Hispanic Heritage Day and is looking forward to its first public “Three Kings Celebration” in January and a “Latina Heart Health Walk” next April. Offering Music   “Rondeau” from Flute Quartet in D, KV 285 by Wolfgang A. Mozart Greig Shearer, flute Anhared Stowe, violin Patricia Vance, viola Pablo Issa, cello     Sermon “Sitting at the Messianic Table” Rev. Josh Pawelek   Closing Hymn #407 “We’re Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table” Traditional   We’re gonna sit at the welcome table. We’re gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days, hallelujah! We’re gonna sit at the welcome table, gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days.   All kinds of people around that table…   No fancy style at the welcome table…   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.

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)   Welcome (Emmy Galbraith)   Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek)   Centering    Prelude “Bulgarian Rhythm from Mikrokosmos”   By Béla Bartók Mary Bopp, Dorothy Bognar, pianos   Chalice Lighting and Opening Words “A Spacious Welcome” by the Rev. Shari Woodbury   Opening Hymn #361 “Enter, Rejoice and Come In” Words and Music by Louise Ruspini   Enter, rejoice, and come in. Enter, rejoice, and come in. Today will be a joyful day; Enter, rejoice, and come in. Open your ears to the song… Open your hearts ev’ryone… Don’t be afraid of some change… Enter, rejoice, and come in… BACK to SCHOOL Slide Show Blessing of the Backpacks      Joys and Concerns   Musical Meditation (Mary Bopp)   Offering For the month of September, our Community Outreach offering will be shared by two organizations:   She Leads Justice She Leads Justice advocates for under-resourced, marginalized women in Connecticut. They work to close the civil legal justice gap and to create state policy for economic security. Formerly known as the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund, their work supports women who identify as cisgender and transgender, and non-binary individuals, as well as people of all marginalized gender identities.   Manchester Latino Affairs Council   The Manchester Latino Affairs Council (M.L.A.C.) was established in January of 2007.  Its current mission is to address social issues with a focus on diversity, inclusivity and equality within Manchester’s Latino community. MLAC sponsors Manchester’s annual Hispanic Heritage Day and is looking forward to its first public “Three Kings Celebration” in January and a “Latina Heart Health Walk” next April. Ann Stowe would like to say a few words about this piece.   Offertory Music “Allegro Molto ed Appassionato” from Violin Sonata #3 Edvard Grieg Anhared Stowe, violin; Mary Bopp, piano   Our UUSE Covenant We will strive to… §  Treat each other with respect §  Foster an encouraging and supportive congregational culture §  Engage each other with love, compassion, kindness and forgiveness §  Listen with an open heart and mind §  Speak our truths thoughtfully, openly and directly §  Acknowledge and recognize conflict as an opportunity for growth and understanding §  Welcome, accept and care for one another §  Nurture generous spirits §  Be sensitive to dynamics of power and privilege as they relate to race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability and age §  Be accountable to one another and honor our commitments §  Maintain and encourage a sense of humor §  Learn and participate in Unitarian Universalist Society East’s established system of due process and governance   If any of the above fails, we strive for forgiveness.   Our Children's Covenant   Be respectful of people and space. Treat others how you want to be treated. Be kind (and use kind words!) Use materials appropriately. Listen when others are talking. Follow the principles. Participate. Do your best!   If we forget, we begin again in love!     Our Congregational Commitment We come together as companions in the search for truth and meaning. We share in our congregational mission of caring for one another, encouraging each other in spiritual growth, working for justice and peace in the wider world, and living in harmony with the earth. We join our gifts together, trusting that a gathering of diverse souls, united in common endeavor, has the power to bring freedom, healing, and love. We renew our pledge to share our time, energy and talents with this congregation; to diligently seek our spiritual truths; and to strengthen the bonds of community.   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. Love is the spirit of this church and service its law. Reflection : “On Having a Spiritual Home” (Rev. Josh Pawelek, Emmy Galbraith, and congregation) Closing Hymn #1010 “We Give Thanks” Words and music by Wendy Luella Perkins     Oh, we give thanks for this precious day, For all gather’d here, and those far away; For this time (food) we share with love and care, Oh, we give thanks for this precious day.   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.

Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude Original Composition by Mary Bopp Introduction to the Service Chalice Lighting "You are Welcome Here" by Rev. Allison Palm We gather this morning on the brink of a new congregational year, Some of us come fresh from summer adventures, From wind and waves and sunshine. Some of us come broken down from summer losses, From tears and pain and heartache. Some of us come renewed from summer rest, From peace and solitude and contemplation. Some of us come wearied from summer monotony, From work and heat and sameness. Whoever you are, wherever you come from, whatever gifts and needs you bring, You are welcome here Opening Hymn #361 Enter, Rejoice, & Come In Words & Music by Louise Ruspini Enter, rejoice, and come in. Enter, rejoice, and come in. Today will be a joyful day; Enter, rejoice, and come in. Open your ears to the song. Open your ears to the song. Today will be a joyful day; Enter, rejoice, and come in. Open your hearts ev'ry one. Open your hearts ev'ry one. Today will be a joyful day; Enter, rejoice, and come in. Don't be afraid of some change. Don't be afraid of some change. Today will be a joyful day; Enter, rejoice, and come in. Reading 1 "Prayer for an Invitation" Poem by David Whyte I pray for you, world to come and find me, to see me and recognize me and beckon me out, to call me even when I lose the ability to call on you who have searched so long for me. I pray to understand the stranger inside me who will emerge in the end to take your gift. I pray for the world to find me in its own wise way. I pray to be wanted and needed by those I have learned to love and those I must learn to love. I pray to be wanted and needed by those I cannot recognize in my self-imposed aloneness. And I pray to be wanted and needed by those I wish to be wanted by. But I acknowledge the power of your beautiful disguise, and I ask for the patient heart of all things to understand the abiding fear I feel in following your unknown ways, in my fear of receiving, in my fear of taking your hand, in my fear of following your hidden, difficult and forever beckoning way Welcoming Visitors and Joys & Concerns Musical Response Reading 2 Reflection on Mary Oliver's poem: Invitation by Fay Adams There is an urgency in this poem. Mary begs us not to miss out on what is offered up to us. She says that especially here, especially now, especially when much of what we see and hear about is brokenness, we must not forget the feast that is offered up to us already. Simply by virtue of our being alive and being in the magnificent company of Life's abundance it is offered ... This could be the moment of revolution. Albeit a quiet and personal one. Here is the question I will take with me from this poem: even in my 'busy and very important day' (which every day needs to be!), can I let the wonders of Life change me? Invitation Poem by Mary Oliver Oh do you have time to linger for just a little while out of your busy and very important day for the goldfinches that have gathered in a field of thistles for a musical battle, to see who can sing the highest note, or the lowest, or the most expresive of mirth, or the most tender? Their strong, blunt beaks drink the air as they strive melodiously not for your sake and not for mine And not for the sake of winning but for the sheer delight and gratitude-- believe us, they say, it is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in the broken world. I beg of you, do not walk by without pausing to attend to this rather ridiculous performance. It could mean something. It could mean everything. It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote: You must change your life . Offering Original Composition by Mary Bopp Sermon Closing Hymn #188 "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" Words adapted from Rumi Music by Lynn Adair Unger Come, come, whoever you are, Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. Ours is no caravan of despair. Come, yet again, come. Extinguishing the Chalice "A First Step Faith" by Rev. Scott Tayler Go with faith, not the kind that is called to move mountains, but the quieter sort that calls us to take the first step even when the whole staircase sits beyond our view. And as we move toward the unseen may we notice that the way unfolds only as we risk traveling it that on this journey we are never alone. Amen 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.

Gathering Music “Turn, Turn, Turn” by Pete Seeger/Ecclesiastes Pat Eaton-Robb, vocals, guitar   Welcome and Announcements  (Rev. Josh Pawelek)   Centering   Prelude “I Will” by Paul McCartney Sandy Johnson, vocals; Dan Thompson and Andy Ricci, guitars   Chalice Lighting and Opening Words   adaptation of Romans 12: 4-8 by Rev. Josh Pawelek    Opening Song “Morning Has Broken” by Eleanor Farjeon Pat Eaton-Robb, vocals, guitar Morning has broken like the first morning, blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word! Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass. Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning, born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise every morning, God’s recreation of the new day! Emcee’s Intro (Gymm Morey) Original poem (to be announced) by Elizabeth Thomas    “Feral Orison” by Alicia-Marie Lavoie   Joys and Concerns   Offering The recipients of our July and August community outreach offerings are the MACC Food Pantry, the Hockanum Valley Food Pantry, and CT Mutual Aid East of the River Food Pantry.   As a reminder, you can also donate on our website. If you haven’t visited our new website, we highly recommend it. Lots to explore! There’s a yellow donate button in the top center of the home page.   Offering Music "Nosebleeds" by Luke Harper   Music and Poetry Original Song (to be announced) Nick Glomb, guitar and vocals   “Independence Day” by Gretchen Peters (Martina McBride version) Kate Howard-Bender, guitar and vocals   “Rearview Mirror” by Cory Clark   “Girl from Ipanema” Antonio Carlos Jobim Sandy Johnson, vocals; Dan Thompson and Andy Ricci, guitars    “Wisdom of Athena” by Bill Lautenbach   "Healing Time On Earth" by John Denver Nancy Madar, guitar and vocals; Joe Madar, vocals   Homily   Closing song #131 “Love Will Guide Us by Sally Rogers led by Kate Howard-Bender   Love will guide us, peace has tried us, hope inside us will lead the way on the road from greed to giving. Love will guide us through the hard night. If you cannot sing like angels, if you cannot speak before thousands, you can give from deep within you. You can change the world with your love. Love will guide us, peace has tried us, hope inside us will lead the way on the road from greed to giving. Love will guide us through the hard night.   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.