Gathering Music
Welcome and Announcements
Centering
Prelude
“With a Little Help from My Friends”
John Lennon and Paul McCartney, 1967
Performed by Nancy Madar, guitar and vocals
Introduction to Service
Chalice Lighting and Opening Words
“Belonging for Our Whole Selves”
by Rev. Scott Tayler
May the flame we now kindle light the path back to our center,
back to that place of belonging
to what is true, what is deepest within, what knows us even before we
know ourselves.
And may our chalice remind us that we are held
And welcomed whole, without the need to hide
a single piece or part
of who we are.
Opening Hymn
“Enter, Rejoice and Come In”
#361 in Singing the Living Tradition
Words and Music by Louise Ruspini
Arr. by Barry A. Wylder
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’ryone.
Open your hearts ev’ryone.
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.
Enter, rejoice, and come in.
Enter, rejoice, and come in.
Today will be a joyful day;
enter, rejoice, and come in.
Silent Meditation
Welcoming Visitors and Sharing Joys and Concerns
Music Interlude
Offering
For the month of September, our Community Outreach offering will be shared by two organizations:
PowerUP brings much-needed visibility to the ongoing realities of racism in Manchester and surrounding communities. Some UUS:E members and friends have participated in PowerUp’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 Music
“Song for Judith”
Words and Music by Judy Collins, 1985
Performed by Nancy Madar, guitar and vocals
First Reflection
“Memories”
by Anne Vaughan
Second Reflection
“What It Means to Belong to UUS:E”
by Anne Vogel
Musical Interlude
Third Reflection
“Where Do I Belong?”
by Sheila Foran
Closing Hymn
“Come, Sing a Song With Me”
#346 in Singing the Living Tradition
Words and Music: Carolyn McDade
Come, sing a song with me,
come, sing a song with me,
come, sing a song with me,
that I might know your mind.
(Chorus)
And I’ll bring you hope
when hope is hard to find,
and I’ll bring a song of love
and a rose in the wintertime.
Come, dream a dream with me,
come, dream a dream with me,
come, dream a dream with me,
that I might know your mind.
(Chorus)
Come, walk in rain with me,
come, walk in rain with me,
come, walk in rain with me,
that I might know your mind.
(Chorus)
Come, share a rose with me,
come, share a rose with me,
come, share a rose with me,
that I might know your mind.
(Chorus)
Closing Words and Extinguishing the Chalice
Blessing
by John O’Donohue
May you allow the wild beauty of the invisible world to gather you, mind you, and embrace you
in belonging
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.
