This year is the 100th anniversary of the first flower ceremony, as created by Norbert Capek in Prague. We’ll celebrate with story and music created especially for this occasion, and by co-creating a beautiful bouquet that symbolizes the many blessings of our beloved community.
If you’re attending in person, please bring a flower for our communal vases. If you’re attending virtually, you can drop off a flower during Rev. Karen’s office hours at Reeb on Friday, June 2 (noon-3:00).
[No recording this week.]
Share the Plate – click to donate
The Share the Plate for May 28 and June 4 is One City Schools, a non-profit running public pre-schools and grade schools with a Village model of raising successful children. Its programming is carefully designed to overcome the large and persistent school achievement gap for Black and Brown children in Madison. The way the school and its curriculum is structured, with connection to the community and the families served, offers a model for restructuring public education. It focuses on the needs of black and brown children, and, at the same time, is open to all.
Click for this week’s newsletter
Order of Service
- Gathering Song: #188 “Come, Come, Whoever You Are”
- Welcome
- “Flower Prelude” by Ruben Piirainen
- Call to Worship
- Lighting the Chalice and Musical Response
- Introduction, by Suzelle Lynch
- “Interlude” by Ruben Piirainen
- Time for All Ages: “Title,” author
- Shared Music: “You Bring an Aster” by Suzelle Lynch
- Special Music: “Čapek’s Journey” by Kathryn Canan, arr. Ruber Piirainen
- Wisdom from the World’s Traditions: “Title,” author
- Special Music: “In the Depths of My Soul” words by Norbert Čapek trans. Richard Henry, music by Kathryn Canan and Anne Merdinger
- Reflection: “Beauty Calls Us Together” with Rev. Karen Armina
- The Flower Communion
- Offering: “Mother Spirit, Father Spirit / Beloved,” melody by Norbert Čapek and Suzelle Lynch, arr. Ruber Piirainen; words by Norbert Čapek tr. Paul and Anita Munk, English version by Frederick Boeke; additional lyrics by Suzelle Lynch
- Joys and Sorrows
- Shared Music: “We Are One” by Suzelle Lynch, arr. Ruber Piirainen
- Extinguishing the Chalice and Benediction