What Robots Teach Us About Rest


What does it mean to rest in this busy world – and what do robots have to do with it? This Sunday Rev. Bowie will preach a sermon inspired by A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers –  a science fiction novel about an unlikely meeting between a tea monk and a sentient robot living in the forest. Using passages from the novel as well as other sources, we will together explore how rest can be a gift of liberating love to ourselves and others. 

Rev. Bowie (they/them) became our congregation’s first affiliated community minister in 2023. They serve as the Lead Staff Chaplain at UnityPoint – Meriter Hospital here in Madison, with a focus on Palliative Care patients. At home, you’d likely find Rev. Bowie enjoying a good book, movie, or board game with their husband Logan and energetic cat Yennefur. They love to talk all things Star Wars, dinosaur, and drag queen related! Rev. Bowie uses pop culture media often in their own spiritual practices.

  • The Share the Plate for Sunday Jan 7, 2024 and Sunday Jan 14, 2024 is Get Kids Outside Wisconsin. Get Kids Outside Wisconsin’s core belief is that nature is the greatest healer and teacher. Their mission is to provide outdoor opportunities that increase health and wellness and promote learning. They create community through public hikes and events that heal hearts, calm minds, and remind us that we are more alike than different. Get Kids Outside Wisconsin was nominated by Diane Schwartz.

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Order of Service

  • Gathering Song  “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” #188

  • Welcome

  • Prelude  “A Pocket Full of Calm” by Sally Whitwell 

  • Call to Worship

  • Lighting the Chalice and Musical Response

  • Shared Music  “Comfort Me” #1002 (teal hymnal) 

  • Time for All Ages  “R.E.S.T. Guided Meditation” by Rashid Hughes

  • Shared Music  “Voice Still and Small” #391 (gray hymnal)

  • Wisdom from the World’s Traditions

  • Excerpt from “Psalm for the Wild-Built” by Becky Chambers

  • Reflection 

  • Offering “Orpheus” by Sara Bareilles

  • Joys and Sorrows

  • Shared Music  “Love Makes a Bridge” #325 (gray hymnal)

  • Extinguishing the Chalice and Benediction

Worship Associate – Susan Podebradsky

For Further Exploration

Audio of Tricia Hersey (The Nap Ministry) – “Rest Life” – guided meditation with music

The Nap Ministry website and Rest is Resistance website (book, and cards)

Becky Chambers website – author of Psalm for the Wild-Built

R.E.S.T. guided meditation by Rashid Hughes (article and audio)

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