Listening Each Other’s Thoughts into Being

As Unitarian Universalists, we find wisdom and inspiration in many places, and sharing our responses to poetry combines two of them.  This morning, we’ll try out a UU take on Lectio Divina, a deep listening practice developed by our Christian siblings, which translates to “divine reading.”

After this service a special Board and Minister’s Listening Session will be held to focus on the annual budget.

[Image credit: Public domain]

  • The Share the Plate for Sunday October 27 and Sunday November 3 is the Goodman Community Center Thanksgiving Baskets. For decades the Goodman Community Center has been providing families with everything they need to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal at home. They started by serving several hundred families. This year they will serve four thousand – that’s more than 25,000 Dane County residents (including more than 10,000 children!

Share the Plate – click here to donate

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Order of Service

  • Gathering Song  “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” #188
  • Welcome
  • Prelude  “Be Here Now” by David Lauth
  • Call to Worship
  • Lighting the Chalice and Musical Response
  • Shared Music “The Morning, Noiseless” #43 (gray hymnal)
  • Time for All Ages “Telephone Game” with Genevieve McPherson-Shambarger
  • Shared Music  “Hush” #1040 (teal hymnal)
  • Wisdom from the World’s Traditions “How to Listen” by Joyce Sutphen
  • Reflection 
  • Offering  “John’s Garden” by Peter Mayer
  • Joys and Sorrows
  • Shared Music  “Do You Hear?” #112 (gray hymnal)
  • Extinguishing the Chalice and Benediction

When You Speak, I Hear… (poem created today)

When you speak, I hear…

I hear your voice as it arises

Beautiful sounds of joy and longing

When you cry, I cry as well. My heart is with you

Like birds in the trees and whales in deep ocean

Walk amongst the trees and the glistening sunlight. Take it in.

Open your heart. Allow every thing in.

Our dreams are teaching us

Phrases said, phrases unsaid, like wind whistling through the branches.

To keep going, we are infinite beings with infinite possibilities

When you listen, I feel

Shards of pain and sparks of hope

When you speak from love, I hear more clearly

Because I know you

Take strength from the darkness and feed the light

And know when to stop.

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