Meeting the Moment

How can congregations meet this moment – the national political context, the hunger for meaning, the epidemic of loneliness – with bravery, curiosity, and creativity?  This moment is fraught with danger and potential.  So much is at stake.  Yet, our history, present, and collective covenant can guide us as we answer this summons.

The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson is a Congregational Life Consultant for the MidAmerica Region of the UUA, working primarily with pastoral size congregations across the Midwest, including James Reeb UU Congregation. He’s also a third-generation Unitarian Universalist, a parent of two teenagers, a big nerd, and a lover of our faith. He has served in more leadership roles in Unitarian Universalism than a person could shake a stick if a person did shake sticks. He served for five years as the minister at High Plains UU Church, Colorado Springs, and for 17 years as the Senior Minister at The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL, which he completed in August 2025. A graduate of Whitman College, Meadville Lombard Theological School, and Iliff School of Theology, he’s also the author of Newborn Bards: A Theology of Preaching For Unitarian Universalists. He’s been to all 50 states, and walked pilgrimages in Israel, Transylvania, New England, and 560 miles of the Camino de Santiago in Spain.  

Worship Associate: Stephen Rich, Special Music: Rachel Avery, and Emma’s Revolution (Special late addition!)

  • The Share The Plate for Sundays April 26 and May 3 is Friends of Cafe Coda Cool School. Cafe Coda is Madison’s premiere jazz space located on Willy Street which offers Cool School a Saturday morning session for young musicians interested in learning the basics of improvisation in music and the “language” that occurs when making music together. Cool School offers young people an opportunity to have a tactile experience with real acoustic musical instruments. Percussion, woodwind, brass and string instruments are available to all participants.Young people are welcome to Cool School with or without instruments, and are not required to read music. They were nominated by Ed Kuharski. 

Share the Plate – click to donate

After the service: Rev. Matthew will host a Q&A (in-person and online) for anyone who is able to stay for the discussion. We’ll talk about the programs and offerings at the UUA and what we (at the UUA) are noticing in the lives and patterns of the congregations, and how we are responding nationally to events. But, the focus will be on the ministerial transition process and how to navigate this in ways that strengthen and enliven Reeb’s beloved community. After this meeting, Reeb’s Nonviolent Action team will meet, ending at 1:30. All are welcome.

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Order of Service

  • Gathering Song  “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” #188
  • Welcome
  • Prelude  “By Strangford Water” by Janet Harbison
  • Call to Worship
  • Lighting the Chalice and Musical Response
  • Centering in Beauty
  • Shared Music  “Answering the Call of Love” #1014 (teal hymnal)
  • Time for All Ages  “Shelia Rae, the Brave” by Kevin Henkes
  • Shared Music  “We’ll Be Known by Our Love” Sing Out Love)
  • Wisdom from the World’s Traditions Esther 4:1-5 and 9-14, “Inhabiting the World” by Michelle L. Mills
  • Reflection 
  • Offering  “Keep on Moving Forward” Pat Humphries, with Emma’s Revolution
  • Joys and Sorrows
  • Shared Music  “Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire” #34 (gray hymnal)
  • Extinguishing the Chalice and Benediction

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