This morning we will celebrate water and all of its uses while engaging in a ritual to look at our own personal river and that of us in a Reeb River of love as a community. This tradition opens the official congregational year. Unitarian Universalists across our continent join waters to celebrate our connection with each other and the wider community. Along with any water you bring, we will have water for the rituals we will invite you to participate in. Personal activities and group rituals will help us honor water and all you bring to our metaphorical rivers. [Image by Rev. Denise]
You are invited to bring water that holds meaning for you to blend in our communal bowl.
For those viewing the service at home, please have a vessel and a glass or pitcher of water to participate in our ritual. You may also want to have a piece of paper to ‘draw’ or list elements of your own river during our meditation.
The Share the Plate recipient for Sunday, September 13 and 20 is Meadville Lombard Theological School’s General Scholarship Fund. As a new school year gets underway, Meadville Lombard is nurturing learners from diverse faith traditions to embody the collaborative work of liberation through congregational and community leadership. They are carrying forward the Living Tradition of Unitarian Universalism as a new generation of critically needed, progressive faith leaders emerges, following more than 180 years of theological education rooted in the sacred work of repairing, rebuilding, and the restoration of justice, equity and compassion. They were nominated by Rev. Denise in honor of all the alumni ministers JRUUC has encountered.
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Order of Service
- Gathering Song “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” #188
- Welcome
- Prelude “Soul Spring” by Kathleen Tracy
- Call to Worship
- Lighting the Chalice and Musical Response
- Centering in Beauty
- Shared Music “Shall We Gather at the River” #1046 (teal hymnal)
- Time for All Ages “I Know the River Loves Me” by Maya Christina Gonzalez
- Shared Music “Mother I Feel You” #1070 (teal hymnal)
- Wisdom from the World’s Traditions “Confluence” by Kimi Floyd Reisch
- Reflection and Meditation
- Ingathering Reeb River Ritual & Water Communion
- Offering “The River” by Coco Love Alcorn
- Shared Music “There’s a River Flowin’ in My Soul” #1007 (teal hymnal)
- Extinguishing the Chalice and Benediction