Gathering Hymn

Gathered here in the mystery of the hour,

Gathered here in one strong body,

Gathered here in the struggle and the power,

Spirit, draw near.

Welcome                                      

Prelude

Chalice Lighting

Rima Snyder

 Opening Song

Round and Round

Round and round the earth is turning

Turning always round to darkness,

And from darkness round to light.

Covenant

Love is the doctrine of this church.     

The quest of truth is its sacrament,

And service is its prayer.

To dwell together in peace;

To seek knowledge in freedom;

To serve humankind in fellowship;

Thus do we covenant with each other.

 Hymn of Praise

From all that dwell below the skies

Let songs of hope and faith arise

Let peace, good will on earth be sung

Through every land, by every tongue.     

~ based on Isaac Watts

Offering for the Westside Food Bank

Story for All Ages 

"Persephone and the Pomegranate"                      Kris Waldherr

A Time for Community

Offertory

Silence and Meditation

Reading

"Making Peace with the Darkness" 

adapted from a sermon by Rev. Fred Hammond given 

at the UU congregation of Tuscaloosa December 13, 2009

Hymn #55

Dark of Winter

Writing of Intentions

Closing Chants

Kore Evohe

Light is Returning

Light is returning, even though this is the darkest hour

No one can hold back the dawn.

Let's keep it burning, let's keep the light of hope alive,

Make safe our journey through the storm.

One planet is turning, circling in her path around the sun

Earth mother is calling her children home.

Extinguishing the Chalice