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Healthy Congregations - InterGroup Dialogues across Difference On Wednesday, September 25th at 7pm, you are cordially invited to attend the newest event in the Healthy Congregation Council's series of InterGroup Dialogues across Difference. Thus far we have met to discuss (1) Community and Belonging, and (2) Customs and Ethical Complexities of Food. The third InterGroup Dialogue is entitled Theology: Need We Think Alike to Love Alike? During this session, we will explore within a contained and respectful space our possibly conflicting systems of belief, religion, spirituality and values. The purpose of the InterGroup Dialogue is not to debate or persuade one another, but rather to listen with open minds, reflect on where we agree or disagree, and respond thoughtfully, all the while appreciating our beautiful differences. Snacks and treats will be served. Please let us know you are coming by emailing rightrelations@uusm.org or by telling one of your Right Relations Team, a.k.a. Healthy Congregation Council, members. |
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Healthy Congregations/Right Relations |
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Healthy Struggle Join our guest speaker and Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur for a service about the growth and benefits entailed in our struggling. How we know, as figurative poker players in the game of life, when to "fold 'em" and when to stay at the table? Please join us after both services at a reception to meet our guest, who will serve as Acting Minister during Rev. Bijur's upcoming family leave. |
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Hearing the Call of Wild Geese How do we learn to accept and forgive ourselves — to give thanks for who we are, rather than lamenting our so-called failings? The topic for this service is grounded in Mary Oliver’s poem, “Wild Geese.” The Rev. Hines retired last summer (for the second time!) after more than 30 years of parish ministry, all within our Pacific Southwest District. In 2015, Emerson UU Church in Canoga Park bestowed on her the honor of Minister Emerita. She now serves as one of the UUA Pacific Western Region's Ministerial Transition Coaches. She enjoys playing piano and spending time with her family; and since the recent presidential election, is feeling called once again to political activism. |
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Heart & Soul 5pm Service: A Community of Healing
HEART AND SOUL – A Contemplative Worship Service
Second Sundays 5:00 to 5:45 pm
October 9, 2016
To Be A Community of Healing
Cure may occur without healing; healing may occur without cure.
Cure alters what is; healing offers what might be.
Cure is an act; healing is a process.
Cure seeks to change reality; healing embraces reality.
Cure takes charge; healing takes time.
Cure avoids grief; healing assumes grief.
Cure speaks; healing listens.
~ Fred Recklau
Gathering – Karen Hsu Patterson and Joyce Holmen
Singing: Come, come, whoever you are, wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
Ours is no caravan of despair. Come, yet again come. ~ Jalaluddin Rumi
Chalice Lighting – Mary Romanek
For every time we make a mistake and we decide to start again:
We light this chalice.
For every time we are lonely and we let someone be our friend:
We light this chalice.
For every time we are disappointed and we choose to hope:
We light this chalice.
Singing: Healing Circle ~ Julia Hikory
Contemplation of Ideas
Let us not rush to the language of healing, before understanding the fullness of the injury and
the depth of the wound.
Let us not rush to offer a band-aid, when the gaping wound requires surgery and
complete reconstruction.
Let us not offer false equivalencies, thereby diminishing the particular pain being
felt in a particular circumstance in a particular historical moment.
Let us not speak of reconciliation without speaking of reparations and restoration, or how we
can repair the breach and how we can restore the loss.
Let us not rush past the loss of this mother’s child, this father’s child…someone’s
beloved son.
Let us not value property over people; let us not protect material objects while
human lives hang in the balance.
Let us not value a false peace over a righteous justice.
Let us not be afraid to sit with the ugliness, the messiness, and the pain that is life in
community together.
Let us not offer clichés to the grieving, those whose hearts are being torn
asunder.
Instead…
Let us mourn
Let us lament
Let us weep
Let us be silent when we don’t know what to say.
Let us be humble and listen to the pain, rage, and grief pouring from the lips of our neighbors
and friends.
Let us decrease, so that our brothers and sisters who live on the underside of history may increase.
Let us pray with our eyes open and our feet firmly planted on the ground.
Let us pray with our eyes open and our feet firmly planted on the ground.
May the Spirit that unites us and connects us to our Humanity.
Show us our own complicity in injustice.
Convict us for my indifference.
Forgive us when we have remained silent.
Equip us with a zeal for righteousness.
Never let us grow accustomed or acclimated to unrighteousness. ~ Yolanda Pierce
Homily – Kikanza Nuri-Robins
For the Healing of our World
LEADER: To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air
RESPONSE: We join with the earth and with each other.
LEADER: To renew the forests
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures
RESPONSE: We join with the earth and with each other.
LEADER: To celebrate the seas
To rejoice in the sunlight
To sing the song of the stars
RESPONSE: We join with the earth and with each other.
LEADER: To recall our destiny
To renew our spirits
To reinvigorate our bodies
RESPONSE: We join with the earth and with each other.
LEADER: To recreate the human community
To promote justice and peace
To remember our children
RESPONSE: We join with the earth and with each other.
ALL: We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the
healing of the earth and the renewal of all life. ~ from UN Earth Day 1990
Reflection
Singing: Comfort Me ~ Mimi Bornstein-Doble
Comfort me, comfort me, comfort me, oh my soul. (2 times)
Be with me, be with me, be with me, oh my friend. (2 times)
Dance with me, dance with me, dance with me, oh my heart. (2 times)
Comfort me, comfort me, comfort me, oh my soul. (2 times)
Silence
Meditation on a Band-Aid
Opening Up
Sharing
Sending Out
Challenge Question
May you find deep relief in the hope that comes from knowing your own inner strength
and the comfort that comes from being loved. ~ Alexis Engelbrecht
Hold yourself in the Light
Whatever the question,
The answer is near
If you can form the question
I can find the answer
Singing:
We would be one as now we join in singing Our hymn of peace to pledge ourselves anew
To that high cause of greater understanding Of who we are and what in us is true
We would be one in living for each other To show to all a new community.
HEART AND SOUL PLANNING COMMITTEE:
Kikanza Nuri-Robins, Karen Hsu Patterson,
Mary Romanek, Joyce Holmen
We invite you to the next Heart and Soul service
on November 11, “A Community of Story,” and
to reflect on December's “A Community of Presence.”
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Heart & Soul Planning Meeting |
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Heart & Soul Service |
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Heart 2 Heart Facilitators |
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Heart and Soul - planning meeting |
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Heart And Soul - Rehearsal |
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Heart and Soul planning meeting |
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Heart And Soul planning meeting |