Love in Public: Not either / or
Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains
August 13, 2023
Rev. Kevin Tarsa
with Gail Johnson Vaughan, Worship Associate
Some members feel that UUCM is too focused on justice and not attending adequately to members’ spiritual needs nor to interpersonal connection, and others, with equal conviction, feel that UUCM is too focused on spiritual needs and interpersonal connection, and is not interested enough in justice.
Both sets of real and valid needs suggest that what’s missing among us is a deeply felt sense and meaningfully held awareness that spirituality, interconnection, and justice are fully intertwined. “Politics and religion don’t mix,” so the warning goes, though in fact they are very much bound up with one another.
with Rev. Kevin Tarsa & Gail Johnson Vaughan, Worship Associate
Song for Gathering #1024 When the Spirit Says Do
Greeting & Land Acknowledgement Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Wisdom for All Ages Story of the Flaming Chalice told by Gail Johnson Vaughan
Lighting of the Chalice Blessed is the Fire That Burns Deep in the Soul by Eric A. Heller-Wagner
read by Allison Rivers Samson
Singing the Children on Their Way
Welcome Gail Johnson Vaughan, Worship Associate
Opening Words Rev. Kevin
Song Love is Love is Love is Love by Abbie Betinis
Joys & Sorrows
Prayer & Meditation #1009 Meditation on Breathing by Sarah Dan Jones
Love in Public: On Polarities Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Song Hymn #170 We Are a Gentle Angry People by Holly Near (verse 1)
Love in Public: Spirit Centered
Song Hymn #170 We Are a Gentle Angry People by Holly Near
We are a Spirit-Seeking People / We are a Justice-Seeking People
Love in Public: Beyond Equity
Love in Public: Both/And
Song Hymn #170 We Are a Gentle Angry People by Holly Near
We are a Gentle, Angry People / We are a Gentle, Loving People
Offering Gail Johnson Vaughan
Offertory We Are a Gentle Angry People performed by Holly Near
Thank you & Announcements
Closing Song #1014 Answering the Call of Love by Jason Shelton
Closing Words
Community Benediction / Extinguishing of the Chalice
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.
Music for Going Forth