You Bring an Aster…
Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains
May 12, 2024
Cheryl Morris & Carol Nimick, Worship Associates
“You bring an aster, I’ll bring a rose” — here’s an invitation to bring a flower to celebrate our annual tradition of the Flower Ceremony! On the anniversary of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s founding, we’ll celebrate our pluralist tradition’s roots in a vision of a community that honors each of us, as varied as all the flowers of spring. We’ll reflect, too, on the anti-war principles seeded into both the history of the Flower Ceremony in our tradition and the founding of Mother’s Day.
Attendees were asked to bring a flower from their yard, garden, or somewhere else out in the world from which flowers could, in good conscience, be taken.
Song for Gathering Morning Has Broken #38 Gaelic melody, words by Eleanor Farjeon
Greeting and Land Acknowledgement Carol Nimick
Lighting of the Chalice Honoring Our Common Connection and Our Uniqueness by Adam Slate
read by Reine Thibeault
Singing the Children on Their Way
Welcome Cheryl Morris
Song Mother Spirit, Father Spirit #8 words and music by Norbert Căpek
Reflections Gail Johnson Vaughan
Prayer & Meditation Carol Nimick
Song In the Depth of My Soul words by Norbert Căpek, music by Kate Canan and Anne Merdinger
Toby Thomas-Rose, voice, Anne Merdinger, harp
Reading Introduction to You Bring an Aster by Suzelle Lynch read by Cheryl Morris
Song You Bring An Aster words and melody by Suzelle Lynch, arranged by Ruben Piirainen
Flower Ceremony
Offering Cheryl Morris
Offertory Tom Wernigg
Dedication Cheryl Morris
Thank you & Announcements
Closing Song Fire of Commitment #1028 words by Mary Kathryn Morn music by Jason Shelton
Closing Words by Rev. Suzelle Lynch read by Cheryl Morris and Carol Nimick
Community Benediction / Extinguishing of the Chalice
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.
Music for Going Forth