December 14, 2025 - 11:30am: Creating Sanctuary in Community
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Rev. Dr. Susan Swaney, and UUCB choir and musicians
This music service will invite us deeper into the theme of sanctuary. Creating music together is one of the ways we deepen our connections, solidarity and community as a form of sanctuary.
View the video archive of this service here:
Notes on the music for this Sunday!
Ringing of the World Bell
Greeting
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Congregational Prelude
#226 People Look East
Welcome & Announcements
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator
Land Acknowledgement
Lighting the Chalice Flame
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray (9:30 a.m.)
Susan Savastuk
Mary Beth O’Brien, Worship Associate (11:30 a.m.)
Dinorah Sapp
Time for All Ages
Gift of Music
In dulci jubilo by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)
Musical Interlude
Ray Fellman, piano
Pastoral Prayer and Meditation
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Gift of Music
Shepherd’s Farewell from the The Infancy of Christ by Hector Berlioz
Ray Fellman, piano
Dedication of Offering
This fiscal year, 25% of our non-pledge Sunday offerings will be donated to Tandem to directly support The Postpartum Doula Equity Program and Free Perinatal Mental Health Groups for families in our community. See tandembloomington.org for more information.
You can contribute to the basket online at this link, or pay your pledge online.
Offertory
Ray Fellman, piano
Reflection
Creating Sanctuary in Community
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Gift of Music
Angels We Have Heard On High, French carol arr. by Dan Forrest
UUCB Choir and Orchestra
Susan Swaney, Director of Music
Benediction
Closing Hymn
“Sanctuary” by Randy Scruggs
Orchestra
Violins: Kit Boulding, Nola Cusack, Emily Nehus, Maggie Olivo and Paul Roby
Violas: Aralyn Olivo and Sinead Whelan
Cellos: Helen Ford and Francesca Samarotto
Trumpet: Connor Bitterman
Horn: Mitch Serslev
Trombones: Robert Cardon-Wake and Emma Crossen
Percussion: Angela Gabriel and Colleen Haas
Piano: Kim Carballo and Ray Fellman
Notes on the Music
When I chose the music for this holiday season, I thought about the things I usually think about – a moment of quiet beauty among the frenzy, something to challenge the choir, something to include fine instrumentalists from the congregation, something appealing.
This year I also thought about our profoundly divided world, which inspired me to look at double choir pieces, such as In dulci jubilo by Praetorius. Group music-making is always an exercise in listening while also holding your own part. Double-choir music takes those skills to a very advanced degree. These skills feel important right now.
In honor of our December theme of Sanctuary, and in honor of the important work of our Refugee Task Force, I also chose the beautiful Shepherd’s Farewell from the oratorio, The Infancy of Christ by Hector Berlioz. In this chorus, the angels sing a farewell lullaby to the Holy Family as they leave the violence of Herod’s realm for Egypt, where they live as refugees.
And speaking of angels, I keep thinking of Fred Rogers’s admonition to “Look for the helpers.” Angels are all around us. When I first listened to this arrangement of Angels We Have Heard On High last May, I laughed out loud – it was just so over-the-top. But I kept coming back to it. I found myself playing the recording to cheer myself up. I danced in my chair. So this one is just for plain joy, in honor of all our angels.
Susan Swaney, Honorary Minister of Music
