July 5, 2026: How Religious Was George Washington?
Rev. Dennis McCarty
Rev. Dennis McCarty will observe the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding with: "How Religious Was George Washington?" In the early 19th century, George Washington had almost godlike stature himself. Religious believers and non-believers of all stripes appropriated him as justification for their own views, and still do. But how did Washington himself negotiate the complex religious tapestry of the new United States? Rev. McCarty will review a bit of the history and try to draw lessons for our 21st century journey.
Rev. Dennis McCarty is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, and Minister Emeritus at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus, Indiana.
View the video archive of this service here:
Information about other happenings at UUCB each week is available here.
Ringing of the World Bell
Greeting
Amira Sabbagh, Worship Associate
Congregational Prelude
#38 Morning Has Broken
Welcome & Announcements
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator
Land Acknowledgement
Lighting the Chalice Flame
Worship Associate
Eric Branigin
Time for All Ages
George Washington’s Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora, pictures by Brock Cole
Dr. Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Musical Interlude
Ray Fellman, piano
Pastoral Responsive Reading and Meditation
“Greatness” by Rev. Dennis McCarty
Hymn
#374 Since What We Choose Is What We Are
Dedication of Offering
This fiscal year, 25% of our non-pledge Sunday offerings will be donated to Farm to Family to support their SNAP matching program at the Bloomington Farm Stop Collective, which will expand access to local food by doubling SNAP benefits for eligible food items.
You can contribute to the basket online at this link, or pay your pledge online.
Offertory
Ray Fellman, piano
Reading
from Founding Faith by Steven Waldman
Rev. Dennis McCarty
Gift of Music
“Washington” by William Billings
Mary Craig, Nan McKinley, Ellen Tamura, Judy Owens, Margy Roby, Susan Savastuk, Ben Edmonds, Peg Hausman, Brian Beach, Alan Bent, Tom Herbert, Mike McGregor
Sermon
How Religious Was George Washington?
Rev. Dennis McCarty
Closing Hymn
#287 Faith of the Larger Liberty
Benediction
Choral Benediction
“Let Us Go Out” by Pam Blevins Hinkle
Upcoming Events and Classes!
To view our full calendar of upcoming events go to: uucb.churchcenter.com/calendar
Today
The Homelessness Task Force meets at 9:30 a.m. in the UU Library.
The UU Humanist Forum meets at 12 p.m. in Room 208 with an option to join online. The topic is “Sources of the U.S. Constitution” presented by Carolyn.
New to UU will be held on Sunday, July 5, at 12 p.m. in the UU Library. If you are new to our congregation, a very warm welcome to you! You are invited to join in a brief introduction to Unitarian Universalism and this congregation.
This Week
Tuusday Thing (a Young Adult Gathering) meets weekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Room 210.
Pastoral Conversations meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. in the Library.
A Community Sing facilitated by Angela Gabriel will be held on Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room.
UU Game Night will be held on Friday, July 3, at 7 p.m. in the Library.
Next Sunday
The UU Freethinkers meet at 12 p.m. in Room 208.
The Racial Justice Task Force meets at 2 p.m. in the Library.
