August 06, 2023: Poetry Among Us: Connections
Poetry connects words, feelings, ideas, people. UUCB Poets Denise Breeden-Ost, Mary Craig, Jack King, and Jason Michálek will share poems and reflections around the broad theme of connections.
A Blessing of Backpacks for learners of all ages will be included in the service.
There were technical difficulties at the beginning of the service, causing some skips and lost video during the Prelude and Welcome & Announcements. All existing clips of this service have been edited together to create the archive on this page.
View the video archive of this service here:
Order of Service
Our order of service is available both here on our website and in print.Ringing of the World Bell
Prelude
Mary Allen Lynch, piano
Welcome & Announcements
Linda Pickle
Member of the Board of Directors
Lighting the Chalice Flame
Dr. Stephanie Kimball
Harv Hegarty
Elliott Spiller
Land Acknowledgement
Opening Words
“Take Any Day” by Frederick Buechner
Reverend Connie Grant
Opening Hymn
#346 “Come, Sing a Song with Me”
Story
“How To Write a Poem”
by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido
Stephanie Kimball
Backpack Blessing
Religious Education for Children:
Childcare is available from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 108.
Ages 3-6 meet for Spirit Play in Room 105
and ages 7-12 meet for Kids' Club in Room 208
Children may be picked up at these rooms at 11:30 a.m.
Musical Interlude
Context
Jason Michálek
“What Poetry Is [a Meta-Statement]”
Poetry
Jack King
“The Bald Eagle”
“Memorial Day”
“Thanks, Barbara”
Poetry
Mary Craig
“Touchstones”
“Dendrochronology”
“Totentag (Remembrance)”
Musical Interlude
Pastoral Prayer and Meditation
“Meditation at Lagunitas” by Robert Hass
Offertory
Mary Allen Lynch, piano
During the Offertory, you are invited to silently light a candle to represent a joy or sorrow in your life.
You are invited to participate in this morning’s offering by contributing as the basket passes or online at uucb.churchcenter.com/giving. You may make a non-pledge gift or a contribution towards your annual pledge, or both, at that site. This fiscal year, 25% of our non-pledge Sunday offerings will be given to All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center, which provides cloth and disposable diapers/wipes, pregnancy tests, feeding supplies, and other essentials to families in need.
Reading
“The Trouble with Poetry” by Billy Collins
Gift of Music
“Benedictus” by Brian Lewis
UUCB Choir
Susan Swaney, Music Director
Poetry
Denise Breeden-Ost
“Three Haiku for Gabe”
“The Lake Above”
“September Night”
“Mom’s Front Porch”
Poetry
Jason Michálek
“Chrystal–My Town”
Closing Hymn
#128 “For All That Is Our Life”
Extinguishing the Chalice Flame
“Within These Walls and Beyond” by Debra Burrell
Benediction
Choral Benediction
“Let Us Go Out” by Pam Blevins-Hinkle
