July 12, 2026: The Possibility of America: 250 Years and Counting
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones
Today we reflect on the lead-up to the Declaration of Independence made by 13 separate colonies. Over 250 years as a republic, its people have continued to shape this country in response to the varied values and longings among us. Our past is complicated and our present is filled with pain, but the future remains open.
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones serves as a co-minister at the UU Society of Sacramento, where he began in 2008. A native of Franklin, he attended IU Bloomington, Meadville Lombard Theological School, and Pacific School of Religion. He served in Sunnyvale (CA), Minnesota and as a student minister in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He serves on the advisory group for the chaplaincy education program at UC Davis Med Center. He has served on boards of the UUA Pacific Central District, Pacific Western Region, the UU Ministers Association, and the YMCA.
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
Olaya Fernández Gayol, Worship Associate
Congregational Prelude
“This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie
Welcome & Announcements
Olaya Fernández Gayol, Worship Associate
Land Acknowledgement
Lighting the Chalice Flame
Worship Associate
Allison Tomusk
Time for All Ages
from Dream Big Dreams by Pete Souza
Dr. Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Musical Interlude
Kim Carballo, piano
Pastoral Prayer and Meditation
Rev. Roger Jones
Hymn
#159 This Is My Song
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
Kim Carballo, piano
Reading
Preamble to the Declaration of Independence and excerpt from “Let America Be America Again” by Langston Hughes
Rev. Roger Jones
Gift of Music
“America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward, arr. Christi Stills
Kim Carballo, piano
Sermon
The Possibility of America: 250 Years and Counting
Rev. Roger Jones
Closing Hymn
#121 We'll Build a Land
Benediction
Congregational Benediction
“Let Us Go Out” by Pam Blevins Hinkle
Today
The UU Freethinkers meet at 12 p.m. in Room 208.
The Racial Justice Task Force meets at 2 p.m. in the Library.
This Week
The Grief-and-Loss Support Group meets on Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m. in the Library.
Tuusday Thing (a Young Adult Gathering) meets weekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Room 210.
The Rainbow Rights Task Force meets on Tuesday, July 14, at 6 p.m. in the Library.
Pastoral Conversations meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. in the Library.
The UU Aging Group meets on Wednesday, July 15, at 3 p.m. in the Library.
The UUCB Board Meeting is this Wednesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. in the Library. UUCB board meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month and are open to the public.
DJ William’s Soul Kitchen Concert (Save the Block Fundraiser) will be held at UUCB on Saturday, July 18, at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall/Courtyard. This is a fundraiser to establish a community-owned land trust at Seminary Pointe, 29 units of affordable housing and community arts space in downtown Bloomington.
Next Sunday
The UU Humanist Forum meets at 12 p.m. in Room 208 with an option to join online. The topic is “Juggling as Spiritual Practice,” by Miles.
The Homelessness Task Force will be holding a Car Wash on Sunday, July 19, from 12 - 3 p.m. in the Portico Entrance! Do you care about affordable housing and preventing homelessness in our community? We need your help! The Homelessness Task Force is hosting a carwash fundraiser on July 19th after service in the courtyard and portico. Volunteers are needed for car washing, serving refreshments, and water play with kids! Families are especially encouraged to join us for this fun event, which will include a muddy truck wash, lemonade stand, and LOTS OF BUBBLES! Child-free adults are also needed to help direct traffic and refill supplies. If you love to have fun while giving back to the community, and are available for a 1-3 hour commitment on July 20th, please reach out to Christine Banister. f you cannot attend as a volunteer, please make sure to have your car washed, and send your friends over for the best deal in town- ONLY $10!
