Episodes
Sunday Dec 27, 2020
December 20, 2020- A Christmas Pageant
Sunday Dec 27, 2020
Sunday Dec 27, 2020
Our beloved annual Christmas Pageant, adapted for the small screen with creativity, humor, and extra layers of meaning will remind you of what matters most in this extraordinary season, as 2020 draws to a close.
This year’s Pageant is born of the time and talents of so many, including: our children and youth, who will co-lead the service and act out our story; Aimee K. Bryant, Randy Buikema, Franco Holder, the First Universalist Choir, Seth Anderson-Matz, Andrew Tralle, Dave and Ani Peichel, several caroling families and our virtual children’s chorus, who crafted amazing music; and a great deal of technical wizardry from dedicated church members and staff.
Monday Dec 14, 2020
December 13, 2020 - Question Box Sermon - Julica Hermann de la Fuente
Monday Dec 14, 2020
Monday Dec 14, 2020
Sunday, December 13, Julica Hermann de la Fuente, our Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries, offers a Question Box Sermon. Do you have a burning inquiry about anti-racism and anti-oppression work, especially as it applies to our congregation? We create the message together when you provide the questions for the sermon part of our worship service.
Words of Welcome - Rev. Justin Schroeder (:22)
Story for All Ages - The Wonder Box- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (3:04)
Sermon - Question Box - Julica Hermann de la Fuente (13:48)
Anthem - Make Them Hear You, from Ragtime - First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema, conductor, Dominique Wooten Embretson, soloist, Franco Holder, piano, First Universalist Instrumentalists, Shelley des Islets, editor (40:33)
Monday Dec 07, 2020
December 6, 2020 - In the Interim Time - Rev. Justin Schroeder
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Monday Dec 07, 2020
In his poem, “For the Interim Time,” John O’Donahue writes, “You are in this time of the interim/Where everything seems withheld,” and “The old is not old enough to have died away; the new is still too young to be born.”
These words capture right where we are: we are in a season of waiting, of anticipating the arrival of Christmas, of the Solstice, of Hannukah, of the turning of the planet, and the returning of the light. We are in a season of waiting, anticipating the vaccine for Covid-19 and the end of the pandemic, but “when?” and “how?” remain just out of reach. We are in the in-between place, the liminal space, a time of miracle and magic, fear and anxiety, wonder and grief.
In such a space, where do we cast our eyes for hope? In such a space, what is the spiritual work as we wait for the new dawn?
Words of Welcome - Rev. Justin Schroeder (:31)
Wisdom Story - Aimee K. Bryant (1:45)
Hymn- Lo, How a Rose/The Rose - First Universalist Choir (12:54)
Sermon - In the Interim Time - Rev. Justin Schroeder (18:18)
Interlude - Why Shouldn't We - David Lauth (34:20)
Blessing - Rev. Justin Schroeder (34:56)
Monday Nov 30, 2020
November 29, 2020 - Harvest the Power: Thanksgiving Reimagined
Monday Nov 30, 2020
Monday Nov 30, 2020
Historically, UU ministers were instrumental in creating this U.S. holiday and the “Pilgrims and the Indians” pageant tradition that roots the holiday in an historically inaccurate and harmful colonial narrative. Many UU congregations in New England can trace their lineage directly back to early settler congregations that had a role in the genocide of Native communities. As a religious tradition, we cannot decide who we will be without reckoning with the truth of who some of our ancestors were.
This year, let us be grateful in a genuine manner. Let our gratitude flow from our deep, ongoing commitment to justice and equity. Let our gratitude grow from the opportunities we have to be together authentically—whether virtually or in person. Please join me as we reimagine this day and gather in community to honor Indigenous ancestors, experiences and traditions. May it be a time to reflect and find meaning in how our shared values connect us. ” – UUA President, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.
This podcast includes portions of a UUA service offered Nov. 22, 2020 as part of a 6-week initiative, “Harvest the Power.”
Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:31)
Opening Ceremony- Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow 2018 (3:22)
Call to Worship- Nina Lytton, First Parish in Cambridge (5:30)
Reflection - Hartman Deetz, Mashpee Wampanoag artist and activist (8:30)
Poem - I am accused of tending to the past by Lucille Clifton; spoken by Nina Lytton (16:37)
Interlude- excerpt from All Nations Rise by Lyla June (17:41)
Sermon- Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray (18:12)
Interlude- excerpt from One World (We Are One) by Taboo, IllumiNative and Mag 7 (35:20)
Invitation and Blessing - Aly Tharp, UU Ministry for Earth (35:56)