Episodes
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023- Thresholds
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
“No threshold need be a threat, but rather an invitation and a promise. Whatever comes, the great sacrament of life will remain faithful to us, blessing us always with visible signs of invisible grace. We merely need to trust.” – John O’Donohue
Join us as we cross the threshold of the new year together. We will slow down to greet the invitations and promises awaiting each of us with ritual stations. We’ll have opportunities to release what no longer serves us, remember our original belovedness, receive healing blessings and seek our next chapters of becoming with trust.
Music for Gathering- I Know This Rose Will Open- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:30)
Call to Worship and Chalice Lighting- Mark Caswell (2:42)
Singing Together- Dona Nobis Pacem- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (10:21)
Community Prayer- Rev. Arif Mamdani (14:45)
Reading- Thresholds by John O'Donohue- Mark Caswell (21:30)
Intro to Ritual Stations- Rev. Ashley Harness (26:08)
Ritual Stations (38:01)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (41:25)
Benediction- Rev. Ashley Harness (46:45)
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Nov. 26, 2023- Staying at the Table Feeds Us All
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
This Sunday, the whole community, people of all ages, take a heartfelt journey to “Destination Gratitude,” as we immerse ourselves in the rich teachings of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. Embracing the wisdom of the Turtle Clan, Wolf Clan, and Mohawk tribe, we acknowledge the importance of not just feeling gratitude but actively directing it toward each other.
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Nov. 19, Staying at the Table Starts with Grace
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
This Sunday’s ‘Staying at the Table: Starts with Grace’ celebrates the joy of embracing new members, showcasing the grace that defines our community spirit across our whole lives long. As Thanksgiving approaches, bringing its complex weave of anticipation and anxiety around encounters with all kinds, we invite you to a service that rekindles the essence of connection through the simple, yet profound act of sharing grace.
Opening Hymn- Gathered Here - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:31)
Call to Worship and Welcome- Sherry Merriam (5:04)
Time for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (13:10)
Welcoming New Members Ritual- Jeff Snyder, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Liz Farmer (19:53)
Prayer- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (28:38)
Giving and Receiving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (36:01)
Wisdom Story- The Parable of the Lost Spoons- Sherry Merriam (40:31)
Amthem- Building Bridges- Paolo Dubuque and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (42:02)
Message- Staying at the Table Starts with Grace- Rev. Arif Mamdani (46:04)
Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us - Paolo Dubuque and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:00:56)
Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (1:02:57)
Monday Oct 16, 2023
October 15, 2023- Mental Health Sunday
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Our mental well-being is deeply linked with the relationships we cultivate and the social networks we are part of. By learning to understand and nurture each other in deeper ways, we can gain insight into our own mental health and well-being.
Just like our Earth thrives on diversity, so do we. The diversity of our connections and experiences make us stronger. However, to tap into this strength, we need to be open to giving and receiving wisdom, even when it's uncomfortable or challenging.
Along this enlightening journey to worship and wisdom, we will also create a simple ritual of candlelight–a time to honor our individual and collective mental health journeys, to learn and remember that we can navigate these journeys together, as a community.
There is space for hope if we break down the walls of communication and stigma that often separate us. This service promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of how we are part of each other's health, and an invitation to the heart to honor the many truths of each unfolding story.
Singing to Gather- Open the Window, Children - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (:29)
Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (6:43)
Mental Health Sunday Ritual Intro- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:45)
Singing Together- This Little Light of Mine-Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (20:21)
Lighting Candles for our Mental Health- (23:51)
Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (31:48)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (37:48)
Offertory- Paolo Dubuque, piano (43:10)
Message- Katherine Harrell (51:47)
Anthem- Lean On Me- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (1:07:19)
Benediction- Katherine Harrell (1:08:24)
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Sept. 10, 2023- Water Communion
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Water Communion is a very special tradition we celebrate each year at First Universalist. All are welcome, whether it’s your first or fortieth time! Come and be a part of this joyous time where the waters mingle and set a new year of community on its way.
Singing to Gather- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:29)
Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (7:11)
Story for All Ages- Worship Leaders (14:26)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Allison Connelly and Rev. Arif Mamdani (24:20)
Offertory- Peace Like a River (28:24)
Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (31:13)
Water Communion Ritual- Worship Leaders (40:43)
Singing Together and Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:03:46)
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
August 27, 2023- Backpack Blessing
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
As summer comes to an end, don’t miss our annual Backpack Blessing and worship service this Sunday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. The multigenerational service will offer children, youth, and adults of all ages the opportunity to reflect upon how we might carry the love of our church community and the tools of our faith with us wherever we go.
Singing to Gather- I'm On My Way (:31)
Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (5:19)
Singing Together- Oh We Give Thanks (10:33)
Story for All Ages- The Invisible String by Patrice Karst- Allison Connelly-Vetter and Willa (12:08)
Community Prayers - Rev. Ashley Harness (20:51)
Homily- I Carry Your Heart- Rev. Jen Crow (27:34)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (34:20)
Backpack Blessing- Allison Connelly-Vetter and Rev. Jen Crow (37:46)
Singing Together- You've Got a Light (44:53)
Celebrating and Saying Goodbye to Franco- Rev. Jen Crow and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (48:19)
Singing Together- Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab (52:06)
Monday Jun 05, 2023
June 4, 2023- Flower Communion
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
This coming Sunday, June 4, we’re celebrating Flower Communion, and we could use your help! Bring a flower to share with the community (don’t worry: we’ll have more flowers available if you don’t have one). We’ll make a beautiful arrangement with whatever flowers come! At the end, we each get to take a different flower with us as a gift and reminder of beauty in our unity and difference. This special ritual has been performed for years here at First Universalist. And this year marks the 100th anniversary of the very first Flower Communion ever!
Singing to Gather- Come, Sing a Song with Me- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:29)
Call to Worship- Rev. Jen Crow (2:26)
Introduction to Flower Communion- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (7:07)
Hymn- We Would Be One- (10:35)
Flower Communion Ritual- Rev. Arif Mamdani (14:57)
Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Jen Crow (36:33)
Celebrating Lauren Wyeth- Revs. Jen Crow and Arif Mamdani (41:55)
Practice of Giving and Recieving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (47:29)
Offertory- This Little Light of Mine (52:18)
Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (55:03)
Tuesday May 02, 2023
April 30, 2023- All Beginners Here
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
The Zen practice of shoshin calls us each to bring a “beginner’s mind” to every day we live. This Sunday, as we celebrate how our community has grown with new members, we are reminded to bring this same spirit to our relationships with one another. We can know each other more deeply with fresh curiosity. We can deepen our bonds with fresh compassion. We can build a stronger “we” when each of us takes every opportunity to “tell our story from deep inside and listen with a loving mind.”
Opening Hymn- When Our Heart Is In a Holy Place - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:27)
Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Rev. Ashley Harness (2:59)
New Member Welcome- Come, Come, Whoever You Are- Liz Farmer, Matt Keller, Daryn Woodson (9:04)
Singing Together- Turn the World Around - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:03)
Meditation Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (26:28)
Message- All Beginners Here- Liz Farmer (35:54)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Jen Crow (45:31)
Offertory- Franco Holder (47:28)
Singing Together- The Fire of Committment - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (49:17)
Benediction- Liz Farmer (52:38)
Song for Going- Where You Go, I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab
Monday Apr 10, 2023
April 9, 2023- Easter Sunday
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
With and without our permission and participation, life is forever seeking resurrection. Relentlessly, life finds a way in the harshest of circumstances, and even out of death comes new life. How might we join with this turning toward life? And how might we rebuild and resurrect ourselves, our relationships, and even this church in the shape of beloved community through our everyday actions? Join us on this multigenerational Sunday as we lean into these questions through story, song, and ritual.
Opening Hymn- Morning Has Come- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (:30)
Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Rev. Ashley Harness (4:40)
Singing Together- Allelu, Allelu- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (10:07)
Meditation and Prayer- Rev. Ashley Harness (16:45)
Invitation to Give and Receieve- Rev. Ashley Harness (19:23)
Offertory- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (20:22)
Ritual Stations- Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, and Aimee K. Bryant (23:52)
Benediction- from The Book of Delights by Ross Gay- Rev. Jen Crow (46:16)
Postlude- Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab (
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
March 5, 2023- Persisting with Love
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
This Sunday, we begin our March worship theme, Persistence, with a focus on advocacy. Congregants leading some of our legislative advocacy ministries will share their stories along with guest speaker Rev. Terri Burnor, Senior Movement Builder with Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light. We’ll also share a special blessing with and for our trans* beloveds and families who have been under recent attack by legislative measures.
Opening Hymn- The Fire of Commitment - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:50)
Words of Welcome- Rev. Ashley Harness (4:19)
Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Terri Burnor (7:04)
Call to Worship- Peg Mitchell (9:25)
Blessing for our Trans* Beloveds- Kaden Colton, Lauren Wyeth, and Rev. Arif Mamdani (13:22)
Hymn- This Joy- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:32)
Prayers and Meditation- Rev. Arif Mamdani (28:36)
Reflections- Rev. Terri Burnor, Sara McMullen, Susan Willhite (32:46)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Karen Wills (56:25)
Offertory- Franco Holder, piano (59:20)
Benediction- Rev. Terri Burnor (1:00:04)
Music for Going- Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab