ORDER OF WORSHIP | JUNE 11, 2023 | 10:00 AM HYBRID SERVICE
We are committed to being an antiracist, anti-oppressive congregation. We celebrate people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. We honor our spiritual connection to the earth and all living things.
Before the service: You may light a candle for the joys and sorrows in your heart. Please respect those seeking silence.
Gathering
Announcements
Susan Marcinkus, Worship Associate
Katrina Landon
Prelude
Prelude No. II: Blue Lullaby, by George Gershwin
Heidi Souza, piano
Welcome & Greeting
Susan Marcinkus
Come, come, whoever you are,
Whomever you love,
Whatever your image of the Holy,
Your presence here is a gift.
All are worthy, all are welcome.
Call to Worship
“A Protest and a Party,” by Hannah Roberts Villnave
Linda Cole, Welcoming Congregation Team
Opening Hymn
STJ #1014 “Answering the Call of Love”
Lighting the Chalice
Susan Marcinkus
We light our chalice flame
For those who lived their lives in closets of shame;
For those who furtively visited the bars, where nobody knew your name;
For the Stonewall riot – and the fierce transwomen who fought;
For the plague, which still takes far too many, too young, too soon.
So many gone.
So many never lived to see
Out gay kids singing on TV
Out gay people serving in the military
Marriage equality
Families formed by intention
We light our chalice flame for all these,
And for all our siblings of the rainbow,
Surviving,
Living life out in the open,
With Pride
Wisdom Story
“Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk & the Rainbow Flag,” written by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno
Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education
Meditation & Prayer, Sung, Spoken & Silent
with words by M Jade Kaiser
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, Minister
Centering Song
“True Colors,” by Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly
David Welch, vocals, & Heidi Souza, piano
Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
In-Person Giving: Place offerings in the collection plates as they’re passed during the service.
Twice a month we Share the Plate with local or nonprofit human service organizations that provide a much-needed service to our community. It offers us an opportunity to extend our compassion to others in need. This week, your contributions will go to PFLAG Williamsburg, the local affiliated chapter of PFLAG National, which provides community-based support groups to help further the organization’s mission to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. There are three support group meetings a month: 1st Mondays, virtually via Zoom; 2nd Tuesdays, in-person at WUU; 3rd Thursdays, parents only, virtually via Zoom. To request to receive the Zoom invite or be on the mailing list, please email pflagwilliamsburg@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Offertory Music
“You’ll Never Walk Alone,” by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II
Heidi Souza, piano
Reading
Reed Williams
From the Heart
“Without Shame, Without Fear”
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig
Musical Interlude
Songs Without Words, Op. 30, No. 3, by Felix Mendelssohn
Heidi Souza, piano
From the Heart
Deborah Fabian, Welcoming Congregation Team
Closing Hymn
STJ #1053 “How Could Anyone”
Extinguishing the Chalice
Susan Marcinkus
When we take fire from our chalice,
it does not become less,
it becomes more.
And so we extinguish our chalice,
but we take its light and warmth with us,
Multiplying their power by all of our lives,
and sharing it with the world.
Closing Circle & Benediction
with words by M Jade Kaiser (adapted)
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig
SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal
Post-service conversation on Zoom: Zoom participants are invited to stay online for virtual social time.
New to WUU? Welcome! Learn more about WUU and Unitarian Universalism by visiting wuu.org/about/.