March 24, 2024: “UUCB History: The Trees of Life Quilt”
Reverend Connie Grant and UUCB Congregants
Mary Craig, Worship Associate
An essay in the collection “Stories from the Trees of Life” notes that “The making of the Trees of Life quilt is a good example of the creative spirits, individual and collective, that are the very fabric of our congregation.” We’ll recount the story of the making of the quilt and some of the stories it represents.
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
Congregational Prelude
“Woyaya” Words and music by Loughty Amoa, Solomon Amarfio, Robert M. Bailey, Roy Bedeau, Francis T. Osei, Whendell K. Richardson, and Mac Tontoh, transcribed by Ysaye Barnwell, arr. Jeannie Gagne
Welcome & Announcements
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator
Land Acknowledgement
Lighting the Chalice Flame
“Flaming Chalice, Symbol of a Free Faith” by Richard Gilbert
Dr. Stephanie Kimball
Opening Words
“Weavers of One Story” by Leah Ongiri
Reverend Connie Grant
Opening Hymn
#300 “With Heart and Mind”
Story
“A Patchwork of Memories”
by Ruellen Fessenbecker
Childcare is available from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 108.
Religious Education for Children:
Ages 4-6 meet for Spirit Play in Room 105
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
Kim Carballo, piano
Remarks
“Why I Make a Financial Commitment to UUCB”
Sharon Yarber
Deb Hutton
Introduction
"A Community Quilt"
Rev. Grant
Pastoral Prayer and Meditation
“Deep Mystery of Our Lives” by Sheldon Bennett
Offertory
Kim Carballo, 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. See alloptionsprc.org for more information.
Reading
“Quilts” by Nikki Giovanni
read by Mary Craig, Worship Associate
Gift of Music
“We Are” by Ysaye Barnwell
UUCB Choir
Susan Swaney, Music Director
Remarks
“Trees of Life: A Branch of History” Ruellen Fessenbecker
Video
“The Raising of the Quilt”
The secret is to let each little piece be as weird and different as it likes, but yet bring them together like this to form a single multi-colored, multi-faceted community....But a community which is alive and changing all the time. Like a big, beautiful forest!
And what shall we call this quilt which represents our community? TREES OF LIFE
Remarks
“Trees of Life Quilt Revisited”
Natalia Schau
Closing Hymn
#354 “We Laugh, We Cry”
Extinguishing the Chalice Flame
“Take from life its coals, not its ashes” by Laurel Sheridan
Benediction
Choral Benediction
“I Am the Change” by Phyllis Wyckliff