August 25, 2024: “Artificial Intelligence and Chalice Circles in the Same Sermon -- Say What?”
Reverend Barbara Child, speaker
Avram Primack, Worship Associate
Over the past few months, I went on an obsessive binge with A.I. I started out determined to settle, once and for all, whether A.I. is the greatest thing that ever happened, the thing that will make our lives better in myriad ways and save us from peril – or whether we should be completely terrified of A.I., the thing that is likely to do us in. Little did I know that pursuing my binge would lead me to a new look at something I thought I already knew well, this congregation’s small group program called Chalice Circles.
Rev. Barbara Child is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister and pledging friend of UUCB, and serves as consultant to our Chalice Circles program.
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
“Come, Come Whoever You Are” by Lynn Adair Ungar, words by Rumi, adapted
Welcome & Announcements
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator
Land Acknowledgement
Lighting the Chalice Flame
Olaya Fernández Gayol
Words by Max Landau Moss
Avram Primack, Worship Associate
Opening Words
Rev. Barbara Child, Guest Minister
Avram Primack
Opening Hymn
#347 "Gather the Spirit"
Story
“How Coyote Lost His Songs, Music, and Dance”
a story from Native American culture
Dr. Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Musical Interlude
Ray Fellman, piano
Some Moments of Meditation and Silence
Words adapted from Jacqueline Collins
Offertory
Ray Fellman, 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 donated to Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County to fund the installation of solar panels and energy monitoring systems and mandated radon testing in Habitat homes. The non-profit organization and its volunteers work to make more affordable, energy-efficient, and safe housing available locally. See monroecountyhabitat.org for more information.
Reading
“The Invitation” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder
Avram Primack
Gift of Music
"When Speaking Has Ceased” by Craig Courtney
UUCB Choir
Dr. Susan Swaney, Music Director
Sermon
"Artificial Intelligence and Chalice Circles in the Same Sermon -- Say What?"
Rev. Child
Closing Hymn
#128 “For All That Is Our Life”
Extinguishing the Chalice Flame
Benediction
Words from poet Pablo Neruda
Choral Benediction
“Earth, Courage, Calm Abiding” by Sarah Flint
