March 2, 2025: “A Commitment to Truth”
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Does nothing mean anything anymore? I ask myself this question when I hear what George Orwell called “doublespeak” in our current political discourse. Intentional uses of language – like freedom, safety, justice, and efficiency – to distort or disguise the reality and intentions behind policy. How do we remain committed to truth in an age of disinformation and subterfuge?
View the video archive of this service here:
Ringing of the World Bell
Congregational Prelude
“Let the Way” by Abigail McBride, arr. Pam Blevins Hinkle & Aletha Hinkle
Welcome & Announcements
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator
Land Acknowledgement
Lighting the Chalice Flame
Jason Michálek, Worship Associate (9:30am)
Sarah Kopper
Sarah Montgomery, Worship Associate (11:30am)
Valerie Elliott
Time for All Ages
Child Dedications
9:30am:
Sawyer, child of Kristin Schumacher and Kyle Fouch
Walden and Iris, children of Renee and Kevin Weaver
11:30am:
Cora, child of Beth Ann Feher and Ian Macdonald
Arvo, child of Sarah Barnett and the late Michael Johnson
Hannah, child of Sarah and London Montgomery
Audrey, child of Mariel Yuhas and Robert Dobler
Congregational Affirmation
On our part, we pledge these children the love and care of this congregation. We dedicate our hearts and minds to these children and their parents. May we be worthy guardians of these young lives. May we build a community in which they will grow surrounded by beauty, embraced by love, and cradled in the arms of peace.
Musical Interlude
Ray Fellman, piano
Pastoral Prayer and Meditation
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Hymn
#1002 Comfort Me
Dedication of Offering
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 through this link uucb.churchcenter.com/giving - with the drop down option titled “Sunday Plate.” 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.
If you pay your pledge through the Sunday offering, please write “pledge” on your check, on an envelope with your contribution, or by donating at uucb.churchcenter.com/giving.
Offertory
Ray Fellman, piano
Reading
from “September 1, 1939” by W.H. Auden
Gift of Music
“Choose Something Like a Star,”
text by Robert Frost, music by Randall Thompson
UUCB Choir
Susan Swaney, Director of Music
Sermon
“Commitment to Truth”
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Closing Hymn
#300 With Heart and Mind
Benediction
Choral Benediction
“Let Us go Out” by Pam Blevins Hinkle
Welcome Guests!
Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington!
We are so glad you are here. To learn more, visit uubloomington.org.
Guest Card: tinyurl.com/UUCBwelcome
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Hearing assistive devices are available at the AV Tech booth in the rear of the Meeting Room for use during Sunday worship services.
- Childcare is available today from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Room 108.
- Spirit Play will be exploring the story, “And Tango Makes Three,” exploring the values of Pluralism, Love, and Equity.
- In Kids' Club, we'll explore our commitment to Equity, and the importance of everybody getting what they need, through the story, “Fair Is Fair, Isn't It?”
- Join us for Community Hour after each service in Fellowship Hall.
- The UU Freethinkers meet today at 1 p.m. in Room 208.
View our full calendar of upcoming events: uucb.churchcenter.com/calendar
To make a donation online, visit: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving
UU Church Staff:
Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray, Lead Minister
Dr. Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Dr. Susan Swaney, Music Director
Amanda Waye, Director of Administration
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator
Hans Kelson, Technology Coordinator
Jo Bowman, Communications Coordinator
Dylan Marks, Sexton
