August 18, 2024: "Mental Health and Collective Community Empowerment"
Reverend Sarah Gettie McNeill, pulpit guest
Mary Craig, Worship Associate
Long before there were therapists and psychologists, there were aunties, neighbors, spiritual communities, and healers who embraced us all in community care. Through our interconnected relationships centered in love, we can decolonize mental health care and more deeply nourish well-being in community. Our congregation was recently accepted into the Center for Congregations' Mental Health Initiative Program, making us eligible to develop a project plan and receive a grant of up to $40,000 to bring greater mental health services to Bloomington. This Sunday, we'll talk about the power of community in enriching our mental resilience and explore ways we can use this grant for the greater good of our church and our larger circles of care.
Rev. Sarah Gettie McNeill serves the Unitarian Universalist Association as the Professional Development Programs Manager. In this role, she supports religious education and music professionals and their credentialing and certification programs. She works remotely from her home here in Bloomington, where she lives with her husband, Landon; her children, Elijah and Lucas; and a house full of friendly, furry critters.
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
“A Communion of Heart and Soul” by Bruce Southworth
Mary Craig, Worship Associate
Michelle McCaffrey
Introduction of the Guest Minister
Opening Words
“In Our Circle Again” by Rev. Shari Woodbury
Reverend Sarah Gettie McNeill
Opening Hymn
#1009 “Meditation on Breathing”
Time for All Ages
Musical Interlude
“Through the Trees” by David Tolk
Ray Fellman, piano
Prayer and Meditation
“Shoulders” by Naomi Shihab Nye
Offertory
“No One Is Alone” by Stephen Sondheim
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
From Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma, and Politicizing Your Practice by Jennifer Mullan, Ph.D.
Gift of Music
“Let the Song Begin” by Donald Moore
UUCB Choir
Susan Swaney, Music Director
Sermon
“Mental Health and Collective Community Empowerment”
Reverend Sarah Gettie McNeill
Closing Hymn
#1021 “Lean on Me”
Extinguishing the Chalice Flame
“We Are One” by Amy Zucker Morgenstern
Benediction
Choral Benediction
“Earth, Courage, Calm Abiding” by Sarah Flint