August 11, 2024: "Poetry as a Spiritual Practice"
Erica Whichello, Worship Associate.
Poetry as a spiritual practice. The phrase might lead to a variety of questions in your mind. Is writing poetry a spiritual practice? Do poets experience it that way, and if they do, how do we know? Are all poetic forms and subject matter amenable to a spiritual practice? Is simply reading poetry thoughtfully a form of spiritual practice? What is a spiritual practice anyway?
Original poetry and reflections by UUCB poets Sarah Flint, Daniel Reed, Ginny Richey, Thayr Richey, and Barb Schwegman; with context by Linda Pickle, facilitator of the recent “Poetry as a Spiritual Practice” course.
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
Jackie Hall
“The Light Within Us” by Brian C. Lee
Dr. Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Introduction of Poetry As a Spiritual Practice
Linda Pickle
Opening Hymn
#38 “Morning Has Broken”
Backpack Blessing
Dr. Stephanie Kimball, Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray
Musical Interlude
“To a Wild Rose” from Woodland Sketches by Edward MacDowell Ray Fellman, piano
Prayer and Meditation
Erica Whichello, Worship Associate
Offertory
“The Poet Speaks” from Scenes from Childhood
by Robert Schumann 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.
Poetry
“May Musings” and “The Rhythm of the Waves” by Sarah Flint
“Land Acknowledgement: Pileated” and “Hymn to Water” by Ginny Richey
Musical Interlude
“Creative Spirit, Find a Place in Me” by Grace Lewis-McLaren
UUCB Choir
Susan Swaney, Music Director
Poetry
“Hunting” and “The Fish Hatchery” by Thayr Richey
“On Time” and “Memories of Lake Michigan” by Daniel Reed
“Playing Jacks” and “I Remember When the Earth Moved” by Barbara Schwegman
Closing Hymn
#94 “What Is This Life”
Extinguishing the Chalice Flame
Closing Words
Linda Pickle
Choral Benediction
“Earth, Courage, Calm Abiding” by Sarah Flint