A Mother’s Day service that looks at our basic curiosity about our origins as children and then as more thoughtful adults. 
Guest Musician: Maria Jenkins
 
00:00 1 Welcome by Rev. Brian
02:35 2 Opening Words #596 “Metta Sutta”
03:16 3 Kindling the Chalice, and Mother’s Day Candle
05:22 4 Hymn 95 “There Is More Love Somewhere”
07:24 5 Story for All Ages--“Amelia” by Gail Sphar, read by Rev. Brian
14:05 6 Sharing Our Abundance, “Youth Empowerment and Support Services”
14:52 7 “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana, sung by Maria Jenkins
17:32 8 Receiving the Offering
18:06 9 Silent and Spoken Candles of Care and Connection
20:55 10 Meditation in Song 123 “Spirit of Life”
22:06 11 Meditation in Words “Transcendental Etude” by Adrienne Rich
23:35 12 Meditation in Song, “Gartan Mother's Lullaby” by Hughes and Mac Cathmhaoil, sung by Maria Jenkins 
25:47 13 Sermon “Where Do I Come From?” by Rev. Brian
42:19 14 Closing Words
42:38 15 “Carry the Flame”

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

Unitarian Church of Edmonton

“Where Do I Come From?” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 12 May 2019

Many people have made their way to Unitarianism because they were dissatisfied when given pat answers about the existence and nature of God. But many of us are still curious. Is there a concept of the divine we can support?

David Pohl, “We Come to This Time and This Place”, https://www.uua.org/worship/words/reading/we-come-to-this-time
 
00:00 1 Welcome
02:53 2 “Being Green” sung by Kermit the Frog
05:28 3 Opening Words “We Come to This Time and This Place” by David Pohl
06:03 4 Kindling the Chalice
06:26 5 Hymn 118 “This Little Light of Mine”
07:51 6 Kindling the Children’s Chalice
08:51 7 Sharing Our Abundance: YESS (Youth Empowerment and Support Services)
10:10 8 “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs” by Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
13:55 9 Receiving the Offering
14:28 10 Silent Candles of Care and Commenction
15:54 11 Meditation in Words: “The Oversoul” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
19:09 12 Meditation in Music: “God Is a River”
23:08 13 Community Question: “God?”
24:14 14 Hymn 51 “Lady of the Season’s Laughter”
27:25 15 Sermon: “Divinty Curiousity” by Rev. Brian
45:08 16 Closing Hymn 30 “Over My Head”
48:10 17 Closing Words
48:28 18 “Carry the Flame”

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“Divine Curiosity,” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 19 May 2019

My favourite question has long been “What’s next?” Where do we go from here? How do we set a course for sailing into the future?

Special thanks for our guest musician Margaret Fisher (French Horn) who is a member of Orchestra Borealis.

00:00 1 Welcome
02:22 2 Prelude “Amazing Grace” arr. by Paul Basler, played by Margaret Fisher & Gordon Ritchie
04:46 3 Opening Words
05:16 4 Hymn 361 “Enter, Rejoice, and Come In”
06:57 5 Kindling the Chalices
08:37 6 Sharing Our Abundance: YESS Youth Empowerment and Support Service
09:18 7 “Under the Greenwood Tree” by Thomas Arne arr. by Thomas Bacon, played by Margaret Fisher and Gordon Ritchie
11:33 8 Receiving the Offering
12:04 9 Silent and Spoken Candles of Care and Connection
14:39 10 Meditation in Words: “Help Us” by Harry Meserve
16:19 11 Meditation in Music “Abide With Me” arr. by Paul Basler, played by Margaret Fisher and Gordon Ritchie
18:45 12 Reading “A Thousand Small Sanities” by Gabino Iglesias
22:27 13 Community Question “Where Are We Going? Are you optimistic or pessimistic?”
24:26 14 Hymn 159 “This Is My Song”
26:28 15 Sermon “And in the Future?”
45:22 16 Hymn 1028 “The Fire of Commitment”
48:24 17 Closing Words
48:48 18 “Carry the Flame”

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“And in the Future?” Rev. Brian J. Kiely, 26 May 2019

This Pride Service is hosted by our Youth to celebrate diversity and the value of all peoples.

UCE Youth: Violet, Nakai, Lillyanna, Lily, Kadance, Elora, Alya, Alex

0:00:00 1 Welcome by Kadance
0:01:12 2 Prelude “Love Train” by The O’Jays
0:04:19 3 Opening Words & Kindling the Chalice “Inherent Worth and Dignity” by Steve Stock, read & lit by Lily
0:04:44 4 Hymn 1053 “How Could Anyone”
0:06:03 5 Story for All Ages “Morris the Moose Is Lonely” by William Adair, read by Rev. Brian Kiely
0:11:58 5 Sharing Our Abundance, read by Elora
0:13:14 6 “Girls Like Girls” by Hayley Kiyoko
0:18:20 7 Receiving the Offering
0:18:57 8 Responsive Reading “Proud” by Amanda Uldis-Kessler, read by Ayla 
0:20:16 9 Song “I Am What I Am” by Harvey Fierstein, performed by RuPaul’s All Star cast 
0:23:34 10 Silent Candles of Care and Connection, intro by Violet
0:24:02 11 “Don't Give Up on Me” by Andy Grammer ft. PS22 Choris
0:28:23 12 Reading “Pride Service” by Erica DeNeve and Youth
0:48:36 13 Hymn 1014 “Standing on the Side of Love” by Mark Hicks
0:50:38 14 Meditation in words “Mattering” by Mark Hicks, read by Alex
0:56:38 15 Reading 2 “Pride Events Cancellation” by Rev. Brian Kiely
1:00:52 16 Closing Hymn “A Cleansing Rage” by Jason Shelton
1:02:31 17 Closing Words “May We Live the Spirit of Pride” by Elizabeth Ketcham, read by Nakai
1:04:21 18 “Carry the Flame”
1:04:57 19 Postlude “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“Pride Service,” UCE Youth, Erica DeNeve, Rev. Brian Kiely, 9 Jun 2019

1 Welcome by Declan 0:00
2 “Dancing with Myself” by Billy Idol 1:52
3 Chalice Lighting by Maria Jenkins 5:07
4 Hymn 123 “Spirit of Life” by Orange County Unitarian Universalist Choir 5:45
5 1st Reflection by AJ 8:44
6 “Isolation Groove” by Martin Kerr and Ann Vriend 10:20
7 2nd Reflection by Elora 13:22
8 “Super bad tranmittable contagious awful virus” by Daniel Matarazzo 15:20
9 Offering Response 17:15
10 3rd Reflection by Declan 17:45
11 Meditation in Music “Cause” by Infinity Ripple 18:58
12 4th Reflection by Violet 22:10
13 5th Reflection by Maria Jenkins 24:59
14 Extinguishing the Chalice by Violet 28:25
15 “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” 28:57
16 Postlude “Cats and Netflix” by The Doubleclicks 29:42

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“How to Connect in This Time of Physical Isolation,” UCE Youth, 29 Mar 2020

Every continent has its proverbs: single sentences crafted with wisdom and passed down through the generations. Africa is no exception, and each of its countless ethnic groups has its own set of traditional sayings. Some are comical, some are cryptic, but all of them offer subtle grains of truth that remain relevant today–no matter where you live or what your circumstances may be. #UU #YEG

1 Welcome by Gordon Ritchie 0:00
2 Prelude “Bayasibiza” by the University of Pretoria Camerata 0:40
3 Opening Words from An African Prayer Book by Desmond Tutu 3:41
4 Kindling the Chalice “This Is the Hour” by Rev. Connie Simon, First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati 5:17
5 Sharing Our Abundance 6:25
6 “Rainmaker” by Stellenbosch University Choir, South Africa 8:31
7 “From You I Receive, to You I Give” 13:10
8 Reading An Ashanti Prayer from West Africa 13:43
9 Spoken Hymn “Cherish the Earth” by Susan Ruttan 14:48
10 Musical interlude “Konke Okkungaphakathi Kwam’” by University of Johannesburg Choir 15:39
11 Reading “African Proverbs and Their Meanings” by Anouk Zijlma, read by Gordon Ritchie 18:46
12 Story “The Lion Who Thought He Was a Sheep” from “Rediscovering Life” by Anthony de Mello, read by Karen Mills 23:53
13 Reflection “Lion Energy” by Gordon Ritchie 25:20
14 Responsive Reading “Litany for Peace” from the Kikuyu people of Kenya 28:23
15 Extinguishing the Flame “Do Your Little Bit of Good” by Desmond Tutu 29:38
16 Postlude “Bonk’abaphandle” by the University of Pretoria Camerata 30:12
17 “Carry the Flame” 32:30

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“Wisdom From Africa,” Karen Mills and Gordon Ritchie, 5 Apr 2020

Mike Jenkins, City of Edmonton, will talk about native species as pollinators, how to encourage them, and why they're important even if you aren't interested in honey. #UU #YEG

1 Welcome by Beth Jenkins 0:00
2 Congregational Call by Gloria Krenbrenk 0:34
3 Prelude “Gathering the Dew” by Gordon Ritchie 2:22
4 Lighting the Chalice words by Mark Causey 5:05
5 Sharing Abundance / Stewardship 5:54
8 “From you I receive, to you I give” 7:35
9 Reading “A Seed Knows How to Wait” 8:12
10 Musical Interlude “Mist of Cape Breton” by Gordon Ritchie 11:31
11 Guest Speaker Mike Jenkins “Protecting Pollinators” 14:27
12 Closing Words 45:33
13 Extinguishing the Chalice 46:04
14 “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” 46:45

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“Protecting Pollinators,” Beth Jenkins and Mike Jenkins, 26 Apr 2020

What comes to your mind when you think of Sabbath? Do you think of rest? A break from work? What might it mean in this time of uncertainty and unrest? What does it mean to be and do good? We'll ponder all these questions as we look at the wisdom Jewish tradition may hold for us now. #UU #YEG

1 Welcome by Gordon Ritchie 0:00
2 “Al Shlosha D'varim” performed by Spivey Hall Children's Choir 0:45
3 Opening words - Jewish Unitarian Universalists - Beliefs & Principles read by Karen Mills 4:16
4 Kindling the Chalice, from a Jewish Passover Haggadah, read by Gordon Ritchie 6:31
5 Responsive Reading “May We Seek to Serve Life” by Monica Jacobson-Tennessen, read by Gordon Ritchie & Robert Begg 7:15
6 Reading “Higher Than Heaven” by Shula Bryski, read by Rev. Audrey Brooks 9:14
7 Sharing Our Abundance 12:35
8 “Ose Shalom” by John Leavitt performed by Hal Leonard Choral 13:45
9 “From You I Receive” 17:33
10 Reading “Pandemic” by Lynn Ungar, read by Karen Mills 18:05
11 Candles of Care and Connection 19:18
12 “Jerusalem of Gold” performed by Shulem Lemmer 19:36
13 Reading “Ecological Spiritual Delight” by Patricia Guthmann Haresch, read by Karen Mills 24:00
14 Reading “Ten Blessings” by Rev. Ana Levy-Lyons, read by Gordon Ritchie 32:39
15 Extinguishing the Flame: Closing words “It Is Our Journey Together” by Debra Haffner  35:19
16 “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” 35:58

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“Jewish Traditions for Today’s UUs,” Karen Mills & Gordon Ritchie, May 3, 2020

Beginning with the OWL curriculum, we UUs teach and believe that family comes in myriad constellations. We celebrate LGBTQ+ chosen family, extended family, aunties of all sorts, and brothers and sisters from other mothers and misters. Join us today as we celebrate family, caretaking, and being loved throughout the ages. Especially today, as we are more likely than not to be physically distant from some of our loved ones, let us reflect on how love, care, and tenderness manifest in unexpected ways. #UU #YEG

1 Welcome by Rev. Audrey Brooks 0:00
2 Prelude “One Voice” by the Wailin’ Jennies 2:42
3 Kindling the Chalice “For Mother’s Day” by the Jo-Anne Elder Gomes 6:17
4 Hymn – South African “Babethandaza” 7:22
5 Sharing Our Abundance with Andrew Mills 10:13
6 “Here’s My Hand” by Gordon Ritchie 12:36
7 Homily by Dr. Jennifer Askey 16:38
8 Hymn “Spirit of Life” by composer Carolyn McDade and choir 31:09
9 Meditation “Mother Wisdom Speaks” by Christine Lore Webber 34:29
10 Closing Words 36:17
11 “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love until We Meet Again” 37:50

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

“Cultures of Motherhood,” Rev. Audrey Brooks & Dr. Jennifer Askey, May 10, 2020

Our commitment to “justice, equity, and compassion in human relations” draws us to social justice and compels us to contribute our resources-donations, volunteering, or political action-to that end. But as Thackeray asked, and as we must ask ourselves, “Who can tell the mischief which the very virtuous do?”

1 Welcome by Rev. Anne Barker 0:00
2 Welcome/Tawâw by Jeff Bisanz 0:59
3 Lighting the Chalice, words by Starhawk 2:15
4 Prelude “It’s Happening” by Ann Vriend and students at Sifton Elementary School 3:18
5 Hymn 131 “Love Will Guide Us” with Carrie Day 7:46
6 Sharing Our Abundance with Andrew Mills 9:51
7 “Someday” by Carrie Day 11:47
8 Sermonette 1 “Is Charity Helpful or Toxic or Both?” by Jeff Bisanz 15:42
9 Community Question 25:04
10 Sermonette 2 “Who Decides How to Change the World?” by Jeff Bisanz 31:10
11 Reading “I Am Only One” by Edward Everett Hale 42:32
12 Hymn 128 “For All That Is Our Life” with Carrie Day 43:42
13 Extinguishing the Flame, Closing Words by Rabindranath Tagore 46:07
14 “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love Until We Meet Again” 46:30

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

UCE - https://www.uce.ca/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/41659071349/
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurch/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/EdmUnitarian
Twitter - https://twitter.com/UnitarianUCE
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unitarianuce/
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-189401827/

Westwood Unitarian Congregation & Unitarian Church of Edmonton

“What Does It Mean to Do Good?”, Rev. Anne Barker & Jeff Bisanz, May 17, 2020

The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community. We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action. We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics. We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations. A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship. May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

“How to Connect in This Time of Physical Isolation,” UCE Youth, 29 Mar 2020

Unitarian Church of Edmonton (UCE)

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