Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 AM to join our next online service.

At our Annual Religious Exploration Sunday enjoy a stuffie tour of All Souls Church made to remind our children what happens on a Sunday when we are together.  We will share the fun activities we had with our children during this past year, some on Zoom and some in person.  Sing along with a few familiar songs and maybe meet a puppet or two.  The theme for June is “Play.”  During coffee hour we will have a chance to share with each other our favorite play activities which bring out our child-like spirit.

Religious Exploration

Sunday Service 

Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 AM to join our online service.

Order of Service
Sunday, June 20, 2021

Greeting and Announcements                                                       Sarah Lott

Prelude    “In Her Own Sweet World”       by Bill Evans
Eva Greene, piano

Chalice Lighting                                                                               Ian Hefele
“This is our circle of chalice light
Where peace and love are burning bright
A time for wonder
A time for fun.
Welcome, welcome, everyone!”

 Hymn #346:  “Come Sing a Song with Me”                  Carolyn McDade
Performed by Brian Kenny, Alena Hemingway and the KUUF choir

Reading: “Sing for Justice, Sway in Hope, Play with Purpose”
by Rev. Gretchen Haley                                          Ian Hefele
Whatever beat is moving through your bones
Whatever holy disturbance is rising in your chest
Whatever good word you’ve got for the good of the whole
Clap it, Snap it, And Bring it out, Call it out.
Take the beat, Add to it, Change it, Make it yours
Gathered here in this sweet beauty, this power
Bring all that you are and let it out.
Let us not waste this time
Let us make a joyful noise, a more interesting sound
a fuller call, a greater yes.
Say it with me,  YES
Call out hello and amen, wooo-hooo and YES
Sing for justice, Sway in hope, Play with purpose
This time is precious. You are precious and all of us.
This chance is a gift
Each breath is a gift
Being all together is a gift
Let’s celebrate, find a new rhythm, write a new song
make a new march
For this longing, this dreaming, this discovery
For the urgent call of this day
For courageous love
Let it ring out
Come, Let us worship together

Music: “If I Were a Moose”               Fred Small
performed and produced by Steve Squires

Reading: “What Do Our Children Need on Sunday Morning?”
by Lowell Brook                                        Kathy Squires
They need to light a candle, and have a quiet moment to enjoy its mystery.

They need to sing a song… to hear their voice and other voices joined together, and to feel the feelings that are stirred by music.

They need to hear a story and have a chance to share their own… remembering that we are each different and also very alike.

They need to create something.  Expressing themselves, whether using words or materials, helps to bind the different parts of ourselves and life together.  That’s what religion is.

They need to be with an adult who is interested in the world and who feels the privilege and responsibility of their trust… one who is glad to be with them, and who regards them positively.

Into this safe and encouraging context, we may weave the content of the religious traditions.  The history and common threads of our identity are important to be sure, but without the essential loving embrace the education will not be religious.

Reflection Part I: Imagining Our Return to WVMH

Offering shared with Edible Brattleboro

Offertory: “Evening Prayer” from the opera, Hansel und Gretel
Engelbert Humperdinck (1893)
   performed by the Welsh National Opera orchestra

Candles of Joys and Concerns                                                 Karen Tyler

Hymn #338:   ” I Seek the Spirit of a Child”     Carl Seaburg
sung by Marie Gorst

Reflection Part II: “A Very Different RE Year – What We Did This Past Year

Music:  “The Garden Song” (Inch by Inch)      David Mallett
performed and produced by Steve Squires

Reading: “It Takes a UU Village to Raise a UU Child”  by Tess Baumberger

Extinguishing the Chalice
“We gather the warmth of love,
The light of truth,
And the energy of action
Into our hearts as we blow out the chalice.
Back into the world of do and say,
Carry it forward into the dawning day.”

Closing Circle
“Carry the Flame of Peace and Love Until We Meet Again” (2X)