The Bible talks of gathering stones, but this was our time to gather water, our principles and our souls in community — a joyful time for all ages to celebrate the new church year!

Our CVUUS Choir, led by Choir Director Lucy Tenenbaum, called us to worship with Enter, Rejoice, and Come In

And sang We Bid You Welcome (see lyrics below, Richard Gilbert; music Jason Shelton)

We held our Installation of the Board: Priscilla Bremser (president)*, Doug Richards (vice president), Mary Hadley (treasurer), Mark Spritzer (secretary), Kas Singh, Kerri Duquette Hoffman*, Bobbi Loney* (* denotes new Board member)

Congregation – As our elected leaders, you hold the interests and the needs of our community as a sacred trust.

Board – We accept this responsibility.

Congregation – Leaders are stewards of the spirit of cooperation and communication.

Board – We will be faithful stewards.

Congregation – Leaders embrace challenges.

Board – We will do so with courage and optimism.

Congregation  – Leaders call forth the leadership gifts in others.

Board – We will encourage new leaders to come forth from among us.

Congregation – We are grateful for and will support your leadership.

Board – We will strive to deserve your confidence, we will respect your opinions, and we will be guided by your needs.

Everyone together – Amen!

We dedicated our Sept “Share the Plate” offering to Conservation Law Foundation

Our special In-Gathering of the Seven Principles was led by Rev. Barnaby and  Poppy Rees (Dir. of Religious Exploration)

This was followed by a Song from Our Summer For Good by Stephen Schwartz sung by Connie Leach and Sydney Singh

Then we had our Water Communion, co mingling our waters from summer travels

First Group: Water in the Spirit of Love, Friendship, and Family

Second Group: Water in the Spirit of Adventure and New Beginnings

Third Group: Water in the Spirit of Connections to Nature

Fourth Group: Water in the Spirit of ……

Closing Water Ceremony: the congregation went outside to pour the communal water on our garden and the tree that shades us and sang Spirit of Life.

Spirit of Life, come unto me.

Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.

Blow in the wind, rise in the sea, move in the hand

Giving life the shape of justice.

Roots hold me close, wings set me free;

Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

 

We Bid You Welcome

We Bid You Welcome. We bid you welcome here.

We bid you welcome to this place!

You, here in weary spirit. You, here with trouble too much with you.

You, seeking rest and solace. You, hurting and afraid.

We Bid You Welcome. We bid you welcome here.

We bid you welcome to this place!

You, here in joyful spirit. You, here in great anticipation.

You seeking out a new faith.

You eager to explore!

We Bid You Welcome. We bid you welcome here.

We bid you welcome to this place!

Welcome Home!

Whoever you are, whatever you are,

where ever you are on your journey, Oh!

We Bid You Welcome. We bid you welcome here.

We bid you welcome to this place!