Chalice Lighting

A golden thread binds us to all that has been and will ever be.
Here the tender soul yearns.
Here the greatest dreams are sighted.
Here the sacred flame burns.

Mark Allstrom
submitted by the Australian and New Zealand Unitarian Universalist Association

UU Principles

There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

1. Respect All People
2. Offer kind and fair treatment to all
3. Grow by Exploring What is True and Right
4. Believe in our Ideas and Act on Them
5. Yearn to Accept and Learn About Ourselves and Others
6. Insist on Freedom, Justice, and Peace for all People
7. Value our home, Earth, that we share with all living beings

Reincarnation for 6 year olds

Responsive Reading Part 1

The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures
	It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.
It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth and death, in ebb and flow.
	I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life. And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.

Standing at the Crossroads

Music: Thomas Keating
Déjà Vu by Crosby, Stills, and Nash

Responsive Reading Part 2

Is it beyond thee to be glad with the gladness of this rhythm? To be tossed and lost and broken in the whirl of this fearful joy?
	All things rush on, they stop not, they look not behind, no power can hold them back, they rush on.
Keeping step with that restless,rapid music, seasons come dancing and pass away –
	Colors, tunes, and perfumes pour in endless cascades in the abounding joy and scatters and gives up and dies every moment.

Hinduism for Grownups

Responsive Reading Part 3

How often great Earth, have I felt my being yearn to flow over you, sharing the happiness of each green blade that raises its signal banner in the answer to the beckoning blue of the sky!
	I feel as if I had belonged to you ages before I was born.
That is why, in the days when the autumn light shimmers on the mellowing ears of rice, I seem to remember a past when my mind was everywhere, and even to hear voices as of play-fellows echoing from the remote and deeply veiled past.
	When in the evening, the cattle return to their folds, raising dust from the meadow paths, as the moon rises higher than the smoke ascending from the village huts, I feel sad as for some great separation that happened in the first morning of existence.

Practical Meditation

Joys and Concerns

Moments of Prayerful Meditation

Song: Come Sing a Song with Me

Benediction

As we go from this House of Worship, may we take with us the words and the spirit that our faith offers us.

Here, we learn of and sing praises for the gift of life. We declare that while we live our bodily form is the vessel that receives God’s light. May we be worthy bearers of that light in bodies which are strong and healthy.

From our eyes, may the light shine brightly so that in the darkness we may see the needs of others.

Through our ears, may we hear beyond the noise of self-interest to the calls for help from those in need.

May our hearts beat with compassion and our arms be strong in reaching out to lift up those who stumble.

And after life has gone from us, may we still remain the messengers of Thy Light. May the sparks housed within us, because of our offering of love, become the flame of light for others.

Amen.

Service leader
Suzie Hall

1. SEOPF/UNOS. Organ and Tissue Donation: A Reference Guide for Clergy, 4th
Ed Cooper ML,Taylor GJ, eds. Richmond, VA: UNOS; 2000

“HINDUISM:  THE RELIGION OF HARMONY”
A Sermon by the Rev. Bruce Clear March 22, 2009
All Souls Unitarian Church Indianapolis, Indiana

Thoughts on Meditation

1. You do not need to stop thinking to meditate.  Meditation is about being awake in your mind and observing yourself as you are.
2. Meditation is not just for stress reducing and relaxation – These are useful preliminary effects, but the goal is to clear the way for transformative insights which lead toward a wisdom so profound that it results in peace and happiness independent of conditions.
3. Meditation does not need to be fancy.  All that is required is your mind.
4. Don’t forget to breathe!  The easiest way meditate is by focusing on breath.
5. Breathe from your diaphragm.  Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
6. Don’t worry about doing it right.  In fact, don’t worry.  Just let your mind flow.  Do not try to control your mind.
7. Don’t be afraid to start over.
8. Meditation can be as long or as short as you would like it to be.
9. Don’t panic.
10. Explore! Be creative and use all of your available resources as you walk down this path.