Merriam Webster defines mercy as compassion or forbearanc; lenient or compassionate treatment; a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion; a fortunate circumstance; or compassionate treatment of those in distress.
In “Seeking Mercy, Seeking Home” Rev. Erika A. Hewitt discusses immigration and mercy.
Picture from this article
BE THE BLESSING YOU ALREADY ARE
By John Gibb Millspaugh, Sarah Gibb Millspaugh
Service Leader: In our religious tradition, it is not just ministers and religious professionals who have power to bless. Each of us has the power to bless another, and to bless the world. Therefore I invite everyone here to participate in this blessing. The words are ordinary words, but we make the blessing real through our shared intention.
[Invite congregants form physical connections, hand-to-hand or hand-to-shoulder, throughout the congregation.]
All: As we have been blessed, so we bless one another to be a blessing. Breathe in, breathe out, this breath we share with all that breathes. Feel the love of the universe flowing through this community, into you, and out into the universe again. Let the love of all the universe—your love—flow outward, to its height, its depth, its broad extent. You are more than you know, and more beloved than you know. Take up what power is yours to create safe haven, to make of earth a heaven. Give hope to those you encounter, that they may know safety from inner and outer harm, be happy and at peace, healthy and strong, caring and joyful. Be the blessing you already are. That is enough. Blessed Be; Amen.
Adapted from the Karaniya Metta Sutta (Sunna Nipata 1.8) of the Pali Canon
Empathy begins with understanding life from another person’s perspective. Nobody has an objective experience of reality. It’s all through our own individual prisms.
– Sterling K. Brown
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/understanding
Merriam Webster defines safety as 1) the condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss and 2) a device (as on a weapon or a machine) designed to prevent inadvertent or hazardous operation.
The question for me then becomes how can we practice safety and be a safety for all?
“Safety and Security” a sermon by Rev. Tom Capo
Prelude: Disappear From Dear Evan Hansen
Welcome: All of us are welcome here; all of us are loved By Erika A. Hewitt
Welcome Song: “Enter Rejoice and Come in”
Chalice Lighting: Come we now out of the darkness By Annie Foerster
The Principles: Kidciples Song
The Story for All Ages: You Will be Found from Dear Evan Hansen
Offering and Response (Unison)
For the gifts which we have received—and the gifts which we, ourselves, are—may we be truly grateful. Yet more than that, may we be committed to using these gifts to make a difference in the world: to increase love and justice; to decrease hatred and oppression; to expand beloved community; to share, and to keep sharing, as long as ever we can. Amen.
Hymn: Blue Boat Home
Reading: On this Trans Day of Visibility by Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Here is a prayer “A Bouquet of People” by Claire Feingold Thoryn and a poem “Now I Love You, Now I Witness” by Rev. Theresa I. Soto. May their words inspire you.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
― Fred Rogers
In her reflection, “Go Play“, Rev. Marisol Caballero discusses why we should play and how it can break down stereotypes.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
— Hebrews 13:2
“Jewish Hospitality: Traditional teachings on being a good host (and guest).” From My Jewish Learning
P.S. the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality.
Merriam Webster defines focus as
a point of concentration, directed attention, or a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding.
Focus by Erin Elizabeth Casey
West Fork Unitarian Universalists 