Homily by Rev Michelle Scott-Huffman
The opening words are My High Resolve, by Howard Thurman.
Keep fresh before me the moments of my high resolve. Despite the dullness and barrenness of the days that pass, if I search with due diligence, I can always find a deposit left by some former radiance. But I had forgotten.
At the time it was full-orbed, glorious, and resplendent. I was sure that I would never forget. I had forgotten how easy it is to forget. There was no intent to betray what seemed so sure at the time. My response was whole, clean, authentic.
But little by little, there crept into my life the dust and grit of the journey. Details, lower-level demands, all kinds of cross currents — nothing momentous, nothing overwhelming, nothing flagrant — just wear and tear. If there had been some direct challenge –a clear-cut issue — I would have fought it to the end, and beyond.
In the quietness of this place, surrounded by the all-pervading Presence of God, my heart whispers: Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve, that in fair weather or in foul, in good times or in tempests, in the days when the darkness and the foe are nameless or familiar, I may not forget that to which my life is committed.
With Joy We Claim the Growing Light
Music from Musicalisches Handbuch, Hamburg, 1690
Public Domain
Performed by Eva Riebold
Breaths
Music by Ysaye M. Barnwell
Words by Birago Diop
Permission Granted
Performed by the 1st UU Choir
Filled with Loving Kindness
Music by Ian W. Ridell
Words: traditional Buddhist meditation
Performed by Eva Riebold
The closing words are Be About the Work, by Andrea Hawkins-Kamper.
May we see all as it is, and may it all be as we see it.
May we be the ones to make it as it should be,
For if not us, who? If not now, when?
This is answering the cry of justice with the work of peace,
This is redeeming the pain of history with the grace of wisdom,
This is the work we are called to do, and this is the call we answer now:
To be the barrier and the bridge,
To be the living embodiment of our Principles,
To be about the work of building the Beloved Community,
To be a people of intention and a people of conscience.