Message by Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman

Moment of Perspective – A Story About Welcome – AJ Fox

This morning’s opening words were written by Monica Jacobson-Tennessen.

Welcome! What you bring—who you are—enriches us all.
We say “Welcome” to your joy, your hope, your pride.
We say “Welcome” to your grief, your fear, your anger.
And the parts of you that are not yet ready to be seen and heard—
Welcome to them as well.
For we are people of faith:
Faith in our expansive welcome
Faith in our ability to grow
Faith in the precious gift of our truths
Faith in the promise of trying, learning, changing
Faith in our capacity to know ourselves and each other ever deeply.
Welcome to you who are gay, straight, bi, pan, lesbian, queer, questioning, unable to be contained in any word.
Welcome to you who are trans, cis, genderqueer, nonbinary, intersex, agender, beyond words.
Welcome to you who are human.
Welcome to you who love and are loved.
Welcome to you who are blessed (which is all of you).
May this time together be a blessing.

Grieve Not Your Heart
Congregational Hymn
Words: Confucius, recast by John Andrew Storey
Music: From Kentucky Harmony
Permission Granted to any UU

Comfort Me
Words and Music: Mimi Bornstein-Doble
Performed by the First UU Choir
Permission Granted

The final reading is Cheered by our Community by Burton D. Carley

Cheered by our community,
blessed by our covenant,
uplifted in mind, and renewed in spirit,
go forth with courage and in peace to meet the days to come. Amen.