Order of Service
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Order of Service May 5, 2024
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton
Welcome and Announcements
Passing the Peace
Prelude Building Bridges English Quaker Round
Adult Choir
Opening Words by Ian W. Riddell
*Doxology
From all that dwell below the skies
Let songs of hope and faith arise;
Let peace, good will on earth be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.
*Covenant Love is the spirit of this congregation and service is its life. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, To seek the truth in love, and to help one another. James Vila Blake (adapted)
*Chalice Lighting by Beatrice Hitchcock
*Hymn #347 Gather the Spirit
Story Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Offertory Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown Traditional Scottish Melody (arr. Larry Shackley)
Spoken Meditation “That Which Holds All” by Nancy Shaffer
Silent Meditation
Hymn #123 (please remain seated) Spirit of Life
Activity Ripples of Kindness
Reflection Be Kind to All Kinds Douglas Taylor
*Hymn #323 Break Not the Circle
*Chalice Extinguishing (unison) by Elizabeth S. Jones We extinguish this flame, but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment, These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.
Benediction Teresa Youngblood
Postlude How Sweet the Singing Joyce Poley Adult Choir
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Tech Support: The UUCB Stream Team Focal Point: The Pagans
*please stand in body or spirit Listening devices are available from the ushers.
Join us today for workshops for all ages after the service.
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Tech Support: The UUCB Stream Team Focal Point: The Pagans
*please stand in body or spirit Listening devices are available from the ushers.
Today’s 1st Sunday Workshops for May 5th
“Co-creating a Chalice Banner” with Pat Chirumbolo in the Social Hall. Join in making a banner for our sanctuary using handprints cut from colored felt. Trace and cut your handprints during the workshop, and Pat will take them home and shape the prints into a chalice design mounted on a fabric background. Fun for all ages!
“Faith in Action: Blessing Bags” with Karen Manzer in the Social Hall. We will assemble bags of helpful items to keep in our cars and hand out to people we see in the community that could use them. We are kicking this off today and it will be an ongoing faith in action service project.
“The Big Annual UU Conference” with Douglas Taylor in the Chapel and on Zoom. This year at the UUA General Assembly 2024, we are having the second vote on the Article 2 changes from the Seven Principles to the new Circle of Values. Also, it is fully online, which makes it easier and more affordable to attend. Come learn more about what is going on and how you can be involved.
CHILD DEDICATION CEREMONY Sunday, May 26th On the last Sunday in May we will have Child Dedications in the service. (That is the date of our Flower Ceremony as well, but that is another conversation.) Speak with Rev. Taylor or Dylan Cooke if your family would like to participate, or if you have questions.
Special Collection on Sunday, May 19 is for “WeOutside607” Weoutside607 is a volunteer run youth initiative aimed at creating fun outdoor activities for youth and families in areas where there isn’t much in the way of recreational resources, such as playgrounds. Their goal is to give a leg up to the future generations by providing them with opportunities of art, music, play, creativity and fun!
“Cakes for the Queen of Heaven- On the Threshold”
Fridays, May 10, 17 June 7, 14
6-8pm in the chapel at UUCB
A six-session religious education curriculum in feminist theology for adults and older youth. When women came together to study our own herstory and to share our personal experiences with each other, we were not just studying the past. We were evolving a whole new world-view and theology for the future. Come join us as we reconnect with each other and the Mother Goddess in her many forms. Childcare is available for this class. For more information and to register, contact Tiffany Hagberg
The Giving Box “May”
The Broome County Humane Society
The Humane Society is an independent, non-profit animal welfare organization. They receive no government funding, but rely on the generosity and kindness of the people in our community to continue to care for the 150+ animals in our care at any given time.
Some of the items that you can donate to the humane society are: Pedigree puppy food, medium sized dog biscuits, nylabones, leashes, collars, metal dog bowls, canned pumpkin, Cat collars, fleece blankets, cat toys, Purina Cat Chow and Kitten Chow, brooms and dust pans, hand soap, latex gloves, hose spray nozzles, carabiners, spray bottles, trash bags 13 gal and 45+gallon.
For a complete list of items, pick up a copy of the Humane Society’s Wish List next to “The Giving Box” in the coatroom at UUCB.
Red Cross Blood Drive at UUCB on Friday, May 17 from 1-6pm. Sign up in the Fireside lobby today or come as a walk-in that day. The important thing is that you take an hour out of your life to make a difference to someone who has been in an accident, has a blood disorder, cancer or another one of many situations which makes them need your blood. Plus, you will get free homemade cookies and burn off the calories donating blood!
Volunteers needed for Sacred Sites tours and refreshments
This year’s theme is “Welcoming Our Neighbors” and we hope you will join us in welcoming folks to UUCB on that day!
UUCB will once again be a stop on the annual PAST Sacred Sites Open House Day – May 19th. We will be open to the public from 1:00-3:00 for tours and light refreshments. A video will also be running during that time. Volunteers are needed to serve as tour guides from 1:00 – 2:00, 2:00 – 3:00, or 1:00 – 3:00 and to make some baked goods that we can have available to our guests.
If you are interested in either serving as a tour guide, provide refreshments, or both, please contact Andrea Palmeri at apalmeri@stny.rr.com. Let her know how you would like to help out.
Leadership Positions Still Open for Next Year:
The following positions are needing to be filled for the 202402025 UUCB Church year which begins July 1, 2024:
Trustee—a member of the guiding Board of UUCB and serves a 3 year term.
Clerk –responsibilities are to attend and take minutes of Board of Trustees and Congregational Meetings, and be the second signature on some checks .
If you are interested in a position or would like to nominate someone, please contact a member of the Leadership Development and Resources Committee (LDR). Sondra Pruden, Linda Malone, Madeleine Cotts, Janice Fiore
Can and Bottle drive: We are collecting cans and bottles in the back parking lot to donate to Church in the Wild’s “Laundry Love Fund” which provides a free laundry night once a month at Leroy Laundry in our neighborhood. You can also donate directly to the cause by visiting tinyurl.com/freelaundrynight
Cranberry Coffeehouse “Spook Handy” Saturday May 18
Spook Handy performed alongside Pete Seeger at festivals and concerts more than 50 times between 2003 and 2013, learning firsthand many of Pete’s songs and the stories behind them. Even more, he learned who Pete Seeger was and what he stood for. Spook is now traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada with his “Remembering Pete Seeger” World Tour, keeping alive Pete’s tradition by sharing songs by Woody Guthrie (Pete’s most notable mentor), Pete Seeger, and a healthy handful of new songs Spook wrote under Pete’s tutelage.
Find out about all that is happening at UUCB! Watch for twice a week emails, check out our Facebook group (UUCB Members and Friends) and our Facebook page for your current monthly Beacon Newsletter. There are printed copies of the newsletter in the wall file outside the office and at the info desk, or you can request that a copy be mailed to you at home by asking Karen in the office. Also, check out our new calendar of events by clicking the “News and Events” button on our website.
Social Hour : If you would like to help out with social hour, contact Ron Clupper or Carl Cohen for more information. Also, All of the treats we have during social hour are donated, so feel free to bring something to share on a Sunday.
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Dressing the Chancel Table
Each week, the Chancel Table displays the beautiful Chalice that symbolizes our faith. The chalice is the focal point. Over the years, it has become a tradition to enhance the chalice with a table cover, candles, and other items that may speak to the theme of the day.
If you would like to volunteer to continue this focal point tradition, please put your name on the sign up sheet for the Sunday of your choice. You may use items and table covers found in the focal point closet and/or bring items from your home. Your arrangement is your expression and can be simple or elaborate. If you have questions, text Hope Post (607 727-1956) or contact members of the Worship Committee.
Camera Free Zone: Just so you know, the last 3 rows of the sanctuary are never in range of our online cameras.
Camera Free Zone: Just so you know, the last 3 rows of the sanctuary are never in range of our online cameras.
Find out about all that is happening at UUCB! Look in your email or on our Facebook page for your current monthly Beacon Newsletter. There are printed copies in the wall file outside the office or you can request that a copy be mailed to you at home by asking Karen in the office. Also, check out our new calendar of events by clicking the “News and Events” button on our website.
Community Drum Circle: Join us on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 in the chapel for a community drum circle for all ages. See you on April 10.
Choir Rehearsal: Meets Thursdays at 6:30pm. Contact Vicky Gordon at vgordon2763@gmail.com for more info about joining the choir.