The Good News Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley March 1, 2026

and we will read it aloud during the

prayer. You are also, of course, welcome

to just light a candle and hold that in

the silent sanctuary of your heart.

There is a a superc card out in the

atrium. We do these every week. Thank

you, Lynn Cahoun. Can you wave, Lincoln?

Who prepares these every week um to

celebrate birthdays and to acknowledge

challenges in people's lives. People

love it when you sign them. So, if you

could just take a moment and do that,

that would be fantastic.

We want to acknowledge that we gather

each week on the unseated territory of

the Chichenu speaking Aloney people.

We know that we have inherited a

Jesus

Christ.

Glor.

Not

much.

know this

no is much

dam.

Don't

watch him.

Susan, you're not

you're not next.

Good morning. We light this chalice with

a poem by Patricia Monahan.

Paper burns easily.

It does not take a bomb to destroy these

words, nor an explosion to drown a voice

in a silent room.

It does not take the world's end for

prayers to be unheard. Smaller violence

suffices. But as you read this, 10,000

poets are raising their pens. A million

songs are being chanted into the

precious air.

When all we have is so temporal, so

fragile, small prayers must suffice. We

pray on paper that the world does not

yet end. We act in concert to sustain

it.

With this next song, Can't Help Falling

in Love with You, made famous by Elvis

Presley. Katie and I are singing it to

each other to express friendship. And

we're also singing it to the ukulele or

ukulele, an instrument that people in

Hawaii fell in love with. It lit a spark

there. and also around the world because

of its versatility and ability to create

spontaneous joy and hope through sharing

music. And at 100 p.m. you can hear more

love songs and try some chocolate

delights in the social hall.

Wise

men

say

only fools

rush in.

But I

can't help

falling in love

with you.

Shall I stay?

Would it be

a sin

if I can't help?

Falling in love

with

you.

>> Like a river flows

to the sea,

darling. It goes

meant to be.

>> Take

my

hand.

Take my whole

life

too.

For I

can

help

falling in love

with

you.

Wise men

say

only fools

rushing

for I

can't

help

falling in love

with

you

like a river flows. Surely

the seaar

are meant to be.

>> Take

my hand.

Take my

life

too.

For I

can't

help

falling in love

with

you.

For I

can't help

falling in love

with you.

And now for the time for all ages, we're

going to talk a little bit about the

ukulele or ukulele as it's pronounced in

Hawaiian. Um, so who can tell me where

the ukulele came from?

Any guesses?

Where did it come from?

Peru.

That's a good guesser. Most people think

Hawaii, but actually it came from

immigrants who came to Hawaii from

Portugal in the late 1800s.

And uh people there just loved it and

they adopted it as their own. And King

Kalakawa was who was a big patron of the

arts. um he was very fond of the ukulele

and incorporated that music and also

hoola in royal gatherings which helped

to revitalize the Hawaiian culture.

Um, a rough translation of ukulele is

jumping flea. And that might might uh

refer to the quick movements of the

fingers of ukulele players. And some

people also think it referred to an

Englishman who was one of King

Kalakawa's officers because he had a

really fidgety manner and he was very uh

very proficient at the ukulele. So I

guess he reminded people of a jumping

flea and they used to call him ukulele.

So now who can tell me what the word

aloha means? Oh thea. Okay, go ahead.

What does it mean?

>> Aloha means breath of light, hello,

goodbye, love, affection, compassion,

mercy,

sympathy,

pity,

kindness,

grace, charity.

>> Wow, all those words. Next slide. So

you'll see all those words on the slide.

So we've done this before. Let's do it

again. So on three, turn to your

neighbor, think of one of those

meanings, and say aloha to each other.

You ready? One, two, three. Aloha.

>> Isn't that beautiful? It means all those

things. So now we'll sing aloha oi. This

is a song written by Queen Lily Kani,

who was the last monarch of Hawaii. and

it expresses um a hope that you'll see

someone again who you're taking leave of

a loved one. And the the lyrics are

filled with imagery of beautiful nature

in Hawaii. And um we'll be joined by

singers from last summer's ukulele

summer camp as well as the YCC. And

Stella will be singing verse one. And

you you're invited to join on the in on

the repeat of the final chorus. and I'll

gesture when that's time for you to come

in as you're able.

Can he

on a party

ala?

A fond embrace

a

until

we meet

again.

Foreign

a fun embrace

until

we meet

again.

Oh

no.

A fond embrace.

Ao

until we meet

again.

until

we meet

again.

>> Aloha.

And

and now you're invited to stand and sing

out the children with It's a blessing

you were born.

It's a blessing we were born and it

matters what we do. It's a blessing we

were born and it matters what we do.

What we know about God is a piece of the

truth. What we know about God is a piece

of the truth. Let the beauty we love

be what we do.

Let the beauty

be what we do. And we don't have to do

it alone.

And we don't have to do it alone.

Good morning.

Always a decent, fun-loving man, my

father lived his life with love and

service for his family, friends,

community, and his church. In addition,

he served his country in World War II

and thankfully came home alive to

continue his service. as we do at UUB,

he chose to try and let love guide his

life. He would have smiled and been

comforted entering our sanctuary upon

reading the now missing words over our

sanctuary portal. Come, come, whoever

you are.

When our historical Catholic church was

totally lost in a terrible fire, dad was

president of the Holy Name Society.

He organized Saturday work parties that

toiled for over a year to help build the

new church.

When we became members over 35 years

ago,

I slowly began accepting opportunities

to serve and lead and to fire my

commitment for UUCB

on the board of trustees, two years as

president, stewardship campaigns,

capital campaigns to 11 triple

anniversary celebrations, three years as

chairs of the co opening task force and

so forth.

I continue to volunteer as an RE teacher

for our K2 children and recently joined

the buildings and grounds committee

with the years in Sunday mornings of

renewal and inspiration, especially in

these challenging times

and awareness of the financial needs of

UUCB. Barbara and I have chosen to

pledge generously to support the

manifestation in our lives of the values

and our mission.

In the Catholic Church, there is a

sanctuary light similar to the one that

hangs above our chancel.

That light signals a consecrated human

host, communion host representing God's

presence. Here I think our light

represents the love that is always

present, always enduring, never letting

go.

I wrote the following poem for the last

capital campaign to give voice to why I

choose to serve and generously finance

UUCB.

If it also speaks to you, I hope you

will also give generously.

In the midst of turmoil, peace.

In the rush of the day, pause.

In the press of time, hours

in the maze of life, a path in the

darkness, light in brokenness, love. In

anguish, presence in choices, purpose,

the well. UU CB.

One of my prized possessions is the

mahogany desk my mother used. She spent

hours there, pen in hand, sending notes

not only to family and friends, but also

to total strangers whose losses,

celebrations, or triumphs she had read

about in the local paper. I often think

of her when I'm sitting there writing

notes to you about your joys and

concerns.

Mom was teaching my sister and me that

we were part of a community, that people

needed us and we needed other people.

One of the many things I love about UCB

is our inspiring mission to create

loving community, inspire spiritual

growth, and encourage lives of

integrity, joy, and service. These are

worthy aspirations that have helped

guide my 35 plus years and activities

here. My own spiritual growth was

inspired as a worship associate and

later as a member of the committee on

ministry when we were deeply involved in

helping create Sunday services and

Thursday vespers when our co-ministers

Barbara and Bill Hamilton Hallway were

on sabbatical for some years now. I've

been immersed in in pastoral care and

helping create loving community with

fellow pastoral associates. I've

especially enjoyed celebrating our

members 80 and better who have given so

much of themselves to our church and

communities for so many years.

During my solo morning walk, I mentally

list the things for which I am grateful.

They include that Reverend Marcus is a

true godsend for me in these times and a

wonderful mentor in pastoral care. That

I'm so renewed and nurtured on Sunday

mornings that I'm able to develop and

rel and deepen relationships here with

quality people. that I've had so many

opportunities to learn, lead, grow, and

serve,

especially with especially with our

families miles away.

I didn't cry when I practiced.

Those of you who know me are not

surprised,

especially with our families miles away.

You see me as my immediate community.

Here is the place and you are people I

turn to for so many reasons.

You were with us 29 years ago when

Patrick battled cancer. And I know

you'll be with us in the years to come.

So of course we prioritize and pledge as

generously as we can to support this

place and people who most affect and

nourish our lives.

If you also share these thoughts, we

also hope that you will fire your

commitment and pledge as generously as

you can.

I invite you to take a moment

and settle more deeply in your seats.

into this moment, into this place. Feel

your connection to the earth beneath

you,

to this good, this holy place.

Take a deeper breath.

Feel it go all the way down.

Let the spirit breathe with and through

us.

Spirit of life and love, source of

radiance and reason, force of

compassion,

God of many names and yet beyond all

naming.

We are angry.

We are scared. We are uncertain.

Help us remember that we move through

our days held up by the many who put

love at the center.

Poets who lift their pens against

injustice.

Marchers who carry signs for peace amid

wararmongering.

Singers who harmonize resistance.

Neighbors who bring food to those afraid

or unable to leave their homes.

as we sit and breathe together remind us

to meet the news not as passively

pessimistic observers

but as energized witnesses.

We know that every life is sacred

and that empire adult attacks will never

be a pathway to peace but always a

failure of imagination.

Help us to be part of the work to build

new futures.

Give us the strength to join in

re-imagining

and remaking the world.

We also come together in gratitude.

We give thanks for the lengthening light

more expansive afternoons.

We continue to give thanks for magnolia

and plums

and cherries.

Even as some grow blousy and worn down

by rain, their radiant beauty remains.

Those trees make us grateful for

neighbors who offer the grace of

beautiful gardens.

In this way and in so many others, our

lives can be made beautiful by the

kindness of strangers.

Spirit of life and love, embolden us, we

pray, on the path toward justice. Help

us to find local ways to embody fierce

love.

Help every small move we make towards

collaboration

tendril out to become global liberation.

Give us strong voices to affirm that

human lives are not disposable.

That this world deserves protection that

all people have dignity and worth.

Spirit of life, we pray for those caring

for family members in ill health.

For those struggling with their own

health, and for all who feel they have

lost their way.

we hold those who have lost someone

dear.

Give us the grace to sit with friends

who are anxious or grieving.

Remind us to be kind to ourselves.

And help us as together we live into our

longing to embody and help to build the

beloved community.

Join me now in a time of silence and

quiet.

of care and witness. We hold one another

through the seasons of our lives and

lift up the joys and sorrows among us

each week.

Someone writes, "My niece Zoe would be

27 this week. She died in a car accident

at six years old."

Kay Farewell is remembering her dear

friend Cassie Dur who passed away on

Monday.

Kathy was a beautiful singer, a caner

and a lover of our annual Messiah Sing.

May all those whose sorrows and concerns

have been shared feel comfort,

support, reassurance that they are

loved.

We also hold those whose concerns are

still too delicate to leave the silent

sanctuaries of their hearts.

No one should feel forgotten.

Spirit of love, hear our joys that they

be multiplied by every heart that

receives them. And bear our sorrows with

the reminder we are not alone.

There is love holding us as we hold each

other.

May it be so. Amen.

Please remain seated and join in singing

hymn number 37.

Though I may speak with bravest fire,

though I may speak

with bra

and have the gift

to all in

At love,

my words are me.

Astounding grass

and hopeless king,

though I be

all

as

my heart,

but not

I

for

turn strangely.

Come spirit guide

our hearts control

our spirit

to be

let

I redeemed

by this we worship

and are

I was up late Friday night and I saw the

news.

American and Israeli bombs falling on

Iran.

All day on Saturday this morning, the

details intensify.

Despite no immediate threat from Iran,

our government has decided

that might makes right.

At the cost of who knows how many lives

and how far the war will spread,

our government's actions are reckless

and destructive.

And my sermon is called the good news.

It can be so hard to proclaim good news

when the world's news is so bad.

Poet Frederick Joseph writes that most

days hope feels like a match trying to

teach the rain about fire.

But I believe that love remains the only

force sturdy enough to last,

the only way forward through our fears.

So let's talk about that good news.

Now last Sunday, Reverend Marcus stood

in the middle of the chancel and made an

investment pitch.

Give to this church and receive the

friction you need to be transformed.

You won't get financial returns, no

monetary dividends,

but you will be giving to an institution

that will help your spirit grow.

Make a commitment to this place, this

face, these people, and find yourself

transformed in love.

Reverend Marcus made an investment

pitch.

Today, I want to encourage you to figure

out your elevator pitch.

To be able to say succinctly and with

gusto what it is you believe, what you

hold most dear, why unitarian

universalism and this church matter.

Reverend Marcus asked you to give to the

power of church, however irrational that

might seem. Let your money light up your

values.

I urge you to testify

to the power of this church, however

irrational that might seem.

Figuring out how to describe the beauty

and the power of Unitarian Universalism

is stewardship, too.

Now, we rarely testify about how our

church can transform lives.

We don't tell people about the salvation

our faith can offer.

Maybe it's because we fumble with what

to say.

There's a somewhat pointed yuyu joke

that our bumper sticker should say,

"Honk" if you're not sure.

Right.

We aren't sure. There's so many stories

amid the diversity of our beliefs.

We celebrate the lack of a creed. We

draw on many sources and on any given

Sunday practicing Buddhists, junarians,

spiritual seekers, recovering Catholics,

eco- feminists, humanists, and so many

others sit in our pews.

Everyone has their own story, their own

spiritual practices. We're a gloriously

messy group.

Just consider all the diversity we've

heard this morning already in a single

service. We, you are hard to pin down.

Though we may call the sacred many names

or refuse to acknowledge the divine at

all, we make space for all those

interpretations.

Being theologically uncertain means

there's room to discuss, to learn from

each other, to create shared meaning.

In our pluralism, we covenant together.

We create community.

We practice radical welcome.

Not always easily. Sometimes it's a

struggle and we get a little bit of that

transformative f friction that Reverend

Marcus talked about. We fail

and then we try again.

Can you see the beauty in that? Our

openness, our pluralism, our

uncertainty,

our willingness to keep trying is a

strength, not a flaw.

We don't all need the same elevator

pitch, but committing to creating your

own will make us a more robust

community.

A story.

When I was a sophomore in high school, I

spent a semester in an exchange program.

Instead of London or Paris, I spent six

months on Cape Cod, which felt plenty

foreign to me. and it was much more

affordable.

I lived with a Catholic family on the

Cape, but somehow ended up at Easter

services at the Unitarian Church of

Barnstable.

People were dressed in their Sunday

best, pink bow ties, plaid blazers,

chinos with ducks or whales printed on

them, fancy Easter hats and frills for

the women. The church was packed.

Everything Everything about the service

signaled that the day mattered.

The minister talked about tender buds

emerging on the trees, the rich promise

of spring, the endless renewal of life.

He never mentioned anything about

resurrection.

I don't think he ever said Jesus.

I had grown up in an evangelical home

and I kept looking around the pews. Who

were these people?

Was this a Christian church?

It looked like one,

but how could it be Easter without

Jesus?

I was very shy, but I was also really

curious. So, I went up to someone in a

plaid blazer and a bow tie and I asked

as politely as possible, "What about

Jesus?"

The man told me that Unitarians didn't

believe in that myth.

He might have used the phrase mumbo

jumbo.

And that was all he said.

friends. I walked away thinking I had

worn a dress and panty hoes for no

reason.

This was not real church.

If you want a textbook example of how

not to share our good news, there it is.

When people ask about our religion, use

a mocking tone and tell them what we

don't believe.

You won't need to worry about seeing

them again.

They won't come back on another Sunday.

I didn't give Unarians another thought

for 25 years.

But we have good news to share.

Testimonies that deserve to be heard.

The kind of faith that can light up a

soul. So what could that Cape Cod

Unitarian have said? First, he could

have acknowledged that many people do

believe in Jesus. the promise of

salvation through the resurrection of

Christ. There's really never any reason

to be rude.

Then the man in the plaid blazer could

have explained that Unitarians believe

that salvation rest in our own hands,

in the people who surround us. Salvation

does not happen in some uncertain way

after we die. Salvation is aspirational

and right now something that we reach

for in our words and our actions.

We believe love is salvation.

Working for salv for social justice is

our salvation. Struggling for peace,

yes, even in the midst of old wars and

new wars, is our salvation.

Salvation happens every day.

The preppy guy on the cape could have

given me a quick history lesson. Told me

about the cloud of witnesses, mighty

ancestors who've worshiped at UYU

churches.

like Massachusetts Unitarian Theodore

Parker, who found himself called by a

loving God to oppose slavery when few

people did.

Or universalist Olympia Brown, the first

woman ordained by a major denomination.

Brown believed her faith has comforted

us in sorrow,

strengthened us for noble duty,

and made the world beautiful.

That would have been an appealing

message to hear.

Maybe the man in the whale pants could

have shared a moment of his own story.

What brought him to the Barnstable

Unitarian Church? How the church

sustained and nourished his soul.

Maybe the promise of spring after a long

winter renewed his spirit.

Personal stories are revelation for

Unitarian Universalists.

I'm making fun of Mr. Pink and Green.

But I've been that guy.

All of us have been that guy. We aren't

used to explaining what we believe. We

get tongue-tied. We shy away from

declarations of faith. From explaining

why our church keeps us coming back.

So many of us are tempted to describe

our religion by what we aren't.

We aren't dogmatic. We don't depend on a

single book. We don't believe in eternal

damnation.

A litany of we don't we don't we don't

leaves people empty.

And that litany needs to end because we

you use have enough good news to fill

people up.

Maybe the idea of sharing the good news

seems possible to me because I grew up

steeped in evangelical culture.

Where I'm from, can I give you my

testimony

was something people said

a lot.

People shared their personal conversion

stories and testified to the power of

Jesus.

I chafed against those stories when I

got older. when my experience no longer

fit that standard narrative and

eventually I rejected them all together.

But as a kid, I moved in a world of

testimony, a world of invitation.

For example, when I was about 11, I was

spending the night with my friend Tracy.

We played on the same softball team. We

laughed at the same jokes.

But because I was a lukewarm Methodist

who only went to church on Sundays,

Tracy was worried about my soul.

Tracy asked me, "Can I give you my

testimony?"

And then Tracy told me how Jesus had

saved her and offered to take me to her

church.

I said I would ask my mom. And when I

got home the next day, my mom said being

a Methodist was just fine. I didn't need

any more saving. So, I never got to go

to Tracy's church. But I liked that she

invited me. It felt friendly, like she

cared.

Now, the Bay Area is not smalltown

Texas, and thank goodness for that.

But we owe our friends and our neighbors

a similar opportunity.

Could we offer our Yuyu testimony?

give people our elevator pitch,

invite people into our community,

maybe even

prolatize a little bit.

I can see people wiggling in discomfort

already,

but can't you think of a neighbor who

might like to be asked?

In the 19th century, a few rogue uni

universalists used to kidnap

unsuspecting Protestants, tie them up,

and then argue with them until they

converted.

I am not saying we need to go that far,

but we can do more to spread our faith.

We need to figure out what we believe

and state it plainly.

We need to offer our testimony because

our faith has the power to change

people's lives and help repair the

world. And why wouldn't we want to share

that

especially now?

So what would happen if you wrote a line

that starts with we believe

maybe when you get home after love songs

and chocolate. Another line that starts

our faith.

Maybe a final line that starts Unitarian

Universalism changed me because

words from the Chalice Camp song could

be a great place to start if you're not

sure. We believe it's a blessing we were

born and it matters what we do.

Our faith accepts that what we know

about God is a piece of the truth.

Unitarian universalism changed me

because it showed me I don't have to do

it alone.

How's that feel?

That last hymn we sang, especially the

ending that works, too. A musical

elevator pitch as it were. So test this

one out. We believe inward love guides

every deed. By this we worship and are

freed.

Could you share that good news with

someone?

Or imagine an elevator pitch that said

you use believe all people have inherent

worth and dignity and deserve respect.

My face condemns wants acts of violence.

Whether on the streets of the Twin

Cities or against the people of Iran,

we believe acting for peace is part of

our spiritual responsibility.

Even if that peace does not come in our

lifetimes,

if the thought of an elevator pitch

leaves you cold,

maybe you could tell people a story

instead.

Tell them about a time when your faith

reawakened your spirit or pulled you

into action. Tell them about how being

you youu reminded you of the divine

spark in all creation. How it called you

toward connection even on your worst

days.

Reminded you to pay attention to beauty

amidst the despair.

We all have different stories about the

power of being yuyu, of belonging to

this congregation.

Our diversity means we have so many ways

to share our faith, so many ways to

access the sacred,

so many ways for our love to radiate

outward.

I know you all have your own story to

tell.

I urge you to tell your story. Tell your

story with conviction.

Give people your elevator pitch about

the power of Unitarian Universalism.

People will listen.

Offer your testimony.

People will hear you.

Because when we testify about our faith,

we help to create beloved community.

When we testify about our faith, we

bring people into love. When we testify

about our faith, we help people tell

their own stories.

The world needs all our stories. Now

more than ever, the world needs our good

news. May it be so. Blessed be and amen.

on the chorus if you should so choose.

Going to play it and then we'll sing it.

The first and anytime you hear it

afterward, you're welcome to sing along.

So the chorus goes come away, come away

in,

come away, come away in the storm. It is

rising, but we'll hold back the wind.

Come,

come in.

>> Pretty easy. Should

we do it one more time?

>> Sure. We'll we'll start out with it.

Here we go.

>> Come away. Come away in. Come away. Come

away in the storm. It is rising, but

we'll hold back the wind.

Come away. Come away.

Where we have bread to eat and room at

the table

where we sit down to meet with stranger

and neighbor.

house.

>> Come away. Come away in. Come away. Come

away.

The storm is rising, but we'll hold back

the wind.

Come away. Come in.

>> Welcome to the house

where there's an open door.

And the fire is burning. Welcome into

the house

where we can rest a while from the world

and it's turning. Welcome into the

house.

Come away. Come away.

The storm is rising, but we'll hold back

the wind. Come away. Come away.

All you sisters and mothers come away.

All you fathers and brothers, come away.

And all the widows lamenting,

come away. And all the exiles desenting,

come away. All the lost and forgotten

come away. All the battered and broken

come away. All the motherless children

come away.

We welcome you all

into the house.

>> Come away. Come away.

Come away. Come away in the storm. It is

rising but will hold back the wind. Come

away. Come away in. Come away. Come way

in. Come away. Come the way in. The

storm is rising but will hold back the

wind.

Come away.

Come the way in.

>> I forgot.

>> So just

>> little shameless plug. We and lots of

others of us. Brian Baker organized it.

The choir is going to sing. It's all

going to be in there at one o'clock. So

please join us.

Buenas

may do. I am Charismador.

In our covenantal community, we share

the responsibility for pursuing our

mission by giving generously of our

time, talent, and treasure. I invite you

to support the work of our church by

giving electronically by scanning the QR

code on your badge or by putting a cash

or check donation into the donation

envelope in front of you and then put

that envelope into the donation box

beside the fountain in the atrium as you

leave the service. Each week half of our

offering is shared with a nonprofit good

neighbor organization. The good neighbor

for this month is project sec project

second chance and I'd like to invite

Elaine who is here to tell us more about

the organization.

>> Thank you Charice. I am so enjoying

being in community with this beautiful

and exceptionally musical congregation

this morning. My name is Elaine Kachoic

and I am the program manager for project

second chance. We are Contraosta

County's uh adult literacy program. We

run through Contraosta County Library

and since 1984

we have been providing free confidential

English reading, writing, spelling, and

conversation tutoring to adults

throughout Contraosta County. We serve

about 400 adults throughout the county

each year. All of our tutoring is

conducted one onone and personalized to

adult schools.

So adults like Maria, one of our current

learners down at the Elserto Library,

come to us for a variety of reasons.

Maria had children entering school and

wanted to be able to better communicate

with her children's school and help them

with homework. Over the last two years,

Maria has worked with her volunteer

tutor twice a week for 90 minutes each

session and her English has improved so

much that she was able to get a job at

her children's school office and is able

to help support her family. We are

honored to be the good neighbor

recipients this month. We have funding

through the state and county that

provides for our program's basic needs.

But there are many other needs. One need

we have right now is for our

transportation program. We know the cost

of gas is expensive right now and

transportation is an issue for many of

our learners. Thank you. Um, we also

have a program that supports Zoom

learning and Zoom licenses because we

know that unfortunately many of our

community members are not comfortable

leaving their homes right now and

accessing services in public places.

Final pitch, we are seeking volunteer

tutors who are willing to give their

time. We provide all the training. It is

a lot of fun and a really rewarding

opportunity. I will hang out after

today's service and I'm happy to answer

any questions you all have. Thank you

very much for your time and your

generosity.

Will you join me in rededicating

ourselves to our mission?

We dedicate our offering and ourselves

to the mission of this congregation to

create loving community, inspire

spiritual growth, and encourage the

lives of integrity, joy, and service.

>> Oh,

>> I don't know how to think it's okay.

>> I'll do that.

>> Okay.

Thank you, Brian.

If you are new to our church and you'd

like to learn

more about how to get connected, I

welcome you to find me or any of the

greeters at the welcome table in the

atrium after the service. To find out

what's happening in the life of our

community, you can always check the news

link on the homepage of our website

where you'll find our weekly email

newsletter the week ahead. This week, I

want to especially lift up once again,

we have

Thank you, Lisa.

Oh no.

Lisa Maynard to the rescue.

All right, after all that excitement,

you're welcome to stay for more for

love, songs, and chocolate at 1 pm. This

afternoon

on March 8th, our very own Michelle Vol

is offering a workshop called Raise Your

Voice in Love for Justice, where you

learn how to be loud without burning out

your voice.

On March 15th, uh I'm sorry. Oh, both

summer camps are now enrolling. The

ukulele summer camp is in July and

Chalice Camp is in August. All

information about these events and more

are found on our website. Now, let's

rise once more in body or spirit and

join in singing our closing song. Thank

you.

If you're getting tired,

if you're getting tired when you're

singing,

it might have to do with tension in your

upper body. We live here

a lot of the time.

the workshop I'm going to be teaching

next week. We're going to sing protest

songs and we're going to spend time

being aware of how we're using our body

so that you can be as loud as you need

to be because the world needs your

voice.

Now, we're going to practice flapping.

If you make maybe make a little bit of

space and see if you can raise your arms

without lifting your shoulders. You're

just gonna raise your arms. And we're

going to do this through each of the

phrases. If this feels really dumb,

wait a second. Feel your wings in your

back.

Feel how wide your back can be.

And if this is beyond your mobility, put

a hand on your chest and ask your heart

to meet it and sing this way instead

with your heart lifting the whole time.

So come spirit come.

Our hearts control. Our hearts control.

Our spirits long to be made whole. Our

spirit's long

to be made whole.

Let inward love guide every deed. Let

inward love

guide every deed.

By this we worship and are freed. By

this we worship

and are free.

>> Gorgeous.

I can like remain standing. If you're

able, I'd like to invite you to reach

out and take a hand. If there's no one

around you, you can put one hand up. For

the people who are on Zoom or the people

who are not yet know about us but need

to

wave to them.

We're going to leave this place letting

love guide every deed because that is

what the world needs right now.

A love that will hold you and will not

let you go.

Our service today has ended, but our

service to the world has just begun. Go

in peace.

Hello.

Here I am.

Maybe it is possible.

forest

to come.

Like sleep

or like waking,

an easing of the breath,

a lifting of the heart.

As sudden

and complete

as the J

that appears outside my window

of sky. Oh,

thank you so much.