Opening Up and Letting Go
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
April 11, 2021, 10:20 am
Online on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/738363620
Passcode: BUF
By phone, for audio only: (346) 248-7799
Meeting ID: 738 363 620
Passcode: 306220
Giving Options:
Please mail donations, payable to “BUF” to 1207 Ellsworth, Bellingham WA, 98225
Or from your phone, use “Give+” for iPhone / Android
Note: Live Transcript (captions)
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READINGS and SONG LYRICS below
Blue song titles contain a link to a commentary on that song
Announcements further below
Zoom Hosts: Jeff Copeland, Rory McLeod, Rod Haynes
AV Techs in the Sanctuary: Mark Allyn, Andrew Schoneberg
Here are some questions you may wish to consider ahead of time:
https://wp.buf.org/wp-content/
Gathering Music Improv – Andrea Rackl
Welcome Rev Paul Beckel
Chalice Lighting
Covenant
Singing Together #108 My Life Flows on in Endless – led by Lawrence Allen
Introduction
Anti-Racism Barbara Gilday
Intro to Song Allegra Ziffle
Interlude Now is the Time, the Time is Now
Reflections, Part 1
Musical Meditation Gymnopedies, by Eric Satie
Milestones
Singing Together #6 Just as Long as I Have Breath – led by Jane Ronca Washburn
Reflections, Part 2
Offertory Il Porco Rosso, by Joe Hisaishi
Singing Together #1021 Lean on Me – Lawrence, Jane, and Kevin Allen-Schmid
Benediction / Extinguishing the Chalice
Postlude Improv
Afterward: a series of 10-Minute Breakout Rooms
Stay with us. We’ll break into small randomized groups for about 10 minutes. Then the groups will be juggled for another 10 minute period. Stay as long as you like to meet newcomers, and people that you might not otherwise have met … check-in on one another’s well-being … and reflect on the theme of today’s service.
Our BUF Covenant
Love is the spirit of this fellowship, and service gives it life.
Celebrating our diversity, and joined by a quest for truth,
we work for peace, and honor all creation. This is our covenant.
My Life Flows on in Endless Song
My life flows on in endless song above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing!
What though the tempest ‘round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth.
What though the darkness ‘round me close, songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love prevails in heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing!
When tyrants tremble as they hear the bells of freedom ringing,
when friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing!
To prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging;
when friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing!
Just as Long as I have Breath
Just as long as I have breath, I must answer, “Yes,” to life;
though with pain I made my way, still with hope I meet each day.
If they ask what I did well, tell them I said, “Yes,” to life.
Just as long as vision lasts, I must answer, “Yes,” to truth;
in my dream and in my dark, always that elusive spark.
If they ask what I did well, tell them I said, “Yes,” to truth.
Just as long as my heart beats, I must answer, “Yes,” to love;
disappointment pierced me through, still I kept on loving you.
If they ask what I did best, tell them I said, “Yes,” to love.
Lean on Me
Sometimes in our lives
we all have pain,
we all have sorrow.
But if we are wise
we know that there’s
always tomorrow.
Chorus:
Lean on me when you’re not strong
and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on,
For it won’t be long ‘til I’m gonna need
somebody to lean on.
Please swallow your pride
if I have things
you need to borrow,
For no one can fill
those of your needs
that you won’t let show.
Bridge:
Just call on me brother when you need a hand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’d understand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
Chorus
If there is a load
you have to bear
that you can’t carry,
I’m right up the road,
I’ll share your load
if you just call me.
Call me… call me…
Circle Round
Circle ‘round for freedom, circle ‘round for peace,
for all of us imprisoned, circle for release,
circle for the planet, circle for each soul,
for the children of our children, keep the circle whole.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 18 Earth Day Service – Liberation for Tokitae
Lummi Nation has encouraged people everywhere to be a part of a collective ceremony to support their efforts to bring the Orca (Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut), home to the Salish Sea from her decades-long captivity in the Miami Seaquarium.
This is part of a larger vision of establishing a Salish Sea Bioregional Marine Sanctuary. More info here: http://www.salishsea.org/vision/
All are urged to invoke this intention in a personal way. So we are calling out to you, BUFsters, on this Sunday, to offer music, poetry … or perhaps a short ritual that you create and perform at home (live or on video).
Please email Paul@buf.org or Kevin@buf.org with your suggestions or offerings for the service.
Sunday Service Zoom Link: Meeting ID 738 363 620 Worship starts at 10:20am
https://zoom.us/j/738363620
Passcode is BUF
Phone: (669) 900-683
Miss the Easter Service or April Taize? Service videos and texts are posted in the BUF service archive.
BUF Program and Building Re-Opening Provisional Timeline To read full guidelines, click here.
“Spring” Approximately April/May. During this time period, preparations will be made and we will try out tentative physical arrangements.
“Summer” Approximately June through at least Labor Day, BUF activities will require safety precautions, and participation will be limited.
“Fall” When it is safe to do so, precautions will be relaxed and participation expanded. Full Reopening No restrictions.
A Welcoming Team will be established to facilitate safe practices.
These “seasons” are very rough, and will not precisely overlap State of Washington “Phases.” At all times our precautionary measures will be at least as strict as required by our local Phase designation. As much as possible, even after COVID, we will continue to make BUF programs accessible online. All of the following is subject to change based on advice and requirements from the CDC, State, County, UUA, and our insurance provider.
The COVID Task Force meets weekly to assess and respond to changing conditions. Team members are Murray Bennett, Bharti Kirchner, Dr. Ken Gass, Deb Cruz, Lisa Moss, Kathy Wahto, and Rev. Paul Beckel. Please contact us: covidtaskforce@buf.org if you have questions or concerns. To read the full guidelines, click here.
FUNraiser for BUF
Key Dates: NOW through May 2, get donations from your home and favorite merchants
- May 2-8, 4-6 pm: Deliver items to BUF
- May 9-23 Bidding on Items at togetherauction.com/buf
- May 24-26 Pick up tangible items at BUF
Suggested Donations:
Goods and Services from your favorite merchants, Homemade desserts, soups and meals, Handcrafted items. Works of art made by you or artists in our community, Lessons & classes, Small outdoor gatherings, Outdoor excursions, Virtual (online) social events – musical performances, games, share a topic of interest, book discussion, etc., Use of your vacation home, Gently used treasures
For more info, contact Debbie Boots or Lauralee Carbone
HR 40: African-American Reparation Commission at the BUF Black Lives Matter Program Meeting, 7pm on Monday, April 12 Join us for an evening of indoor activism where we write to our Congress people together. Very important legislation is in the offing, including HR 40, creating a commission on reparations—our congressional representatives needs to be alerted to this one — and the bill that eliminates the filibuster. Or, if you want our help on another piece of legislation that is important to you, join us and give us your pitch!
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96917727292?pwd=TWViVldQNDBnLzVwL1dNWUZDckFHZz09
Meeting ID: 969 1772 7292
Passcode: BUF
BUF-SEJC Collection Recipient, Northwest Youth Services The pandemic response has thrown into perspective how lack of housing always impacts the safety of unhoused youth. Many don’t have a safe place to isolate or quarantine, open access to a sink to wash their hands, or a phone to keep in touch with their support network. NW Youth provides services to youth from ages 13-24 who are experiencing homelessness in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. It engages in both crisis intervention and crisis prevention. They meet homeless where they are in providing basic needs like housing and access to services like mental health, substance abuse, vocational/employment and educational opportunities. They also have a restorative justice and diversion program for juvenile offenders and a Queer Youth Project.For more information, check out their website: https://www.nwys.org. Contribution can be made throughout April
~ In Peace, Sita Amba-Rao, BUF-SEJC.
Another Porch Day Planned for May 8th It was a wonderful time at the Love & Light Fest on March 21st.
The music was great & we sold $207 worth of Fair Trade items. It was fun to see so many BUFsters enjoying each other outside. So we are hoping to do it again. Our next outside sale will be May 8-the day before Mother’s Day. Plenty of coffee, tea and chocolate and even more Fair Trade from Ten Thousand Village, music and more spring fun planned.