A Welcoming Congregation

GIVE AT uuclb.org/give

May 28, 2023

Download: Order-of-Service May 21 2023 

Searching For Our Better Angels

with Rev. Rayna Hamre

PRELUDE “Whispers” by Melton Richardson, offered by Ronin del Castillo

GATHERING MUSIC #348 “Guide My Feet”

Guide my feet while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
Hold my hand while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain!
Stand by me while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain!

WELCOME Lynelle Wise, Worship Associate

CHALICE LIGHTING offered by Lynelle Wise

HYMN #1008 “When Our Heart is in a Holy Place”

READING from The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk, offered by Rev. Rayna Hamre

PRAYER/MEDITATION offered by Rev. Rayna Hamre

SHARING OF JOYS AND SORROWS Lynelle Wise

OFFERTORY ANTHEM “The Tide is Rising” by Rabbi Shoshana Friedman, offered by Wylder Spirits

The tide is rising and so are we (3x)
This is where we are called to be. (2x)
The task is mighty…
The land is holy…
The storm is raging…
The sun is shining…

OFFERING WORDS Lynelle Wise
We thank you for your generosity! Use your cell phone to text GIVE to 833-941-1845 or go online to Give at www.uuclb.org/give. Checks can be addressed to UUCLB.

SERMON “Searching For Our Better Angels” offered by Rev. Rayna Hamre

HYMN #1017 “We Are Building a New Way”

BENEDICTION from Thurgood Marshall, read by Rev. Rayna Hamre
“We cannot play ostrich. Democracy just cannot flourish amid fear. Liberty cannot bloom amid hate. Justice cannot take root amid rage. America must get to work. In the chill climate in which we live, we must go against the prevailing wind. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust. We must dissent from a nation that has buried its head in the sand, waiting in vain for the needs of its poor, its elderly, and its sick to disappear and just blow away. We must dissent from a government that has left its young without jobs, education or hope. We must dissent from the poverty of vision and the absence of moral leadership. We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.”
– Thurgood Marshall

POSTLUDE “What A Wonderful World” made famous by Louis Armstrong, offered by Ronin del Castillo

Rev. Rayna Hamre is a long-time Unitarian Universalist who grew up in Orange County. Rev. Rayna holds a Master of Divinity degree and a MA in History. She has also served as a UU lay leader and as a Director of Religious Education. Her social justice activities currently include: being a member of CLUE OC; acting as a volunteer to help create a basic English program for newly arrived Ukrainian immigrants, sponsored by Nova Ukraine and OCUUC; and participating with the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council. A UU mystic who teaches the Pagan and eclectic path, she leads the Heart’s Grove Pagan book group on fourth Thursdays on Zoom, co-sponsored with OCUUC and UUCF. All are welcome. She also teaches safe visualization and shamanic-style meditation classes, dream exploration, and provides ritual training as founder and lead teacher of Three Worlds One Heart Mystery School. Her goal is to make studying the mystical arts available to all who sincerely seek the mystical experience. Rev. Rayna’s website is: threeworldsoneheart.org

We offer gratitude to our Chalice Guild for the flower arrangements and chalice tables which have brought joy and beauty to our worship all year.

With Gratitude — Sound & Video: Don Kaufmann, Kevin Salger, Bob Moore, Elmer Taylor, Edie Mickey-Silveria | Zoom Master: Paul Goodwin; Chalice Guild, Phibun Ny, Jane Kaylor, Roxanne Korzeniowski, Lisa Jones, Norma Edwards

Social Justice Collection for May 2023

Heart of Ida

The mission of Heart of Ida is simple: To help older adults preserve independence as long as possible and provide cheer when assisted living is necessary.

Heart of Ida runs its programs out of the Long Beach Senior Center in Rose Park. It collaborates with the CSULB Center for Successful Aging, Meals on Wheels Long Beach, and the L.A. Falls Prevention Coalition to provide free bi-weekly phone messages for seniors, their families, and caregivers. There is also a social phone calls program to keep people connected and thriving. (Volunteers welcome!) Other programs include help with animals, gift cards and supplies at the holidays, AgeWell Long Beach Resources, fall-prevention programs, and more. Be sure to check out their Web site at heartofida.org.

Our social justice collection takes place on the second Sunday, but you can support Heart of Ida until the last Sunday of the month, by mail, text, or online. If by mail, note “Social Justice Collection” on your check, and send it to UUCLB, 5450 E. Atherton St., Long Beach, CA 90808. Using Text-to-Give, text the words “23 Special Collection” and the amount to 833-931-1845. To give $20, for example, text “23 Special Collection $20.” To cover any convenience fees for the church, you can add the word “cover” (so “23 Special Collection $20 cover”) or simply text “Cover fees on” to cover fees on all text gifts. For online giving go to uuclb.org/give.

Sunday, May 28, 11:30, in Wylder Hall
Adult Faith Development: Article II Discussion

Reserve this date for the last UUCLB Article II discussion before the opportunity to propose Amendments ends! To prepare for the meeting review the https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission about the proposed replacement for ARTICLE II. Questions? Contact Kathy Adams at katole@uuclb.org

Sunday, May 28, 11:30am in the Lounge
Words of Our Own

Writers of all ages, skill, and experience levels are welcome to join us in a supportive and affirmative environment. You may write to some, all, or none of the given prompt. You have the option to share what you’ve written during our time together. Questions? Email Michael at mikeuuclb@gmail.com.

Pastoral Care

Your Pastoral Care team is here for you in times of joy and sorrow.
Please email pastoralcare@uuclb.org or call / text Rev. Lissa at 562-355-4244 for support

Religious Education for Youth

Stop by the Religious Education table to pick up a form or register online at  https://www.uuclb.org/learn/children/  — Or email Director of Religious Education Naomi Yoshida at dre@uuclb.org for more information.

UUYAN: UU Young Adults Network ages 18-35

UUYAN meets every third Sunday after Services. Questions about UUYAN? Contact Kathy Adams at 562-619-8612

Music

Do you like to sing or have a musical talent that you’d like to share? Well then…let’s make MUSIC together!  Our repertoire includes classical and contemporary styles. Choir singers of all abilities are welcome. For more information, please contact Francisco Ruiz, Director of Music Ministries at DOM@uuclb.org

Membership

Please Join Us! Our “Starting Point” classes are held on the first Sunday of each month at 11:30am in the UUCLB lounge. The class is also offered virtually on ZOOM. For more info, see our webpage at https://www.uuclb.org/connect/become-a-member/ or email: Membership@uuclb.org

Creative Opportunities offered at UUCLB

Soulful Sampler Creative Arts Group, Words of Our Own Writing Group, Art Journaling through the Seasons, UUCLB Choir, Thoughtful Thursday Toolbox for Creativity, Chalice Guild for altar design, Garden volunteers, and more. These UUCLB programs foster and uplift the creative spirit of participants. You will find more information about these events on the church calendar at UUCLB.org/calendar

Please see the Church Calendar for additional meetings & events!

Go to: uuclb.org/calendar

Sign up for our UUCLB ADVANCE Newsletter and Weekly Announcements by making a request to office@uuclb.org

Check out these pages:

https://www.uuclb.org/connect/become-a-member/
https://www.uuclb.org/connect/
https://www.uuclb.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Join-In-2022-23-v3.pdf
https://www.uuclb.org/news/calendar/