Almost all of the congregations I've visited in my time in St. Louis have been planning their participation in LGBTQ Pride Weekend. They all are anxious to make their presence as supportive allies public. What an amazing development! But instead of staying in St. Louis to take advantage of the myriad of Pride events this weekend, I came home to Mt. Vernon to lead the Pride service at my home congregation.
Here is the Order of Service:
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| Mt. Vernon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 1600 Isabella Ave., Mt. Vernon IL |
Here is the Order of Service:
PRIDE SUNDAY
Mt. Vernon (IL) Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
June 26, 2011
PROLOGUE
Music: “There are Numerous Strings”
- Chancel Choir, First Unitarian, Oakland CA
Welcome & Lighting the Chalice
Responsive Reading: “We Arrive Out of Many Singular Rooms”
- by Kenneth Patton
Music: “Standing on the Side of Love” - Jason Shelton
READINGS from
SIDDUR B’CHOL L’VAV’CHA: WITH ALL YOUR HEART, The prayer book of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, New York City (2008)
"Over the Rainbow and Stonewall" - by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
"Of Pride and Liberation" - by Rabbi Ron Weiss
READINGS from
SIDDUR SHA’AR ZAHAV, The prayer book of Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco (2009)
"Exotic Fruit" - by Rabbi Warren Stone
"I Am Unique" - by Congregation Sha'ar Zahav
READINGS from the BIBLE
David and Jonathan - I Samuel 20 and II Samuel 1:17-27 (NRSV)
REFLECTION - Pride and Prejudice - by Paul Kent Oakley
TIME OF SACRED SHARING
Personal Contexts of Pride: Sharing Our Experiences
Hymn: “Bring Many Names” - Singing the Living Tradition # 23
Joys and Sorrows, then Stillness
Affirmation: “An Unending Love” - by Rabbi Rami Shapiro
Hymn: “Spirit of Live” - Singing the Living Tradition # 123
EPILOGUE
Announcements
Extinguishing the Chalice
Music before Parting: “I Am What I Am” - Gloria Gaynor
BLESSING
Please stand and bless those near you with the words from
Marcia Falk's Book of Blessings:
"Be who you are,
and may you be blessed in all that you are."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The entire service was moving, but I was particularly touched by the sharing of personal experiences in the "Personal Contexts of Pride." People spoke openly about their struggles with LGBTQ equality from a variety of perspectives. Amazingly open sharing, trusting each other with some things that hadn't been shared before. Nobody whitewashing where they've been before coming to the acceptance and love they now hold.
Gloria Gaynor - "I Am What I Am"
I made the right choice to be home for Pride Sunday!
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