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The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City

2124 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94062

Our Unitarian Universalist Flower Ceremony: 100th Anniversary

June 4, 2023

Our Intergenerational Flower Ceremony is a unique and much loved Unitarian Universalist ritual.  This year is the 100th Anniversary of the first Flower Ceremony in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Today, we will celebrate the beauty of human diversity.

Worship Leader: Rev. Brian Ferguson

Worship Associate: Liz Davis

Musical Director: Dawn Reyen

Pianist: Dawn Reyen

Please silence all electronic devices and join us at this moment.

Gathering of our Community

RINGING OF BELL: Liz Davis

CHORAL WELCOME: “Gaudeamus Hodie”

performed by UUFRC Choir

WELCOME: Liz Davis

LIGHTING THE CHALICE:

We come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.

Some of us grow in bunches. Some of us grow alone.

Some of us are cupped inward,

And some of us spread ourselves out wide.

Some of us are old and dried and tougher than we appear. Some of us are still in bud.

Some of us grow low to the ground, And some of us stretch toward the sun.

Some of us feel like weeds, sometimes.  

Some of us carry seeds, sometimes.

Some of us are prickly, sometimes.

Some of us smell. And all of us are beautiful.

What a bouquet of people we are!

- Rev. Thomas Rhodes

OPENING SONG: #1010 “We Give Thanks”

2nd verse replace time with gifts

3rd verse replace time with faith

Bringing Gifts to Our Community

ABOUT OUR FLOWER COMMUNION: Rev. Brian

THE GIVING OF FLOWERS: 

Please bring your gift of a flower forward by row starting at the back and using the side aisles.  Place them in the available vases. Return to your seat using the center aisle. As you wait, examine your flower, smell it, and gently touch it.

CONSECRATION OF OUR FLOWERS: Rev. Brian

SONG: #305 “De Colores”

JOYS AND SORROWS: Rev. Brian Ferguson

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Lori Longo

TIME FOR ALL AGES: Rev. Brian Ferguson

OFFERING AND OFFERTORY:  Liz Davis

“La Vie en Rose” by Edith Piaf & Louis Guglielmi

performed by Dawn Reyen

Receiving Gifts from Our Community

REFLECTION: Liz Davis

SPECIAL MUSIC:  “Edelweiss”

Written by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II

Performed by UUFRC choir

FLOWER COMMUNION PRAYER: Rev. Brian Ferguson

THE RECEIVING OF FLOWERS: 

The Receiving of Flowers: Please come forward by row using the side aisles and select a flower to exchange with a fellow congregant at the center aisle then return to your seat by the center aisle.  When  seated, take time to appreciate the flower you received.

REFLECTION:  Rev. Brian Ferguson

Returning to Life in Service

CLOSING SONG:  #65 “The Sweet June Days”

EXTINGUISHING THE FLAME: Liz Davis

“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.”

— Elizabeth Sëlle Jones

CLOSING WORDS: Rev. Brian Ferguson


Thank you for joining us.  Please stay after the service for outdoor socializing or virtual coffee.

Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City

Visitors: Visitors are always welcome to participate in UUFRC events and activities.  To see what is happening, please check out our Facility Calendar on our website:  uufrc.org/upcoming-events/calendar-of-events/. For more information, please email our Connections Coordinator or learn more at: uufrc.org/connection/visiting-us/

Sunday Offering: If you would like to support our programs, you can donate now! uufrc.org/community/giving/

Follow Us On Social Media: Check out our Facebook page (facebook.com/uufrc), Instagram page (@uufrc), visit our website (uufrc.org) for news and events, or request a call from our Minister.  

Thank you hybrid service support team!

A huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone working on and off screen today!

Zoom Manager:

Anna Dyer

Slide Production:

Gigi Casey

Video Manager:

John Cooney

Music Support:

Larry Chinn & Dawn Reyen

Audio Manager:

Greg Stovall

Welcomer:

Martha Beetley

Website Support:

Crystal Valdez-Chandra

Greeter:

Beth Eggers

Announcements:

Lori Longo

Center of Interest:

Kaye Bonney & Ellen Hill

Refreshments Team:

Danielle Stagner, Annie Tate,

Clara Perez &  JoAn Vaughan

Grounds Crew:

Jonelle Presser &

Peter Hartzell

Center of Interest

Our Center of Interest this month was created for the ordination of our member the Rev. Dr. Tovis Page by our March 26th action Sunday workshop participants under the guidance of Laurie McMahon.

Vision Statement UUFRC

A community of spiritual growth, compassion, and justice

Mission Statement UUFRC

We are a welcoming and inclusive community of individuals of all ages who seek spiritual meaning, empower personal growth, build connections with our neighbors, act for justice, and inspire others to join us.

Proposed New Statement of Unitarian Universalist Values  

Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.  

Inseparable from one another, these shared values are:

Interdependence. We honor the interdependent web of all existence.

Equity. We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness.

Justice. We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.

Transformation. We adapt to the changing world.

Generosity. We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.

Pluralism. We celebrate that we are all sacred beings diverse in culture, experience, and theology.  

Staff and Board Contact Information

Minister: Rev. Brian Ferguson: ministeratuufrc@gmail.com

Connections Coordinator: Jen Gill: connecting@uufrc.org

Music Director: Dawn Reyen: musicdirector@uufrc.org

Office: Gigi Casey & Crystal Valdez-Chandra: office@uufrc.org, 650-365-6913

Questions About Children and Youth: Maeve Knoth: families@uufrc.org

Board of Trustees: Peter Hartzell, Rob Davis, Erika Pretell, Dick Edminster, Jeanne De Shazo, Lori Longo, Jason Laderman-Jones, : board@uufrc.org

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Thank you for joining us. Please stay after the service for social time in the community room or online.