Unitarian Church of Edmonton (UCE)

The Earth Laughs in Colours: Flower Celebration June 14, 2026 Reverend Rosemary Morrison Service Leader: Susan Ruttan Congregation is asked to bring a flower to share to annual Flower Communion. This beloved Unitarian Universalist tradition started decades ago with Rev. Norbert Capek, a Unitarian minister persecuted for his inclusive values. Celebrate with us on this important and colourful day! Order of Service Chimes Welcome and Announcements Land Acknowledgement Prelude Chalice Lighting Like the First Hint of Green By Jennifer McGlothin As the first hint of green begins to peek through the barren ground As that little sprig grows into a healthy stem As that stem grows into a stalk and forms a bud As that bud slowly opens with each new day To form a yellow daffodil Let us be, like that first hint of green, renewed by the warmth of the sun’s rays And ready to emerge with a new energy, ready to face the day. We light this chalice to bring a glimmer of that warmth into our space. Hymn 63 Spring Has Now Unwrapped the Flowers by P. Cantiones and T. Benjamin Sharing Our Abundance Hymn 402 From You I Receive (Sing 2X) Time for All Ages Flowers are Pretty Weird by Rosemary Mosco Service Leader Reflection Hymn 65 The Sweet June Days by S. Longfellow Minister’s Reflection The Earth Laughs in Flowers Flower Celebration Candles of Joy and Concern Hymn 305 De Colores words by David Arkin Extinguishing the Flame by Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross If we make our goal to live a life of compassion and unconditional love, then the world will indeed become a garden where all kinds of flowers can bloom and grow. Benediction Carry the Flame

Following Our Creative Breath March 22, 2026 "Art washes away from the soul that dust of everyday life." - Pablo Picasso. This art and music themed service is an opportunity to reflect onour creative lives. Come prepared to be inspired, to participate, and to enjoy gues tmusicians, poets and artists. Reverend Rosemary Morrison Service Leader: Theresa Wilkinson Chimes Welcome and Announcements Land Acknowledgement Canvass Presentation Prelude Jennifer and Kim Chalice Lighting 0 Light of Our Creative Spirits by Tracy Johnson We light our chalice this morning, — light of our Creative Spirits — light of our Wise Souls — light of our Wondering and Curious Minds — light of Love for this place, this people, this work Illuminate our hearts and the spaces between them in this Sacred Time of unfolding. Blessed be. Hymn 346 Come, Sing a Song With Me by Carolyn McDade Sharing Our Abundance Hymn 402 From You I Receive (Sing 2X) Musical Interlude Kim and Jennifer Service Leader Reflection Reading Life Tips from a Pottery Wheel by Tim Atkins Hymn 305 De Colores Message Following Our Creative Breath – Let’s play with paint! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmcsQNpnOEs&list=PLR8zRvpBLswjAI6M381ndI4hEvX73OYld&index=1 As the congregation was watching the video they were following instructions as to how to play with watercolours, creating their own watercolour art during the service. Candles of Joy and Concern Hymn 1030 Siyanhamba Extinguishing the Flame Let us sing the magic of imagination by Susan L Van Dreser Let us sing the magic of imagination by which we know one another and learn the lives of eras gone by. Let us sing the magic of creation by which we build the world of our soul and teach its wisdom to others, young and old. Let us sing the magic of our lives together, holding and shaping by the movement of breath from heart to lung all new life that is to come. Go now with singing. Go now with magic in your fingertips. Touch this world with life. Benediction As we listen to the blessing of music by Maureen Killroan As we listen to the blessing of music, May we know this ending As more than a time of goodbye. May the warmth of this community and the memory of our chalice flame sustain our hearts and encourage our minds, as we engage the blessings of life’s challenges and joys. Go in peace. Go in joy. Go in love. Postlude Kim and Jennifer Carry the Flame Praying Mary Oliver It doesn’t have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak.

We are called to pay attention to our individual lives, to our delights and pains. We are called to understand, cherish and care for ourselves, and to know that we are worthy of love. By paying attention to our lives, we give thanks for all that is good and work to make the best decisions we can.

Why is Change So Hard? February 22, 2026 UCE has experienced tremendous change over the past five years, building both momentum and growth. This is a good moment to pause—reflecting on where we’ve been, where we stand today, and where we’re headed next. Order of Service Reverend Rosemary Morrison Service Leader: Jeff Bisanz Chimes Welcome and Announcements Land Acknowledgement Prelude Chalice Lighting The Work that Takes Time by Rev. Michelle Collins We kindle this light for the work that takes time: the seed’s unseen rooting, the tide’s patient carving, the small turning of heart toward open ground. We look towards what is slow and true, the steady flame that sustains our days. Hymn 361 Enter, Rejoice and Come In by Louise Ruspini Greeting our neighbours Sharing Our Abundance Hymn 402 From You I Receive (Sing 2X) by Nathan Segal Hymn 30 Over My Head African American Spiritual Service Leader Reflection Meditation Video Sending You Light by Melanie DeMore =video not recorded https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIsZuoNFtXg&list=RDcIsZuoNFtXg&start_radio=1 Candles of Joy and Concern Message Why is Change So Hard? Hymn 1018 Come and Go with Me African American Spiritual Extinguishing the Flame Life begins small. And grows by Cynthia Rylant Life is not always easy. There will probably be a stretch of wilderness now and then. But wilderness eventually ends. And there is always a new road to take. Remember this: In every corner of the world, there is something to love. And something to protect And if, one day, it seems nothing beautiful will ever come your way again. Trust the rabbit in the field and the deer who crosses your path. Trust the wolf and the wild geese who find their way back home. All these know something about life: that everything is changing, And it is worth waking up in the morning to see what might happen. Because life begins small. And grows Benediction Carry the Flame Postlude Sister Rosetta Tharpe Up Above My Head https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQ&t=8s - not recorded

We explore the main tenants of Buddhism and how Buddhist practices can build resilience in us. Learn about non-attachment, meditation and the Four Noble truths. ORDER OF SERVICE Land Acknowledgement Prelude Chalice Lighting - One of the Old Ones Stood Up into the Morning Light by Barbara Pescan Hymn 347 - Gather the Spirit Sharing Our Abundance - Canadian Unitarian Council Hymn 402 - From You I Receive (Sing 2X) Service Leader Reflection - Susan Ruttan Hymn 396 - I Know This Rose Will Open (2x in unison, 2x in a round) Responsive Reading 598 - Without Hate Meditation - Shantideva Meditation Meditation Music Hymn 1031 - Filled With Loving Kindness Candles of Joy and Concern Message - Building Resilience the Buddhist Way - Rev. Rosemary Morrison Hymn 134 - Our World Is One World Greeting our neighbours Extinguishing the Flame = Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Benediction Carry the Flame Postlude

Order of Service – January 25, 2026 Embracing “Woke” as Resistance That Endures Service Leaders: Lynne and John Turvey Chimes Welcome Announcements Land Acknowledgement Prelude Chalice Lighting In Need of Healing Hymn 108 My Life Flows on in Endless Song (Early Quaker song) Sharing Our Abundance Hymn 402 From You I Receive (Sing 2X) Service Leader Reflection Hymn 1024 When the Spirit Says Do (4 verses – do, sing, shout, do) (African American Spiriual) Meditation The Living Forest Hymn 123 Spirit of Life by Carolyn McDade Candles of Joy and Concern Responsive Reading To Be Truly Awake Leader: To be awake is to see the world as it is, All: And if we feel pain it is because we love. Leader: To be awake is to listen to stories too often ignored, All: And to let them change the story we tell. Leader: To be awake is to feel the tug of a more tender way, All: We shall be tender with our gentle community, and with ourselves. Leader: So let us be a people who choose to stay awake to what is good All: For in this shared light, serving dignity, justice and love, we serve one another. Message Embracing “Woke” as Resistance That Endures Hymn 1021 Lean on Me by Bill Withers Extinguishing the Chalice Now, I Love You. Now, I Witness Video The Modern Unitarian (First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City) https://youtu.be/g7CHH-It1YA Benediction Carry the Flame

This service kicks off a sermon series taking place the second Sunday of every month. We start with our own roots, Unitarianism, a denomination born out of resistance. Come and learn about why the Edict of Torda was such an important historical declaration, how Unitarianism shaped Eastern Europe, and how our faith was practiced in the 16th Century. Next month we will be taking a close look at Buddhism. (Note: Apologies for the delay in the recording, some of the begining is missing)

Please join Rev. Rosemary and Ilara Stefaniuk-Gaudet for this family-friendly solstice service. The darkest part of the year is now behind us, the waxing sun is greeting us. Let's celebrate the return of the light with Christmas right around the corner.