Ingathering & Water Communion

Traditionally, many UU congregations took the summer off and ingathering marked the beginning of the church year. We gather all the threads of our individual lives and rededicate ourselves to our shared life together. Please bring a small vial of water from somewhere that has spiritual meaning for you. We will share that meaning and combine our water as part of a uniquely UU ritual to acknowledge our interdependence. This is a service for all ages, and children are encouraged to bring their own water.

Welcome!

We are always delighted to welcome guests! If this is your first time visiting a Unitarian Universalist church or our congregation, here’s some idea of what to expect.

Order of Service

  • Prelude: Arabesque No. 1 by Claude Debussy – Linli Wang, Piano
  • Ring Tibetan Bowl
  • Opening Hymn: #100 I’ve Got Peace Like a River
  • Welcome
  • Chalice Lighting: Katie Sivani Gelfand
  • Wisdom Tale:  Muwekma Ohlone creation story
  • Call to Worship and Land Acknowledgement
  • Hymn: #210 Wade In the Water
  • Wisdom Reading: Rainstorm
  • Stones of Joy and Sorrow
  • Sung Prayer: Rev. Rebecca Parker 
  • Homily:  Water Communion, Rev. Sollie
  • Water Ritual
  • Consecration
  • Song: Swimming to the Other Side, Pat Humphries
  • Offertory
  • Shared Singing: Hymn #402 From You I Receive
  • Invitations
  • Hymn: #1064 Blue Boat Home
  • Benediction:
  • Extinguishing the Chalice
  • Invitation and Final Wave
  • Postlude: Excerpt from Handel’s Water Music – Linli Wang, Piano