THE UNITARIAN CHURCH IN FALL RIVER
Member of the Unitarian Universalist Association
309 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720
08-678-9700 ### www.unitarianchurchfr.org
We welcome all visitors, friends old and new, to the Unitarian Church in Fall River. We do not have a doctrine to which all adhere, nor is it finite. We can and should be learning, changing, and exploring. Life teaches, or presents us, with opportunities and challenges to which we must respond. We need to develop inner strength or personal philosophies to help us live these moments to the fullest of our capabilities. Through a sense of spirit or a spiritual life, we can expand and enhance our time of being. One way to do this is to learn from the wisdom of those who have gone before us – the resources of the ages. Another way is to share our experiences and revelations with our fellow seekers.
Our Guest Minister, Rumni Saha considers herself to be a proud Hindu, Unitarian-Universalist, and a citizen of the world. She has been a public-school special educator for the past 20 years. She is also a writer and a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post. She considers India, her home country, as having given her roots and her adopted country, her wings. Rumni is currently a Seminarian at Boston University on the Hospital Chaplaincy track and is discerning ordination. She is now College Chaplain, Hindu and Unitarian Universalist Community Coordinator at Wellesley College in addition to being the Multifaith Chaplain at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Rumni is also an active member of the Unitarian Church of Sharon, where she has lived with her family since 2001.
Sermon “Is Hope an Obstacle?” (At a time when hopelessness seems to be the order of the day, Rumni Saha explores Thich Nhat Hanh’s thought-provoking reflection that hope is an obstacle).
The Unitarian Church in Fall River
February 18, 2024
Prelude: at 10:30 AM by Nancy, our Music Director
Welcome, Introduction Rumni Saha
Opening words: “We Hold Hope Close” by Rev. T.I. Soto
Lighting of the Chalice: #448
Hymn # 188 Come, Come, Whoever You Are.
Affirmation (#471)
Announcements
Musical Selection
Invocation & Meditation Words “I Rise” by Dr. Maya Angelou
Hymn # 123 Spirit of Life
Sermon “Is Hope an Obstacle?” (At a time when hopelessness seems to be the order of the day, Rumni Saha explores Thich Nhat Hanh’s thought-provoking reflection that hope is an obstacle).
Offertory
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
*Hymn # 95 There is More Love Somewhere
Closing Words: Hope by Rosemary Wahtola Trommer
Extinguishing the Chalice: “Keep the Chalice Flame Burning” by Adam Slate
Be kind.
Be brave.
Be just.
Be merciful.
Be hopeful.
This is how we keep the chalice flame burning
until we are together again to light it anew.
Postlude