Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
January 26, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, marking the start of the church's 2025 pledge drive, and featuring music by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir.
Lay minister Darlene Thayne contrasts the robust healthcare and support her son received for Type 1 diabetes with the inadequate care provided to her nephew after a serious brain injury, using these experiences to advocate for a more equitable, universal healthcare system that prioritizes well-being over profit.
Rev. Monica Dobbins' meditation uses the metaphor of a winter garden — where roots are secretly thriving beneath the cold surface — to remind us that everyone’s contributions, no matter how small, nourish the collective community of the church and help it grow into its full, flourishing future.
Sue Geary, leader of the pledge team, encourages the congregation to help meet this year’s ambitious $650,000 pledge goal — needed to replace expiring grant funds and rebuild staff — so the church can continue its long-standing mission of social justice, community support, and spiritual renewal.
Rev. J Sylvan calls for a mindful rejection of both fear-driven scarcity and careless abundance by embracing the concept of preciousness — recognizing the irreplaceable value of community — and calls for generous pledging to sustain and grow the church’s crucial work in a time when connection and compassion are more needed than ever.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:59 🎵 Choral Prelude: "Welcome, Welcome!" – words and music by Clif Hardin (American, b. 1955); performed by the Chancel Choir; David Owens, piano/conducting
03:26 🎵 Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" – words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
04:15 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
06:41 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
07:49 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 34, "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire" – words by Hal Hopson (American, b. 1933); music: traditional English melody; David Owens, Estey pipe organ
11:08 Lay Minister: Darlene Thayne
20:46 🎵 Choral Interlude: "What Is This Church?" – words adapted from Eugene Sander (American, 1919-2009); music by Jean Sibelius (Finnish, 1865-1957); performed by the Chancel Choir; David Owens, conducting
24:05 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
30:22 🎵 Choral Anthem: "An Irish Blessing" – words and music by Ron Jeffers (American, b. 1943); performed by the Chancel Choir; David Owens, conducting; John Major, bodhrán (Irish frame drum)
32:30 Pledge Drive Kick-off – Sue Geary
38:09 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
38:42 Offertory – Rev. J Sylvan
39:12 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
40:22 Sermon: "Culture of Convenience" – Rev. J Sylvan
1:02:27 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 1008, "When Our Heart Is in a Holy Place" – words and music by Joyce Poley (Canadian, b. 1941)
1:04:52 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
1:05:19 🎵 Postlude: "Pennies from Heaven" by Arthur Johnston (American, 1898-1954) – David Owens, piano
1:07:52 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
1:08:07 🎵 End Credits
Rev. J Sylvan, Senior Minister
Rev. Monica Dobbins, Assistant Minister
Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
David Owens, Director of Music
Stefanie Park, Administrator
Tristan Moore, Audiovisual Director
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 All of First Unitarian Church's programs depend entirely on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.breezechms.com/give/online
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
January 26, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, marking the start of the church's 2025 pledge drive, and featuring music by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir.
Lay minister Darlene Thayne contrasts the robust healthcare and support her son received for Type 1 diabetes with the inadequate care provided to her nephew after a serious brain injury, using these experiences to advocate for a more equitable, universal healthcare system that prioritizes well-being over profit.
Rev. Monica Dobbins' meditation uses the metaphor of a winter garden — where roots are secretly thriving beneath the cold surface — to remind us that everyone’s contributions, no matter how small, nourish the collective community of the church and help it grow into its full, flourishing future.
Sue Geary, leader of the pledge team, encourages the congregation to help meet this year’s ambitious $650,000 pledge goal — needed to replace expiring grant funds and rebuild staff — so the church can continue its long-standing mission of social justice, community support, and spiritual renewal.
Rev. J Sylvan calls for a mindful rejection of both fear-driven scarcity and careless abundance by embracing the concept of preciousness — recognizing the irreplaceable value of community — and calls for generous pledging to sustain and grow the church’s crucial work in a time when connection and compassion are more needed than ever.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:59 🎵 Choral Prelude: "Welcome, Welcome!" – words and music by Clif Hardin (American, b. 1955); performed by the Chancel Choir; David Owens, piano/conducting
03:26 🎵 Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" – words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
04:15 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
06:41 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
07:49 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 34, "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire" – words by Hal Hopson (American, b. 1933); music: traditional English melody; David Owens, Estey pipe organ
11:08 Lay Minister: Darlene Thayne
20:46 🎵 Choral Interlude: "What Is This Church?" – words adapted from Eugene Sander (American, 1919-2009); music by Jean Sibelius (Finnish, 1865-1957); performed by the Chancel Choir; David Owens, conducting
24:05 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
30:22 🎵 Choral Anthem: "An Irish Blessing" – words and music by Ron Jeffers (American, b. 1943); performed by the Chancel Choir; David Owens, conducting; John Major, bodhrán (Irish frame drum)
32:30 Pledge Drive Kick-off – Sue Geary
38:09 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
38:42 Offertory – Rev. J Sylvan
39:12 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
40:22 Sermon: "Culture of Convenience" – Rev. J Sylvan
1:02:27 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 1008, "When Our Heart Is in a Holy Place" – words and music by Joyce Poley (Canadian, b. 1941)
1:04:52 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
1:05:19 🎵 Postlude: "Pennies from Heaven" by Arthur Johnston (American, 1898-1954) – David Owens, piano
1:07:52 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
1:08:07 🎵 End Credits
Rev. J Sylvan, Senior Minister
Rev. Monica Dobbins, Assistant Minister
Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
David Owens, Director of Music
Stefanie Park, Administrator
Tristan Moore, Audiovisual Director
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 All of First Unitarian Church's programs depend entirely on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.breezechms.com/give/online
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
