Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
May 19, 2024 service at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City.
Lay minister Don Walton speaks on the importance of awareness of others' suffering and taking action to alleviate it. He highlights Bernie and Marita Hart's Tai Chi program for the homeless as an example of the kind of collective effort that can make a profound impact.
Reverend J Sylvan reflects on a project from November 2023, where members of the First Unitarian congregation helped plant over 8,000 native trees at the Bear River Massacre site. This initiative, part of a Shoshone-led project to decolonize the land, exemplifies the church's commitment to environmental restoration and building respectful relationships with local Indigenous communities.
Reverend Sylvan then considers the church's land acknowledgment statement, developed through a long process of deep listening and collaboration with Indigenous leaders. The acknowledgment honors the ongoing relationship between the land and the Ute, Goshute, Paiute, and Shoshone peoples, avoiding colonial language and centering Indigenous perspectives. Reverend Sylvan urges the congregation to live into the spirit of the land acknowledgment by seeking genuine, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and those affected by systemic injustice, and by taking meaningful actions to support and uplift these communities, moving beyond mere symbolic gestures to foster lasting change.
Our Indigenous Land Acknowledgment:
"We gather here on sacred ground,
loved, cared for, protected, and cherished
over the ages and to this day
by the Ute, Goshute, Paiute,
and Shoshone peoples.
We commit to follow their lead."
*ORDER OF SERVICE*
00:00 π΅ Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" β music by David Owens
00:54 π΅ Call to Service: Ringing of the Steeple Bell ("Isabell")
01:32 π΅ Choral Prelude: "All Are Welcome" β words and music by Marty Haugen (American, b. 1950); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir
04:25 π΅ Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" β words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
05:12 Welcome & Announcements β Rev. J Sylvan
12:19 Chalice Lighting β Rev. J Sylvan
14:32 π΅ Opening Hymn: # 1064, "Blue Boat Home" β words by Peter Mayer (American, b. 1963); music by Rowland Hugh Prichard (Welsh, 1811-1887); David Owens, piano
17:54 Lay Minister: Don Walton
24:53 π΅ Choral Interlude: "Be Welcome" (Willkommen, lieber schΓΆner Mai), D.244, by Franz Schubert (German, 1797-1828); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir
26:54 Meditation β Rev. J Sylvan
33:33 π΅ Choral Anthem: "May Sun Warm You" β traditional, adapted by Eric Howe and Gerald Custer; performed by the Chancel Choir, David Owens conducting
35:51 π΅ Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" β words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
36:33 π΅ Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies"
37:43 Sermon: "Following the Lead of Our Indigenous Siblings" β Rev. J Sylvan
58:45 π΅ Postlude: "We Will Go Out in the World" β words and music by David Owens; sung by the Chancel Choir and Congregation, with Emmett Peacock, soloist
1:02:44 Closing Words β Rev. J Sylvan
1:02:58 π΅ End Credits
Rev. J Sylvan, Senior Minister
Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
David Owens, Director of Music
Stefanie Park, Administrator
Tristan Moore, Audiovisual Director
π First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
β Website: slcuu.org
β Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
β Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
β YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
π We are supported by the financial contributions of our members and friends.
β Donate: slcuu.org/give
π¬ Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
β youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbDnrbE194WlV7b_q-9iZs0
May 19, 2024 service at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City.
Lay minister Don Walton speaks on the importance of awareness of others' suffering and taking action to alleviate it. He highlights Bernie and Marita Hart's Tai Chi program for the homeless as an example of the kind of collective effort that can make a profound impact.
Reverend J Sylvan reflects on a project from November 2023, where members of the First Unitarian congregation helped plant over 8,000 native trees at the Bear River Massacre site. This initiative, part of a Shoshone-led project to decolonize the land, exemplifies the church's commitment to environmental restoration and building respectful relationships with local Indigenous communities.
Reverend Sylvan then considers the church's land acknowledgment statement, developed through a long process of deep listening and collaboration with Indigenous leaders. The acknowledgment honors the ongoing relationship between the land and the Ute, Goshute, Paiute, and Shoshone peoples, avoiding colonial language and centering Indigenous perspectives. Reverend Sylvan urges the congregation to live into the spirit of the land acknowledgment by seeking genuine, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and those affected by systemic injustice, and by taking meaningful actions to support and uplift these communities, moving beyond mere symbolic gestures to foster lasting change.
Our Indigenous Land Acknowledgment:
"We gather here on sacred ground,
loved, cared for, protected, and cherished
over the ages and to this day
by the Ute, Goshute, Paiute,
and Shoshone peoples.
We commit to follow their lead."
*ORDER OF SERVICE*
00:00 π΅ Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" β music by David Owens
00:54 π΅ Call to Service: Ringing of the Steeple Bell ("Isabell")
01:32 π΅ Choral Prelude: "All Are Welcome" β words and music by Marty Haugen (American, b. 1950); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir
04:25 π΅ Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" β words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
05:12 Welcome & Announcements β Rev. J Sylvan
12:19 Chalice Lighting β Rev. J Sylvan
14:32 π΅ Opening Hymn: # 1064, "Blue Boat Home" β words by Peter Mayer (American, b. 1963); music by Rowland Hugh Prichard (Welsh, 1811-1887); David Owens, piano
17:54 Lay Minister: Don Walton
24:53 π΅ Choral Interlude: "Be Welcome" (Willkommen, lieber schΓΆner Mai), D.244, by Franz Schubert (German, 1797-1828); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir
26:54 Meditation β Rev. J Sylvan
33:33 π΅ Choral Anthem: "May Sun Warm You" β traditional, adapted by Eric Howe and Gerald Custer; performed by the Chancel Choir, David Owens conducting
35:51 π΅ Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" β words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
36:33 π΅ Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies"
37:43 Sermon: "Following the Lead of Our Indigenous Siblings" β Rev. J Sylvan
58:45 π΅ Postlude: "We Will Go Out in the World" β words and music by David Owens; sung by the Chancel Choir and Congregation, with Emmett Peacock, soloist
1:02:44 Closing Words β Rev. J Sylvan
1:02:58 π΅ End Credits
Rev. J Sylvan, Senior Minister
Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
David Owens, Director of Music
Stefanie Park, Administrator
Tristan Moore, Audiovisual Director
π First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
β Website: slcuu.org
β Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
β Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
β YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
π We are supported by the financial contributions of our members and friends.
β Donate: slcuu.org/give
π¬ Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
β youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbDnrbE194WlV7b_q-9iZs0
