Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
October 20, 2024 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Sermon by the Reverend Monica Dobbins, with music by the Chancel Choir under the direction of David Owens.
Lay minister Melinda Pettingill-Patterson speaks on the theme of pluralism and learning to hold multiple truths simultaneously. She shares her professional experience helping trauma survivors, discussing the value of understanding rather than convincing. She applies this concept to the political divide, particularly in the context of the upcoming election, advocating for empathy towards those with differing views and acknowledging their feelings of unsafety.
In her sermon, Rev. Monica Dobbins reflects on a quote by Albert Camus about finding an "invincible summer" within oneself, exploring its deeper meaning beyond superficial inspiration. She critiques the culture of toxic positivity exemplified by phrases like "good vibes only," explaining how it can lead to spiritual bypassing โ the use of spiritual practices to avoid confronting negative emotions. Rev. Dobbins discusses how this avoidance can appear within various traditions, including Christianity, American Buddhism, and even Unitarian Universalism, and how it hinders genuine healing. Citing theologians Barbara Holmes and Howard Thurman, she stresses the value of sitting with discomfort and fully experiencing all emotions, as a path to true resilience and authentic spirituality.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 ๐ต Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:55 Ringing of the Bell
01:22 ๐ต Choral Prelude: "Autumn Splendor" by Richard Kountz (American, 1896-1950); performed by the Chancel Choir; David Owens, piano
04:27 ๐ต Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" โ words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
05:19 Welcome & Announcements โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:02 Chalice Lighting โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
10:43 ๐ต Opening Hymn: #34, "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire" โ words by Hal Hopson (American, b. 1933); music: traditional English melody; David Owens, Estey pipe organ
14:00 Lay Minister: Melinda Pettingill-Patterson
22:06 ๐ต Choral Interlude: "Healing River" โ music by Fred Hellerman (American, b. 1927-2016); arr. Sheena Phillips (English, b. 1958); words by Fran Minkoff (American, 1915-2002); performed by the Chancel Choir; Nikki Blackburn-Fuller, obligato; David Owens conducting
26:00 Meditation โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
32:02 ๐ต Choral Anthem: "We Areโฆ" โ words and music by Ysaye M. Barnwell (American, b. 1946); performed by the Chancel Choir; Connie Wilkerson, soloist; David Owens piano/conducting
35:44 ๐ต Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" โ words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. Monica Dobbins
36:18 Offertory โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
37:44 ๐ต Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" โ words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
38:52 Sermon: "Good Vibes Only" โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
59:49 ๐ต Closing Hymn: # 311, "Let It Be a Dance" โ words & music by Ric Masten (American, 1929-2008); David Owens, piano
1:02:45 Benediction โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
1:03:19 ๐ต Postlude: "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" โ a piano fantasy based on the song by Richard Rodgers (American, 1902-1979); arr. David Owens, piano
1:05:40 Acknowledgments โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
1:06:25 Philip and Nancy Moos, Auction Team
1:08:56 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
Kristina Pappas, Audiovisual Technician
๐ First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
โ Website: slcuu.org
โ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
โ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
โ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
๐ All of First Unitarian Church's programs depend entirely on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
โ Donate: slcuu.org/give
๐ฌ Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
โ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
โ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYFtOnhnOI7d-tAF4pbyJ6a
October 20, 2024 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Sermon by the Reverend Monica Dobbins, with music by the Chancel Choir under the direction of David Owens.
Lay minister Melinda Pettingill-Patterson speaks on the theme of pluralism and learning to hold multiple truths simultaneously. She shares her professional experience helping trauma survivors, discussing the value of understanding rather than convincing. She applies this concept to the political divide, particularly in the context of the upcoming election, advocating for empathy towards those with differing views and acknowledging their feelings of unsafety.
In her sermon, Rev. Monica Dobbins reflects on a quote by Albert Camus about finding an "invincible summer" within oneself, exploring its deeper meaning beyond superficial inspiration. She critiques the culture of toxic positivity exemplified by phrases like "good vibes only," explaining how it can lead to spiritual bypassing โ the use of spiritual practices to avoid confronting negative emotions. Rev. Dobbins discusses how this avoidance can appear within various traditions, including Christianity, American Buddhism, and even Unitarian Universalism, and how it hinders genuine healing. Citing theologians Barbara Holmes and Howard Thurman, she stresses the value of sitting with discomfort and fully experiencing all emotions, as a path to true resilience and authentic spirituality.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 ๐ต Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:55 Ringing of the Bell
01:22 ๐ต Choral Prelude: "Autumn Splendor" by Richard Kountz (American, 1896-1950); performed by the Chancel Choir; David Owens, piano
04:27 ๐ต Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" โ words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
05:19 Welcome & Announcements โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:02 Chalice Lighting โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
10:43 ๐ต Opening Hymn: #34, "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire" โ words by Hal Hopson (American, b. 1933); music: traditional English melody; David Owens, Estey pipe organ
14:00 Lay Minister: Melinda Pettingill-Patterson
22:06 ๐ต Choral Interlude: "Healing River" โ music by Fred Hellerman (American, b. 1927-2016); arr. Sheena Phillips (English, b. 1958); words by Fran Minkoff (American, 1915-2002); performed by the Chancel Choir; Nikki Blackburn-Fuller, obligato; David Owens conducting
26:00 Meditation โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
32:02 ๐ต Choral Anthem: "We Areโฆ" โ words and music by Ysaye M. Barnwell (American, b. 1946); performed by the Chancel Choir; Connie Wilkerson, soloist; David Owens piano/conducting
35:44 ๐ต Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" โ words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. Monica Dobbins
36:18 Offertory โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
37:44 ๐ต Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" โ words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
38:52 Sermon: "Good Vibes Only" โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
59:49 ๐ต Closing Hymn: # 311, "Let It Be a Dance" โ words & music by Ric Masten (American, 1929-2008); David Owens, piano
1:02:45 Benediction โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
1:03:19 ๐ต Postlude: "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" โ a piano fantasy based on the song by Richard Rodgers (American, 1902-1979); arr. David Owens, piano
1:05:40 Acknowledgments โ Rev. Monica Dobbins
1:06:25 Philip and Nancy Moos, Auction Team
1:08:56 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
Kristina Pappas, Audiovisual Technician
๐ First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
โ Website: slcuu.org
โ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
โ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
โ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
๐ All of First Unitarian Church's programs depend entirely on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
โ Donate: slcuu.org/give
๐ฌ Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
โ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
โ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYFtOnhnOI7d-tAF4pbyJ6a
