Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
May 25, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City.
In her sermon, Rev. Monica Dobbins reflects on having helped lead the national Spark Convocation, where Unitarian Universalists affirmed that their longstanding theology offers the depth and resilience needed for today's challenges. She traces this theology back to early Unitarian leader William Ellery Channing, whose rejection of cruel doctrines and embrace of reason, goodness, and human moral responsibility continue to shape UU identity. Looking forward, she urges UUs to claim a liberating theology grounded in solidarity and positive freedom, calling the movement to uphold human dignity as it enters its next 200 years.
Lay minister Darlene Thayne reflects on the past year she has spent working with her fellow lay ministers, likening their mutual growth to The Little Prince’s lesson that love and meaning come from the time and care we invest in one another. She expresses gratitude for her companions, her congregation, and her mother’s early encouragement, all of which have helped her grow into a more confident and loving version of herself.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:57 🎵 Prelude: Allegro from The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 1: La primavera (Spring) by Antonio Vivaldi (Italian, 1678-1741) – David Owens, piano
02:10 🎵 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
02:53 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
06:23 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
08:00 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 348, "Guide My Feet" – words: traditional; music: spiritual from the collection of Willis Laurence James (American, 1900-1966); harmony by Wendell Whalum (American, 1931-1987)
11:22 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. Monica Dobbins
11:57 Lay Minister: Darlene Thayne
19:29 🎵 Interlude: Adagio from The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 3: L’autunno (Autumn) by Antonio Vivaldi (Italian, 1678–1741) – David Owens, piano
21:28 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
23:48 🎵 Meditation Response: Largo from The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 1: La primavera (Spring) by Antonio Vivaldi (Italian, 1678–1741) – David Owens, piano
25:04 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. Monica Dobbins
26:12 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
27:20 Sermon: "Naming and Claiming" – Rev. Monica Dobbins
45:31 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 131, "Love Will Guide Us" – words by Sally Rogers (American, b. 1954); traditional melody, arr. by Betty A. Wylder (American, 1923-1994)
47:09 Closing Words – Rev. Monica Dobbins
48:06 🎵 Postlude: Allegro ("La caccia") from The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 3: L'autunno (Autumn) by Antonio Vivaldi (Italian, 1678–1741) – David Owens, piano
49:06 🎵 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
May 25, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City.
In her sermon, Rev. Monica Dobbins reflects on having helped lead the national Spark Convocation, where Unitarian Universalists affirmed that their longstanding theology offers the depth and resilience needed for today's challenges. She traces this theology back to early Unitarian leader William Ellery Channing, whose rejection of cruel doctrines and embrace of reason, goodness, and human moral responsibility continue to shape UU identity. Looking forward, she urges UUs to claim a liberating theology grounded in solidarity and positive freedom, calling the movement to uphold human dignity as it enters its next 200 years.
Lay minister Darlene Thayne reflects on the past year she has spent working with her fellow lay ministers, likening their mutual growth to The Little Prince’s lesson that love and meaning come from the time and care we invest in one another. She expresses gratitude for her companions, her congregation, and her mother’s early encouragement, all of which have helped her grow into a more confident and loving version of herself.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:57 🎵 Prelude: Allegro from The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 1: La primavera (Spring) by Antonio Vivaldi (Italian, 1678-1741) – David Owens, piano
02:10 🎵 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
02:53 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
06:23 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
08:00 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 348, "Guide My Feet" – words: traditional; music: spiritual from the collection of Willis Laurence James (American, 1900-1966); harmony by Wendell Whalum (American, 1931-1987)
11:22 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. Monica Dobbins
11:57 Lay Minister: Darlene Thayne
19:29 🎵 Interlude: Adagio from The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 3: L’autunno (Autumn) by Antonio Vivaldi (Italian, 1678–1741) – David Owens, piano
21:28 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
23:48 🎵 Meditation Response: Largo from The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 1: La primavera (Spring) by Antonio Vivaldi (Italian, 1678–1741) – David Owens, piano
25:04 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. Monica Dobbins
26:12 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
27:20 Sermon: "Naming and Claiming" – Rev. Monica Dobbins
45:31 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 131, "Love Will Guide Us" – words by Sally Rogers (American, b. 1954); traditional melody, arr. by Betty A. Wylder (American, 1923-1994)
47:09 Closing Words – Rev. Monica Dobbins
48:06 🎵 Postlude: Allegro ("La caccia") from The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 3: L'autunno (Autumn) by Antonio Vivaldi (Italian, 1678–1741) – David Owens, piano
49:06 🎵 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
