Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
October 6, 2024 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City.
Lay minister Henry Whiteside introduces the topic of pluralism, stressing that it requires more than diversity or tolerance by asking us to understand, appreciate, and value cultures different from our own. He briefly shares some personal anecdotes from a life enriched by diverse interactions and influences.
Rev. Monica Dobbins' meditation recounts the ancient story of Babel to illustrate the pitfalls of forced unity and the importance of embracing one another's differences without trying to change them.
Reverend J Sylvan's sermon explores the historical context and implications of the first World Parliament of Religions, held during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Unitarians were some of the primary organizers of this Parliament, which would bring together religious leaders from around the world to speak about their faith. Rev. J reflects on the complicated legacy of this event, acknowledging both its pioneering role in fostering interfaith dialogue and its entanglement with imperialist and colonialist agendas. Rev. J urges modern Unitarians to approach religious and cultural pluralism with humility and curiosity, learning from history to foster genuine respect and understanding across diverse beliefs and practices.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:55 Ringing of the Bell
01:25 🎵 Prelude: "Elite Syncopations" by Scott Joplin (African-American, 1868-1917) – David Owens, piano
03:37 🎵 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
04:29 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:36 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
11:13 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 168, "One More Step" – words & music by Joyce Poley (Canadian, b. 1941); David Owens, piano
13:21 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
14:20 Lay Minister: Henry Whiteside
20:28 🎵 Interlude: "Solace" by Scott Joplin (American, 1868-1917) – David Owens, piano
21:22 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
25:56 🎵 Meditation Response: "Beyond the Dream" by R. Nathaniel Dett (African-American/Canadian, 1882-1943); David Owens, piano
28:13 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. Monica Dobbins
28:48 Offertory – Rev. Monica Dobbins (Share the Plate: UUA Disaster Relief Fund)
31:07 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
32:11 Sermon: "Unitarianism and the Parliament of World Religions" – Rev. J Sylvan
50:55 Ritual: Curiosity
57:06 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 1017, "Building a New Way" – words & music by Martha Sandefer (American, b. 1952); David Owens, piano
59:46 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
1:00:31 🎵 Postlude: "Andante" from the Piano Sonata in E minor by Florence B. Price (African-American, 1887-1953); David Owens, piano
1:02:16 Acknowledgments – Rev. J Sylvan
1:02:46 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
🌎 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.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYJUACbWLCjDMdoTMX4CArg
October 6, 2024 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City.
Lay minister Henry Whiteside introduces the topic of pluralism, stressing that it requires more than diversity or tolerance by asking us to understand, appreciate, and value cultures different from our own. He briefly shares some personal anecdotes from a life enriched by diverse interactions and influences.
Rev. Monica Dobbins' meditation recounts the ancient story of Babel to illustrate the pitfalls of forced unity and the importance of embracing one another's differences without trying to change them.
Reverend J Sylvan's sermon explores the historical context and implications of the first World Parliament of Religions, held during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Unitarians were some of the primary organizers of this Parliament, which would bring together religious leaders from around the world to speak about their faith. Rev. J reflects on the complicated legacy of this event, acknowledging both its pioneering role in fostering interfaith dialogue and its entanglement with imperialist and colonialist agendas. Rev. J urges modern Unitarians to approach religious and cultural pluralism with humility and curiosity, learning from history to foster genuine respect and understanding across diverse beliefs and practices.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:55 Ringing of the Bell
01:25 🎵 Prelude: "Elite Syncopations" by Scott Joplin (African-American, 1868-1917) – David Owens, piano
03:37 🎵 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
04:29 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:36 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
11:13 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 168, "One More Step" – words & music by Joyce Poley (Canadian, b. 1941); David Owens, piano
13:21 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
14:20 Lay Minister: Henry Whiteside
20:28 🎵 Interlude: "Solace" by Scott Joplin (American, 1868-1917) – David Owens, piano
21:22 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
25:56 🎵 Meditation Response: "Beyond the Dream" by R. Nathaniel Dett (African-American/Canadian, 1882-1943); David Owens, piano
28:13 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. Monica Dobbins
28:48 Offertory – Rev. Monica Dobbins (Share the Plate: UUA Disaster Relief Fund)
31:07 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
32:11 Sermon: "Unitarianism and the Parliament of World Religions" – Rev. J Sylvan
50:55 Ritual: Curiosity
57:06 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 1017, "Building a New Way" – words & music by Martha Sandefer (American, b. 1952); David Owens, piano
59:46 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
1:00:31 🎵 Postlude: "Andante" from the Piano Sonata in E minor by Florence B. Price (African-American, 1887-1953); David Owens, piano
1:02:16 Acknowledgments – Rev. J Sylvan
1:02:46 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
🌎 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.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYJUACbWLCjDMdoTMX4CArg
