Belonging to Place

Belonging to Place
Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains
September 21, 2025
Randy McKean and Carol Nimick, Worship Associates 

Our ‘sense of place’ is foundational to our well-being for a place can protect, inspire, comfort and ground us. Perhaps it is where we were born or a site in nature? Perhaps our UUCM sanctuary? Our sense of place lives in our hearts and bodies. Let us plumb the dimensions of place and how a place can become sacred as it holds the power of memories, experiences and opportunities for us to feel connected. 

Song for Gathering  Come On Up to My House by Kathleen Brennan and Thomas Alan Waits, Heather Grove, voice, Mark Grove, bass, Randy McKean, reeds 

Land Acknowledgement  Marlene Bottenfield 

Lighting of the Chalice  Today We Return to the Shelter of Each Other by Rev. Scott Tayler  

Wonder Box & Singing the Children on Their Way  Randy McKean 

Welcome  Carol Nimick and Randy McKean 

Greeting One Another  Carol Nimick 

Opening Meditation  Carol Nimick   

Candle of Compassion, Resistance, and Resilience  Randy McKean 

Joys & Sorrows  Randy McKean 

Song  What Wondrous Love #18 American folk hymn with new words by Connie Campbell Hart

Reflection  Michael Joss 

Reflection  Carol Nimick

Song  Hallelujah by Karisha Longaker and Sarah Nutting (MaMuse), performed by Heather Grove and Mark Grove 

Reflection & Closing Meditation  Randy McKean 

Offering  Carol Nimick 

Offertory  Heather Grove 

Dedication  Carol Nimick 

Nurturing Belonging Around the Table: Circle Suppers  Jeff Gold 

Offering  Carol Nimick  

Offertory  Heather Grove 

Dedication  Carol Nimick 

Thank You & Announcements   

Closing Song  Take Me Home Country Roads by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert and John Denver, performed by Heather Grove, Mark Grove, Randy McKean

Closing Words Randy McKean and Carol Nimick

Community Benediction / Extinguishing of the Chalice  
                Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.   

Music for Going Forth