Beyond Multiple Choice: The Journey Home
Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains
October 11, 2026
Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Marlene Bottenfield and Rod Tayler, Worship Associates
Evolving Unitarian Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Or as Riley Cavanaugh put it, “People are complicated. And messy. Seems too convenient that we’d all fit inside some multiple-choice question.” On this National Coming Out Day, we celebrate the human journey to be who we are.
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Song for Gathering Answering the Call of Love #1014 by Jason Shelton
Greeting One Another Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Land Acknowledgement Rod Tayler, Worship Associate
Lighting of the Chalice Joy and Power That Grow by Jami Yandle, read by Steve Temple
Wonder Box & Singing the Children on Their Way
Welcome Rod Tayler, Worship Associate
On Coming Out Rev. Kevin Tarsa
On Coming Out Scottie Hart, Nancy Finlay
Message Beyond Multiple Choice: The Journey Home Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Meditation Blessing of Courage from The Cure for Sorrow: A book of Blessing for Times of Grief
by Jan Richardson (janrichardson.com), read by Marlene Bottenfield
Music Everything Possible #1019 by Fred Small, solo by Heather Grove
Joys & Sorrows
Music Heather Grove, piano
Candle of Compassion, Resistance, and Resilience read by Marlene Bottenfield
Offering Marlene Bottenfield, Worship Associate
Offertory Heather Grove, piano
Dedication Rod Tayler, Worship Associate
Thank you & Announcements
Closing Song How Could Anyone? #1053 by Libby Roderick
Words and music by Libby Roderick © Libby Roderick Music 1990 Used by permission. All rights reserved. From the recordings “How Could Anyone” and “If You See a Dream”
Turtle Island Records, Anchorage, Alaska. libbyroderick@gmail.com, www.libbyroderick.com
Closing Words
Community Benediction / Extinguishing of the Chalice
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.
Music for Going Forth