Lady Liberty’s Shackles: A Journey of Compassion, Resistance, and Resilience
Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains
September 6, 2026
Gail Johnson Vaughan & Viv Tipton, Worship Associates
In 1964 Freedom Summer broke some of the links in the chains of voter suppression leading to the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Today we watch with dismay the escalating attacks on voting rights, especially but not exclusively voting rights for citizens of color. This dismay is not a passive response. UUCM is actively participating in Freedom Summer 2026, a major, nationwide mobilization of civil rights, labor, and community organizations launched in response to recent federal rollbacks on voting rights, including the Supreme Court’s recent striking down of key parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Acts.
Join us for this moving service of stories, inspiration, hope and action.
Pre-service Video Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
Song for Gathering America the Beautiful by Samuel A. Ward
Greeting One Another Gail Johnson Vaughan
Land Acknowledgement read by Charlie Brock
Lighting of the Chalice The Great Turning by Lisa Garcia-Sampson, read by Jim Bair
Freedom Summer Story Grandaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box by Michael S. Bandy & Eric Stein
illustrated by James E. Ransome, read by Jesse Tayler Wightman
Candle of Compassion Jesse Tayler Wightman and Gail Johnson Vaughan
Wonder Box & Singing the Children on Their Way
Welcome Invitation by Shel Silverstein, read by Viv Tipton
Opening Words Gail Johnson Vaughan
Candle of Resistance
Song Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around African American Spiritual adapted as a Civil Rights song
Joys & Sorrows Gail Johnson Vaughan
Music We Shall Be Known by Karisha Longaker, Heather Grove, piano
Prayer & Meditation At the Center by By Faithyna Leonard, read by Gail Johnson Vaughan
Musical interlude
Reflections True Stories Bob King
Candle of Resilience Gail Johnson Vaughan and Heather Grove
Song Lead with Love by Melanie DeMore
Offering Viv Tipton
Offertory This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie, Heather Grove, piano
Dedication Viv Tipton
Thank you & Announcements
Closing Song The Fire of Commitment #1028 by Mary Katherine Morn and Jason Shelton
Closing Words by John Lewis, read by Scott Young
Community Benediction / Extinguishing of the Chalice
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.
Music for Going Forth