Singing Through the Hard Times: In the Spirit of U. Utah Phillips
Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains
December 7, 2025
Rev. Kevin Tarsa
with Bodhi Busick, special guests, and Marlene Bottenfield, Worship Associate
It’s been hard lately, hard to hold on to hope, hard to imagine world peace. Utah Phillips knew how to imagine and create a better world. In this month of “choosing hope,” and in these “hard times,” we celebrate the passion, vision and compassion of Utah Phillips, a founding member of UUCM, organizer, singer, storyteller and poet, and a significant force behind Hospitality House, for which UUCM was the initial welcome center. We are fortunate to receive the music and memories of Bodhi Busick, who toured with and was influenced by Utah.
Song for Gathering Singing Through the Hard Times by Utah Phillips, led by Bodhi Busick, Heather Grove, and Brendan Phillips.
An Introduction Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Greeting One Another Marlene Bottenfield, Worship Associate
Land Acknowledgement Shannon Dooley-Miller
Lighting of the Chalice We Have Come into this Room of Hope by Libbie D Stoddard, read by Lesley Champlin
Wonder Box & Singing the Children on Their Way
Welcome Marlene Bottenfield
Bread and Roses lyrics by James Oppenheim, sung by Brendan Phillips
Enola Gay by Utah Phillips, Bodhi Busick, musician
Joys & Sorrows
Music Hymn Song (I believe if I lived this life again, I’d still be here with you.) by Utah Phillips, Brendan Phillips, musician
Prayer & Meditation Prayer at the Joe Hill House by Utah Phillips, introduced by Marlene
Song for Al by Utah Phillips and Bodhi Busick
Reflection Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Ship Gonna Sail by Utah Phillips, Brendan Phillips, musician
Offering Marlene Bottenfield with Debbie McDonald, Hospitality House Development Director
Offertory Old Coyote by Al Grierson, Brendan Phillips, musician
Dedication Marlene Bottenfield
Thank you & Announcements
Closing Words Blessing of Hope by Jan Richardson from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief janrichardson.com, read by UUCM President, Carol Richey
Closing Song Singing Through the Hard Times by Utah Phillips with There is more Love Somewhere, an African American Hymn
Community Benediction / Extinguishing of the Chalice
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.
Music for Going Forth