Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cookeville

10/03/2025

ORDER OF SERVICE
Sun., Oct. 5, 2025
“Our Lady of Holy Death: Getting to Know La Santa Muerta”
Welcome: Susie, service coordinator
Opening Poem: “A Walk with Death” by Jackie Compton
Chalice Lighting: “The Symbol of Our Shared Faith” By Paul Stephan Dodenhoff
Hymn: #347 “Gather the Spirit”
Mission Statement: Recited in unison
Ritual of Joys and Sorrows: With a special tribute to beloveds who have passed on
Hymn: #8 “Mother Spirit, Father Spirit”
Message: “Our Lady of Holy Death: Getting to Know La Santa Muerta” by Leila Howell
Offertory:
Closing Hymn: #123 “Spirit of Life”
Extinguish the Chalice: #456 Recited in unison
Benediction: “Death Gate” Author Unknown
Announcements:

09/03/2025

Good Wednesday morning, UUCC congregants. This is a gentle reminder to you that service for Sun., Sept. 7, is our annual Water Communion (a.k.a. Water Ritual or Ingathering). This ritual is very much about community and is participatory.

Please remember to bring a small portion of water with you. If there are several in your group, you may bring one container or several, whichever is easier for you. This water may be from your favorite swimming or hiking spot, a vacation destination, your bathroom tap, a local park's splash pad, or wherever. The place from which you gather your water is not nearly as important as the meaning that water has for you -- stillness, joy, peace, a special day or person, etc. You get the idea.

If you forget to bring water, it's okay. Other water will be provided. If you just wish to attend to watch and spiritually join from your seat, that's okay too.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

08/20/2025

05/16/2025

Hello, Gardeners!! Sarah has arranged for us to view the potential site for a community garden. After services (about 12:30ish), this Sun., May 18, we'll travel to North Jackson for a quick looksee. The site is being offered by Till Rosenberger, whom we'll be meeting there. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah.

05/14/2025

Grace Forest was one of the founding members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cookeville. https://www.herald-citizen.com/obituaries/grace-wyman-forest/article_e5a67c06-5d1a-504b-9546-21e67ca99e93.html

03/22/2025

ORDER OF SERVICE
Sun., March 23, 2025
Welcome: Susie Zuller
Land Acknowledgement: By Sayota Knight
Opening Words: Matthew 25:35-40 read by Rev. Barry Whittemore
Chalice Lighting:
Hymn: #34 “Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire” Janie will play
Mission Statement: We gather as an inclusive community to inspire spiritual growth, compassionate living, and joyful service.
Ritual of Joys and Concerns: By Lauren Wyeth
Hymn: #352 “Find a Stillness”
Sermon: “The Struggle for the Soul of the Church” by Guest Minister Barry Whittemore
Offertory: By Lyn Cox
Hymn: #115 “God of Grace and God of Glory”
Extinguish the Chalice: #456 Unison: “We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.”
Benediction: By Rev. Barry Whittemore
Announcements:

02/21/2025

ORDER OF SERVICE
Sun., Feb. 23, 2025
Land Acknowledgement: By Sayota Knight
Opening Reading: By Elizabeth Mount “The Church Incarnate”
Chalice Lighting:
Hymn: #186 “Grieve Not Your Heart”
Mission Statement:
Ritual of Joys and Concerns: By Lauren Wyeth
Hymn: “Just Breathe”
Sermon: “Just for Today: An Examination of the Reiki Prayer” by Minister Deanna Lack
Offertory:
Closing Hymn: #350 “The Ceaseless Flow of Endless Time”
Closing Words: By Abigail Van Buren (a.k.a. Dear Abby)
Extinguish the Chalice: #456
Announcements:

01/11/2025

After much deliberation, the Board and Minister have concluded that for safety reasons, services for Sun., Jan. 12, will be via Zoom only. The concern is that with temperatures slightly above freezing, some of the snow on side roads melted but may refreeze into ice overnight. Driving conditions may be hazardous.

Services will begin via Zoom promptly at 10:00 a.m. as usual. To connect to UUCC's Zoom, go to https://uucookeville.org/ Deanna sermon is entitled "This We Value: Pluralism." We will have hymns, readings, and joys and sorrows as well.

We do hope you can join us at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow via Zoom only as the sanctuary will remain closed. If you must be out, please do so safely. You are a valued part of our beloved community.

An inclusive spiritual community in Cookeville, Tennessee.

11/30/2024

Sunday services begin at 10:00 a.m. with doors opening about 9:30 a.m. Everybody is welcome.

ORDER OF SERVICE: Sun., Dec. 1, 2024
Welcome:
Opening Words: “Come, Come to This Place” By Daniel Budd
Chalice Lighting: “For the Freedom of Faith” By Heather K. Janules
Hymn: #193 “Our Faith Is But a Single Gem”
Mission Statement: “We gather as an inclusive community to inspire spiritual growth, compassionate living, and joyful service.”
Ritual of Joys and Sorrows: By Lauren Wyeth
Hymn: #1023 “Building Bridges”
Sermon: “Avoiding Despair Like I Owe It Money” By Nadia Bolz-Weber
Offertory:
Hymn: #148 “Let Freedom Ring from Both East and West”
Closing Words: “Be a Branch of the Tree of Life” by Norman V. Naylor
Extinguish the Chalice: #456 in Unison:
Announcements:

11/15/2024

Litter Pickup: UUCC has adopted a one-mile section of Highlands Park Blvd. from the Putnam County Clean Commission to pickup litter along the roadway. We'll be meeting Sat., Nov. 16, at 9:00 a.m. in the Ficosa parking lot. The Clean Commission provides some bags and pickup grabbers. Please bring anything else you think you might need -- gloves, more bags, water, etc. If you have any questions, please just let me know. I hope to see you there!

09/28/2024

Check out Andrew's interview with abolitionist poet Ashley Massey. Ashley will be UUCC's guest speaker on Sun., Oct. 6.

In anticipation of an upcoming visit to Cookeville, author, artist, & activist Ashley Massa visits with Teacher On The Radio.