REMEMBRANCE

we are our ancestors' dreams

Remembrance is a time for Unitarian Universalists to remember the loved ones who have passed away. Around the world, many cultures believe that 'the veil' between the physical and afterworld is thinnest at this time of year and Festivals of the Dead are held in many places.

Last Sunday of October. Adjacent with: Samhain, Día de los Muertos

Remembrance is a time for Unitarian Universalists to remember the loved ones who have passed away. Around the world, many cultures believe that 'the veil' between the physical and afterworld is thinnest at this time of year and Festivals of the Dead are held in many places.

Proposed Objectives

Honor and remember the dead
Celebrate lives lived, and those to come in the circle of life
Feel connected to those who came before

Shared Values | Interdependence, Love, Gratitude, Family, Community, Respect
Sources | Spirituality in Earth-based traditions

Timing

Last Sunday of October. Adjacent with: Samhain, Día de los Muertos

and our grandchildren's hopes

Honor and remember the dead
Celebrate lives lived, and those to come in the circle of life
Feel connected to those who came before
Shared Values | Interdependence, Love, Gratitude, Family, Community, Respect
Sources | Spirituality in Earth-based traditions

Connect & Reflect

rituals for friends & family

Follow-along video for those who don't have the opportunity to perform the water communion in community.

During the pandemic, I created this video for the congregation I served at that time, for those who couldn't attend the water communion in community. Much of the included material is from the Tapestry of Faith and Worship Web, as well as a few other online resources. Credit is included in the video when due, with much appreciation to the original creators. A special thanks to the UU San Mateo choir as well. Length: Approx. 15 minutes.

Making Meaning

There are a lot of excellent resources on WorshipWeb. A few that speak to me include:

"I call upon you," prayer by Tandi Rogers
Immortality, meditation by Leslie Takahashi
"United by Story and Bound by Love," invocation by Andrea Hawkins-Kamper
"They Are with Us Still," affirmation by Kathleen McTigue

songs

Following are a few options that work well in a Water Communion service, small group worship, or to listen to at home. For a more comprehensive selection, see the UUA list of Songbooks and Hymnals, and the UUA List of Music for Online Worship. Please respect copyrights and contact individual artists directly for their permission. Besides legal requirements, we ask that you help support the artists.

SLTL #58: Ring Out, Wild Bells
STLT #86 Blessed Spirit of My Life
STLT #96: Cannot Think of Them as Dead
STLT #107: Now Sing We of the Brave of Old
STLT #266: Now the Green Blade Rises
STLT #306: Sing of Living, Sing of Dying
STLT#391: Voice Still and Small
STLT #412: Let Hope and Sorrow Now Unite
STJ #1051: We Are