Life Eternal

Rev. Dan Hotchkiss preaching

In this season of All Souls, we remember those we loved and lost. We may anticipate rejoining them in heaven or treasure traces of their lives. We also wonder what will come of us when our time comes. Dan Hotchkiss will reflect on responses in our faith tradition to the pain and mystery of mortality. 

For centuries people around the globe have been honoring their ancestors and the souls of the departed. None of us escapes this world alive. Peter Morales, a former president of the UUA, urges us in Bringing the Dead to Life, not to dismiss the Day of the Dead as pure superstition, because we can easily miss the profound spiritual insight that makes this tradition possible. Therefore, we invite you to bring a picture or symbol of your love one – furry or human – and place it on the altar as you enter the sanctuary.  After the postlude on Sunday, we will invite you to form a circle around the pews.  When you receive the chalice and mike, say their names so we might all appreciate them with you. Vi Fairweather will be leading this ritual.

Special music will be provided by an instrumental trio: Patty Simon (flute, crumhorn, recorders), Barry Simon (hammered dulcimer, bass, percussion), and Polly Jacobson (recorders).

Rev. Dan Hotchkiss is a UU minister and author of Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership. Over the last 20 years, Dan has consulted on planning, leadership, and board governance with Christian, Jewish, and Islamic leaders in more than 33 faith families. Previously, Dan managed ministerial placement for the UUA and served parishes in New Haven and Boca Raton. He sings in the Chalice Choir and manages our website and online worship. His wife Susan serves as music director.

We welcome Viola Fairweather to share in this service. Vi first came to Unitarian Universalism in 1969 when she came to Middleboro to teach and found a religious home at First UU Society of Middleboro. Over the years she has been on most church committees as well as being on staff as Lifespan R E Director. Vi led many groups and workshops, including one on Death and Dying. While doing the Hospice Training and studying with Dr. Bernie Siegel, she became passionate about working with dying patients and living life fully.