Order of Service

June 1, 2025 10:00 AM

Installation of Rev. Deborah Bennett
as Settled Minister

 With guest clergy

Rev. Evin Carvill Ziemer
Developmental Lead, New England Region, UUA

Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser
Temple Sinai, Cranston

Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt
President, Unitarian Universalist Association

Rev. Jeannette Bessinger
Director of Spiritual Development, Westminster Unitarian

Rev. Thomas Schade
Retired UU Minister

Rev. DL Helfer, LCSW
UU Minister and Therapist

Rev. Dr. Leon Dunkley
North Universalist Chapel, Woodstock, VT

Rev. Eric Cherry
Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, MA

Tech Host:  Lance Collins

 

Gathering Music

Processional          #298, Wake Now My Senses

Wake, now, my senses, and hear the earth call; feel the deep power of being in all; keep, with the web of creation your vow, giving, receiving as love shows us how.

Wake, now, my reason, reach out to the new; join with each pilgrim who quests for the true; honor the beauty and wisdom of time; suffer thy limit, and praise the sublime.

Wake, now, compassion, give heed to the cry; voices of suffering fill the wide sky; take as your neighbor both stranger and friend, praying and striving their hardship to end.

Wake, now, my conscience, with justice thy guide; join with all people whose rights are denied; take not for granted a privileged place; God’s love embraces the whole human race.

Wake, now, my vision of ministry clear; brighten my pathway with radiance here; mingle my calling with all who will share; work toward a planet transformed by our care.

Welcome and Chalice Lighting      Tracey McDonnell Wysor and Bill Stone

Unison Affirmation
Love is the spirit of this church
And service our mission
This is our great covenant
To dwell together in peace
To seek the truth in love
And to help one another

Greetings     Rev. Evin Carvill Ziemer

Interfaith Greetings      Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser

Call to Worship      Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt

Choir      Festival Sanctus by John Leavitt

Moment of Centering and Prayer     Rev. Jeannette

Gift from our Children     Rev. Jeannette

Call for the Offering     Rev. Deborah

Offertory

 Sermon     The Gift, Rev. Thomas Schade

Act of Installation      Janet Searles and April Cambre

Janet:  In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, the authority and privilege of calling ministers rest solely with the congregation. Rev. Deborah, last April, after an extensive search process and a period of discernment by you and this congregation, we voted to call you as our 18th settled minister and you accepted that call.

April: Since then, you have moved to this community and have begun serving our congregation and its mission. You have led us in worship, provided pastoral and spiritual care, supported our operations and growth and represented us in the community. We are so grateful that you have chosen Westminster and that we are now formally declaring our commitment to journey together in shared ministry.

Janet: Rev. Deborah, are you ready and willing to undertake the commitments of this ministry here with us, the members of the Westminster Unitarian Church?

Rev. Deborah: I am.

Janet:  Would the members of Westminster Unitarian Church please rise and join in our unison covenant?

Members of Westminster:
We, the members of Westminster Unitarian Church hereby install you, Reverend Deborah Bennett, as our 18th settled minister.
We would have you speak the truth in freedom and love, to
minister to all people in their joys and their sorrows, to celebrate the many blessings of life with awe and joy, and to invite us into lives transformed by service and shaped by the pursuit of justice.

April:  I invite all those gathered here to rise and join the members of Westminster in affirming this installation.

Congregation: We, the gathered congregation, recognize and
affirm you, Rev. Deborah Bennett, as the minister of this
congregation. We rejoice with you on this occasion and offer you our blessings for a long and fulfilling ministry with this
congregation.

Response from the Minister

Presentation of Stole      Janet Searles and April Cambre, Created by Carolyn Marshall with fabric from Margaret Townsend

Laying on of Hands     Rev. DL Helfer

Choir      I Dreamed of Rain

Charge to the Minister     Rev. Dr. Leon Dunkley

Charge to the Congregation     Rev. Eric Cherry

 Benediction     Rev. Deborah

Recessional      #1028, Fire of Commitment
 From the light of days remembered burns a beacon bright and clear
Guiding hands and hearts and spirits Into faith set free from fear.

 Chorus: When the fire of commitment sets our mind and soul a blaze When our hunger and our passion meet to call us on our way
When we live with deep assurance of the flame that burns within,
Then our promise finds fulfillment and our future can begin.

 From the stories of our living rings a song both brave and free,
Calling pilgrims still to witness to the life of liberty.

 From the dreams of youthful vision comes a new, prophetic voice,
Which demands a deeper justice built by our courageous choice.

 Extinguishing the Chalice
Carry the Flame of Peace and Love Until We Meet Again (repeat)