 Yeah, we don't have it. I think we're going to use it. All right. Wait, no, we need that. I'm still going to go with it. Oh, you are. What was the goal between you? That's right. Yeah, so that's a stupid thing. I'm going to go between you. No. Here, if I can turn the speaker off. Here. Nothing should change. I'm just going to go with it. Yeah. This. Wow. I'm going to go with it. I'm going to go with it. All right. And you're picking it. Well, hold it. No, put it. I almost posted it. You don't want to see me getting my way. You're going to be... You're going to be... You're going to be... It is moving. It's not moving. Let's go. Yeah. That's it. That's it. That's it. That's it. That's it. That's it. That's it. That's it. Are we doing that? That's it. That's it. That's it. Thank you. No, we can't do that. See you. Sure. Thank you. That's right. That's right. That's it. That's it. That's it. See. That's it. See you. That's it. That's it. and such. In me. I'm gonna tell you something. That's me in the morning going to the laundry. No, they'll say in me, that role for me in the structure. Watch the floor. This is my other house. Actually, I'm too unfortunate. I'm too sad. I'm too ashamed. I'm too ashamed. To be sitting here, in an actual cooking piece, actually, I'm so happy to be here. Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm so happy to be here. Congratulations. Yeah. Management, site team. It's right here. I'm different. Yeah, we go to the kitchen. We go to the kitchen. Congratulations. What are these plants? They're so happy. They're so happy. They're so cool. They're so bright. They're so beautiful. They're so beautiful. They're so beautiful. Where is he? I'll be happy to be with you all in the kitchen. Look, it's so bad. I said there are... Yeah, I said there are... No, okay. Okay. Please let's all join in a few moments of centering silence. And now please remain seated as we sing our in-gathering hymn, which is number 1069 in the teal hymnal and the words appear in your order of service. Good morning. Welcome to the first Unitarian Society of Madison. This is a community where curious seekers gather to explore spiritual, ethical, and social issues in an accepting and nurturing environment. Unitarian universalism supports the freedom of conscience of each individual. As together, we seek to be a force for good in the world. My name is Karen Rose Gredler, and on behalf of the entire congregation, I'd like to extend a special welcome to visitors. We are a welcoming congregation, so whomever you are and wherever you happen to be on your life's journey, we celebrate your presence among us. New comers are encouraged to stay for our fellowship hour after the service and to visit the library, which is directly across from the center doors of this auditorium. Bring your beverages and questions. Members of our staff and lay ministry will be on hand to welcome you. You may also look for persons holding teal-colored stoneware coffee mugs. These are FUS members knowledgeable about our faith community who would welcome visiting with you. Experienced guides are generally available to give building tours after each service, so if you would like to learn more about the sustainably designed addition or our landmark meeting house across the parking lot, please come to this corner at your left of the auditorium by the windows after the service. This would be a great time to turn off all devices that might cause a disturbance during the hour, especially those pesky cell phone melodies which we all love but kind of distract us. I'd now like to acknowledge those individuals who help our services run smoothly. For this service, we do not have a non-staff, sound operator. We have our faithful staff member, Dan Carnes, back in that corner. And if anyone would like to volunteer to learn to be a sound operator, so he won't have to do two or three jobs at once, that would be fantastic. I don't mean right this minute. I mean, you know, let us know you'd like to. Ann Smiley is your lay minister along this morning with Judy Troyer. Joan Heitman was your greeter along with Carol Angel. Usher's are Ann Smiley again, Patricia Becker, and maybe it's just the two of them, this service. Maureen Muldoon and Scott Lotus are making coffee and lemon water and whatever else they're doing back in the kitchen to welcome you after the service. Did you notice that theme? We have an angel and a Lotus serving for us today. I thought that was kind of sweet. Okay. Please note the announcements in the red floors insert in your order of service. That's this one. Please see that there are descriptions of upcoming events at the society and more information about what's going on today and in the near future. So take a look at that. And again, welcome. We hope today's service will stimulate your mind, touch your heart, and stir your spirit. We come together this morning to celebrate as seekers and companions. We enter into this celebration of the summer solstice, the longest day, joyfully allowing ourselves the beauty of this time together in which we may rest our cares and sorrows and allow our hearts and spirits to be uplifted. Summer solstice is one of the most ancient of human festivals. Each year it occurs on or around June 21st, the midway point in the year when the sun is highest in the sky and the days are longer than the nights. In ancient times, people all over the northern hemisphere would celebrate this time with bonfires, games, and feasting. So I invite you to come fully into this place, drinking in the beauty and community that surrounds you, becoming centered here in the now. The solstice teaches us that darkness comes and darkness goes. The solstice teaches us that light comes and light goes. The solstice teaches us calmly, silently, to be calm, silent. The solstice teaches us as we circle the sun that everything flies. The solstice teaches us to remember the dark, to remember the light, to remember time, the seasons, and love. May we always remember the power of love as we circle the sun. And I invite you now to rise and body your spirit to join us as we call in the directions and light our chalice. So if you will please turn to the brightening east, spirit of the east, home of the rising sun. We welcome you into our circle. We feel the embrace of spring winds stirring our minds. We hear the soft rustle of air through the leaves. We feel life renewing itself again and again. Here knowledge is born on light, swift wings. We kindle this fire today in the east and invoke the spirit of air. Flow within us wind of life, let there be truth and knowledge. Spirit of the air be with us. Please turn to the blazing south, spirit of the south, spirit of the noonday sun. We welcome you into our circle today. We feel the blast of summer wind igniting passion. We hear the sharp crackle of dancing flames. Here transformation rains. Here cleansing fires temper and renew. The sun at the noon of its majesty illuminates the world and ignites the spark of life within us all. We kindle this fire today in the south and invoke the spirit of fire. Flow within us, O flame of life, let there be passion and inspiration. Spirit of fire be with us today. And if you will please turn to the watery west. Spirit of the west, spirit of falling light and the setting sun. We feel the caress of autumn wind awakening dreams. We hear the ebbing and flowing of the sea. Here intuition rains. Here emotion flickers in the depths of the dark springs. The well fills with the waters of the bosom of the earth. The cup overflows with deep wisdom. We kindle this fire today in the west and invoke the spirit of water. Flow within us, O well of life, let there be wisdom and intuition. Spirits of the water be with us. Please now turn to the frozen north. Spirit of the north, spirit of the star strewn midnight sky. We feel the blaze of winter wind chilling hearts and bone. We hear the crunch of snow beneath our feet. Here winter grasps the land. Here darkness rains. Dreams are born and nurtured. The seeds of peace are sown. The visions of a new world are nourished. We kindle this fire today in the north and invoke the spirit of earth. Grow within us, O tree of life, let there be strength and courage. Spirits of the earth be with us today. And now we will light our chalice symbolizing our center. And if you will please join together in the words that are printed in your order of service. In this small flamed well, the beacon light of lanterns guiding travelers home. The warmth of hearth fires tended through the generations. The transforming energy of furnaces and the power and life of our sun. May these blessings, warmth and light and life-giving energy be kindled in each of us. And before we join together in song, if you would take a moment to turn and greet those around you. Please be seated. If you woke this morning with a sorrow so heavy that you need the help of this community to carry it. Or if you woke with a joy so great that it simply must be shared, now is that time. The sharing of joys and sorrows is our time in a spirit of acceptance and support. To share with one another some special event or circumstance that has affected our lives or the life of a loved one in recent days or weeks. It is not a time for general announcements or political opinion. And please remember that our listeners are not limited to the people in this room as our services are broadcast. So for the next few minutes, anyone who wishes is invited to step to the front of the auditorium, lighting a candle, using the microphone that Anne will have, briefly share with us your message. You may also come forward to wordlessly light a candle and return to your seat. If you're unable to come forward for any reason, raise your hand and Anne will bring the microphone to you. And Anne, I would like to begin if you could light one candle for Dawn and Scott Wavra and their family. Scott is across the street at the Veterans Hospital with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. And so we are keeping the both of them and their family in our prayers and sending him our love and our strength. I'd like to light a candle for Nancy. Hi, I'm Elizabeth. I'm here, but I'm also at General Assembly, which is happening right now in New Orleans, Louisiana. So I've been online. I'm an online delegate. So I voted for president. I've done all these important things. Not from home because we don't have internet access. So my mother has internet access. So Sam and I went to her house yesterday. With my mother, we watched the Synergy Bridging Workshop Service, which is when Unitarian Universalists who are youth become young adults. It's this beautiful ceremony with lots of music. We watched the hymn sing, and so we sang. And then we watched with my mother the where lecture given by Brian Stevenson. You know, he's the one who wrote Just Mercy that all of us read a few years ago. So it was such a great experience to have that with my mom, who is basically unchurched. Hi, I'm Doug. I'm just celebrating my parent's 64th anniversary and loving each other and putting together, putting up with each other for 64 years. I'm Carolyn Waxler and I lead a candle for Judy Lowry, who I have the privilege to know based on a chalice group that are in the fiber arts chalice group. She's a gentle, wonderful spirit, and she is recovering from a significant surgery. And I want to send healing thoughts from all of us to her. I'm Carol Angel, and being behind Elizabeth and watching GA on the computer, I had the privilege of watching my daughter be honored in the service of living tradition for being in preliminary fellowship. She couldn't do it last year because she had a brand new baby, but the whole family is except me. They're all down there, and it was thrilling to see that service and then also to watch, yesterday morning, watching her up in front helping lead worship. So it was just wonderful that we have this ability to do this with the internet and have it all be streamed right into our homes. I'm Lorna Aronson, and speaking of former interns, Sarah was an intern here some years back. And I heard from Julie Brock last week, Julie is going to go before the Ministerial Fellowship Committee in mid-September, and she's really looking forward to it, and it's a major, major step in her ministry. So middle of September, we ask you send really great vibes to Julie in Boston. Hi, I'm Brescia, and I just wanted to light a candle in honor of extended family of our sister-in-law who had a loss this week. I'm Barbara Pillinger, and I would like to light a candle in honor of my oldest friend. We met when I was four, and she was two and a half. And yesterday, I found out that she had died in the middle of May. She had not wanted me to come see her these last few months because she had muscular dystrophy, and she had an ongoing pride that she didn't want me to see her. She was very special. Her childhood dream was to become a professional dancer, which she did. She danced at the Starlight Theater in Kansas City, and she danced at the Che Paris in Chicago, in shows with Jimmy Durante, et cetera. For approximately 35 years, she taught dance in Elmhurst and Glen-Ellen, Illinois. Glen-Ellen was our hometown. Her name was Donnie Jo Meyers, Biddle. Donnie Jo Meyers, Capsalis Biddle, which was quite a name. She was quite a person, and thank you for honoring her today. There's nothing like old friends. I've never done this before. In my thoughts and hopefully yours, my partner Anne Reifenberg gives in Africa, Botswana. I don't think she's riding elephants, but I know she's having a good time. Anne, I feel like one last candle for all the joys and all the sorrows that live in the fullness of our hearts. And I invite you to rise in body or spirit for our next hymn, number 163. Please be seated. Our first story today is a retelling from the Cherokee tradition. When the earth was first made, it was very dark, and the animals were very afraid. One day, Bear said, I have seen light on the other side of the world, but the people will not share. Perhaps we could steal some for ourselves. The others thought this was a splendid idea and started to discuss who should go first. I'll go, said Fox. Fox went and stole a piece of light in his mouth, but it was so hot. It burned his mouth, and he dropped it, and the fox still has a black mouth to this day. Possum tried next. He wrapped the light in his tail, and he tried to drag it back, but it was too hot, and he dropped it. And that is why no possum has fur on his tail. Crow said, let me try. And he went off to steal the light, but when he got close, it singed all of his beautiful feathers, and he turned black. He was so afraid he ran away. Finally, Grandmother Spider said, I will go. When she reached the light, she was surprised by how hot it was. She thought of a plan and began to spin and spin with her silky web. Soon she had enough for a bag. She approached the light and, quick as a flash, tucked the light into her bag. When she got back, the animals were triumphant. Hooray for Grandmother Spider, they all shouted. Grandmother Spider was happy to give them the light. We should hang the light in the sky so all can be warmed by it, she said. The other animals thought that was a very good idea, but how could they get it into the sky? I will go, said Vulture. He took the bag of light and put it on his head. It was hot, but he could stand it. He flew higher and higher, and the bag got hotter and hotter. He climbed higher, and his feathers turned black. Still higher, and the feathers on his head burned right off. Still higher, and his head turned bright red. At the last possible second, he threw the light into the sky as hard as he could. And the sun hung bright and beautiful, warming all the land as it does to this day. Some of you know that we have a winter solstice service here every year, and at that service, we reenact the story of the Holly King and the Oak King. And last year, at the end of that service, several people said to me, how come we never do the summer solstice so that the Holly King can win back his crown? So, ta-da! Our service was born. So I invite you to enter with us into a time of myth and legend, to hear the tale of two immortal brothers, twins, as alike and as different as day and night. No one knows which of the two is older. I am. No, I am. For both are said to have existed since the dawn of time. In frosty darkness I am born, and in frosty darkness I die, only to be reborn again and again. I rule over autumn and winter, the times of harvest, of aging, of wisdom, and of rest. I am the Holly King, he of the... I am the Oak King. I am more and more in essence I am born, and in more and more in essence I die, only to be reborn again and again and again. I rule over spring and summer, the times of planting, of growth, of learning, and of renewal. I am the Oak King, he of the... You already said that. Like many brothers, the Oak King and the Holly King sometimes don't get along. He calls me names. He steals my stuff. Sometimes they don't know how to share. Why should I share? I'm the king. For now. Sometimes they even fight. Fight? He kills me every summer to steal my crown. He's planning to off me right now. Only because you kill me every winter to steal my crown. Fortunately, even the most stubborn person can learn to get along with others. I'm not stubborn. It's not my fault he's a twit. I'll be nice, but only if he apologizes. Fortunately, even families that have been estranged for years. Centuries. Millennia. Don't correct me. For millennia can be reconciled. You wish. It begins with learning to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every... Ha. His only worth lies in the crown he gives me each summer. And man, it's so easy to take it from him. Dignity? He's about as dignified as a chimpanzee screeching for a banana. Take that back. It begins with learning to respect those, even those you disagree with. I respect him. And by respect, I mean loads with the passion of a thousand sons. That was uncalled for. And once you learn to affirm each other's worth and respect each other, you can work on ways to overcome your differences. No, we have ways. Yeah, really effective ways. My favorite begins with a trudge and ends with a thud. No, no, no. Ways that do not involve violence. Oh. We're going to try one of those nonviolent ways today. We are. Do I have to? Do you want to turn it where in the crown? He's just going to try to hurt me to take it. Well, it is my turn. He's not going to hurt you. He's not. I'm not. You're not. You're going to have a little contest. Like a duel? Or how about a nuclear arms race? No, no, no. Neither one of those. You may notice behind you, there's a drum. I like drums. I'm really good at drums. Well, I'm better. Ha, you wish. Your Majesties, thank you so much. Oh, King, if you could grab your drum. Why does he get to pick his first? Because he's the incumbent. Not for long. Holly King, if you could please get your drum. All right, let's do this. Okay, not so fast. Ours is an interdependent world, and those of us living in it should have a say in how our world is one. So, I need your help. Everyone pick a team. Team Oak or Team Holly? Pick me. I'm definitely going to pick you. You can participate by clapping, stomping, cheering along with your chosen King. Oak King, you are the current ruler of the known universe. So your side gets to go first. Okay, we've so got this. Now the Holly King. Follow me, my good and loyal Holly things. Holly's got a slight advantage, so we're going to speed it up a little bit, but I want you to take turns. Curses. I must admit defeat. Hand over that crown, tree boy. Ah, you get the crown, but only on one condition. Condition, mortal? Yep. What condition? In six months at the Winter Solstice, you will give your brother a chance to win it back, and you, Oak King, will not hurt him to get it back. Oh, all right. Another drum battle? I'm okay with that. Good. Now just give him the crown. All hail. I would like to thank Sam and Rob for being such good sports and wearing faux greenery on their heads. Thank you, Holly King. Have a good reign. And if you all will rise in body or spirit for our next hymn, number 1070, please be seated. There is an ancient Slavic tale that reminds us of the power of renewal each day symbolized in the rising of the sun. The sun brings new life to those who are weary and worn and help us to find the inner light and power within to face a new day. The story says that once a man came to the end of the world and he looked around, he was very tired because he had walked from the beginning of the world and his food had run out long ago. There before him, he saw a red house with curtains at the windows and smoke making a lazy trail across the sky. With hope in his heart, he knocked at the door. After a moment, an old woman in black opened the door. Please, said the man, I have walked from the beginning of the world, please may I come inside and rest. The old woman looked at him for a moment and invited him in, taking his arm and guiding him to sit down before a simple wooden table. My daughter will be home soon, she said, then we will eat. Moments later, a girl in a bright scarlet dress entered the room. Her face shone with light and her smile lit up the whole house. When the man looked at her, he suddenly felt renewed as if he were young again. My dear, said the old woman, we have a guest. This wanderer has walked from the beginning of the world. What a lot you must have seen, said the girl, her voice sounding like honey drops falling from a spoon. After dinner in the warmth of the house with a full stomach, the man began to grow sleepy. Seeing this, the old woman showed him to a bed in the corner and as he was drifting off to sleep he saw the girl remove her scarlet dress and lie down in another part of the room. Her mother took the dress which shined with a light of its own and hung it beside the fireplace. Then she covered it with a large black cloth. At once the room grew dark and the man fell into a deep sleep. Just before dawn he woke to hear the old woman singing a quiet song to the girl saying, come my little son, the night is growing old, get up and go about your work. At once the girl rose and put on her dress. Suddenly the room was flooded with light and the girl was gone. Ever after the man spoke of the girl in the red house who lives at the end of the world and sometimes he would look up at the sun riding high across the heavens and he would smile and wave to her as if to an old friend. Summer solstice is a time to think of new beginnings to delight in the rising of a new day as an opportunity for new life and new ideas and it is also a time to clean out the cobwebs to get rid of the things we no longer need including the stories and the thoughts that we tell ourselves that hold us back. In order to move forward it's helpful to make room for the new ideas by letting go of the old. So I invite you to take a few moments now to think of those patterns or the habits or the stories in your own life that hold you back from reaching your goals things that you no longer want in your life. So today we're going to symbolically put an end to those thoughts and stories and habits making room for positive growth and Karen Rose is going to light this candle for us letting the fire burn away the old and making room for the new. And now that we have released what holds us back we're ready to create intentions for moving forward. So you picked a ribbon on your way into our service if you didn't have a chance to pick one we've got extras up front here. So what we would like to do is have you think about what you would like to bring into your life. We're going to let these ribbons hold all of our wishes and intentions for this season. It's also a time to take a moment to look around and notice the connections we have with each other. These people around you who hold us in our hearts during difficult times who celebrate our joys who support our own personal journeys. We realize how blessed with abundance we truly are. So hold your ribbon in your hands call on that wonderful summertime energy think of the brilliant sun's light shining down and illuminating you warming your spirit. As this powerful light shines down think of all the wishes you have for this summer. Maybe you're swimming in the ocean maybe you're visiting family or friends maybe you're starting something new maybe you're lying in a hammock whatever you wish for take a few moments now and think what you would like to create for your summer. What are your hopes for yourself for your family for our community and for the world let the light of the sun shine on our hopes and let those hopes be held in the weave of these ribbons. So Karen Rose and I invite you to come forward when you're ready and tie your ribbon onto our web creating a visual representation of our hopes for the summer ahead and also our connections here in community. Hang this outside so that throughout the summer the sun will shed light on our intentions while the earth will embrace and hold our wishes helping them to manifest. Earth bring the fire and passion of the sun into our beings so that like the sun we may shine. Lend us earth and water air and fire fill us with these elements these powers of creation that we may tend them because they are your garden that we may be happy and at one with you so may it be. And I now invite you into the giving and receiving of our offering this morning which over the summer our offering is dedicated to the ongoing work of the society and we thank you for your generosity. I invite you to rise and body your spirit for our closing hymn, number 1067. May we be grateful today for the spirits who joined us in our circle the earth, the water, the fire and the air. Thank you for blessing us and being with us as the wheel turns and as we have rejoiced in the strength of the light. The circle is open but never broken. Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again. As we leave this place may you know fully and deeply the blessings of each of your heart seasons. The inward turning of winter, springtime's lush renewal the effortless steady growth of summer and autumn's rich harvest. May your passage from season to season be blessed eased by hands to hold and by the light of love to guide you on. Blessed be, go in peace and please be seated for the postlude.