The Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough

Our services are a celebration of words, music and silence.

We begin with Opening Music, which is usually offered by one of our members who plays the piano, or sung by our choir Resonance.

Following is the Lighting of the Chalice by a member of the congregation and unison words...

"May the light we now kindle
Inspire us to use our powers:
To heal and not to harm,
To help and not to hinder,
To bless and not to curse,
To serve the spirit of freedom."

Next we sing the Hymn "Spirit of Life" which many know by heart.

"Spirit of Life, come unto me. Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion. Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice. Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me."

Welcome and Announcements is a time to let newcomers know how to become involved in the congregation and to share community and congregational events of interest.

A Story for Young and Old follows where the children are encouraged to come and sit up front to engage with the storyteller or get a better view of the illustrations in the book.

Next we sing the children to their RE (Religious Education) classes with:

"Go now in peace, go now in peace
May the spirit of love surround you
Everywhere, everywhere you may go"

Candles of Joy and Concern is a time when an open invitation is offered to come forward and light a candle and share something of personal significance. In closing a candle is lit to honour the joys and concerns that remain unspoken.

This time of sharing is followed by a reading, after which a brief time of silence is observed. Following this, meditative music is offered on CD, piano, or sung by the choir.

There is often a reading and a hymn before the Sermon that is given by our minister three Sundays a month or a layperson or a guest one Sunday a month.

After the sermon we have the offering, closing words and more music.

Throughout the year there are variations on this order of service. Sometimes a small group from the congregation comes together to "craft" services of particular interest for example Earth Day, or the December Candlelight Service. Or our minister facilitates a service in a particular way to include the voice of many in our congregation. Once a year our youth create a dynamic, not to be missed service. With these variations our services are able to serve the rich mixture of members who take part in our congregation.