May 11, 2025

Dreaming Freedom 

The word abolition sounds like a big "no!" Indeed, it arises out of protest and the dream to undo what is now normal but need not be, but when we talk of prison abolition in a contemporary context and the undoing required, what are we also building? What kind of a world can we imagine? And how might we begin to be in this world-yet-to-be together? 

Our service today is led by the Reverend Shari Halliday-Quan who serves as the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester. They were loved into being by a large extended family in Los Angeles made up of both white and Chinese immigrants who did not come here “the right way.” Shari has a BA in Economics and a Masters of Divinity and worked for the federal government before ministry—all of this was training in how to do a lot with a little. 

Prelude:

Welcome: Dr. Tuli Patel, Lead Ministry Team

Opening Music: Hold On Just a Little While Longer by Rev. Cleophus Robinson Jr.

Chalice Lighting: Rachel Rydzewski, Worship Associate

Time for All Ages: A Mother’s Day Proclamation Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis led by Dr. Tuli Patel and Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner, Lead Ministry Team and Rachel Rydzewski

Candle Lighting: Maureen Erwin and Allyson Murphy, Beacon Chaplains

Meditation: Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner, Lead Ministry Team

Hymn 1009 Meditation on Breathing

Testimony: Margaret Ng, Beacon Member

Offertory Music: All Shall Be Well by Misa Iwama and #1010 We Give Thanks

“Between Peace and Joy” an excerpt from Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening read by Rachel Rydzewski, Worship Associate

Sermon Rev. Shari Halliday-Quan

Music: Where You Go, I Shall Go by Shoshana Jedwab

Benediction: Rev. Shari Halliday-Quan

Postlude

With special thanks to all the volunteers and staff who made our service possible including:

Worship Lead: Rev. Shari Halliday-Quan

Music: Misa Iwama

Live Stream Technician: Lux Chakrapani

Audio Tech: Vivek Chakrapani

Worship Associate: Rachel Rydzewski

Board Greeter: Ellie Muska and Mia Morse

Welcome Team: Marty Rothfelder and Jean Crichton; and Stephanie Szarek and Michael Szarek

Virtual Usher: Pablo Vazquez

Chaplain: Maureen Erwin and Allyson Murphy