♦ We propose a CHALICE LIGHTING be printed in the Order of Service in order to make possible a Unison Reading, and that an older child be asked to lead it, while a younger child lights the flame. (Make sure a small candle is already lit behind the chalice, and that a taper candle is alongside, so that the child need only pick up the taper candle, light it from the small flame already there, and then lights the chalice.)
We light this chalice as a symbol
of our connection to the stars in the sky,
to the warmth of the sun,
and to our own bright place in the universe.
♦ OPENING WORDS for a young person to read:
Astronomer Carl Sagan concluded his 1980 TV series, Cosmos, with these words, "We are the local embodiment of a Cosmos grown to self awareness. We have begun to contemplate our origins: star stuff pondering the stars!"
♦ If your congregation sometimes uses during Sunday services powerpoint computer support, projected on a screen up-front, Connie would love to include her powerpoint slides for the SERMON component of the service.
♦ Although Connie doesn't need to be personally involved in Order of Service planning for a regular adult service, she does like to talk personally with whoever is coordinating a Stardust Intergenerational Service. Contact her by email at:
So: introduce into your standard ORDER OF SERVICE these elements:
OPENING WORDS: Carl Sagan
CHALICE LIGHTING (printed for unision reading)
STORY FOR ALL AGES: Here Connie will introduce the children to the basic science underlying the fact that "We are made of stardust!" Will be very playful and fun for adults too.
SONG: "Twinkle Twinkle" - children stay forward and sing first verse with hand movements led by Connie; then congregation sings new second verse while Connie leads hand movements. (Print new verse in order of service.) Children then return to their seats. (Note: Connie prefers to lead this a capella, without piano accompaniment.)
Twinkle twinkle little star / Now we know just what you are.
CHOIR: You may wish to plan ahead (especially for a "Stardust" sermon) to have your choir sing a version of Robert Weston's #530 "Out of the Stars", set to music by Betsy Jo Angebraandt, Minister of Music at the Annapolis, MD, UU Church. (Contact her directly). Especially for a "Stardust" program, the song "Cosmic Stew" by Stan Slaughter can be fun. (The choir, plus on-stage drum and piano, sang it to a real rockin' beat at Live Oak UU in Austin.)
SERMON: "We Are Made of Stardust!" Connie Barlow (short and appropriate for all ages). Connie usually concludes by solo singing (without accompaniment) a song she wrote on the stardust theme that reiterates the science in meaningful ways. It is titled, "In the Beginning."
COSMIC COMMUNION: led by Connie Barlow and service leader (and possibly helped by 2 to 4 children)
Closing words (follow directly, no hymn): Connie Barlow
We are made of stardust
Note: carbon is signified by burnt toast, oxygen by a cloud, calcium by bone, iron by blood
Click here for brief biographies in PDF that can be used to introduce Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd at UU events.
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Making atoms in your core / Helium and many more
Twinkle twinkle little star / Now we know just what you are.
NOTE: For the "Cosmic Communion", I (and a lay leader) stand at the front (one to the right and the other to the left) and invite to come forward any who wish to have their forehead or back of hand be daubed with "stardust" (glitter). In preparation for that, I teach a simple chant tune that is sung over and over while the communion proceeds (no piano accompaniment is needed). I use a poster with pictures to teach the words to the chant tune (below), which may also be printed in the order of service (but doesn't have to be). Ideally, several extrovert upper elementary-age children are recruited in advance who will actually do the glittering, as adults are delighted to be offered "communion" by a child. For small congregations, two children should be recruited. For medium congregations of 100 or more, 4 children should be recruited. For very large congregations, we need to consult how best to do this. Note: I bring glitter and then put it into palm-size shells, one for each of the designated glitterers.
Click to listen to an AUDIO CLIP of this song, in actual performance.
every single atom
of carbon and of oxygen, calcium and iron.
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