Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis
With Rev. Johnnie Bloom-Ramirez, Vicki Wolf, and Brian Shaw

Butterflies are an important symbol of transformation and regeneration for a good number of the world’s cultures. From being symbols of sex to death, butterflies are fascinating for the feelings they engender. Their metamorphosis process though is truly gruesome to imagine. How might we as Unitarian Universalists, and as Americans, be like the butterfly?

Rev. Johnnie(he/they) was born and raised in Southern California, in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. He holds a BA in Organizational Management and graduated from Meadville Lombard with a Master of Divinity. During the pandemic he completed a Chaplain Residency at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center and co-led a covenanting community completely online. Until recently, Rev. Johnnie continued to serve UCSF as per diem chaplain. He is married to Rene, and they have an adult son Geordyn. A total history nerd, he builds historical garments, and he also runs a nonprofit historical reenactment company in his spare time. He works as the part-time contract minister for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sunnyvale, and as a flight attendant with United Airlines, offering “chaplaincy in the sky.”

Order of Service

Welcome
Centering through Music — “Spanish Dance” by E. Granados
Chalice Lighting — “Let There Be Light” by Andrew Pakula
Opening Hymn — #1007 “There’s a River Flowing in my Soul”
Time for All Ages —“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
Singing Out the Children — “Go Lifted Up”

Go lifted up, / Love bless your way, / moonlight, starlight / guide your Journey / into peace / and the brightness of day

Offering — Selection from “Ochos Valses Poeticos” by E. Granados
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Time of Reflection — “Rest In the Peace of This Moment” by Kris Cervantes
Silence (one minute)
Musical Response — #1051 “We Are…”
Musical Offering — “Dos Oruguitas” by Lin-Manuel Miranda, sung by Sebastien Yatra
Message — Rev. Johnnie Bloom-Ramirez: “Metamorphosis”
Closing Words
Closing Hymn — #396 “I Know This Rose Will Open”
Extinguishing the Chalice

We extinguish this chalice, but not the light of truth, the warmth of love, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts out into the world, until we meet again.

Benediction — ”May You Be Changed” by Emily Richards