Chris Jimmerson's Installation

Listen to the sermon by clicking the play button above.

Rev. Chris Jimmerson and a Host of Invited Clergy
February 17, 2023
First UU Church of Austin
4700 Grover Ave., Austin, TX 78756
www.austinuu.org

We come together as a church family with clergy and guests to joyfully celebrate Rev Chris Jimmerson’s formal intallation as our setted minister.

WELCOME: Gretchen Riehl

GREETINGS: Natalie Briscoe

CHALICE LIGHTING – Rev. Neil Newton

This is the flame we hold in our hearts as we strive for justice for everyone. This is the light we shine upon systems of oppression until they are no more. This is the warmth that we share with one another as our struggle becomes our salvation.

CALL TO WORSHIP: Rev. Kathleen Ellis

READING: Rev Jonalu Johnstone

“THAT WHICH HOLDS ALL”
by Nancy Shaffer

Because she wanted everyone to feel included
in her prayer,
she said right at the beginning
several names for the Holy:
Spirit, she said, Holy One, Mystery, God.

But then thinking these weren’t enough ways of addressing
that which cannot fully be addressed, she added
particularities, saying,
Spirit of Life, Spirit of Love,
Ancient Holy One, Mystery We Will Not Ever Fully Know,
Gracious God, and also Spirit of this Earth,
God of Sarah, Gaia, Thou.

And then, tongue loosened, she fell to naming
superlatives as well: Most Creative One,
Greatest Source, Closest Hope –
even though superlatives for the Sacred seemed to her
probably redundant, but then she couldn’t stop:

One who Made the Stars, she said, although she knew
technically a number of those present didn’t believe
the stars had been made by anyone or thing
but just luckily happened.

One Who Is an Entire Ocean of Compassion,
she said, and no one laughed.
That Which Has Been Present Since Before the Beginning,
she said, and the room was silent.

Then, although she hadn’t imagined it this way,
others began to offer names.

Peace, said one.
One My Mother Knew, said another.
Ancestor, said a third.
Wind.
Rain.
Breath, said one near the back.
Refuge.
That Which Holds All.
A child said, Water.
Someone said, Kuan Yin.
Then: Womb.
Witness.
Great Kindness.
Great Eagle.
Eternal Stillness.

And then, there wasn’t any need to say the things
she’d thought would be important to say,
and everyone sat hushed, until someone said

Amen.

PRAYER – MEDITATION – INVOCATION: Rev. Michelle LaGrave

ANTHEM: Brent Baldwin, voice, and guitar

“I STILL BELIEVE”
Dolly Parton

SERMON: “Exercises in Attention” – Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk

ACT OF INSTALLATION

Gretchen Riehl:
No right is more precious to a free congregation than that of choosing its own minister. By the same token, no right is more precious to a Unitarian Universalist minister than that of choosing the congregation they will serve. This is fundamental to our sacred tradition of shared leadership.

It is with profound feeling, therefore, that we formally recognize the covenantal relationship now existing between the people of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin and the Reverend Chris Jimmerson, whom we have freely chosen and who has freely chosen us.

Our choice is based not only on heritage but also on the hopes and aspirations we have for the future. This service symbolizes our dedication to new efforts.

We affirm by this act the goals toward which we strive and the ideals by which we are sustained and strengthened. Will the members of The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin please rise and join me in the following words.

Members:
We cherish our church for its historic achievements and for its dedication to our living traditions in which revelation is ever unfolding.

We celebrate its devotion to freedom and its commitment to building the Beloved Community.

We, the members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, do hereby install you, Reverend Chris Jimmerson, as our settled minister.

For our part, we pledge to walk with you in the ways of truth, justice, and the spirit of love. We offer you a free pulpit, the cooperation of our hearts and hands, and our resolute goodwill as you take up your new path among us.

Rev. Chris Jimmerson:
With joy and a deep sense of responsibility, and with gratitude for your confidence, I take up the ministry to which you have called me.

I pledge to maintain the freedom of the pulpit, to speak truth in love, and to fulfill the many duties of ministry. Above all, I will cherish and cultivate the ways of love, justice, spiritual nourishment, and growth, working with you toward transformation within these church walls and beyond them.

I humbly and joyfully accept your offer of covenantal relationship and shared ministry.

Gretchen Riehl:
Will all who have not yet risen – colleagues, family, and friends please rise in spirit or in body to bear witness to this act of installation?

All:
We do hereby affirm this installation and this ministry. May congregation and minister both be blessed with strength and wisdom in the years of holy work ahead.

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS: Gretchen Riehl and Susan Thomson

CHARGE TO THE MINISTER Rev. Joanna Crawford

CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION Rev. Dr. John A. Buehrens

CLOSING MUSIC Introduced by Rev. Michelle LaGrave

“ALL WILL BE WELL”
Rev. Meg Barnhouse and Kiya Heartwood

EXTINGUISHING THE CHALICE Rev. Lee Legault

BENEDICTION: Rev. Chris Jimmerson

SERMON INDEX

Most sermons during the past 24 years are available online through this website. Click on the index link above to find tables of all sermons for each year listed by date (newest to oldest) with topic and speaker. Click on a topic to go to that sermon.

PODCASTS

Podcasts of this and other sermons are also available for free on iTunes. You can find them by clicking on the podcast link above or copying and pasting this link. https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/first-unitarian-universalist/id372427776