On this day in which we honor mothers, let us remember the original Mother’s Day. Unitarian Julia Ward Howe’s original Mother’s Day was a day of feminist activism for peace following the death and destruction of families wrought by the Civil War.
“Honoring the First Mother’s Day”
Rev. George Grimm-Howell
May 10, 2026
Chiming of the Singing Bowl Joff Masukawa
Words of Welcome and Announcements Joff Masukawa
Prelude – “River Flows In You” Melissa Meghdadi
Yiruma
Lighting of the Chalice Joff Masukawa
Selena Fox
Call to Worship Rev. George Grimm-Howell
Singing – Centering Hymn* The Congregation
#409 “Sleep, My Child”
Stones of Joys and Sorrows Joff Masukawa
Prayer and Meditation – “Mother’s Day Prayer” Rev. George Grimm-Howell
Kathleen Rolenz
Reading – “Mother’s Day Proclamation, 1870” Joff Masukawa
Julia Ward Howe
Choral Anthem – “Let There Be Peace” UUFH Choir; Janey Ryan, Director
Andy Beck
Sermon – “Honoring the First Mother’s Day” Rev. George Grimm-Howell
Invitation to the Offering Joff Masukawa
Offertory – “Battle Hymn of the Republic” Melissa Meghdadi
William Steffe, Julia Ward Howe, arr. Melissa Meghdadi
Dedication of the Offering (in unison) The Congregation
To the work of this congregation,
which is weaving a tapestry of love and action,
we dedicate our offerings and the best of who we are.
Singing – Closing Hymn* The Congregation
#159 “This Is My Song”
Benediction* Rev. George Grimm-Howell
Postlude – “The Wind Beneath My Wings” Melissa Meghdadi
Larry Henley, Jeff Silbar, arr. Linda Schooley
*Please rise in body or spirit.



