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.