Self-Love and Sacred Sexuality: Embracing Our Whole Selves

With Rev. Xolani Kacela, Ph.D.

February 15, 2026

Valentine’s Day often focuses on romantic love while ignoring self-love and healthy sexuality. This service explores UU perspectives on sexual ethics, self-acceptance, and the sacred nature of healthy relationships with ourselves and others.

Sounding of the Bowl – Rev. Xolani Kacela, Ph.D.                                     

Prelude – Jaime Ramirez                                                         

Welcome and Greeting – Mary Grace Keltner                       

Opening Words             

Opening Hymn – #34 Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire      

Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire,
and have not love, my words are vain as sounding brass and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess,
but not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship, and are freed.                        

Chalice Lighting                                                                  

Covenant                                                                          

Anthem – “Annie’s Song” by John Denver, performed by the Honest Sirens                                            

Stone Ceremony                                                  

Reading the Community Book of Life & Pastoral Meditation

Story Wisdom – I Am Love by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds, read by Tim Versteeg                                        

Children’s Recessional                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Readings – “Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It” by Kamal Ravikant – and – “Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections” by Emily Nagoski

Sermon – Self-Love and Sacred Sexuality: Embracing Our Whole Selves                                                                                                                                                                   

Invitation to Share the Plate – Family Violence Prevention Services                      

Offertory Music – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Harold Arlen, performed by Maya Milan                                                                  

Closing Hymn – #1008 When Our Heart is in a Holy Place   

Chorus:
When our heart is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place,
We are bless’d with love and amazing grace,
When our heart is in a holy place.

When we trust the wisdom in each of us,
Ev’ry color ev’ry creed and kind,
And we see our faces in each other’s eyes,
Then our heart is in a holy place.

Chorus

When we tell our story from deep inside,
And we listen with a loving mind,
And we hear our voices in each other’s words,
Then our heart is in a holy place.

Chorus

When we share the silence of sacred space,
And the God of our Heart stirs within,
And we feel the power of each other’s faith,
Then our heart is in a holy place.

Chorus                        

Extinguishing the Chalice/Benediction                                                                        

Postlude