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‘The Other Lectionary’ - a suggested ‘southern hemisphere’ Lectionary (with a few Resources added) offered in parallel to,
or even replacement of, the RCL which is in standard use by many.
A GATHERING LITURGY FOR THE
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
“Landscape is an incredible, mystical teacher, and when you begin to tune into its sacred presence,
something shifts inside you”
5 February 2023. Epiphany 5A. (Green).
Children's Ministry
Acknowledgement of Country/First Peoples
(An act towards reconciliation)
For thousands of years Indigenous people have walked
in this land, on their own country.
Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives.
We acknowledge the (NN) People of the (NN) Nation, past, present, emerging,
and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.
First Peoples Statement to the Nation 2017 called “Uluru Statement from the Heart” HERE
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019 HERE
And we recognise and give thanks that we humans
are creatures of the Earth living in the ecosystem
—flowers, trees and insects; land, waters and mountain range—
that is unique to (NN).
May we honour one another and honour life itself.
(NN) is a safe place for all people to worship regardless of
race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
Rich and Striking Visuals
“The function of beauty… is to make us aware of a reality which is richer and deeper
and more marvellous than anything we can dream or conceive.” (Henry N. Wieman)
Multi-sensory artwork OR Floral/Symbols display (cloths, candles, stones, wood, leaves, flowers, earth, water) OR projection of Film/Video
Gathering Music
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
Creativity God fills this place of gathering.
The whole earth is full of God's glory.
All Amen. Again I say Amen.
Let us then celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit in silence
Note: (i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns, called Hymn of the Month, can be found HERE
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns that cover major international events or themes can be found HERE They include these categories: 1. Bush (Brush) Fire, 2. Tsunami, Storms/Cyclones, 3. Earthquakes, 4. War/Remembrance, 5. Caregiving, 6. God as Mother, 7. Human Trafficking, 8. Disabled, 9. Migration/Refugees, 10. Terrorist Attacks, 11. Science/Cosmology
(iii) Specific resources on Terrorism HERE
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature HERE
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
"Ever Wondrous” (Tune: 'Vesper Hymn’) 1 SiF
From the land and sea ascending
rises yet another day;
rays of sun shine bright upon us
waking life along our way.
Refrain:
Ever wondrous, ever glorious,
ever awesome, Amen.
Hearts are filled with humble worship,
Songs of praising without end.
Now on land and sea descending
closes yet another day;
moon and stars shine bright upon us,
darkness has its velvet sway.
Refrain:
Through the ages, earth and ocean
team with life both great and small;
let us take our place with honour
humbly live as part of all.
Refrain: (Words © Scott Kearns 2008, Inspired by those of Samuel Longfellow, 1859)
OR
“We Thank You God…” (Tune: ‘Wareham’, 88.88) 19(v1-4) WNC
We thank you God for those who know
your depth of wisdom in their lives,
whose pride or power do not prevent
the love of Christ from being shown.
We thank you for the scholar's skill,
the learning that is honed and trained,
the gifts, that given, now are used
for good, for care, for love, for all.
We thank you for the poet's art
that offers prophecy and light,
which through the rhythm of the words
remains with us when thoughts depart.
We thank you for the dancing form
that pirouettes with grace and skill,
that weaves a pattern through the air
and challenges our static norm.
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
We are called to celebrate and worship,
not just by words spoken,
but also by miracles recalled:
All a baby's first cry,
the petals of a rose,
mist-covered hills,
the restless tides of the seas,
human love,
human hope.
We respond:
All with gratitude,
with joy,
with wonder,
at life's boundless possibilities. (Adapted. Gordon B McKeeman)
Words of Awareness
Each morning brings a newness that we need but step into.
It can wash us,
lift us,
heal us,
hold us
just as each of us has need.
May we be open to the power that lies dormant within us.
May we be full with a confidence in our own strength.
May we move from the routines that we follow
to the fullness of life that we might live. (Gretta Vosper/hb)
OR
We pray:
Creativity God, you have made us one with this earth,
to tend it and bring forth fruit;
may we share in the labour of all creation
to give birth to your hidden glory.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song “The World-tree” (Tune: ‘Ygdrasil’, 10.10.10.10) 197 HCL
The sky has gathered the flowers of sunset.
The earth is red with the dew of slaughter.
The shores are ringed with the steel of onset.
And darkness covers the weaponed water.
The world-tree sickens beyond all knowing.
The worm is wasting the leaves that wreath it.
The bough is drying; the sap is slowing;
For hatreds gnaw in their hells beneath it.
On one sole ground will the world-tree flourish,
On earth unarmored against its bearing,
Its glories free and it strength to nourish
The world-wide lands in a common sharing.
In kinship only, with all earth gardened,
The ravished leaf may be stayed in thinning
The stony ground at the root unhardened,
The boughs be green for a new beginning. (Ridgely Torrence, 1952)
OR
Hymn/Song (Cont) “We Thank You God…” (Tune: ‘Wareham’, 88.88) 19(v5-8) WNC
We thank you for the singing soul
that soars to some harmonious height
above, beyond our human sense,
and glimpses heaven, almost whole.
We thank you for incisive sight
that analyses and discerns,
through science, patterns that inform
predictions, actions we repeat.
We thank you, God, for light and sound
with which we interact and move;
for singing colours, thrumming beat,
that thrill, that shake the solid ground.
We thank you, God, for all the gifts
of human spirit, skill and mind;
O may indifference never numb
our sense of awe at love so deft. (Andrew Pratt)
The people sit after the hymn/song
Welcome
In your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are gathering at (NN) for the first time
or who have returned after an absence.
Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Refer to printed liturgy.
Fellowship hour following the Gathering
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
CENTERING
Meditation
“Meditation for a Beautiful Day”
By Sara Campbell
Ah, how beautiful is this day.
How crisp and clean the air.
How clear the sky.
How full of life the teeming earth.
And we are alive!
Yes, we feel the beat of our own hearts,
the pulsing of life in our veins,
the rhythm of our breathing.
We come into the silence of this time with gratitude for this day.
We come also with our needs.
Our gratitude stirs us to praise and sing our thanksgiving.
Our loneliness draws us into the company of others.
Our restlessness draws us into these moments of quiet.
Our longing for the spirit brings us before the mystery of the holy.
Our desire to heal our own wounds and the wounds of our world
brings us here to renew our strength and hope.
And we come into this space because we have gifts to share:
words of healing and encouragement for those who are burdened;
songs of praise and hope;
smiles of comfort and affection;
deeds of love and kindness.
Each of us comes to dip into the well that nourishes our hungry spirits.
Each of us comes with our own cup of goodness to pour into the well.
We drink together.
May we be strengthened in our bonds of love and peace.
Centering Silence
Centering silence has its roots in the earliest of monastic traditions of the ‘desert Fathers (abbas)/Mothers (ammas)’ and the Christian mystic tradition… Relaxing into ‘quietness’ creates the space for deep listening and draws you into yourself
A period of silence is kept
Music of Reflection
EXPLORING
Wisdom from the World/Religious Traditions
“Wisdom is not just special knowledge about something. Wisdom is a way of being, a way of inhabiting the world. The beauty of wisdom is harmony, belonging and illumination of thought, action, heart and mind.” (John O’Donohue)
Reader: May we be struck by the wisdom of these words
and marked by hearing them.
All For within story lies meaning, and
within meaning, the wisdom for which we seek. (Gretta Vosper/ab)
• “Do Not Ask Your Children to Strive”
By William Martin (Found on internet)
Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.
OR
• “Our Highest Aspiration”
Anonymous. Singing the Living Tradition/434.
May we be reminded here of our highest aspirations,
and inspired to bring our gifts of
love and service
to the altar of
humanity.
May we know once again that we
are not isolated beings
but connected,
in mystery and
miracle,
to the universe,
to this community and to
other.
OR
• “Last Night the Rain Spoke To Me”
By Mary Oliver
Last night
the rain
poke to me
slowly, saying,
what joy
to come falling
out of the brisk cloud,
to be happy again
in a new way
on the earth!
That’s what it said
as it dropped,
smelling of iron,
and vanished
like a dream of the ocean
into the branches
and the grass below.
Then it was over.
The sky cleared.
I was standing
under a tree.
The tree was a tree
with happy leaves,
and I was myself,
and there were stars in the sky
that were also themselves
at the moment,
at which moment
my right hand
was holding my left hand
which was holding the tree
which was filled with stars
and the soft rain—
imagine! imagine!
the wild and wondrous journeys
still to be ours.
• Matthew 5:13-16 (Inclusive Text)
Jesus said to the disciples:
You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again?
It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out
to be trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub;
they put it on a lamp-stand where it shines
for everyone in the house.
In the same way your light must shine in the sight of all,
so that, seeing your good works, they
may give praise to God in heaven.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
CELEBRATING
A Celebration of Faith (Optional)
In response to the word reflected on let us stand and share
a celebration of faith.
People stand as they are able
We celebrate a God
All who lives and speaks in sunsets,
in love-wrapped gifts,
and fleeting butterflies.
We celebrate a Christ
All who honoured our humanness,
who climbed trees,
skinned knees;
who laughed and cried,
loved and wept, bled and died.
We celebrate a Spirit,
All who mystically joins us
to people everywhere,
and incorporates us into Christ.
We celebrate a church,
All seeking, however imperfectly,
to act justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with our God. (Adapted. Dorothy McRae-McMahon/eoj)
OR
v1 In the centre of the whirlwind
lies an eye.
Still
Open.
Calm.
v2 Before we come into the world,
it is as though we live in that centre —
no worries,
no storms;
only peace.
All As we find our way in life,
even in the midst of chaos,
may we remember that centre and,
as the need arises,
and it must,
may we hold
to the calm, open, stillness,
knowing it is home.
v1 As those who walk the winds,
v2 we journey on. (Gretta Vosper/wab)
Sharing 'The Peace’
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.
May a heart of peace rest with you.
All And also with you. (David Galston/q)
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
OR
Namaste
Facing the person with right hand on your heart and a slight bow of the head…
The Divine in me honours the Divine in you.
OR
The Light in me recognises the Light in you.
OR
The spirit within me sees the spirit within you.
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“When All the Good…” (Tune: ‘Killibegs’, William Davies) 43 PaT
When all the good is gathered up,
when all the pain is gathered, too,
then will an energy be born
to spark a world alight and new!
When all the spirit of the good
absorbs our sufferings and fears,
then will an energy arrive
that grows creation out of tears.
Within a chemistry of change,
within the heart of all that beats
will be the energy of love
that nothing quenches or defeats.
Where all the elements combine
to fire new truth, to foster joy,
set loose that energy of love
to be in us God’s strong alloy!
When goodness takes the place of gold,
when pain of war, of word and fist
becomes the energy of hope,
then peace and justice will have kissed. (Shirley Erena Murray)
AFFIRMING
Offerings
Presentation
In our giving, may our hearts be opened,
our hands unclenched, our ears unclogged, and our eyes opened
that we may feel and touch and taste and see
the breath and play of Creativity God in our midst.
With the Children
Children gather on the conversation mat
Conversation
"Somewhere someone"
The kingdom of love is coming because:
All somewhere someone is kind when others are unkind,
somewhere someone shares with another in need,
somewhere someone refuses to hate, while others hate,
somewhere someone is patient - and waits in love,
somewhere someone returns good for evil,
somewhere someone serves another, in love,
somewhere someone is calm in a storm,
somewhere someone is loving everybody.
Is that someone you? (Binkley & McKeel/jke)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LEADERS OF SUNDAY CLUB AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRY (Optional)
Teachers/helpers/come forward.
Children/parents form a circle around them.
v1 Once upon a time, in the beginning,
a labour of love was undertaken.
And a place was established where children
might find learning and love and acceptance,
and it was called Children's Sunday Club.
And the labour of love progressed.
And it was very good.
Reflection
“It Takes a Universe”
By Thomas Berry
The child awakens to
a universe. The mind
of the child to
a world of wonder.
Imagination to a world
of beauty. Emotions
to a world of intimacy.
It takes a universe
to make a child both
in outer form and inner spirit.
It takes
a universe to educate
a child. A universe
to fulfill a child.
Each generation presides
over the meeting of these
two in the succeeding
generation.
So that the universe
is fulfilled in the child,
and the child is fulfilled
in the Universe.
While the stars ring out
in the heavens!
v2 Let us reflect on he importance of what we are doing today...
We celebrate and give thanks for all teachers, helpers, musicians, community
workers, children and parents,
who are part of (NN) Sunday Club this new year.
May they be blessed in their ministry.
May we always be prepared to offer our support,
that they may never feel alone in their work.
And we celebrate the children in our midst…
We wish you a sense of wonder.
We wish you companionship that you may appreciate solitude.
We wish you a friend who will understand you, and
understanding so that you may have a friend.
We wish you may become all that you wish to be, and
more than you hope that you can be. (Adapted. B Kaufmann)
v1 And the labourers looked at all that had been accomplished,
and the people rejoiced,
for it was very good.
Acclamation
Teachers/children return to their seats
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Today We Celebrate” (Tune: ‘St. Peter’. 86.86)
Today we come to celebrate
the start of a new year.
With joyful hearts we dedicate
the faith we hold so dear.
With each new year our children grow,
they blossom in our sight.
They live with zeal and help to show
love's joy and deep delight.
With understanding and in trust
we've built a sacred space.
Through learning, teaching, sharing too
our children we embrace.
In gratitude we name our thanks
for smiles and fun and play.
We pray for young hearts in our midst,
for love to guide their way.
With trusting hearts and eager minds
we welcome this new day,
to celebrate community
and love that guides our way. (© Rev. Peggy McDonagh, 2003 All rights reserved)
In Solidarity
Care Candle:
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and Celebrations; Griefs and Concerns shared
Focused Thoughts:
Listening Response:
May our thoughts be filled with transformation,
All May our words reflect the yearnings of our hearts.
And may the spirit that binds within us as we gather
All Hallow each and every passing moment
we know here together. (Adapted. Gretta Vosper/ab)
And so we take a flame and light our special Care Candle…
The Care Candle is lit
For ourselves, for those named or remembered, and in solidarity with those
who have not the freedom to express their concern or celebration
for fear of discrimination or condemnation.
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of the sacred among us,
and to see the new possibilities of the now.
The ‘Abba' Prayer: (Optional)
You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Abba/Lord's Prayer, and in your original language, as that is appropriate
All God - heart of the world:
revealed through every aspect of creation:
understood through our awareness.
May we honour the holiness of creation and act accordingly
so that your love is reflected in the way we live.
May we always be thankful for the food we eat
and the friends we have.
May we forgive those who transgress against us
and be forgiven for our own.
In the freedom of love may we live as your heartbeat
and not be compromised by hesitation.
Through our freedom, may your justice
be seen and heard and experienced
forever and ever. Amen. (Sherri J Weinberg)
SCATTERING
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
"The Sound of History Humming" (Tune: ‘Aurelia', 76.76D) 5(v1-2) RP
The sound of history humming,
the origins of time,
as galaxies are clustered,
as light and matter rhyme:
philosophers imagine
while science gathers facts,
we reach for understanding,
yet what we know contracts.
We delve beyond the present
through interstellar gas;
we fathom, seek to measure,
a sub-atomic mass.
The God that we conceive of,
a thief within the night:
we cannot gauge this treasure,
beyond the scale of light.
Remain standing
Parting Words
Let us take on this week’s life
with renewed hope and imagination...
The Community Candle is extinguished
And now we take our leave.
All Before we gather here again:
may each of us bring happiness into another's life;
may we each be surprised by the gifts that surround us;
may each of us be enlivened by constant curiosity.
And may we remain together in spirit
til the hour we meet again. BCheatham
Words of Blessing
May the God who dances in creation,
who embraces us with human love,
who shakes our lives like thunder,
bless us and drive us out with power
to fill the world with her justice.
All Amen! May it be so!
Hymn/Song (Cont) "The Sound of History Humming" (Tune: ‘Aurelia', 76.76D) 5(v3) RP
As yet the mystery blinds us,
confined by birth and death,
but human exploration
will not discard the quest;
as yet we live in tension:
the only earth we know
is where all skill and science
must help our love to grow. (© Andrew Pratt)
The people sit after the hymn/song
'This Week' at (NN)
Notices
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Significant Events
Journey Candles
Music
Fellowship
Morning tea is now served.
You are invited to share in this time of fellowship
You are invited to keep this copy of the liturgy and take it home with you
to share with another member of your family, or with a friend
xxx
Some of the Resources used in Shaping this Liturgy:
Binkley, C. G. & J. M. McKeel. Jesus and his Kingdom of Equals. An International Curriculum on the Life and Teaching of Jesus. Santa Rosa. Polebridge Press, 2001.
(FFS) Faith Forever Singing. Songs for a New Day. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2000.
Inclusive Readings. Year A. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2004.
Iona Community. Iona Abbey Worship Book. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 2001.
(SiF) Kearns, S. (ed). Sing it Forward. Traditional Hymns Recast and Rewritten for Non-Exclusive Communities. In circulation from the author, 2009.
(PaT) Murray, S. E. A Place at the Table. New Hymns written between 2009 and 2013. Carol Stream: Hope Publishing, 2013.
(RP) Pratt, A. Reclaiming Praise. Hymns from a Spiritual Journey. London. Stainer & Bell Ltd, 2006.
(WNC) Pratt, A. Whatever Name or Creed. Hymns and Songs. London. Stainer & Bell Ltd, 2002.
(SNS) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Volume 2. Toronto. G Stuart, 2009.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
Vosper, G. We All Breathe. Poems and Prayers. Toronto. PostPurgical Resources, 2012.
Vosper, G. Holy Breath. Prayers for Worship and Reflection. New & Revised edition. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2004/2010.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
Web sites/Other:
Campbell, McKeeman, Cheatham, UUA Worship Web. Boston. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Sherri Weinberg. St Paul's Presbyterian Church. NZ: Devonport. (2004)
Mary Oliver. http://fivepoints.gsu.edu/connecting-mary-olivers-last-night-rain-spoke/