Suggestion: ’Refresh’ each page before reading to make sure to get my latest edition
‘The Other Lectionary’ is 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
“...in the end the universe can only be explained in terms of celebration.
It is all an exuberant expression of existence itself”
25 May 2025. Easter 6C. (White).
Celebration Community in the Tradition of the Meal
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 and present,
and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.
First Peoples Statement to the Nation 2017 is called “Uluru Statement from the Heart”
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019
Both available in Affirmations/Manifestoes
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)
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
Each morning we are thankful
for the night just ended,
for the years that have been,
and for the day that is. (Kenneth Patton/hscl)
v2 Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit in silence
Note: Check out 'Special Liturgies’ (this site) for the following:
(i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns is called Hymn of the Month
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns cover major international events or themes. They include the 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) Some specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“More Than Tolerance” (Tune: ‘Austria’, 87.87D) 102 SNS2
Coming to a place of candour,
Where beliefs and creeds confer;
We will not react with anger,
Nor tell others where they err.
Can we speak of faith and doctrine?
Can we listen - really hear?
As we meet can we imagine
That new insights may appear?
When we hear some diff'rent teaching,
When we try to understand;
Different faiths can be disturbing,
And can question where we stand;
We need not forsake devotion
If it's God whom we adore;
But we can share inspiration;
We can question and explore.
We can pledge to be accepting;
Put behind us lack of trust;
We can practise understanding,
Shun rebuke that is unjust.
If we can affirm each other,
Be as friend and not as foe,
We can meet and share together;
Plant respect and let it grow. (George Stuart)
OR
“God Who Carved... Landscape” (Tune: ‘Dansey’). 31 FFS
God who carved this timeless landscape,
snow-clad ridge to valley plain,
power of surging race and river,
limestone crag and scarred terrain;
maker still of earth, fire, water,
artistry of sight and sound,
Southern lights and sunset splendour,
raise our eyes and you are found.
Calendar of nature's balance,
rhythms of the farming year,
shearing, milking, ploughing, pruning,
manger setting ever near!
lonely struggle in the byways,
nor'west dust or snow and flood,
fellowship of tears and laughter:
Lord, with you, we're understood.
Giving thanks for those before us,
village life and tussock track,
as we turn to face the future,
history's wind upon our back;
scattered are our congregations,
each now shares in ministry,
bonding strength of work together:
spirit of community. Doug Grierson
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
It is time.
The joy of the God, Spirit of Life, be with you all.
All And also with you.
It is time
for pausing and celebrating,
for thinking and thanking,
for listening and learning,
for confessing and forgiving.
All A time for allowing ourselves
to be loved and cherished by a lover
who will never leave us or forsake us.
Words of Awareness
We receive fragments of holiness,
glimpses of eternity,
brief moments of insight.
Let us gather them up for the precious gifts that they are
and, renewed by their grace,
move boldly into the unknown. (Sara M Campbell/slt)
OR
We pray:
Generous God,
you bring light to our days and hope to our hearts.
We are grateful for your care.
You have invited us once more to this time of celebration.
May we be raised up to embrace your way of love.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song “Perfect Singer” (Tune: ‘Catherine’, 77.77) 332 SLT
Perfect Singer, songs of earth
rise on every field and hearth;
let our voices sound again
ancient songs of joy and pain.
All your creatures strive for life
suffer hurt in angry strife,
seek compassion, find release
in the covenant of peace.
Sing a sacred melody
for the justice that shall be;
let our harmonies resolve
dissonance in steadfast love.
Steadfast Seeker, find our song
woven into lives made strong;
let the patterns of surprise
kindle hope with each sunrise. (George K Beach)
OR
“Welcome Doubt! Refine our Thinking” (Tune: ‘Drake’s Broughton’, Trochaic, 87.87)
Welcome doubt! Refine our thinking,
Urge us further into light;
Lead us to a greater dawning
From the shadows of our night.
Welcome knowledge! Food for wisdom,
Leaving prejudice behind;
Pledge of science, fruit of reason,
Seeking love with all our mind.
Welcome truth! But little caring
Whence it come, cost what it will;
Though it challenge deep conviction,
Truth shall be our focus still.
Welcome faith! Our thought transcending,
Touching mystery divine;
Joy of trusting, source of action,
Fervent hope’s courageous sign.
Welcome grace! Without deserving,
Unexpected, pride at bay;
Spirit’s riches shower upon us
As we give our lives away. (David Stevenson).
The people sit after the hymn
Welcome
Or 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.
OR
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who may be joining us for a first time.
Your presence enriches this gathering and contributes to
the creative evolution of community.
Thanks for the gift of you! (Central United, Moncton, Canada)
Music of Celebration
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 open to the possibilities
we hear in these stories,
All And the possibilities that lie within each of us.
• “Blessed is a poem”
By Glynn Cardy. A Book of Blessings/35
Blessed is a poem
the verses of which are still being written,
as we discover who we are
and might become.
Blessed is a symphony
in which we are invited to play,
but in which the music keeps changing...
so we improvise.
Blessed is a work of art
forming with the colours and strokes we bring,
transforming us as it emerges, changing
how we see.
Blessed is a silence,
a gap, a pause between words,
a waiting, a holding, a patience, a stillness
as the tide recedes.
Blessed is the elusive divine,
moving within and without, beyond,
paradoxical, questionable, a mystery,
a child playing.
OR
• “Beatitudes of a Still-Seeking Christian”
By Kate Compston. A World of Blessing/75-75
Blessed are those who ask difficult questions:
they are honouring their God-given brains.
Blessed are those who don’t have glib answers:
they offer a refreshing change.
Blessed are those who are not afraid to say
‘I do not know for sure’ or ‘I could be wrong’:
their integrity will be rewarded.
Blessed are those who do not judge others
by their sexual orientation, gender or beliefs:
God will cherish their compassion.
Blessed are those who respect different ways of praising God:
gifts will be given to them.
Blessed are those whose coming to faith was gentle
and unspectacular:
they are good to be with.
Blessed are those who listen quietly to others’ hurts:
they will be known as sensitive friends.
Blessed are you when you are awed by the Mystery of God,
can find few words to describe your highest experiences,
and so love your neighbour that you can be supportively alongside others
while they take different paths from yours.
Some may tell you that you are not a proper Christian,
but you will be on the way to wholeness as a human being.
• Luke 6: 20-21, 24-25 (Inclusive Text)
A large crowd had gathered to hear Jesus.
[Concerned at his rising popularity], Jesus said to the disciples:
'How happy are you who are poor; yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now; you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh…’
'But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
Alas for you when the world speaks well of you…’
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Litany: Choose Life (Optional)
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand
and share litany affirming our faith in life.
The people stand as they are able
We say to ourselves:
All Choose life,
that you and your children may live.
We say to friends:
All Choose life,
that you and your children may live.
We say to the world:
All Choose life,
that you and your children may live.
The earth is our source of survival.
Deplete her resources, poison her waters,
and you will cultivate death.
All Choose life,
that you and your children may live.
The universe is our sacred canopy.
Clutter its space with the hardware of war,
and the stars and the planets will die.
All Choose life,
that you and your children may live.
Life is a fragile environment.
Upset the balance, and everything, everyone,
everywhere will disappear.
All Choose life,
that you and your children may live. (Miriam T Winter/wpws)
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
“Sing of a Sacred Circle” (Tune: ‘Sacred Circle', 75.65) 23 TMT
Sing of a sacred circle
round the sky and earth,
binding plants and creatures,
linking death and birth.
Sing of that ring of mystery,
changed by fearsome greed;
pawned for Judas silver,
sold for idols' needs.
See how a people's loving
greens the Mammon ring;
hear the people's sharing,
help creation sing.
Sing of the Gospel ring-time;
love embracing earth;
vibrant sphere of our living,
circle death and birth. (© William L Wallace)
OR
“We are Always Part of the Other” (Tune: ‘Complexity’)
From the Collection Boundless Life
We are always part of the other
And the other is part of our-self
For nothing is as simple as it seems.
An oppressor dwells in each victim
And oppressors have victims within
For nothing is as simple as it seems.
In the light remains hidden darkness,
In the darkness remain rays of light
For nothing is as simple as it seems.
In our joy remains buried sorrow
In our sorrow there still lives the joy
For nothing is as simple as it seems.
In each puzzle lie all the answers,
In each answer a puzzle remains,
For nothing is a simple as it seems.
All the many contain the one Way,
In that Way all the others reside,
For nothing is as simple as it seems.
All beginnings lead to their endings,
From all endings beginnings emerge,
Yes nothing is as simple as it seems.
So let’s worship life’s woven patterns
Through embracing all life’s sacred grace,
The myst’ry on which every heart can feed. © William L. Wallace on December 12, 2014
Music: <http://progressivechristianity.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Wallace.We-Are-Always-Part-Of-The-Other.pdf>
CELEBRATING
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)
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:
In the light and beauty of day
All We give thanks in awe and wonder.
In the dark and stillness of night
All We dream of healing and hope. (Gretta Vosper/wwg)
And so we take this 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 new possibilities of the now.
The 'Abba' Prayer
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, lover of us all, most holy one.
Help us to respond to you.
To create what you want for us here on earth.
Give us today enough for our needs.
Forgive our weak and deliberate offences,
just as we must forgive others
when they hurt us.
Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.
For we are yours, endowed with your power
to make our world whole.
Amen. (Lala Winkley/cw)
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE MEAL
The Offerings
The Presentation
We give these gifts as an act of celebration.
We celebrate our own new life, and the worldwide proclamation
of the good news to all people, everywhere.
Introduction (Optional)
Members of the Jesus movements regularly ate a meal together
when they met as a community.
It was a characteristic that they had in common
with virtually every other social group in their world.
It was considered primary to the early developments
in the movements’ meal liturgy.
These meal traditions were not about personal salvation or payment for sin.
Instead, they were about actions and offering hospitality, social identity,
and being in solidarity with those around us.
The liturgical movements centred on celebration, presence, and joy.
I invite you into the spirit of those meals…
The Invitation
Our tradition says at a last meal, Jesus,
sharing bread and wine, invited the disciples to share his journey.
Here today, through bread and wine,
we renew our journey with Jesus and his disciples.
Here today, through bread and wine,
we renew our unity with one another,
and with all those who have gone before us in this place.
Here today, through bread and wine,
we renew our communion with the earth
and our interwovenness with the broken ones of the world.
The Story
We are reminded again of the tradition that surrounds this story.
Long ago, on the night of his arrest,
Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it:
'This bread is broken, as my body will be'.
And he handed it to his friends, and invited them to eat:
'Remember all that I have been to you'.
Long ago, on that same night,
Jesus poured a cup of wine, offered thanks for it, and gave it to his friends:
'This wine is poured out, as my life will be.
Remember me and give thanks for all I have given'.
Thanksgiving
Source of Sacred Life, we offer our thanks.
The smell of gums after rain,
The surprise of ducks in flight,
The taste of peach and plum and nectarine,
For all gifts simple and profound,
in country and city,
in paddock, or back yard and on lake:
We give thanks.
All We give thanks.
In this season of transition
as the leaves begin their subtle change of colour
and our hearts cling to the warmth as the days shorten,
once again we are reminded,
that new possibilities can rise from our failures
or disappointments
or what has come to an end.
We give thanks for all the influences in our lives
that have helped us to see beyond the present:
that teach us to combine labour and rest,
that bring us the cycles of time and season,
that sustain us when we are in need.
All God loves in us;
God cares through us;
God laughs in us;
God cries in us, as nowhere else. (Michael Morwood/pns).
We give thanks for the sage called Jesus of Nazareth,
gatherer of folk,
teller of stories,
breaker of bread,
pourer of wine,
compassionate weaver of lives.
In his life, wisdom, stories and social vision
we recall the words he spoke to call forth in us
love, care and respect for one another:
All And we believe the same Spirit of God
that came to visibility in Jesus
yearns for visible expression in us. (Adapt.Michael Morwood/pns).
So now we take this bread and this wine...
May they be a constant presence of the Spirit of Life and Love
healing,
renewing
and making us whole.
All Together we remember our past.
Together we discern our present.
Together we shape our future.
Bread and White Wine
The Bread is broken... the White wine poured, in silence.
Bread broken.
Wine poured out, for the life of the world.
Communion
So come, taste of this same bread and wine...
Gifts of the earth.
Work of human hands.
Distribution of Bread and White Wine, in small groups around the Table
PARTING
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Our World Is One World” (Tune: ‘Chernobyl’, 58.86.4) 134(v1-3) SLT
Our world is one world
what touches one affects us all:
the seas that wash us round about,
the clouds that cover us,
the rains that fall.
Our world is one world
the thoughts we think affects us all:
the way we build our attitudes,
with love or hate, we make,
a bridge or wall.
Our world is one world
it’s ways of wealth affects us all:
the way we spend, the way we share,
who are the rich or poor,
who stand or fall.
Parting Words
Time has now come for us to leave this sacred place.
As we do, may we embrace the challenges
of our lives and our world...
The Community Candle is extinguished
Remembering that the universe is much larger
than our ability to comprehend,
All let us go from this time together with the resolve
to allow wonder - that sense of what is sacred -
to find space to open up our minds
and illumine our lives. MLeaming
Words of Blessing
And now may the rhythms of our coming together,
the melodies of our worship,
and the harmonies of our farewells,
make musical our living,
soothing our spirits
and uplifting our souls,
This day and into the beckoning future. (R S Gilbert)
All Amen. May it be so.
Hymn/Song (Cont.) “Our World Is One World” (Tune: ‘Chernobyl’, 58.86.4) 134(v4) SLT
Our world is one world
just like a ship that bears us all:
where fear and greed make many holes,
but where our hearts can hear,
a different call. (Cecily Taylor)
People sit after the hymn
'This Week' at (NN)
Notices
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Significant Events
Journey Candles
Recessional 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
Please include any reproduction of hymns/songs for local church use
on your Music Licence returns, as appropriate
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.
Fox, M. One River, Many Wells. Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths. New York. Tarcher/Penguin Publishing, 2000.
Funk, R. W. & R. W. Hoover. The Five Gospels. The Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus. New York. MacMillan Press, 1993.
Inclusive Readings. Year C. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project, 2006.
Morwood, M. Praying a New Story. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 2003.
Patton, K. Services and Songs for the Celebration of life. Boston. Beacon Press, 1967.
Prewer, B. D. Australian Prayers. Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers, 1983.
Roberts, E. & E. Amidon. Life Prayers from Around the World. 365 Prayers, Blessings, and Affirmations to Celebrate the Human Journey. New York. HarperCollins, 1996.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
(SNS2) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Second edition. Sydney. CPRT Sydney, 2006.
Vosper, G. With or Without God. Why the Way we Live is More Important than What we Believe. Toronto. HarperCollins, 2008.
(TMT) Wallace, W. L. The Mystery Telling. Hymns and Songs for the New Millennium. Kingston. Selah Publishing, 2001. Also resources from progressivechristianity.org
Ward, H.; J. Wild, & J Morley. (ed). Celebrating Women. New edition. London. SPCK, 1995.
Winter, Miriam T. Women Prayer. Women Song. Resources for Ritual. Hartford. Meyer Stone Books, 1987.
Withrow, L. Seasons of Prayer. Resources for Worship. London. SPCK, 1995.
Web sites/Other:
L Bruce Miller. Parts of 'Holy Communion'. Edmonton, Canada.
Leaming, Gilbert. UUA Worship Web. Boston. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
"Welcome Doubt". David Stevenson. Resources from Progressive Christianity Network Britain.