Details on the availability of my books, supporting progressive religious thought, HERE
Suggestion: ’Refresh’ each page before reading to make sure to get my latest edition
‘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”
12 March 2023. Lent 3A. (Purple).
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, and emerging leadrs,
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
Refreshment Station/Water Basins
Pottery basins are set on stands near the entrance to the Gathering space.
Attendees are invited to dip their hands in the cool water in the basins as they arrive.
Or to rinse each other’s hands.
That we may relax, be refreshed, and prepare for this time together.
(Note: A small sign is placed above the basin explaining that as they dip their hands in the water, they are invited to relax and try to mindfully set aside or release for a time anything that might be preventing them from being fully present—each traveller rinsing the “dust from the road”).
OR
(A suggestion of other words)
We come together from our separate lives,
each of us bringing our concerns, our preoccupations,
our hopes, and our dreams.
We are not yet fully present.
The traffic, the last-minute cooking, the final details still cling to us.
Our bodies hold the rush of the past few hours.
It is now time to let go of these pressures and really arrive…
When you are ready, repeat silently to yourself: ‘Hineini’ or ‘Here I am’.
Hineini is used in the Torah to signify being present
in body, mind, and spirit.
It means settling into where we are and simply being “here”. (Adapted/Nan Fink Gene)
Gathering Music
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
Let there be joy in our coming together this morning.
And let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
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
“Miracle of Life” (Tune: ‘Ode to Joy’, 87.87D) 7 SiF
Miracle of life unfolding,
dazzling to our watching eyes,
far beyond full comprehension,
secrets of the earth and sky.
Each advance of understanding
each new piece of knowledge gained
leaves the soul amazed and humbled,
child-like wonder yet remains.
Nature teams with life abundant,
stunning in variety,
shape and size and colour diff’ring,
wondrous in complexity.
From a high, majestic mountain
to the contours of a shell,
Life has much to teach of diff’rence,
Rich we be to learn it well.
Filled with joy we stand in wonder
at the life in which we share,
Gratefully we find our spirits
sensing glory everywhere.
Sun and moon and tiny creature
in their beauty stir the heart,
leading us to sacred duty,
call us well to do our part. © Scott Kearns 2008
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
There is a time for everything in creation:
Mn a time for light and a time for darkness,
Wn a time for sound and a time for silence,
Mn a time for action and a time for reflection,
Wn a time for others and a time for oneself.
But all these times are God’s time
All and now is the time to be aware. (Adapt. William L Wallace/htw)
OR
There is a song in my soul.
It rises from the very depths demanding expression.
All I can only hear this song in the very deepest silence.
The melody is compassion. The lyrics are service.
All The rhythm is activity. The harmony is fellowship.
The song will end when I become the song.
All The song, the singer, and the singing.
All become One.
Fred Stella. http://www.c3exchange.org/bulletins/Bulletin03_02_14.pdf
Words of Awareness
Touch the earth lightly, use the earth gently,
nourish the life of the world in our care:
gift of great wonder, ours to surrender,
trust for the children tomorrow will bear. (Shirley Erena Murray/tel)
OR
We pray:
Eternal God, we offer thanks and praise
for the opportunities we have
to celebrate your presentness in life this day.
My we be surrounded with a very real sense of this presentness
as we spend this time together.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song “When our Heart is in a Holy Place” 1008 STJ
Refrain:
When our heart is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place,
We are blessed with love
And amazing grace,
When our heart is in a holy place.
When we trust the wisdom in each of us,
Ev’ry colour every creed and kind,
And we see our faces in each other’s eyes,
Then our heart is in a holy place.
Refrain:
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.
Refrain:
When we share the silence of sacred space,
And the God of our Heart stirs with in,
And we feel the power of each other’s faith,
Then our heart is in a holy place. JPoley
Refrain:
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
Presentation of Water Basins
Words which acknowledge that the dust of many roads and many life experiences has been rinsed into the basins, and calls for the contents of the basins and the gathering to be transformed, renewed, and more fully alive
The dust of many roads and may life experiences
has been washed in this refreshing water.
For this ordinary place is a sacred place.
May we
greet one another with open hearts and minds;
inspire each other to consider new questions
and seek deeper meaning;
and cultivate both wisdom and compassion.
And may this time together empower us to take some new steps
so all our living is transforming and the
yearning of our hearts become reality.
The bowls of water are removed from the Gathering space and placed on an outside garden
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
Let us take a moment to settle into the silence.
(Silence)
May this time of shared silence reveal to us
a strength of the spirit which will
renew us, in our journey towards faith. (Bob Holmes)
(Silence)
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: The delight of a story well-known fills our hearts
as we listen for its familiar end.
All May we hear in these stories, familiar and new,
both wisdom and meaning for the days ahead.
• “Seeing the Dust”
By Kai Siedenburg. Space Between the Stones/77
It’s mostly
little bits of us,
they say,
floating through the air,
coming to rest
on any available surface,
and, given enough time,
covering it with a
soft, gray blanket.
Mostly
we see it
as a mundane
fact of life
or a minor annoyance—
the endless accumulation
of tiny particles
of our skin
on every nearly-level surface.
Yet it is also
a subtle reminder
that we are not
entirely solid,
but rather
ever-changing,
with 50 billion or so
of our own cells
dying and being replaced
every day.
We are literally
not the same people
we were yesterday,
or who we’ll be
tomorrow.
Even as we live
and breathe,
feeling
more or less solid
and distinctly ourselves,
we are gradually
dissolving,
releasing
the boundaries of
our individual forms
into the
formless
and infinite.
• John 4: 5-7, 9-15, 19-26, 39-42. (Inclusive Text)
Jesus came to the Samaritan town called Sychar, near the land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Jacob's well is there and Jesus, tired by the journey,
sat straight down by the well.
It was about noon.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her,
'Give me a drink.'
The Samaritan woman said to Jesus,
'What? You are a Jew and you ask me, a Samaritan, for a drink?'
Jesus replied:
'If you only knew what God is offering and who it is that is saying to you:
Give me a drink, you would have been the one to ask,
and he would have given you living water.'
'You have no bucket', she answered 'and the well is deep:
how could you get this living water?
Are you greater than our ancestors Leah, Rachel and Jacob
who gave us this well and drank from it
with their descendants and flocks?'
Jesus replied:
'Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again;
but anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again:
the water that I shall give will turn into a spring inside,
welling up to eternal life.'
The woman said,
'Give me some of that water, so that I may never get
and never have to come here again to draw water…'
'I see you are a prophet.' said the woman.
'Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain,
while you say that Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.'
Jesus said:
'Believe me, woman; the hour is coming when you will worship God
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
‘You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know;
for salvation comes from the Jews.
But the hour will come - in fact it is here already - when
true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth:
that is the kind of worshipper our God wants.
‘God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.'
The woman said to Jesus, 'I know the Messiah is coming - the Anointed One – who will tell us everything.’
'I who am speaking to you,' said Jesus 'I am that one.'
Many Samaritans of the town had believed in Jesus
on the strength of the woman's testimony when she said,
'He told me all I have ever done,'
so when the Samaritans came up to Jesus,
they begged him to stay with them.
Jesus stayed for two days, and when he spoke to them
many more came to believe; and they said to the woman,
'Now we no longer believe because of what you told us;
we have heard this one ourselves
who we know really is the saviour of the world.'
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Celebration of Faith (Optional)
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand
and share together a celebration of faith.
The people stand as they are able
What a joyful celebration when we come together
as a community of people on the Way,
All a network of worshippers with common purpose,
a united walk towards the promised land.
Jesus goes ahead of us as the shepherd leads the sheep
All and we hear the song of the redeemed
as prisoners are released, the blind given sight,
the exploited and oppressed are given new hope,
and the rainbow sign arcs above the pilgrims
who walk together to the city of peace. JJohansen-Berg/sco
OR
A Litany: “The Womb of Stars”
By Joy Atkinson. (No. 445, Singing The Living Tradition)
v1 The womb of stars embraces us;
remnants of their fiery furnaces
pulse through our veins.
All We are of the stars,
the dust of explosions
cast across space.
v2 We are of the earth:
we breathe and live in the breath
of ancient plants and beasts.
All Their cells nourish the soil;
we build our communities
on their harvest of gifts.
v1 Our fingers trace the curves carved
in clay and stone
by forebears unknown to us.
All We are a part
of the great circle of humanity
gathered around the fire, the
hearth, the altar.
v2 We gather anew this day
to celebrate our common heritage.
All May we recall in gratitude
all that has given us birth.
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
Southern Hemisphere
“On a Cool and Autumn Dawn” (Tune: ‘Te Ripeka’) 110 HoS
On a cool and autumn dawn,
as the sun awoke the eastern sky,
we decided you were such a risk,
we abandoned you to die –
on a cool and autumn dawn.
On a cool and autumn morn,
as the sun began to climb above,
we nailed you to a kauri beam,
as your wounded eyes spoke of love –
on a cool and autumn morn.
On a cool and autumn noon,
as the sun lit every watching face,
you forgave our cries of heartless hate
with compassion and with grace –
on a cool and autumn noon
On a cool and autumn day,
as the sun began its western slide,
‘It is finished!’ came your cry of hope,
confident of Eastertide –
on a cool and autumn day.
On a cool and autumn eve,
in the fading light when hope seemed lost,
in the tomb we laid your mortal bones,
waiting for God’s Pentecost –
on a cool and autumn eve. (Bill Bennett).
OR
Northern Hemisphere
“Spirit of Springtime” (Tune: ‘Verdure’) 59 FFS
Spirit if springtime in creation’s garden,
tingling the senses,
tickling the earth,
sap that is rising where the seed was sleeping,
push for a new world
coming to birth!
Heard in the song that sweeps from bush to ocean,
seen in the sunlight,
felt in the blood,
surge of delight at every greening, growing,
God in the promise,
blossom from bud.
Fresh as the rain that washes clean our vision,
keen as the wind on
Pentecost day,
bright as the Spirit in the life of Jesus,
bold as the mindset
thinking his way.
Springtime of hope from out of winter’s clutches,
warm us to witness
woo us to see
beauty will break through rotted leaves and ashes,
joy will erupt, and
life will leap free! (Shirley Erena Murray)
Offering
Presentation
In a demanding, noisy world,
may we have moments when we can
hear the sound of a bird, and
hear the rustle of leaves on a tree branch.
In a demanding, noisy world, may we have time
to stop,
to wait,
to listen…
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 safe space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and Celebrations; Griefs and Concerns shared
Focused Thoughts:
Listening Response:
We turn to Life, to that vast creativity
All that empowers the universe
as the ocean animates the wave,
seeking to let go of that which blocks our healing.
All May we open ourselves even now
to the wonder of Life.
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 Indwelling God,
infused throughout all existence,
we honour you with many names.
Your realm is within the human heart.
We accept life for all that it can be,
on earth as throughout all creation.
May we continue to draw sustenance from this earth,
and may we receive forgiveness equal to our own.
May we ever move from separation toward union,
to live in grace, with love in our hearts,
forever and ever. Amen. Fred F Keip.
PARTING
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
"Spirit of God, Creation's Force" (Tune: ‘Fulda’, 88.88)
Spirit of God, creation's force,
and power of evolution's course,
gave breath of life to humankind
and then inspired inventive mind.
Spirit of history's linked events
has shown repeated evidence
of hidden influence, working through
all our world leaders try to do.
Spirit of prophet's utterance
proclaimed in needy circumstance
a word of God, through human voice
with challenge to courageous choice.
Remain standing
Parting Words
Let us embrace the wonder of this week with expectation and imagination...
The Community Candle is extinguished
Celebrate all human beauty,
All caught in colour, form and face.
Celebrate our own endeavours,
All to achieve and to arrive;
friendship found in common focus
All sweeping obstacles aside,
celebrate our Maker’s wisdom,
All crafting body, mind and soul. (Shirley Erena Murray/sco)
Words of Blessing
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. (Celtic)
All Amen! May it be so!
OR
Peace of the flowing stream be yours.
All Peace of the flowing stream be yours.
Water flowing, cleansing and healing.
May you be refreshed.
Peace of the flowing stream be yours.
All Peace of the flowing stream be yours.
Peace of the gentle breeze be yours.
All Peace of the gentle breeze be yours.
Winds blowing, stirring, cooling,
May you breathe deeply.
Peace of the gentle breeze be yours.
All Peace of the gentle breeze be yours.
Peace of the fertile earth be yours.
All Peace of the fertile earth be yours.
Land giving life to diverse creatures.
May you walk on firm ground.
Peace of the fertile earth be yours.
All Peace of the fertile earth be yours.
Peace of the twinkling stars be yours.
All Peace the twinkling stars be yours.
Lights shining, sparkling, beaming,
May your journey be filled with wonder.
Peace of the twinkling stars be yours.
All Peace the twinkling stars be yours. (Diana Neu)
Hymn/Song (Cont) "Spirit of God, Creation's Force" (Tune: ‘Fulda’, 88.88)
Spirit of power and truth and grace,
renews today the human race,
bestowing gifts, producing fruits,
promoting godly attributes.
Spirit, possess and fill us whole,
fill every heart and mind and soul,
infuse our being with your power
that we may serve this present hour. Roger Firth, adapt. (c) 1997 Stainer & Bell Ltd
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
Please include any reproduction of hymns/songs for local church use
on your Music Licence returns, as appropriate
During Lent…
As a family, be more mindful of how we live in partnership with the earth. Consider not only what you may choose to give up, but also what you may choose to do. This sample list of earth-friendly activities may give you/family members some ideas. Then when Easter comes, we can truly celebrate the renewal of life.
1. Search out information about any local wildlife creatures. Share what you discover with others.
2. Make a wildlife or habitat map of your back yard or neighbourhood.
3. Set up a bird feeder. Note how many different varieties of birds attend.
4. Take care of houseplants.
5. Recycle shopping bags or use a sturdy cloth bag when going to the supermarket.
6. Use natural light when possible.
7. Recycle clothes by passing them along to friends, family, or local thrift shops.
8. Avoid using styrofoam or plastic containers and products.
9. Go on a walk and observe nature - plants, water, insects, bird life.
10. Talk to grandparents or local ‘old-timers’ about how the local neighbourhood has changed over the years. How has their relationship with the area changed?
11. When visiting a supermarket, pause… What plant or animal died to provide your favourite foods? What died to provide food for your food?
12. Spend a clear evening counting falling stars.
13. Monitor social media for stories on any new scars that were made on the earth. Create an album of newspaper clippings and look for patterns or trends.
14. Write a letter to a company or agency that is creating earth scars (a pesticide company for example). Cite the effects about which you are concerned and encourage corrective action.
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.
Duncan, G. (ed). Harvest for the World. A Worship Anthology on sharing in the Work of Creation. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2003.
Duncan, G. (ed). Seeing Christ in Others. An Anthology for Worship, Mediation and Mission. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 1998.
(FFS) Faith Forever Singing. Songs for a New Day. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2000.
Holmes, R. H. The Bob Holmes Worship Materials. Vol 1. Little Falls. Self published, 1972.
(HoS) Hope is our Song. New Hymns and Songs from Aotearoa New Zealand. Palmerston North. The New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2009.
Inclusive Readings. Year A. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2004.
(SiF) Kearns, S. (ed). Sing it Forward. Traditional Hymns recast and rewritten for Non-exclusive Communities. In circulation from the author, 2009.
Murray, S. E. Touch the Earth Lightly. New Hymns written between 2003 & 2008. Carol Stream. Hope Publishing, 2008.
Neu, D. L. Return Blessings: Ecofeminist Liturgies Renewing the Earth. Cleveland. Pilgrim Press, 2002.
(STJ) Singing the Journey. Boston. UUA, 2005.
Web sites/Other:
Keip. UUA Worship Web. Boston. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
"Spirit of God". R Firth. Stainer & Bell Ltd. Web site: hymns.uk.com
Refreshment Station. Words by Nan Fink Gefen, taken from an Evolutionary Passover Haggadah by Tree Bressen.