Let us take a moment to settle into the silence.
(Silence)

As we sit in the quiet, feel the life that stretches
between us, filling this place.

Feel the opening of all the windows of our beings,
as we reach outward to the life around us,
beyond this place, throughout all creation.
(Silence)

In silence now, we bring to our minds' eye
the people who have loved us and continue to love us:
people who are not here with us today, but whose love we carry with us...
people who are there every day,
and whose care and love we sometimes take for granted...
people who might be within our circle of love,
could we but extend our circle a little further...

In silence now, we hold these people in our hearts. 
(Silence) 

May our hearts be opened to all whose names and faces
have crossed our minds:
that old wounds may be healed,
that constant joys may be celebrated,
and that the love we share with the people in our lives
may be our abiding teacher.
May it be so.