Revd Rex A E Hunt
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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”
6 August 2023. Pentecost 9A. (Green).
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”
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,Australia/South Pacific 2019
Both available at 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)
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
Every creature is a word of God,
and all creation is a book about God. (Meister Eckhart)
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
We light this flame as a symbol of the creativity of our faith:
the creativity to explore new avenues of religious insight;
the creativity to develop a caring community;
the creativity to envision a world of peace and freedom. (Adapt.Wm J. Gardiner)
Note: Check out Special Liturgies (this site) for the following:
(i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns, called Hymn of the Month
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns that cover major international events or themes. 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) Some specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“God, Composer and Conductor” (Tune: ‘Regent Square’ OR ‘Westminster Abbey’) 34 HoS
God, composer and conductor
of earth’s matchless symphony,
makes from silence glorious music,
from discordance, harmony;
brings forth joy from deepest sorrow,
ecstasy from agony.
God, the architect and artist
of earth’s colours, textures, forms,
gives new wonder to our vision,
light in even darkest storms,
teaches that with understanding,
faith redeems and love reforms.
God of science, healer, teacher,
pushes out the boundaries
of capacity and knowledge,
challenges and gently frees
from the limits that restrain us,
offers opportunities.
God, creative spirit in us,
inspiration, force sublime,
leading us to new endeavour,
you, our living paradigm,
may we know your constant presence
now, and to the end of time. (Jocelyn Marshall)
OR
"Sing To Celebrate The City!” 122 AA
Sing to celebrate the city!
Sing the lives of people there,
sing the work of skill and beauty,
all who serve and all who care.
In the dictates of the dollar,
in the systems where we live,
find the currency of kindness,
eyes to smile and hearts to give.
We who are the city's traffic,
driving, driven, keeping pace,
name the God who makes us neighbours,
give our faith a human face;
in the workplace of God's people,
in the highrise and the home
our agenda is for justice -
changing lives for good to come.
Celebrate the art of living!
every colour, every sport,
every culture's dance and music,
every truth that love has taught -
be for God within the city,
life and loving are not priced:
light and lights of joyful worship,
set the table for the Christ!
Sing to celebrate the city!
Sing the lives of people there,
sing the work of skill and beauty,
all who serve and all who care. (Shirley Erena Murray)
Remain standing after the hymn
Opening Sentences
On a winter morning it is a good morning to be together!
All Drawn by the warmth of faces familiar and new,
to the welcoming space of this sacred place.
In this safe place let us open ourselves to
new understanding,
reassurance, and hope
All For this is a place where truth, love, and challenge meet.
It is a good morning to be together. BCheatham/adapt.
Words of Awareness
We are born to make manifest the glory of the Sacred that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others. (Adapt.Marianne Williamson/ep)
OR
We pray:
We have gathered here in community.
A place has been made for each of us.
Let what we say and do here be both real and honest,
thus preparing ourselves for the life of the world.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song “We Praise You God For You Have Made” (Tune: ‘Duke Street’, 88.88)
We praise you God for you have made
A world of such variety;
A world of colour, light and shade,
Of varied sexuality.
We come as ones who love you, God,
In many different frames and ways.
Indulge us, help us find a place
To share your loving, daring days.
We hold each other, hold us now
And never, ever let us go
God, give us generosity
That we may share the love we know. (Andrew Pratt/cl)
The people sit
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.
CENTERING
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 now take some time to sit in comfort,
to breathe deeply, to relax,
in the presentness of the sacred….
in dew-wet grasses,
in birds, in sunshine, in childish,
in stars and mountain summits topped with snow.
(Silence)
Music of Reflection
(Followed by Silence)
May our spirits be renewed.
May our minds be open to new truth.
May we give thanks for this life we are blessed to share.
EXPLORING
Wisdom from the 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: Into this day will break moments of awareness,
tiny shards of light that illumine
the whole reality of existence.
All May these readings be such a moment
and may we be blessed by their gift. (Gretta Vosper/ab)
• “No Other Plans. A Story”
By Wm J Bausch. A World of Stories/336-37.
Upon Jesus’ arrival in heaven, a vast host of angels greeted him.
After the formalities,
they asked him whom he had left behind on earth
to finish the work he had begun.
Jesus replied,
‘Just a small group of men and women who love me.’
‘That’s all?’ asked the angels, astonished.
‘What if this tiny group should fail?’
Jesus replied: ‘I have no other plans.’
• Matthew 14:13-21 (Inclusive Text)
When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist's death
he withdrew by boat to a lonely place
where they could be by themselves.
But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after Jesus on foot.
So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd;
and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to Jesus and said,
'This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by;
so send the people away and they can go to the village
to buy themselves some food.'
Jesus replied,
'There is no need for them to go:
give them something to eat yourselves.'
But they answered,
'All we have with us is five loaves and two fish...'
• "Just a Housewife” (Unannounced)
By Cordelia Baker-Pearce. Celebrating Women/44.
v2 I packed five cakes of bread and two small fishes,
Sent him off, my youngest lad,
To take his father's dinner to the field.
Came back alone he did, all goggle-eyed.
My fresh-baked bread that varmint gave away
To some young travelling preacher out of Galilee.
It fed five thousand people.
What a tale!
It can't be true... but if it is.
What kind of dough did these hands knead
This morning?
• Matthew 14:13-21 (Cont)
v1 'Bring them here to me,' Jesus said.
Giving orders that the people were to sit down on the grass,
Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish,
raised his eyes to the heaven and said a blessing.
And breaking the loaves he handed them to the disciples
who gave them to the crowds.
They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected
the scraps remaining, 12 baskets full.
The number who ate were many more than five thousand.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Litany: ‘Basketful’ (Optional)
The people stand as they are able
Spirit of God,
brooding over the waters
of our chaos,
All inspire us to generous living.
Wind of God,
dancing over the desert
of our reluctance,
All lead us to the oasis of celebration.
Breath of God,
inspiring communication
among strangers,
All make us channels of your peace,
that we may give
in deep thankfulness,
All placing the overflowing basket
of our gifts
on the table
of rejoicing. (Kate McIlhagga/ghs)
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 neighbour
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
“Small Majesties” (Tune: ‘Devotion’, LM) 67 SSCL
Their vesture is the song we sing,
Of ant and worm, of [folk] and flower,
The splendor of each living thing,
Rich in life’s symmetry and power.
A twig and leaf, a stone and bird,
Small majesties of all our days.
A face, a song, a hand. a word,
These are the meaning of our praise.
The universe has majesty
That bears no wherewithal to size —
The spiral of a galaxy
Or single atom can apprize.
For wonder is the mother’s dress,
And miracle her native form,
Our senses founts of happiness,
And suns of beauty keep us warm. (Kenneth Patton)
OR
“Wisdom Be Our Guide” (Tune: ‘Serenam’ Colin Gibson) 156 HoS
Wisdom be our guide:
wisdom as in Jesus,
strong through storm and crisis,
turning terror’s tide.
Wisdom be our wings:
life the human spirit,
banish bomb and bullet,
warlord posturings.
Refrain:
And with God’s help,
ordinary people,
we ordinary people
will turn the world around,
and with God’s help,
ordinary people,
we ordinary people
will turn the world around.
Wisdom be our ground:
there new truths are growing,
streams begin new flowing,
seams of gold are found.
Wisdom be our friend:
warn us of our danger,
earth’s appalling hunger,
greed that has no end.
Refrain:
Wisdom be our frame:
common sense with vision,
heart’s own intuition
giving love a name.
Wisdom be our light:
lead us and illumine
all that’s fully human,
simple, sane and right.
Refrain: (Shirley Erena Murray)
CELEBRATING
Offerings
Presentation
The riches of God's gracious love have been entrusted to us.
May we share the beauty of God
with all who walk with us, in caring service. (Francis Macnab/h)
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:
As one heart is lifted
All May we share its celebration
As one heart is burdened
All May we share the pain it knows. (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: (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 O God, you love us like a good parent,
and are present in every aspect of our existence
May your nature become known and respected by all
May your joy, peace, wholeness and justice
be the reality for everyone
as we live by the Jesus Way
Give us all that we really need to live every day for you
And forgive us our failures as we forgive others for their failures
Keep us from doing those things which are not of you,
and cause us always to be centred on your love
For you are the true reality in this our now,
and in all our future.
In the Jesus Way we pray. Amen. David Sorrill
SCATTERING
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“The Earth is Our Cradle” 14(v1-2) OHV
The earth is our cradle, our ground and our home.
The sky is our blanket, protective and warm.
The stars are our ancestors, ancient and bright,
their glow is a glimpse of our life’s burning light.
The creatures of land, the swimmers of sea,
the birds of the air, the green plants and trees:
They’re all of our siblings with equal share
in Earth as our home and duty to care.
OR
“Through Winter Cold” (Tune: ‘Chilcombe’, Barry Brinson) 139(v1-2) HoS
Through winter cold and drifted snow,
through bitter wind and biting frost
the silent seeds of spring will grow
and buried dreams will not be lost.
Within God’s world, as seasons turn,
we sleep and grow, with changing need
to shed old concepts and to learn
the faith that sprouts like mustard seed.
Remain standing
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
May we go forth from this place
thankful for the life that sustains and renews us,
and open to the grace
that surrounds and surprises us.
All May we go forth from this place
with openness and with thanksgiving! C.A.Howe
Words of Blessing
The calling of a magpie greets the promising sunrise on a winter’s morning.
May there be awakened in us long held hopes
and a keening of our longing for you, Gracious God.
All And we are blessed. Amen.
Hymn (Cont) “The Earth is Our Cradle” 14(v3) OHV
Our ancient atoms arranged and reformed,
connect us and bind us with the stuff of the stars,
When all is over, our substance returned
to our elements birth-place, our atom’s next turn. (Christopher New)
OR
“Through Winter Cold” (Tune: ‘Chilcombe’) 139(v3-4) HoS
It is compassion warms the day
and hugs the lonely or the cold,
speaks out for justice, come what may
when people’s lives are bought and sold.
And as in winter, as in grief
the frozen heart of things in numb,
compassion melts our unbelief
and all is changed, for spring has come. (Shirley Erena Murray)
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
Some of the Resources used in Shaping this Liturgy:
(AA) Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and Songs for all Churches. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 1993.
Bausch, W. J. A World of Stories for Preachers and Teachers. Mystic: Twenty-Third Publications, 1998.
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). Courage to Love. An Anthology of Inclusive Worship Material. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2002.
(HoS) Hope is our Song. New Hymns and Songs from Aotearoa New Zealand. Palmerston North. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2009.
Inclusive Readings. Year A. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2004.
McIlhagga, K. The Green Heart of the Snowdrop. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 2004.
Macnab, F. Hope: The Deeper Longings of the Mind and Heart. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 1996.
Nelson-Pallmeyer, J. & B. Hesle. Worship in the Spirit of Jesus. Theology, Liturgy, and Songs without Violence. Cleveland. The Pilgrim Press, 2005.
(OHV) New, C. Our Highest Values: A Collection of Songs for an Expansive Spirituality. Edmonton. Southminster-Steinhauer United Church, 2015. (chris@smsuc.com)
(SSCL) Patton, K. Services and Songs for the Celebration of Life. Boston. Beacon Press, 1967.
Roberts, E. & E. Amidon. Earth Prayers from Around the World. 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations for Honoring the Earth. New York: HarperCollins, 1991.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
The St Hilda Community. The New Women Included. A Book of Services and Prayers. London. SPCK, 1996.
Vosper, G. With or Without God. Why the Way we Live is More Important than What we Believe. Canada: Toronto. HarperCollins, 2008.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
Web sites/Other:
Gardiner, Sorrill, Cheatham, Howe. UUA Worship Web. Boston. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/