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

“We are thoroughly nature. To claim otherwise is to attempt to place human beings and everything we do
in some rare unimaginable realm beyond the universe,
thus rendering the power of our origins lost and our obligations vague”

18 August 2024.  Pentecost 13B. (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 is called “Uluru Statement from the Heart”
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019
Both found 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 new day is a gift.
Each new phase of life brings generous possibilities.
Each new question brings learning and growth.  (Francis Macnab/h).

Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.

Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit

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 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
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature

Hymn/Song  People stand as they are able, to sing
“Sing for God’s Glory” (Tune:  ‘Lobe den Herren’, 14.14.4.7.8)
Sing for God’s glory that colors the dawn of creation,
racing across the sky, trailing bright clouds of elation;
sun of delight 
succeeds the velvet of night,
warming the earth’s exultation.

Sing for God’s power that shatters the chains that would hold us,
searing the bleakness of fear and despair that would mold us,
touching our shame 
with love that will not lay blame,
reaching out gently to find us.

Sing for God’s justice disturbing each easy illusion,
tearing down tyrants and putting our pride to confusion;
lifeblood of right, 
resisting evil and slight,
offering freedom’s transfusion.

Sing for God’s saints who have travelled faith’s journey before us,
who in our weariness give us their hope to restore us;
in them we see 
the new creation to be,
spirit of love made flesh for us.  (Kate Galloway.Adapt.)
Remain standing

Opening Sentences
As we enter into this sacred place,
put away the pressures of the world that ask us
to perform,
to take up masks,
to put on brave fronts.

Silence the voices that ask you to be perfect.
This is a community of compassion and welcoming.  (EA Hewitt/adapt)
All  We bring all that we are and all that we yet can be,
to this safe and holy place.

Words of Awareness
We have gathered in this sacred place, again.
May we continue to create here a circle of love,
ever expanding,
ever growing.

A place of wisdom.
A place of connection.
A place of hope.

OR

We pray:
Surprising God,
whose love leads us to new experiences,
help us to be open to your presence
among us and within.

Let us sense your glory
in the sights and sounds of this day.
May it be so.

Hymn/Song  “Great God of Many Names” (Tune: 66.84 + Chorus: 444)                           39 WNC
Great God of many names:
Jehovah, Allah, Lord,
Christ, Brahman, Spirit, Adonai;
We worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.

With pomp and pageantry
Beneath an onion dome,
Or in a bare and simple room,
we worship you.
Chorus:

In chapel, mosque or shrine
we wait to praise your name,
through icon, book or choir
we worship you.
Chorus:

With tabla or guitar,
or with a thousand lights,
through fasting, feasting, fellowship
we worship you.
Chorus:

With formal dress or free,
we meditate or dance,
through pesach, hajj or nam simran
we worship you.
Chorus:

Whatever name or creed,
enlightenment or book,
we seek you through our pilgrimage
and worship you.
Chorus:                (Andrew Pratt)
People sit

OR

“Down the Ages” (Tune: ‘Woodland’ 77.77)                                                                             2 SLT
Down the ages we have trod
many paths in search of God,
seeking ever to define
the Eternal and Divine.

Some have seen eternal good
pictured best in parenthood,
and a Being throned above
ruling over us in love.

There are others who proclaim
God and Nature are the same,
and the present God-head own
where creation’s laws are known.

There are eyes which best can see
God within humanity,
and God's countenance there trace
written in the human face.

Where compassion is most found
is for some the hallowed ground,
and these paths they upward plod
teaching us that love is God.

Though the truth we can't perceive
this at least we must believe,
what we take most earnestly
is our living Deity.

Our true God we there shall find
in what claims our heart and mind,
and our hidden thoughts enshrine
that which for us is Divine.   (John A Storey)
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 take a moment to settle into the silence.
(Silence)

In these brief moments of silence may we find strength.
May our lives be rich in affection,
deep in understanding and
sympathy for each other.

May the blessings of life be known to all. Bob Holmes/adapt
(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:  May we open ourselves to the seeds of wisdom
that lies dormant in this/these reading/s.
All  And may our minds be fertile soil
in which it/they may grow strong and true.  (Gretta Vosper/ab)

• Psalm 84
A 21st century exploration by Francis Macnab.

O God, from my place in the working world,
and in the wide wilderness of life,
I long for that sure sense of knowing what it is all about.
All  I yearn for that experience of joy
to come to my whole body and soul.

I look for your presence as a pathway to life's fullness.
Even the birds as small as a sparrow and the swallow,
show me the way to your presence.

Though we are often wounded and hurt in this fractured world,
we discover that this world also has its source of healing.
All  We are all enriched and our hearts are made stronger
as we tap into that power that flows into us.
The very sight of a spring of water
arouses our anticipation of  being refreshed and renewed.
From all our external involvements,
we hear the call of our inner spirits.

O Lord of all Being you remind us that you take hold of us.
A moment in your presence is worth more
than many years in the wilderness of life.
All  I will be happy to stay only at the edge of your presence
than be carried away by my own self-serving pursuits.
Pause

God - you stand in front of us when we fear the future.
In our dark times you bring the sun to shine again.
All  Out of our troubles you point us
to the pathway of our best bliss.
And as we receive: we are rich indeed!  (Francis Macnab/fwb)

• John 6: 51-58 (Inclusive Text)

'I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I shall give
is my flesh, for the life of the world.'

Then the crowds started arguing with one another:
How can this one give us his flesh to eat? they said.

Jesus replied:
'I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat my flesh or drink my blood,
you have no life in you.

'Those who do... have eternal life,
and I will raise them up on the last day.

'For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
Those who do eat and drink, live in me, and I live in them.

'As the living God sent me, and I live because of God,
so whoever eats (and drinks) draw life from me.

'This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate, they are dead.

But anyone who eats this bread will live forever’.

OR

• "Let us be United”
From The Rig Veda. Earth Prayers/93.

Let us be united,
Let us speak in harmony,
Let our minds apprehend alike.

Common be our prayer,
Common be the end of our assembly,
Common be our resolution,
Common be our deliberations.

Alike be our feelings,
Unified be our hearts,
Common be our intentions,
Perfect be our unity.

Contemporary Exploration

Silence for Personal Reflection

AFFIRMING

An Affirmation of Faith (Optional)
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand 
and share together an affirmation of faith…
The people stand as they are able

v1  We believe we are here because of the eternal generosity
of that Holy Lover whom we call God.

v2  Because God is, there is a universe;
All  galaxies, sun, moon, and the green earth.
Because God is,
All  there are mountains and plains,
streams and seas, forests and grasslands,
Because God is,
All  there are living creatures;
seagulls and wallabies,
parrots and butterflies.
Because God is,
All  we are breathing, thinking, feeling, self-aware creatures,
asking deep questions 
and reflecting in prayer.
Because God is,
All  we are made for loving,
and by the grace of our Brother Jesus,
we find the liberty to be people
of uncalculating compassion.  (Adapt. Bruce D Prewer)

Because God is,
All  we have a Spirit-Friend who inspires and counsels,
comforts and gives new life
to both young and old,
straight and gay,
friend and stranger.

v1 We believe in God,
All  who’s nature is creativity, shaping our lives and
the lives of our neighbours, luring us all to live life
generously and compassionately.  (Rex A E Hunt)

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
"Everything That Has Voice" (Tune: 'Sing for Peace', Marty Haugen)                                       9 TEL

Everything that has voice,

sing for peace,

speak for peace,

given chance, given choice,

work for peace,

write for peace,

resonating everywhere,

echoing our common care:

everything that has voice,

sing for peace!

All the world longs for peace
cries for peace,

dies for peace,

let the children, every place

sleep in peace,

grow in peace,

home and country safe to be

where the spirit rises free,

all the world longs for peace,

cries for peace.

Everyone who has breath,

you and I,

passers-by,

every tenant of the earth

plant for peace,

gather for peace,
cultivate a neighbourhood

cherishing our neighbours' good:
everyone who has breath,

live for peace!  (Shirley Erena Murray)
People sit

CELEBRATING

Offerings

Presentation
By our smallest actions, we become part of a bigger world.
The smallest giving can be an expression
of the good spirit of generosity and caring.

May we be helped to carry through the doorway
of each new day, this good spirit
of generosity and caring.  (Francis Macnab/h)

Conversation 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:
May we have courage in uncertain times,
All Let it all happen.  No mood is final.
May we recognise new beginnings
in what seem to be endings,
All Let it all happen.  No feeling is final.  (3CExchange)

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 appropriate

All  Loving Presence, luminous in all creation,
hallowed be your name.
Thy kin-dom come.

May we reflect on earth
the yielding perfection of the heavens.
Help us to receive an illumined measure from the earth this day.

Forgive us when we trespass against others,
human and other than human,
as we forgive others who trespass against us.
Keep us on the path of wisdom
when we are tempted to take the selfish path.

May it be your rule we follow,
your power we exercise,
and your radiance that allures.
May this be the truth that guides our lives,
the ground from which our future will grow,
until we meet again.  (Bruce Sanguin/dddc)

CELEBRATING SOLIDARITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE MEAL
“Wisdom has set her table.
Come eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Proverbs 9:2,5-6)
The Table is prepared

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…

Welcome to the Table
v1 At this table we give thanks for
justice, love, peace and freedom.
Mn At this table we give thanks for friends and strangerstogether in community in this safe place.
Wm At this table we welcome old and young.
v2  A place at the table.  And all are invited.

Thanksgiving
v1 We give thanks for the unfolding of matter,
mind,
intelligence,
and life
that has brought us to this moment in time.
All  We celebrate our common origin with everything that exists.

v1 We celebrate the mystery we experience and address as ‘G-o-d’.
ground and sustainer of everything that exists,
in whom we live and move and have our being.

v2 And we acknowledge this mystery embodied
in every human person,
aware that each one of us gives G-o-d
unique and personal expression.
All  G-o-d is everywhere present.
In grace-filled moments of sharing.
In carefully created communities of loving solidarity.

v2 We are one with everything, living and nonliving, on this planet.
Connected.
Interrelated.
Interdependent.

The Story
v1 We remember the stories from our tradition...
How on many occasions the sage we call Jesus would share
a meal with friends and strangers.
Bread and wine shared in community.

v2 For everyone born, a place at the table...

v1 How the bread would be taken,
a blessing offered, and then shared between them.
And all of them ate.

How, after conversation, some wine would be poured out,
a blessing offered, and then passed between them.
And all of them drank.

v2 The bread and the wine symbolised human lives
interconnected with other human lives,
and the power of giving and receiving.

v1 May the passion for life as seen in Jesus,
and in the lives and struggles of many other
committed and faithful people then and now,
enable us to dare and to dream and to risk…
All  Together may we re-imagine the world.

Together may we work to make all things new.
All Together may we celebrate the possibilities and hope
we each have and are called to share.
v2 For everyone born, a place at the table...

Bread and White Wine
Bread is broken several times

v1 And so now, in our time and in this place…
We break the bread for our broken earth,
ravaged and plundered for greed.
All  May there be healing of our beautiful blue and green planet.

v1 We break this bread for our broken humanity,
for the powerful and the powerless
trapped by exploitation and oppression.
All  May there be the healing of humanity.

v1 We break this bread for those who follow other paths:
for those who follow the noble path of the Buddha,
the yogic path of the Hindus;
the way of the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs;
the Mandaean tradition honouring John the Baptiser;
and the descendants of Abraham, children of Hagar and Sarah.
All  May there be healing where there is pain and woundedness.

v1 We break this bread
for the unhealed hurts and wounds
that lie within us all.
All  May we be healed.

White wine is poured into a cup/s
v2 Wine, fruit of the vine,
nurtured, tended, harvested,
and pressed out for us to drink.

All  Wine, liquid sunlight, prepared for our delight.

v2 Wine, gift of nature,
offering earth-bound humans
hints of other worlds,
other realities,
other possibilities.
All  Pouring out this wine
we remember people of all ages
who searched down new paths, advancing
understanding,
compassion,
knowledge.

v2 Pouring out this wine
we are reminded of the call
All  to live fully,
to love wastefully, and
to be all that we can be.

Communion
v1 To eat and drink together reminds us
of the deeper aspects of human fellowship,
for from time immemorial
the sharing of bread and wine
has been the most universal of all symbols of community.
The Bread and White wine will be served in four groups around the Gathering space

SCATTERING

Hymn/Song  People stand as they are able, to sing
“Morning Has Broken”                                                                                                            156(v1-2) TiS
Morning has broken
like the first morning;
blackbird has spoken
like the first bird. 
Praise for the singing,
praise for the morning,
praise for them, springing
fresh from the word.

Sweet the rain’s new fall
sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall
on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden,
sprung from completeness
where his feet pass.
Remain standing

Parting Words
As we prepare to leave this sacred space
where we have celebrated together,
let us return to our work and school
enlivened and renewed…
The Community Candle is extinguished

May we also remember that each day
offers more things than we can do.
All  May we do what needs to be done,
postpone what does not,
and be at peace with what we can be and do.

Therefore, may we learn to separate
that which matters most
All  and that which matters least of all. 

Words of Blessing
May you always stand tall as a tree.
Be as strong as the rock Uluru.
As gentle and still as the morning mist.

Hold the warmth of the campfire in your heart.
And may the Creator Spirit
always walk with you.  (Elizabeth Pike/grpe)
All Amen. May it be so!

Hymn/Song  (Cont). “Morning Has Broken”                                                                       156(v3) TiS
Mine is the sunlight;
mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play.
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God’s recreation
of the new day.
The people sit

'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

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.
Holmes, R. H. The Bob Holmes Worship Materials. Vol 1.  Little Falls. Self published, 1972.
Inclusive Readings. Year B. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2005.
Liebelt, P. & N. Nicholls. (ed). Gentle Rain on Parched Earth. Worship Resources for Rural Situations. Melbourne. JBCE, 1996.
Macnab, F. Hope: The Deeper Longings of the Mind and Heart. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 1996.
(TEL) Murray, S. E. Touch the Earth Lightly. New Hymns written between 2003 & 2008. Carol Stream. Hope Publishing, 2008.
(WNC) Pratt, A. Whatever Name or Creed. Hymns and Songs. London. Stainer & Bell Ltd, 2002.
Roberts, E. & E. Amidon. Earth Prayers from Around the World. 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations for Honoring the Earth. New York. HarperCollins, 1991.
Sanguin, B. Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos. An Ecological Christianity. Canada: Kelowna. CopperHouse, 2007.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
(TiS) Together in Song. Australian Hymn Book 2. Sydney. HarperCollins Religious, 1999.

Some of the Resources which have shaped the Communion Liturgy:
Shaped from published resources created by and adapted from: Michael Morwood, Carter Heyward, L Bruce Miller, Shirley Erena Murray, David Bumbaugh, David Galston, John S Spong, the Iona Community… and others. With grateful thanks

Web Sites/Other:
Hewitt. UUA Worship Web. Boston. UUA. www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
"Sing For God's Glory". Iona Community, Scotland.
Bruce Prewer Web Site. Bendigo.
"May We Have Courage". C3Exchange. <www.c3exchange.org
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/