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”

6 October 2024.  Pentecost 20B. (Green).
Animals/Pets Sunday
Celebrating 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, 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

This day we shall let the hills embrace us,
the trees comfort us,
and the sun enlighten our minds.

This day we shall let the sap rise within us
and dance the music of the Cosmos.  (Adpat. William L Wallace/wb).

So 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 theme. 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  The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“Morning Has Broken” (Tune: ‘Bunessan’, 55.54D)                                                                 156 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.

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.

OR

“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)
Remain standing after the hymn

Opening Sentences
Like wind swaying through the trees on the Brindabellas
or surging through thickets of wattle,
All  so, is God's presentness with us.
We rejoice in this presence
All  Creative Spirit,
Life-giving Spirit,
Nurturing Spirit.

Words of Awareness
Gathered here, we sense the Sacred in this place.
May we be awakened again to
the mysteries that humble us,
the realities that orient us,
the beauty that informs us,
the fellowship that sustains us,
and the creativity that heightens and deepens our living,
that we may give ourselves in honesty and openness
to the larger life before us.  (Adapt/Clarke Wells) 

OR

We pray:
God of surprises, startle us with truth we do not see,
amaze us with your power and grace,
beckon us, and lead us far above
restricted hope and narrow faith.
May it be so.

Hymn/Song "Human Touch Can Light The Flame" (Tune: ‘Dunedin’, 88.88)                      307 SLT
The human touch can light the flame
which gives a brightness to the day,
the spirit uses mortal flame,
life's vehicle for work and play.

The lover's kiss, the friends embrace,
the clasp of hands to show we care,
the light of welcome on the face
are treasured moments all can share.

May all who come within our reach
be kindled by our inner glow,
not just in spirit's words we preach,
in human touch love's faith we show.  John Storey

OR

“A Mirage, Nothing More” (Tune: ‘From Strength to Strength’, 66.86D)
A mirage, nothing more,
that’s how God often seems,
for even though we keep the faith,
is God a God of dreams?
We pray by night and day,
but answers seem remote,
and then detractors laugh at us,
make fun of us and gloat.

We’ve done our very best,
at least that’s what we thought,
and yet you’ve left us, lost, bereft,
without the God we sought.
Then when we need you most,
when every hope has gone,
we hear the whisper of a voice,
you bid us carry on.

In each and every one
you make your presence real,
the dream takes on reality,
your love provides the seal.
Your faithfulness is true,
we find you in our friends,
and when we join our hands through grace,
we know love never ends.  © Andrew Pratt 13/8/2011
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

Reflection
“Love all Creation”
By Dostoyevsky, Brothers Karamazov

Love all Creation.
The whole and every grain of sand in it.
Love every leaf, and every ray of light.
Love the plants.
Love the animals.  Love everything.

If you love everything
you will perceive the Divine Mystery in all things.
Once you perceive it
you will comprehend it better every day.

And you will come, at last, to love the whole world
with an all embracing love.

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 centre our minds and our hearts.
    We are one with the universe.
    We are one with the sun and the stars.
    We are one with the earth.
    We are one with the One who is mystery…
(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:  Into the silence of our hopes and dreams,
words work upon us to break, crack, open us
to new understanding.
All  May we experience, in these words,
a seeking after truth, that we may lift ourselves
to this same desire.  (Gretta Vosper/ab)

• "The Women of Jerusalem Weep for Jesus”
By Alison Norris. Celebrating Women/25

Daughters of Jerusalem,
sisters once summoned to watch over the sleep of lovers,
how often have you wept for men,
yet stayed dry-eyed and silent
in your own pain?

Can you know blessing in fertility
when the axe is laid to the root of the green world?
Can you know joy in childbirth
when you are bearing down,
bearing your children into calamity?
Can you know grace in giving suck
when they are taking the children's food
and selling it for the dogs of war?

Daughters of Jerusalem,
sisters once summoned to watch over the sleep of
lovers,
weep not now for me,
weep for yourselves and for your children.

• Mark 10:2-16 (Inclusive Text)

Some Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
'Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?'

They were testing Jesus, who answered them,
‘What did Moses command you?'

'Moses allowed us' they said 'to draw up a writ of dismissal and so to divorce.'

Then Jesus said to them,
'It was because you were so unteachable that Moses
wrote this commandment for you.
But from the beginning of creation
God made them male and female.

‘This is why a man must leave father and mother,
and the two become one body.
They are no longer two, therefore, but one body.

‘So then, what God has united, no one must divide.'

Back in the house the disciples questioned Jesus again
about this, who said to them.

'The man who divorces his wife and marries another
is guilty of adultery against her.
And if a woman divorces her husband
and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.'

People were bringing little children for Jesus to touch them.
The disciples turned them away, but Jesus, seeing this, was indignant and said to them,
'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them;
for it is to such as these that the realm of God belongs.

‘I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome
the realm of God like a little child will never enter it.'

Then Jesus put his arms round them, laid his hands on them
and gave them his blessing.

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

We are awakened from a week of work and worry
to a morning of fresh beginnings and new horizons.
All   For this day of rest we give thanks and praise.

We are awakened from a night of tossing and turning
to a day of surprises and sanctuary.
All   For this day of peace we give thanks and praise.

We are awakened from the mundane and ordinary
by an invitation for search and celebration.
All   For this time of celebration we give thanks and praise.

This is the day that we are given.
Le   Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Ri   This is a day like no other!
All   For senses awakened we give thanks and praise.
Blessed be!  (George L Stewart/Adapt/www.uusf.org)

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.

If holding a Pets Service…  (Optional)

CELEBRATION AND BLESSING OF ANIMALS/PETS
Remembering
Every part of this earth is sacred.
All   Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, 
every mist in the dark woods, every clearing, 
and every humming insect is holy.

We are part of the earth and it is part of us.
All   The perfumed flowers are our sisters; 
the deer, the horse, the dingo - these are our brothers.

The rocky crests, the juices in the paddocks, the body heat of the pony, 
humans - all belong to the same family.
All   This we know: the earth does not belong to humans; 
humans belong to the earth.

This we know: all things are connected like the blood which unites one family.
All   Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.

We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it.  
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All   What are humans without the beasts?

If all the beasts were gone, humans would die 
from a great loneliness of spirit.
All   For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to humans.  
All things are connected.
(Adapted from statements of Chief Sealth, better known as Chief Seattle, from a speech delivered in 1854.)

v1  Today we are surrounded by the animals we love.
We remember with gratitude the pets, protectors, and animal companions 
who have blessed our lives.

We give thanks for our childhood pets, who taught us to love and to cry. 

We give thanks for our children's pets, 
who help us to teach them responsibility and relationship, 
and we give thanks for the pets who brighten our days and comfort our nights.

v2  Today we are surrounded by the animals we love.
We acknowledge that many animals contribute to our lives.

We give thanks for all those animals who help us:
working animals who guard us and find our lost and guide the blind, 
the animals who provide us food and clothing, 
who tote our burdens and entertain us with their antics, 
and for animals who give their lives to help us learn.

v1  But we also remember that many animals suffer.
We remember that some animals are hunted or deserted or tortured or hungry. 
We remember that nature can be cruel and that people can be mean. 
(Silence)

So today we bless these animals… 
Animals we love. 
Animals who are the companions of our lives.

We pledge to care for them tenderly and faithfully, 
and to remember that we are not alone on the earth.  (Adapt/Christine Robinson)

Circle of Blessing
Beginning with the back rows, please bring your companion animals to the front  of the Gathering space, forming a circle.
After the Blessing, walk in a circle around the Gathering space before returning to your seat

[Pet’s name], may the Spirit of Life be with you and your human friends.
May you have a long life and a happy home.
Amen!  Shalom!  Salaam!  Peace! 

Thanksgiving
When all have returned to their seats

v1  Abundant Earth, mother of all that is natural, 
mother of all that is human, for everything you freely give us,
All   We express our gratitude and dedicate ourselves 
to being faithful stewards of your abundance.

v2  For the air we breathe, and for all creatures of the air,
All   We give thanks, and pledge ourselves to preserve your purity.

v1  For the water we drink, and in which we bathe and swim, 
and for all creatures of the oceans, lakes, rivers, and creeks,
All   We give thanks, and commit ourselves to keeping you clean and pure.

v2  For the soil we walk upon, for all life rooted in the soil, 
for cultivated trees, bush trees, food plants, 
flowers, grasses, and growing things of all kinds,
All  We express our gratitude and pledge ourselves to your preservation.

v1  For all the animals of the earth, for all creatures great and small,
All   We give thanks and pledge our loving protection.

v2 For all the great earth gives us, for all that graces and blesses our lives,
All   Let our words and our works express our gratitude and praise.  (Bruce A. Bode)

Hymn/Song  The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“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)
The people sit

OR

“In The Midst…”  (Tune: ‘New Dimensions’, J. B. Rush)
In the midst of new dimensions,
in the face of changing ways,
who will lead the pilgrim peoples
wandering the separate ways?
Refrain:
God of rainbow, fiery pillar,
leading where the eagles soar,
we, thy people, ours the journey
now and ever,
now and ever,
now and ever more.

Through the years of human struggle
walk a people long despised,
gays and lesbians to gather
fighting to be realised.
Refrain:

We are Black and we are Asian,
Indian, Hispanic, White,
we a rainbow coalition,
all of value in thy sight.
Refrain:

We are man and we are woman,
all persuasions, old and young,
each a gift in thy creations,
each a love song to be sung.
Refrain:

Should the threats of dark predictions
cause us to withdraw in pain,
may thy blazing phoenix Spirit
resurrect the Church again. (Julian B Rush)
Refrain:

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 our thoughts be filled with transformation,
All  May our words reflect the yearnings of our hearts.
And may the spirit that binds within us as we gather

All  Hallow each and every passing moment
we know here together.  (Adapt.Gretta Vosper/ab).

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  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.  (DSorril)

CELEBRATING

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)

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE MEAL
Offerings

Presentation
We are grateful for our life
and the courage we are given to live it.
Let our gratitude for life be expressed in our generosity.
Let our faith be expressed in good causes.
Let our belief in the future find full expression
in our daily attitude of mind.  (Adapt.Francis Macnab/fwb)

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…

Centering Words
The earth has gone the round of seasons:
from the vibrant green of spring's new life
to the lush richness of warm summer,
to the brilliant fulfillment of riotous autumn,
to the generosity and self-giving of winter.

Now we stand again, touched by the promise of new life in the spring.

Discernment
As we celebrate the renewal of life and hope,
we also celebrate the presentness
of the Spirit of Life and Hope and Creativity,
everywhere around and within us.

Silence
No matter who you are, or where you are
on life's journey, you are welcome
at this table with it's symbols of God's Creative Presence.
All  In company with all who seek nourishment at this table,
we come to celebrate community, and to share
these life-giving symbols.  (Jerry Stinson/adapted)

Thanksgiving
It is right and our joy to give thanks
world-gazing, hope-cheering God, our cherisher.

We celebrate the changing mood of nature:
for sunshine and showers of a spring day,
for the nesting and cheerfulness of birds,
and the flowers of bush and garden...
wattle, heath, and bottle brush.
We give thanks, O Holy God.
All   We give thanks.

We who hold all such good things in trust,
in the company of each other,
and in company with people throughout the world
declare as generations before us have declared:
All   Holy, holy, holy, hope-breathing God,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
All   Hosanna in the highest.

And we celebrate our knowledge of Jesus the Companion,
who taught all to care for the birds of the air,
and the grass of the paddock;
living expressions of the Spirit of Life in our midst.

We remember that night among friends,
reclined at table... Jesus again shared a meal with his friends.

Through grain and grape, bread and wine,
and in fellowship together,
Jesus spoke of his enduring love for each of them.

So we take this bread and this wine
mindful of the Spirit at work in our lives.
Thus making our living a source of renewal and hope.
All  Amen.

Breaking of Bread/Pouring of White Wine
Bread is broken

We break this bread in celebration of the great truth
that on this tiny planet, hurtling through cold, empty space,
death is made the servant of life,
and out of death, life is forever resurrected.

White Wine poured out
This cup with its fruit of the vine,
is a celebration that things are not always as they seem:
that out of faithfulness and steadfastness,
out of suffering and sorrow,
may come unsought blessings.

Communion
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.
Bread and White wine served

SCATTERING

Hymn/Song  The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“Take Off Your Shoes” (Tune: ‘Take off Your Shoes’)                                                            651(v1-2) TiS
Refrain:
Take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on holy ground;
take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on holy ground.
Well, the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof
from the waters beneath to the heav’ens above,
so take, take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on my holy ground,
you’re standing on my holy ground.

On the eighth day of creation, well, the Lord looked around
at the power stations, freeways and the junk on the ground,
the factories with their waste-dumps and their chimneys so high,
you couldn't see the sun for all the smog in the sky.
Well, kids, you really filled the earth and then you subdued it,
but there's nothing in my book that says you've got to pollute it.
So,
Take, take off your shoes…

You've heated up my rivers with industrial mills,
you're killing off my oceans with your wastes and your spills,
you're fishing like there'll always be an endless supply,
and fighting one another for what's left to divide.
You didn't want advice when I first gave you dominion,
but maybe now it's time to get a second opinion.
So,
Take, take off your shoes…

OR

"Great Lover Calling Us To Share"  (Tune: 'Galilee', 88.88)
Great Lover, calling us to share
your joy in all created things
from atom-dance to eagles' wings,
we come and go, to praise and care.

Though sure of resurrection-grace,
we ache for all earth's troubled lands
and hold the planet in our hands,
a fragile, unprotected place.

Your questing Spirit longs to gain
no simple fishing-ground for souls,
but as life's story onward rolls,
world more joyful and humane.
Remain standing

Parting Words
Let us take on this week’s life
with renewed hope and imagination…
The Community Candle is extinguished

With faith to face our challenges,
With love that casts out fear,
With hope to trust tomorrow,
All We accept this day as the gift it is:
a reason for rejoicing.  Gary Kowalski

Words of Blessing
And now may the blessings of life
be upon us, and upon this congregation.

May the memories we gather here give us hope for the future.

May the love that we share
bring strength and joy to our hearts,
and the peace of this community be with us
until we meet again.
All  Amen! May it be so!

Hymn/Song  (Cont). “Take Off Your Shoes” (Tune: ‘Take off Your Shoes’)                           651(v3) TiS
Refrain:
Take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on holy ground;
take, take off your shoes, 
you're standing on holy ground. 
Well, the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof
from the waters beneath to the heav’ens above,
so take, take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on my holy ground,
you’re standing on my holy ground.

Your scientific minds - make sure you use them with care:
you're breaking down my ozone layer up in the air,
your fertilizer's turning mighty rivers bright green.
some folks are getting fatter while so many grow lean.
I told you to be fruitful and you sure multiplied,
but the rich took all the land and never learned to divide.
So,
Take, take off your shoes…

OR

"Great Lover Calling Us To Share"  (Tune: 'Galilee', 88.88)
As midwives who assist at birth,
we give our uttermost, yet grieve
lest folly, greed or hate should leave
a spoiled, aborted, barren earth.

Self-giving Lover, since you dare
to join us in our history,
embracing all our destiny,
we'll come and go with praise and care. (Brian Wren)
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.
Duncan, G. (ed). A World of Blessing. Benedictions from Every Continent and Many Cultures. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2000.
(FFS) Faith Forever Singing. Songs for a New Day. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2000.
Fox, M. One River, Many Wells. Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths. New York. Tarcher/Penguin Publishing, 2004.
Inclusive Readings. Year B. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2005.
Iona Community. Iona Abbey Worship Book. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 2001.
Macnab, F. A Fine Wind Is Blowing: Psalms of the Bible in Words that Blow you Away. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 2006.
Seaburg, C. (ed). The Communion Book. Boston. UUMA, 1993.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
Stinson, J. “The Encounter of Progressive Christian Theology with the Language of Prayer and Ritual on Sunday Morning”. Westar Institute/Liturgy & LiteracySeminar. March 2006.
The St Hilda Community. The New Women Included. A Book of Services and Prayers. London.  SPCK, 1996.
(TiS) Together in Song. Australian Hymn Book 2. Sydney. HarperCollins Religious, 1999.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
(TMT) Wallace, W. L. The Mystery Telling. Hymns and Songs for the New Millennium. Kingston. Selah Publishing, 2001.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, & J Morley. (ed). Celebrating Women. New edition. London. SPCK, 1995.
Withrow, L. Seasons of Prayer. Resources for Worship. London. SPCK, 1995.  

Web Sites/Other:
Wells, Sorril. UUA Worship Web. Boston. UUA. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Andrew Pratt. "A Mirage, Nothing More". Hymns and Words blog site. UK. <http://hymnsandbooks.blogspot.com/> Direct from the author
Brian Wren. “Great Lover…” Web site: hymns.uk.com 
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/