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”
10 March 2024. Lent 4B. (Purple).
International Women’s Day
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 gather regardless of
race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
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)
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/Videos
Gathering Music
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
Amid all the noise in our lives,
let us take this moment to sit in silence:
to give thanks for another day;
to give thanks for all those in our lives
who have brought us warmth and love;
to give thanks for the gift of life. (Adapt.THaley)
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 The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Life is the Greatest Gift of All” (Tune: ‘Brother James’ Air’, 86 86 86) 331 SLT
Life is the greatest gift of all
the riches on this earth;
life and its creatures, great and small,
of high and lowly birth:
so treasure it and measure it
with deeds of shining worth.
Mind is the brightest gift of all,
its thought no barrier mars;
it seeks creation’s hidden plan,
its quest surrounds all bars;
it reins the wind, it chains the storm,
it weighs the outmost stars.
We are of life, its shining gift,
the measure of all things;
up from the dust our temples lift,
our vision soars on wings;
for seed and root, for flower and fruit,
our grateful spirit sings. William E Oliver
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
Opening Sentences
We gather in community
to rest from our labours,
to greet our neighbours,
All and to open our being to insight and intuition
of that greater reality of which we are a part.
May we find in our time together, inspiration and renewal.
May we touch the holy in each other
and be touched by the graciousness of life.
All And may we find here a calm peacefulness
that will carry us through the days ahead. (P. H. L'Herrou)
Words of Awareness
In each moment of this day resides incredible power:
new life,
new healing,
new opportunity.
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.
OR
We pray:
Loving God may your presence comfort us,
and also confront us, with the responsibility
of making your spirit of love
flesh in our actions. (SDuncan/adapt)
May it be so.
Hymn/Song “Noble, Yet Mystical Ground…” (Tune: ‘Was Lebet’ 11.10.11.10D) 115 WNC
Noble, yet mystical, ground of creation,
star-fire and sun shower, and darkness and dreams;
all that through senses draws forth adoration,
God, we would worship, the love that redeems.
Human, yet awesome, the Christ, our relation,
offers a spirit: we learn to forgive.
Conquering our will this divine annexation
offers a way for us simply to live.
Spirit of living gives hope for our dying,
something transcending this life and its frame,
onward and upward in faith we are flying,
goal of existence, your love is our aim. (Andrew Pratt)
The people sit
OR
“Chant for the Seasons” (Tune: ‘Praha’, Irreg.) 73 SLT
Can be sung separately as a chant, or the verses can be rearranged according to the actual season
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us. (Repeat)
Sweet the angling sun,
sweet upon the air
the smell of blue mist rising.
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us.
Glorious the trees,
glorious the sight
of rust leaves, falling.
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us. (Repeat)
Grey the windy storms,
cold upon our cheeks
the wet rain glistens, glistens.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us.
leaping is the fire,
golden in the glass
the cider glows like amber.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us. (Repeat)
Sharp the smell of loam,
bursting in our eyes
the turrets of the tulip.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us.
Greening is the grass,
soft upon our brows
the sunlight warm caresses.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us. (Repeat)
Gliding are the hawks,
hovering above
the hot and yellow hillside.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us.
crickets in the night,
chirping in our ears
the sound of moon-lit music.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us. (Mark L Belletini)
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
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 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 now open ourselves to the sacred silence of this place.
(Silence)
May the strength of silence support our courage to endure,
and open to us creative channels of the spirit. (Bob Holmes/bhwm)
(Silence)
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.
• Mother God
Spirit-filled Woman
Source of all living things
It was you who breathed life into me.
In your likeness I was formed.
The darkness of your sacred womb enwraps me in the silence of the Holy One
Your creative energy pulsates through every fibre of my being.
You birth forth life within me.
Your abundant breasts continue to sustain my very being.
You carry me close to your heart
And sing your song of love to me.
You hold me close to your heart
And sing your song of love to me.
You hold me close to you and comfort me.
Cradled in your arms, I am at peace.
You bathe me with life-giving waters of your giftedness.
Reflected in your eyes is my dignity as woman.
You nurture me and guide me
To proclaim my sacredness as woman of God
You call me forth to image your compassion, love and joy
To a broken world.
Together we dance life's passionate song. (Mary Kemen/w)
OR
• "The Ways of God"
By Bruce Prewer. Australian Psalms/26.
The Southern Cross signals God's glory;
the Milky Way gleams with holy handiwork.
Every new day tells a divine story;
at night-time God's skills are displayed.
All nations and tongues can understand this language,
the message which saturates our planet.
Look at the merry old sun in his robes of light;
he smiles like a bridegroom on his wedding day.
Keen as an athlete at the Olympics,
he strides from Sydney to Perth.
Then he sprints the other half of the circuit,
missing no nation with his warmth.
How complete are the ways of God,
constantly renewing our humanity,
God is a dependable counsellor,
with wisdom for those who have open minds,
and purposes that are most beautiful,
making our heart leap with joy.
The commandments are clear,
bringing a new light to our eyes.
The respect God arouses is healthy,
extending forever.
Divine assessment is fair,
completely to be trusted.
The Word is more valuable than a fortune,
more precious than reserves of gold.
It is sweeter than the finest confectionery,
more natural than the honey of mallee blossom.
It keeps your servants alert and sensitive;
living by it brings us incomparable gain.
• John 3:16-21 (Scholars Version/Inclusive Text)
This is how God loved the world: God sent the Beloved One,
so everyone who believes may not be lost
but have real life.
After all, God sent the Beloved One
so that the world might be rescued through the one sent.
Those who believe are not condemned.
But those who refuse to believe is condemned already,
because they have refused to believe
in the name of the Holy One sent by God.
On these grounds is sentence pronounced:
that though the light has come into the world,
some have shown they prefer darkness to the light.
Their actions were evil, weren't they?
And indeed, everybody who does wrong
hates the light and avoids it, otherwise
their actions would be exposed.
But those who live by the truth come out into the light,
so that it may be plainly seen:
their deeds belong to God.
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
If celebrating International Women’s Day
Litany of Praise of Valiant Women (Can be edited to suit local situation)
Many remarkable achievements
are absent from the annals of history
because they were done by women.
And the conclusion is drawn
that nothing was done by women
because nothing is recorded there!
On this International Women's Day we must keep woman’s memory alive.
So let us now praise valiant women
recalling to life representatives of all those unsung heroines
who lives are living testimony
that God is God in all.
All We praise valiant women
whose lives give hope to us.
v1 Eve,
the first woman, mother of all the living,
soul of the human race.
All We praise valiant women
v2 Sarah,
heart of the covenant, mother of nations,
who conceived laughter in her old age
All We praise valiant women
v3 Rebecca,
woman of ingenuity,
achieving her own purposes in a patriarchal world
All We praise valiant women
v4 Rachel,
who waited seven years, seven days,
waited for love, waited for life
All We praise valiant women
v5 Nefertiti, Queen,
co-ruler of Egypt, who, with her husband,
introduced into Egypt the revolutionary notion
of worshipping only one God
All We praise valiant women
v6 Mary,
mother of the sage Jesus,
a woman, one of us
All We praise valiant women
v7 Elizabeth,
who proved one is never too old
to have her dream come true
All We praise valiant women
v8 Anna,
prophet at prayer in the Temple
when Jesus was offered to God,
who from that moment
preached Jesus, proclaiming salvation to all
All We praise valiant women
v9 Proba,
4th-century theologian,
whose interpretation of tradition
was systematically ignored
All We praise valiant women
v10 All women in the apostolic church
whose deeds have been obliterated,
whose leadership has been denied,
who were victims of patriarchal arrogance
All We praise valiant women
v11 Bridget,
patron saint of Ireland,
who founded a monastic centre of learning
for women in the fifth-century
All We praise valiant women
v12 Trotula,
11th-century physician considered the mother of gynaecology,
whose book on woman’s diseases
was a valuable reference for centuries after her death
All We praise valiant women
v13 Julian of Norwich,
14th-century, England,
whose mystical experiences are revelations of divine love
All We praise valiant women
v14 Florence Nightingale,
theologian and nurse educator,
who raised the menial role of nurse
to the level of a profession in 19th century England
All We praise valiant women
v15 Caroline Chisholm,
who was responsible for improving
conditions on immigrants’ ships
and providing a caring home
for young immigrant women
cast adrift in nineteenth-century Sydney, Australia
All We praise valiant women
v16 May Gibbs,
created a complete and fascinating fantasy world for children
with her stories about gum nuts
and the Australian bush
All We praise valiant women
v17 Indira Gandhi,
prime minister of India,
who was elected twice to that position
and assassinated while in office
All We praise valiant women
v18 Corazon Aquina,
her refusal to yield to dictatorship
and her courage in the face of overwhelming odds
is a model for all women
All We praise valiant women
v19 Ursula Goodenough,
professor, author of the widely acclaimed textbook, Genetics,
and past president of The American Society for Cell Biology
All We praise valiant women
v 20 Pamela Denoon
who helped make The Women’s Electoral Lobby
a political and feminist force in Australian national politics
All We praise valiant women
v21 Kathleen Maltzahn
founding director of Project Respect, who
convinced the Australian Government to take seriously
the issue of trafficking in sexual slavery
All We praise valiant women
v22 All women of accomplishment
who achieved despite the odds,
in science, the arts, religion, law, health, education,
economics, athletics, the home, and in the socio-political fields
All We praise valiant women
Who shall find a valiant woman?
Wm Look! We are all around you.
Inspired by this witness of our sisters in faith,
let us now go forth encouraged to give of our best efforts,
knowing that the grace of God
is power unto good. (Adapted from a composite of sources)
OR
God is with us. This we celebrate.
For we have seen the signs of grace
in every place,
in every generation.
All The beauty of the creation,
in all its pristine wonder,
is not the only dwelling place of Creativity.
This, our God, is born again in cities
as well as country stables.
All Is found in holy places and the supermarket,
sits with us in coffee shops,
and by the one who hopefully sings a song
on the streets of this day.
The spirit dances on concrete
All and holds in comfort those
who walk with briefcase or shopping bag.
The God who is more than we can ever name or know
All is beside us in every work place and
every hidden home of our body, mind and soul. (Adapt. Dorothy McRae-McMahon/ith)
Sharing 'The Peace'
Let us take some time to greet each other
May a heart of peace rest with you. (David Galston/q)
All And also with you.
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
“Give Respect to Humankind” (Tune: ‘Warrington’, 88.88) 60 SNS2
Giving respect to humankind
Is wise and good for there we find
Images of the God we praise
And love expressed in countless ways.
Giving respect to humankind
Can help us all to leave behind
Thoughts of revenge and words of spite;
Can prompt resolve to re-unite.
Giving respect to humankind
Arises from our heart and mind;
As we reflect on those we know
May caring thoughts have constant flow.
Giving respect to humankind
Is Jesus' theme; His word defined
How we might live affirming all
The human beauty in us all.
So let us honour humankind
With God's own image, so combined,
We find ourselves equipped to prize
The gentle, lovely, kind and wise. (George Stuart)
People sit
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)
Offerings
Presentation
With these gifts may there also be a blessing...
on the places and people who know our need for creativity,
and nurture our tentative efforts into
full-bodied, undulating, elongating,
syncopating, blooming, blessed beauty. (Adapt.Yvonne Morland/bob)
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:
Holy God, as you have touched us
All May we now touch others
with your love in us. (Adapt.Kathy Galloway/cw)
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 God 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 God, who cares for us,
The wonder of whose presence fills us with awe.
Let kindness, justice and love shine in our world.
Let your secrets be known here as they are in heaven.
Give us the food and the hope we need for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing
as we forgive the wrongs done to us.
Protect us from pride and from despair
and from the fear and hate which can swallow us up.
In you is truth, meaning, glory and power,
while worlds come and go.
Amen. (MFurlong/nwi)
SCATTERING
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Our World is One World” (Tune: 'Chernobyl', 58.86.4) 134(v1-2) SLT
Our world is one world
what touches one affects us all:
the seas that wash us round about,
the clouds that cover us,
the rains that fall.
Our world is one world
the thoughts we think affects us all:
the way we build our attitudes,
with love or hate, we make,
a bridge or wall.
Parting Words
Let us embrace the wonder of this week
with expectation and imagination...
The Community Candle is extinguished
From all the world that we have seen,
All From all the life that we have known
We here acclaim all that has been,
All And name tomorrow for our own. (Kenneth Patton/sscl)
Words of Blessing
In the starshine and sunshine of God may you be warmed and welcomed.
In the stories and laughter of Jesus may you be called and challenged.
In the fire and breath of the Holy Spirit may you be awakened and kept from harm. (Ruth Burgess/bob)
All Amen. May it be so.
Hymn/Song (Cont). “Our World is One World” (Tune: 'Chernobyl', 58.86.4) 134(v3-4) SLT
Our world is one world
it’s ways of wealth affects us all:
the way we spend, the way we share,
who are the rich or poor,
who stand or fall.
Our world is one world
just like a ship that bears us all:
where fear and greed make many holes,
but where our hearts can hear,
a different call. (Cecily Taylor)
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.
Burgess, R. A Book of Blessings. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 2001.
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. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2009.
Inclusive Readings. Year B. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2005.
McRae-McMahon, D. In This Hour. Liturgies for Pausing. Thornbury. DesBooks, 2001.
Patton, K. Services and Songs for the Celebration of Life. Boston. Beacon Press, 1967.
(WNC) Pratt, A. Whatever Name or Creed. Hymns and Songs. London. Stainer & Bell Ltd. 2002
Prewer, B. D. Australian Psalms. Revised and expanded. Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers, 2000.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
(SNS2) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Volume 2. Toronto. G Stuart, 2009.
The St Hilda Community. The New Women Included. A Book of Services and Prayers. London. SPCK, 1996.
(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.
Web Sites/Other:
Refreshment Station. Words by Nan Fink Gefen, taken from an Evolutionary Passover Haggadah by Tree Bressen.