Theme “Justice”
Enabling Love
(Inspired by Hymn 220 in Hymns for Living: ‘Break not the Circle of Enabling Love’)
May our chalice shine as a hearth light,
welcoming friend and stranger alike
to a circle of compassion that embraces all the living.
May our chalice shine with the wonder of the love that frees,
empowering those of every race and nation
Sacred Space
When we gather here together,
We create a sacred space.
By our purpose and our presence,
We make room for holy grace.
As we light our flaming chalice,
We remember those who blazed
Trails of love and paths of justice
Through our hist’ry’s darker days.
When we share our songs and stories,
Tears fall softer, joys
Showing up to fight for justice
Showing up to fight for justice,
Moving forward hand in hand,
Working, praying, singing, striving,
For a fair and equal land.
Marching on the side of justice,
Let our banners be un-furled,
May our words and actions lead us,
To a fair and equal world.
Standing on the side of justice,
Reaching out in care and love,
Spirits uplifted
May we leave our time together
with spirits uplifted
and hearts enlivened,
renewed in our quest for peace and justice,
ready to face whatever comes our way
with trust in the steadfast love of the Eternal.
Amen.
The Prayer of Jesus
A Version of the Prayer of Jesus, rewritten by Rev. Maud Robinson
Mystery of Life; Source of Love and Beauty
We stand in awe in the presence of the Universe.
We celebrate the joy of possibility.
May we move our world closer
to the Dream of equity and justice.
Though often distracted by material concerns,
Chalice lighting
Let this light remind us of the sacred flame of life that blazes within
Constant, yet ever-changing
Burning, yet never consumed
O inner light of soul and spirit
Lead our minds to greater understanding
Lead our hearts to love more fully
And lead our hands to create justice
Taking to my bed with a heavy heart
When even now a woman can’t simply lift her head and walk
And so many leaders cannot lead, yet seem to know how to talk
Even now people are starving, and , mostly men , are still fighting
Even now our biodiversity, we are starving; and many are denying the right of life to so
A prayer
Eternal God, we seek through prayer to uplift our minds and hearts and refresh our spirits.
Spirit of love be with us.
We are grateful to share fellowship with each other but we come with haunting images in our minds images of people in distress, people looking for sanctuary – children, mothers, fathers, grandparents, people from across