Closing words
Closing blessing
Just as Darwin and Newton, Einstein and Hawking saw the world with fresh eyes and wondered at the mysterious but glorious universe of matter and of spirit, so may you behold the world with wonder and amazement.
Closing words
We have always believed – and we are right to do so – that we are free to make choices; and even if that belief is not absolutely correct and the freedom is limited, we have to go with it, because otherwise how could we influence society in the ways it needs to be influenced.
A prayer for charitable giving, in sacred hospitality
Loving spirit, of many, many, names.
We invite you into our hearts to guide our giving.
Bless us in our voices, as we pray for those in need.
Bless us in the circle of hands that hold what we shall give.
Speak to us in mind, and see us through your sight,
Go forward in peace
As we leave today’s gathering and head into the coming week, may we both find peace and work for peace.
May we be treated generously and treat the people around us with generosity.
May we have wisdom, strength, and patience and know when to exercise each.
May the community of love that we share here
Keeping the chalice flame burning
Be kind.
Be brave.
Be just.
Be merciful.
Be hopeful.
This is how we keep the chalice flame burning until we are together again to light it anew.
A prayer of concerns and joys
Spirit of Life, you who animate the Universe
Help us to remember the gift that is a human life.
With our consciousness and senses, we can touch, taste, see and feel
So much that is good, and alluring, and enticing.
Spirit of Life, some of us here today may be thinking of concerns more than joys,
A prayer to the cosmic christ
O you who animate the universe
You who are mother and father to us all
You who give us the blessing of life
You who live inside us and without
May we learn to see You in creation
And may we find in this a comfort
And a celebration.
May we find a name for you
Winter blessing
(Written during a winter of discontent)
Taste winter – let it nourish you.
Drink deep from the icy draught
the frozen lake holds out;
it is medicine for the soul,
more potent
than the sugared promises of summer.
Let the broken trees,
made wise by their losses,
cradle you in skeletal arms.
May the open