Wandering and Wondering

Prayer Creation and Expansion

One of the ways that I often “create” a prayer for a season is by choosing a prayer that someone else wrote. I use their version the first week and then adapt it each week moving forward. This way the thread runs in a way that keeps consistency, AND it offers variety.

This season I have been working with a prayer offered by Howard Thurman, “I Confess” from Meditations of the Heart. Here is the original:

Prayer of Confession:

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Here are the many ways I altered it. Some perhaps better than others:

Week 2 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

Some have money that stretches beyond imagination and cannot be used in a single lifetime, while others struggle to fill their needs.

Some have multiple homes while others live in only a cardboard box.

Some throw their food in the dumpsters as excess, while others scrounge the same dumpster for dinner.

All claim a hope for the future and yet we bicker and get stuck in details, often moving no plan forward.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in all of my decisions.

I have left to others a real work of blazing Jesus’ way in the world.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace in sustainable ways; and sometimes confuse peace for ignoring those who are being crushed under the foot of injustice.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 3 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

We are blessed with more than any generation before us; and yet, we focus on what we lack rather than what we have.

We have made incredible technological breakthroughs; and yet, we use our accomplishments to break people’s spirits and diminish their value.

Our lifespans are longer than ever; and yet, instead of focusing on enriching our time, we worry about age spots, grey hair, and hold each other to unrealistic youthful expectations.

In a time where transportation allows us to traverse the world, we simultaneously try to bar the world from our door.

We are made up of series of contradictions; and sometimes we fail to realize the gaps between what we believe and how we act, between what we say we want and how we live;

And so, in this moment,

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities.

I have not always been wise in my ways.

I have left others to suffer for my benefit.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have worked and acted against it.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 4 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There are houses that sit with empty bedrooms,

There are people with empty houses,

There are dorms and hotels with empty beds

and yet there are people without a place to rest their head.

There are meals left uneaten,

There are garbage heaps filled with so called out-dated food that is still good to eat,

There is food rotting in barns and storage containers,

And yet there are people without enough food to sustain them.

There are children who need families

and families who want children but too much red tape between the two for them to meet.

There are cures for illness and disease and people suffering,

but there is not the desire or inclination to make sure that all have the access they need.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities.

I have not always been wise.

I have left to others what I should do.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 5 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

Instead of true joy – people seem to act as if projecting “joy” and “happiness” is enough.

Instead of deep personal relationships – people seem satisfied with likes, shares, and follows.

Instead of looking into a person’s heart- too often people are judged by their hair, their clothes, or their car.

It seems that we have replaced reality with facade.

I confess my own share in these ills

Through the judging of others; and on trying to present ourselves, rather than just be ourselves.

I have shirked my own responsibility in creating and responding to authenticity.

I have held my own biases and prejudices without deeply challenging them.

I have have failed at being as welcoming as I could be.

I have been concerned about my own appearance, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not fully created spaces where people can be fully themselves.

I have not worked as diligently for inclusivity as I should; I want diversity, and yet there are still areas that I get caught up in societal norms and expectations.

I have dimmed my own self that I may not rock the boat and in doing so, I have not made space for others to themselves.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 6 – Adapted Version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

Where some live grand lives; others barely eek out an existence,

Where some voices are amplified; others are muted and silenced,

Where some have freedoms abounding; others are treated as objects and slaves.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities to both learn our history and speak on behalf of others who are being mistreated.

I have not been courageous enough to look glaringly into the injustices that others proclaim.

I have left to others the responsibility to teach, to speak out, and to advocate.

I have been too self-centered to concern myself with how inexpensive products are made or how coffee makes it to my table, or who is mining the precious ores from our earth.

I have not adequately concerned myself with what others are forced to do for my convenience and comfort.

I have not really cared about the lives of others, but have been content with overlooking process in exchange for product.

I must acknowledge that there are ways that I have not worked for peace; but I have worked against it.

I have kept silent when I should be speaking out.

I have stood back when I should be standing up.

I have enjoyed the benefits of the world, when perhaps I should be limiting my take.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 7 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

We suffer from isolation; and we’re the first to retreat to our homes and shut the door.

We all experience heartache and pain; and we’re the first to hope some will not really respond when we say, “How are you today?”

We have experienced loss and often deal with bouts of grief; and sometimes we are the ones wondering if someone is feeling better yet.

We know the world can feel overwhelming; and sometimes in words and actions we tell others to have a stiff upper lip or ourselves hide our true feelings.

I confess that I struggle both with my own feelings and sometimes with the feelings of other – sometimes I push down my feelings, sometimes I don’t make space for others feelings, sometimes I perpetuate a world where everything seems like it should be bright and shiny.

Help me, O Lord, to be express my own feelings with truth and to make space for others.

Help me to find connection rather than executing cut off.

If I want peace and wholeness, then I have to work toward honesty and allow for others to be their whole selves and be my own full self.

I pray today that you will let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to both live in light and in shadows and to allow for the space for others too to express both the good and the challenging. I courageously pray for a kind and accepting world that aims toward love and acceptance. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 8 – Adapted Version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I see confusion.

I see discomfort.

I see struggle.

I see despair.

AND

I see hope.

I see beauty.

I see repair.

I see joy.

I confess that sometimes I magnify the trouble, and minimize the hope.

I confess my own share in the turmoil of the times.

I acknowledge that I forget to bring my troubles to you. I forget to stop and breathe. I forget to pause before I respond.

I acknowledge that sometimes it is easier to retreat; and sometimes it is easier to ignore.

I acknowledge that sometimes I forget to look for the ways that are available to me to rewrite the story or reframe what has happened.

Sometimes I get so caught up in what I am experiencing that I forget to look at my siblings in the world or the world itself.

I know that I cannot always change what has happened, but often I have more power than I know to change whatever happens next.

I want peace and wholeness, but I become paralyzed.

I silence my own voice assuming that what is is what is.

I pray this day that you might let your light burn in me so that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers. I pray that I might seek the light, reflect the light, and be the light. May I courageously stand in the tempest knowing you are with me. May I, to the best that I can, live into the world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

Life is not easy AND God never leaves us to face it alone. Emmanuel – God with us – reminds us of God’s great love and presence especially in times of trouble. Know you are loved.

Week 9 – Adapted Version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 10 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 11 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 12 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

As you can see, I began playing with it more and more, letting the words of Howard Thurman himself push me deeper and deeper into the ideas he lifted up. I almost what it might look like if I continued to play with it into the future. Alas, we will move onto another season.

Prayer of Transformation w/ Assurance of Love

Prayer of Transformation

God of love and liberation, soften my heart.
Dissolve my walls of resentment.
When time, money, or resources are short,
do not tighten my fist or make excuses for why I deserve
what is being withheld from others.

Inspire my compassion.
Encourage my creativity.
Help me find mutually beneficial solutions
that do not rely on the binary: in/out, with/without, worthy/unworthy.
Remind me of the kingdom of which you dream.
Call me into its creation. Amen.

Affirmation of Love

Hear God’s call in your heart.
Jesus said, “Follow me.”
Set down your prejudices, your pre-determined ideas, your perception.
Remember: all who abide in God abide in love,
and all who abide in love abide in God.
Be love.

Incarceration Sunday

Here is a Call to Worship, Invocation, and Prayer of the People from our Incarceration Sunday, when we consider the issues around incarceration and our prison system. This weekend we focused on a wonderful program in MA, called Partakers and the long standing relationships that can come from mentoring someone who is incarcerated.

Call to Worship (DMA)

Pastor: Jesus could have spent time only with the rich and the powerful;

People: instead, he knelt on bended knee.

Pastor: Jesus could have spent his time gathering prestige and power;

People: instead, Jesus sought out the troubled, the wayward, the lost, and the least.

Pastor: Jesus could have reached out for the crown of an earthly king;

People: instead, he lifted up the lowly.

Pastor: Jesus made straight the crooked path

People: and smoothed out the rough road.

Pastor: Jesus looked to the margins and welcomed all in.

ALL: Jesus reminded us that all are worthy of God’s love and redemption.

Invocation: (DMA)

Holy One of Grace and Mercy, We come before you to learn the way of Christ. We come before you to ask forgiveness for the times we wandered and stepped in front of our siblings in need. We come before you to offer praise and thanksgiving for all you are and all you have done. Meet us here in this time and place that we might, through community, get to know you more fully. AMEN

Prayer of the People (DMA)

Our prayer, O Lord, extends today beyond unexpected borders – not national borders, but borders that we create right here in our country: borders that come in the form of bars and borders that take the form of quiet exclusion.

We pray for the youth that are caught in juvenile courts. We pray that at least one adult will be able to get through to them. We pray that they might know their value and worth. We pray for their future and their safety.

We pray for the youth that get tried as adults, who are pressed up into a system that fails to take into account the psychology of development. We pray for their protection, for their ability to endure a harsh system, for their resilience.

We pray for the first time offender – for all the steps that brought them to this place. We pray for their future. We pray for the possibility of restorative justice that might allow them to reintegrate with the community.

We pray for the reoffender, for the many who do not see options or have alternate opportunities. We pray for a system that sometimes looks for the slip up. We pray for the challenges they face once the word “criminal” or “felon” is attached to their name.

We pray for the lifers – especially for those who have used the time well and done the work that needed to be done and yet are not eligible for release.

We pray for our criminal justice system which often puts more weight on retribution than on restoration and rehabilitation.

We pray for the families of those incarcerated and the challenges they face because their loved one is behind bars.

And of course, we pray for the victims and all who have been hurt and harmed.

May we work toward a world where pain and suffering are no more.

Lord, hear our prayer. We pray in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together saying: (Insert the Lord’s prayer as your church says it)

The Human Buzz and a Prayer for Purpose

A poem and prayer from our trip to Ghana

The Human Buzz

By Dawn M. Adams

Zip

Click, click, click, click, click

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Boarding Zone 5.”

“Have your passports ready.”

Shufflelllllll

Whir, whrrrr, whir

“Hurry up.”

“They’re boarding.”

Mmmmm mmmmmm Mmmmm

“#57”

“How will you take your coffee?”

Bing

“Have a good trip!”

The human ants march

and run the maze seeking

their boarding gate.

They go here and there with

maddening intensity

and yet with little

purpose to anyone

but them.

Jesus said follow, but they

scurry and hurry about:

each thinking their mission

to be of the greatest importance.

To their estimation the

first will be first and the

last will likely be left behind.

And so they rush and bump

and might step over you

or on you if you

dared to stop and look

and notice your sibling

beside you . . . equally

agitated . . .pressing

and stressing like

rats in a labyrinth

trying to find the hidden gift of

the wafting perfume

of cheese long since

taken away and

boarded off but still

enticing to those that

smell the tasty possibilities.

They move like individual cells through our veins,

thinking they each have a mind of their own,

but acting as one flowing mass –

A river of humanity.

One and yet all;

all and yet one.

Murmur. Murmur, murmur.

“I need to stop in the restroom.”

“We’re on time.”

“We’re late.”

Clip, clop.

Hhhhhhph

Peal me from the chaos of humanity, O God. Remind me to slow down, to follow, to notice why you sent me to this place at this time. Remind me simultaneously of my autonomy and my communal responsibility. Use me wherever I am toward your good. Help me to set aside what I perceive as my purpose and make room for whatever you imagine my purpose today. AMEN

Ekphrastic Writing

One of the ways that I am finding sanity in an ever chaotic world is to participate in a local writing group. Although my purpose of this site is to share with you my liturgical writing, the site is called Wandering and Wondering, so join my in a little diversion.

Here are 5 Ekphrastic writing pieces. Ekphrastic writing as it was introduced to us is using a picture or other non-literary piece as a jumping off piece for our writing. This is the site that the leader of the group this month cited to help us understand what was expected.

Here are my experiments in this writing style:

A memory not mine
By dawn m. adams

In amongst the pages
was a memory before my time
of a boat upon the ocean
that in my lifetime only sat on cinderblocks
growing weeds and harboring wasps.

The photo, though, is of a life before the time of kids, responsibilities, and bills.

The photo’s bent and crackling face give testimony to its ages
as it tries unsuccessfully to hold its color –
mustard yellow-brown blotches overtaking the dock and threatening the people in its frame.
My mother walks on the dock, approaching the teal topped wooden cabin cruiser.
A smiling stranger puts out a hand to her
and another pears out the captain’s window.
It seems that all but she knows they are being photographed.

Is it my father taking the still? He is nowhere in sight.

The sea is calm and the boat only gently rocks
as it waits tethered to the dock for its passengers.

Atop the boat, likely stuck by accident, is a fragment of upside-down “th” sticker
From another long-lost memory, trying to tell its own story.

The Mustard Seed Retold

By Dawn M. Adams

A single seed suffers in the ground
like the pearl of great price, its value is beyond compare.
Down its roots burrow,
and up its branches grow.
For such a small dull seed, it flourishes
above the ground into a bush flush with
yellow flowers:
each branch a home to another species of bird.

What a racket must come from that bush:
chickadee,
heron,
thrush,
and raven;
swallow,
cardinal,
orange tanager,
and jay.

They make their home within the mustard bush,
taking refuge from the harsh world.
Together creating a brash combination of
yellow,
green,
tangerine,
and blue.

Every hue and every caw testifying
To the power and wonder of
a single seed willing to
grow in a harrowing world .

If you would like to see the picture from which it was inspired, visit Kelly Latimore’s page.

A Mother’s Lament

A response to Michelangelo’s Pieta

By Dawn M. Adams

How?

How could it come to this?

I said, “Yes!”

I carried you within me.

I birthed you.

Was it all for naught?

Would God be so cruel?

I hold you now –

your body ravaged and worn.

What I would give to bring you back.

I hear them singing, “Where you there?”

and my tears cry out, “I was. I am. Where were you?”

I hold him hoping for another miracle, hoping he will awaken,

but knowing he will not.

I wish I could will him back into my body

so that such suffering might end.

He is a man

And yet,

Text Box: he is my son.

I cannot bring myself to let him go.

I will not let go.

I will hold him in my arms forever.

My son,

May you rest.

Your mother is here.

The Eye

By Dawn M. Adams

I draw myself one stroke at a time.

I do not wish to go outside the lines.

I mix the colors o’ so carefully

trying to be true.

Can they see through? Behind the mask?

Is the trembling of my hand visible

to the trained eye?

It is strange to have such power to

create how the world sees me. I’m not

sure if it is a privilege or a curse.

I am not God. What do I know really?

Some days I’m tempted to start all over again.

Maybe I’m just too close to the subject to

be objective.

What do you see?

Do you see the true me?

or the me I want you to see?

Do you care if there is a difference?

This picture I found at: https://www.southwales.ac.uk/study/subjects/art-and-creative-wellbeing/

#5 and final

I so wish they’d stop fighting. They both say they love me and yet they will not stop. Don’t they know what such hostility does to a young heart?

I sit here waiting and watching, wishing I was somewhere else, anywhere else.

The whole thing makes me tired. They toss me back and forth like a prized football – not realizing that in the tossing that I am getting scuffed and bruised.

Mom made me dress in my Sunday best and even put a red ribbon in my hair. I think she wanted dad to think everything was normal at home without him, that we were getting along just fine without him; but there are days mom doesn’t even get out of bed. Days that I have to try to figure out what to make for dinner – – – Did you know that fried bologna can be pretty good when put on Wonder bread with a squeeze of ketchup?

If they keep fighting like this I may as well just put on my jacket and disappear. I wonder if they’d even notice that I left.

I bet mom would leave thinking I went upstairs to my room ; and I bet dad would think she dragged me back home with her.

How long do you think it would be before they realized that I was with neither of them, but instead out in the world hoping to find a rainbow in the storm.

I am unclear who to attribute this painting to as it seems to have many attributions on the web.

I would love to read your version of a Ekphrastic writing. Please feel free to post or link your work below.

Prayers for a Graduation

Creative Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graduation-cap-g6c3c0e4d0_1920.jpg

As we edge toward many a graduation, I thought you might appreciate some graduation prayers.

Here is an invocation and benediction that I will be offering this year:

Invocation

Holy Divine One, whom we know by many names,

Today we gather to celebrate the accomplishments of the outgoing class of 2026. We honor the years of work that have gone into reaching this mark and give thanks for the family, teachers, friends, coaches, mentors, and staff that have supported them on their way. As we watch them each receive their diplomas and move their tassels from the right to the left, we ask that you bless each one of them. May they know their own belovedness and potential. Let us with glad hearts recognize and praise these accomplished young adults on this auspicious day of graduation. AMEN

Benediction

As our time concludes here today, and each of you graduates head out onto new adventures, receive this blessing:

May the culmination of your time at [insert school name] be not the end of your [school name] story, but the grounding from which you will continue to develop and grow.

May the ideas and ideals that you’ve learned here provide you with the foundational tools that you need for tomorrow.

May you continue to thrive and grow, recognizing evermore your role and responsibilities in an interdependent world.

May you each be brave enough to imagine and live into a world where all have what they need and where all care for each other and the world itself.

May God bless you and keep you.

Go with the blessing of God upon you, now and forevermore.

Here is what I offered last year:

Invocation

God of the heavens and the earth and all there within and without,
We gather here on this day to celebrate the lives of these students who are graduating today.
As we hear of their accomplishments and watch them receive their diplomas, we ask you to bless them. Bless them as they begin their journey into an even wider world. Bless their family and friends who have supported them along this journey. Bless this place and this day.
May your Holy Spirit be a gentle prescence throughout this ceremony this morning. AMEN

Benediction

As we go from this place
and you, newly graduated, begin to explore the next chapter of your life,
May you remember your time here at [school name] and in [town name] fondly.
May it give you the strength and fortitude to stand up for what is right and good.
May it offer you the wisdom to lean in with curiosity
and the ingenuity and creativity to build bridges of connection.
May you live into the character that you developed here
always looking out for
and standing up for
those who are in need.
Go with the blessings of God upon you
and be the change you hope to see in the world.
Peace be with you.
God bless.

And here is what I offered in my first year here. This was one of my very first acts in my newest setting:

Invocation

Holy God, who is known by many names,
as we gather here to celebrate the accomplishments of these students,
we ask for your blessings.
May our time together be rich with meaning.
May we listen intently with open ears and open hearts that we might notice stories of courage, perseverance, creativity and kindness.
May we recognize each individual and also the community which has surrounded and supported them.
Through our time together today,
may we be filled with hope for the future
and be inspired to go back into the world bringing with us all the goodness we witness and partake in today. AMEN

Benediction

As we end our time together today, I ask for God’s blessing upon all the students, their families and friends, the teachers and staff of Brewster Academy, and the wider supporting community of this institution.

May the grace of the Holy One be upon you all.

May the Spirit lead you out into the world and encourage you to be bold.

May you not shrink back from the enormity of the troubles of this world

but instead be empowered to know that you are just what the world needs in this time.

May you be courageous and creative in developing your dreams.

May you be kind and compassionate in all of your interactions.

May you find mentors who will continue to press you in your pursuits and others who will share in your passions.

May you continue to learn and create, daring to share your full self with this world,

and may the world receive your gifts with joy and appreciation.

Go with God’s blessings creating love, peace and justice wherever you go.

And may we all trust that the world will be better place because you all are in it. AMEN

Traveling mercies upon you all.

One thing that I found helpful in writing these was reviewing the school’s website to search out their mission and vision for their students and looking for other values that the school held up as important.

NOTE: All rights are reserved for these prayers. Permission is given for use in educational or religious setting with citation.

Alphabet Soup & other ABC tales

In the writing group that I have joined, we were tasked with writing an abecedary story or poem. An abecedary is an old fashioned ABC style form of writing where each line begins with a progressive letter of the alphabet.

For those who may be interested the 119th Psalm is written in this style. It however used the Hebrew language, not English.

Additionally, well-known theologian Frederick Buechner wrote three abecedary books. Together they are referred to as his Lexical Trilogy. The trilogy consists of: Wishful Thinking, a seekers ABC; A peculiar Treasure, a biblical who’s who; and Whistling in the Dark, an ABC theologized.

All that to be said, this is a fun style to play with. I actually found myself waking up in the middle of the night to write. Here are four for your enjoyment or horror – you decide.

1st Abecedary by Dawn M. Adams

At the

Beginning of

Creation,

Dawn

Early

Found the

Ground,

Hailing

In justice,

Knowledge,

Love.

Man, though, in

Noble pursuit

Opened

Pandora’s box

Quietly

Releasing

Selfishness and greed,

Trading

Universal

Virtues

For

Wealth.

eXtremes broke the day.

Yearning to begin again, we wish we could be like the

Zinnea. New each spring. But alas beginnings only come once.

Now we are called to heal, repair, and mend rather than simply starting again.

2nd Abecedary by Dawn M. Adams

“At the beginning,” we tend to say.

But the beginning of what? Where?

Can we even truly know the beginning?

Do we really know what came first?

Everything seems to have a precedent.

Finding the true beginning would mean

Going back and back and back to the beginning of

History.

“In the beginning”

Just estimates and approximates our

Knowledge.

Legends though reach farther than that.

Myths weave wonders creating even earlier tales.

No clear beginning exists.

One says this. Another that.

People disagree.

Questions arise.

Really, does it matter when it all

Started?

Time is an illusion, best left alone.

Universal agreement is not needed.

Very little is needed.

When we live

eXposed to time,

You only need to live in the now.

Zero agreement on how it came to be.

3rd Abecedary – A Zebra in my Car

by Dawn M. Adams

At first Frank just

Backed away from the

Car

Determined not to

Escalate the situation. He stepped back slowly and calmly

Finding what he thought was safe

Ground.

He looked around, searching for a way to

Innocuously retreat so that he could return in the daylight with a plan of action.

Judiciously, he took stock of the area, paying attention to every exit, every pothole, every curb and obstacle in case he needed to retreat more quickly. He

Knew it would be important to have options. He

Looked around to see if there were any other people around that he

Might implore for help; but

Night left this parking area empty. There were

Other cars parked in the vicinity, but not another

Person to be seen.

Quietly, he dared to take another couple of steps back. He knew this wasn’t a perfect plan, but what else could he do in the middle of the night. He would

Return for his car in the daylight, perhaps with

Support of others who might help. They would

Together make a plan and

Use their joint resources to gain entry to his car. Of course, part of him wondered who would believe him. His friends would, no doubt, believe that he was just

Very drunk.

Why else would he abandon his car in a parking lot in the middle of the night? Who would believe such

eXtremely odd circumstances? Even he acknowledged that he would have a hard time believing a friend and would think that they had woven a

Yarn and were pulling his leg. Who would believe that a

Zebra kept me from getting in my car? Where did such a beast come from anyway? The questions didn’t really matter in the moment. Step one was to retreat to safety so that he could return another day. Perhaps then the Zebra would be gone. On the other hand, maybe it would be better if the Zebra stayed, then at least someone might understand why he had to leave his car in the parking lot and call an Uber to get home.

4th Abecedary – A Magic Potion

By Dawn M. Adams

At the

Back of the

Cabinet I found an eye-

Dropper. I had forgotten that I had put it there all those years ago. That little

Eye-dropper contained the smallest, single drop of

Flajewelan Jelly: a rare but precious gift

Given to me from my grandmother and to her by hers. The jelly was made by

Heating and boiling low and long the

Insides of the rare Kaputchen flower, which only blooms for a single day in

June, with the

Kipper straw plucked from the cliffs of

Llewelyn. To that is added a

Magical spell and water from the spring of Endive. This concoction can only be made by the light of the full moon and must be finished by pressing it through a fine sieve. The mixture should almost clear,

No impurities. Then it can be packaged for distribution, but it is so powerful that one does not need a barrel or bowl or even a cup – a simple eyedropper will do. Fortunately, it can sit like that for days, weeks, month, decades, generations . . . the

Only problem is that with time come forgetfulness. Thus, much of this magical

Potion has been lost, forgotten in some hidden corner or tossed away thinking that it is a worthless nothing. I, though, still have my dose

Quietly stashed in the back of my kitchen cabinet. I don’t think anyone else in my household even knows it’s there,

Resting for the day when I finally decide it is needed. Is this, I suddenly wonder, why it is

Still here? Is

This why it has been passed secretively from generation to generation

Unused? Has its recipe been remembered but the full potency of its use forgotten? Have the

Very people entrusted with its keeping forgotten its true powers or do they always have hope that the

World will fix itself? Do they ignore the

Xenophobia, the ethnocentrism, racism, prejudice, and discrimination or do they just live in hope that we will find a way to fix it ourselves? I have to acknowledge that at 92, I have

Yet to draw it from the shelf except when it gets packed to move to a new kitchen in a new house. Soon I suspect, I will either have to use it or pass it on myself. I wonder if I will live in hope or if it will finally be time to excrete the sacred droplet, say the magic words,

“Zirad – Zam – Zadee” and live into whatever happens next.

If you decide to play with this writing style, I would love to hear what you come up with. Please post below.

Annual Meeting prayers

Picture by me as well from a writing group I participate in.

Here are four prayers (two opening and two closing) that I have used for annual meetings. Please feel free to recite them directly, adapt them, or use them as jumping off points for your own creation.

Opening One –

Holy One, As we enter into our meeting today, let us turn our attention to you. Let us listen with the intent to understand, even if we disagree. Let us wonder about purpose. Let us ask questions to learn. Let us look for the Spirit who guides us and for your son’s footprints in our work. Let us, with intention, seek you in all we do. We give thanks for all that you have done through us and look forward to where you may lead us next. AMEN

Closing One –

Gracious God, We thank you for this time together. We are thankful for the good work that these gathered people have done over the past year. We pray that as we go forward, we will continue to serve you well and, in your name, the community of Wolfeboro and beyond. May you bless all who are here today and those that were not able to be present. May we all work together to continue to manifest your kin-dom* in this world. AMEN

*For information on the use of the word “kin-dom” see the work of Ada María Isasi-Díaz.

Opening Two –

Holy creator God,

As we gather to do the business of the church, we pause to pray.

Remind us of our purpose.

Encourage us to listen and speak with good intention.

Help us to honor those who came before us without being shackled to bygone ways.

Inspire us to make your church new for every generation.

May we translate numbers and columns into people and missions and may we honor your and each other in our time today. AMEN

Closing Two –

Wondrous God, who weaves creation,

Thank you for the attention and intention we brought to today’s meeting.

We give thanks to all who worked toward, wrote for, and reported in today’s meeting.

We celebrate the mission and ministry this church.

We pray for our continued work in this particular place and time.

We praise you and hope that all we do and say honors you.

Bless all who gave up their time to be here today.

May we all continue to be church in all we do. AMEN

Blue Christmas Liturgy and Stations

This year we held both a Blue Christmas and a Longest night service. The congregation was at first confused by the two services, but came to understand that the Blue Christmas Service were for people that were grieving in some way – perhaps because of a death, perhaps because of a new diagnosis, perhaps due to other reasons. The Longest night was more about the seasonal change.

Both of these services while appreciated are not usually well attended, so it was a gift to share these services with our ecumenical Episcopal partners.

Below is the gathered liturgy and a picture of the stations that we put together in lieu of a sermon.

WELCOME AND PRAYER – (written by Written By Britney Lee at britneywinnlee.com/blog/blue-christmas )

PD: Welcome, you who ache and do not know why.

PB: Welcome, you who are weary of loneliness.

PD: Welcome, you who battle with chronic pain in your bodies or chronic despair in your minds.

PB: Welcome, you riddled with anxiety around every corner.

PD: Welcome, you in transition and you starving for change.

PB: Welcome, you who feel the weight of debt and shame.

PD: Welcome, you at the beginning of a diagnosis. Welcome, you at the end.

PB: Welcome, you, friend or family of anyone carrying these loads.

PD: Welcome, skeptic. Welcome, purpose-needer. Welcome, you who cannot recognize yourself.

PB: Welcome, you who have lost love, who have lost hope, who have lost faith in a good God.

PD:Welcome, all of you…every part of you…into this space.

PB: Let us be together, here and now.

Call to Worship – Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia @ https://thepastorsworkshop.com/blog/an-order-of-worship-for-a-blue-christmas-service-aka-a-longest-night-service

ALL: Merciful God,
In this season of rejoicing, we come to you weary and grieving
In this season of feasting, we hunger for healing and relief
In this season of light, our hearts are veiled in sorrow and shadow
Will this season ever end?

“Yes.” We hear your, “Yes.”

Those who are weary will find rest
Those who mourn will be comforted
Those who hunger will be filled
The Light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness will not overcome it.

HYMN: Holy Darkness UpperRoom Worshipbook #407

Lighting the Christmas Candle – Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Strike a match and light the white candle

PB–We welcome you O Christ, Light of the World.

In the midst of our suffering, help us to worship you in spirit and in truth.

Hymn: Holy Darkness UpperRoom Worship #407

Modern Reading: –

Open your ears to hear this modern reading by Jan Richardson from Blessing for the Brokenhearted

Hymn: Holy Darkness UpperRoom Worship #407

PD: Let us light the rest of our wreath to remind us that God brings us light even when and especially when we are sitting in darkness . . . .

Advent Wreath Liturgy: Blue Christmas — written by Rick Marshall in Blue Christmas: A Service of Remembrance for the Time of Advent and Christmas. Posted on the Process and Faith website. http://processandfaith.org/resources/liturgy/blue-christmas

A Liturgy of Remembering: Blue Christmas

FCCW: The first candle we light is to remember those whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their name, their face, their voice, the memory that binds them to us in this season.

(Pause while the first candle is lit)

All: May God’s eternal love surround them.

AS: The second candle we light is to redeem the pain of loss, the loss of someone who was very important to us, part of our lives, part of our own selves. We pause to gather up the pain of the past and offer it to God, asking that from God’s hands we receive the gift of peace.

(Pause while the second candle is lit)

ALL: Refresh, restore, renew us O God, and lead us into your future.

FCCW : The third candle we light is to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember these past weeks and months, the disbelief, the anger, the down times, the poignancy of reminiscing, the hugs and handshakes of family and friends, all those who stood with us. We give thanks for all the support we have known.

(Pause while the third candle is lit)

All: Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness, life overcomes death.

AS: The fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope which the Christmas story offers to us. We remember that God, who shares our life, promises us a place and time of no more pain and suffering.

(Pause while the fourth candle is lit)

Let us remember the One who shows the way, Who brings the truth and who bears the light.

How Can We Sing a Joyful Song? Tune O WALY WALY 8.8.8.8 (“Though I May Speak”) by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette https://www.carolynshymns.com/how_can_we_sing_a_joyful_song.html

PB- Let us hear from our holy scripture both fear and comfort, both sadness and hope. Open your heart and hear:

Scripture Reading: Psalm 121 –

Our Psalter Reading tonight is Psalm number 121. May you hear with your heart these words:

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming inqq
from this time on and forevermore.

Here ends our reading. May God add to our understanding.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 –

Our second reading tonight comes from the book of Isaiah chapter 11 verses 1 through 10. May God’s words be a balm to our heart.

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see
or decide by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor
and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

The wolf shall live with the lamb;
the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the lion will feed together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Reflection: Set up 4 stations

HOPE – Creating a stage for hope – even if your not ready for hope – receive candle
PEACE – Healing station with oil
LOVE – Images / icons of Mary (Bill doing this station)
JOY – written – Where have you found joy in the past? Take seeds of joy / Amaryllis bulb

Canticle of Light and Darkness UMHymnal #205 adapted music by Richard Proulx

Response: “You are the light of the world; be light in our darkness, O Christ.”

Response:

PB: We look for light but find darkness, for brightness, but walk in gloom. We grope like those who know not where they are going; we stumble at noon as in the twilight.

Response

PS : If I say, “Let only darkness cover me, And the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you, the night is bright as the day, For darkness is as light with you.

Response

PB: Blessed be your name, O God, for ever. You reveal deep and mysterious things; you are light and in you is no darkness. Our darkness is passing away and already the true light is shining.

Response

Affirmation of Faith for Christmas –

Adapted from the Poem First Coming by Madeleine L’engle

Dawn : Christians, what do you believe?

All Voices:

God did not wait till the world was ready,
till nations were at peace.
God came when the Heavens were unsteady
and prisoners cried out for release.
God did not wait for the perfect time.
God came when the need was deep and great.
God dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.
God did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy God came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame,
God came and God’s Light would not go out.
God came to a world which did not mesh;
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh,
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
For to share our grief, to touch our pain,
God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

—

PB- So let us rejoice – not in the noisy bell clanging with strength across the mountains, but in a joy, deeper and more subtle. Not in a joy that claps its hands and runs forth and leaps, but in a joy that can exist with sadness, sorrow, and pain.

Receiving the Light

PD- Tonight we have talked a lot about light; and frankly sometimes it feels as if we have no light left to give. It feels as if there is not kindling to be lit, no fuel to give it life; but it is in those moments that we remember, we are not alone and we do not have to feel responsible to create the light. The light is already present in the world.

PD- When we are afraid that we have nothing left to give, We might simply look around and notice the light that already exists. We might allow ourselves to simply sit in its glow. We might remember the one who said, “I am the light of the world.”

PD- Welcome and receive the light tonight (i.e. don’t make them pass it – – -let us light each candle as we sing)

Hymn: Silent Night Red #138

Benediction:

PB: Go knowing God is with you.

PD: Go knowing God does not require jingle bells or a holly jolly Christmas.

PB: Go knowing that God is with you.

PB: Go knowing that you are loved and beloved just as you are.

PD: Go knowing that Christ is to be born again . . .

NOTE: Anyone who wishes a prayer or conversation after worship, please come forward after the postlude.

Here are the pictures of the four stations

A Simple Opening Winter Meditation

I have come to appreciate starting each service after announcements, but before the prelude with a brief settling activity. Sometimes we have a breath prayer. Other times I have a somatic activity. This time helps us bridge the chaos from the outside to the peace of worship. It is like a palette cleanser between tastes of wine or courses.

This week I am planning a spoken meditation. It is below for your enjoyment. I encourage you to consider offering your own. It is an interesting way to invite your congregants into the idea of meditation and spiritual practices.

I want to take us on a brief mental journey as we settle ourselves for worship.

Find those sit bones.

Close or half-close your eyes as you are comfortable

and imagine yourself out on a hike in the forest.

It is a day like today, there is snow on the ground.

You can hear with each step the crunch of snow beneath your feet.

As you first enter the forest, it is dense and almost hard to get through.

There is a lot of undergrowth, but you know if you persist,

the path will open up;

and it does.

As things are not as closed in, you can begin to walk more easily.

As the forest opens up, you start to notice other footprints in the snow:

Those of squirrels, hares, perhaps a fox, maybe even a deer or a moose.

The forest is silent, but you know there are critters around.

You look around as you walk.

You notice the snow in the crook of the tree branches

and on the evergreens as they bow low..

You notice the way the light comes through the trees

and twinkles on the flakes.

(pause)

You start to notice that you are breathing more slowly,

that you are no longer tensing your shoulders,

that your mind has stopped racing.

(pause)

You look around at the beauty of the forest which you had no part in growing,

paid nothing to enter, and which has been here far longer than you

and you are overcome with gratitude.

You take a moment to give thanks to God – – – –

After giving thanks, you can decide to stay within the beauty of the forest as the prelude begins, or you can return here to this place and space ready for worship to begin.

May the spirit of this quiet reflection stay with you –

and know you can return as you need it.