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Water CeremonySeptember 2, 2007Doris Adams and Donna Durbin
* pictures * Chalice Lighting – Each of us comes to this sacred space today to dip into the well that nourishes our hungry spirits. Each of us comes with our own cup of goodness to pour into the well. The chalice is a vessel, a bowl, a cup. We drink together. With this light that we place in this vessel, we also place our common hopes, our shared dreams, our mutual commitment to a world made whole. May we be strengthened in our bonds of love and peace. Responsive Reading - Blending Our Waters We bring our waters, which have touched the west, the north, the south and the east, which come from the sky, the surface of the earth and from deep wells and springs within the earth. We bring water that belonged to lakes, streams, and reservoirs of fresh waters that quench our thirst. We bring water that is a part of the great oceans and the seas that circle the globe, teeming with life, the source of all life. We bring water to this place of meeting and sharing. In this water there is new water, formed in the atmosphere daily, there is old water, water as old as the earth, water from which life has evolved over the eons. This is the stream of life from which all life flows. All people are connected by this stream, for it runs through our veins and courses through the stems and leaves of plants. It is the symbol of the cleansing power of forgiveness and the faithful promise of healing love. It is the symbol and the reality of the oneness that unites humankind and all life. Today we bring water To give back to the earth, To mingle with all the waters of the earth, And join all living things. Today we pour water To honor the earth that gives us life, To honor the community of all life, Plants, animals and people. Today we offer thanks for the gift of water and also for the web of life we all share, near or far. May our separate waters join into one sacred stream as we add our lives into the stream of living souls who live out love, work for justice and hunger for peace.
Reflection/reading – (slide show put together by Tim O’Brien) “A Litany of Water” by Joyce Rupp & Macrina Wiederkehr’s from the Circle of Life Water of the seas, vast and deep, regenerating essence of our planet's vigor. Water of the rivers, creeks, and flowing streams, strong carriers of life, steady currents of movement. Water of aquifers and irrigation systems, soothing arid lands, nourishing hungry seeds. Water of human tears, cleansing drops of grief, dancing drops of joy. Water of baptismal fonts, inviting humanity into the circle of community. Water of secret springs and ancient holy places, providing sources of healing and transformation. Water of raindrops and snowflakes, caressing the land with needed moisture. Water of wells, springs, and reservoirs, life-giving dwellings of health and vitality. Water of clouds, vapors, mists, and fog, numinous vessels of wetness and silent mystery. Water of the human body, purifying, transporting, energizing, restoring. Water of the womb, cradling precious life, vital wetness recycled from oceans and sky. Water! Water! Wonderful Water! Interpretative reading - Prayer to the Sacred Waters by Joyce Rupp & Macrina Wiederkehr from The Circle of Life Think of yourself as a chalice. Think of yourself as a chalice. We turn to the west holding out the chalice of our life that we may be filled with the life-giving waters of wisdom, that we may be filled with the life-giving waters of wisdom, that we may be cleansed and refreshed that we may be cleansed and refreshed so that, in return, we, too, may bless and refresh others. so that, in return, we, too, may bless and refresh others.
0 all you sacred bodies of water throughout the earth, you whom we cannot live without,
flow, waters, flow! flow, waters, flow!
Flow into the chalice of each life represented here. Flow into the chalice of each life represented here.
Flow, waters, flow. Flow, waters, flow: oceans and lakes, rivers and fountains, mountain streams, running brooks, quiet pools in the forests, underground springs, deep wells and reservoirs, raindrops and tears. Flow, waters, flow! Flow, waters, flow! Flow over us, over us renewing our spirits, transforming our lives, calming our emotions, balancing our lives, flow into the chalice of our bodies. flow into the chalice of our bodies. Mingle with the water that makes up our body. Mingle with the water that makes up our body. You holy, sacred water, flowing miracle of grace, You holy, sacred water, flowing miracle of grace, You holy, sacred water, flowing miracle of grace,
we honor you.
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Copyright
©2006, Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church.