As part of our effort to encourage all in our congregation — young and old, singles, couples, partners and families — to consider how they connect with the holy, Rev. Marta Flanagan and Director of Religious Education Tina Schultz hope you will consider using one or all three of the prayer selections below. In gratitude, in praise, in remembrance or in recognition of the wonder and mystery, we encourage you to find some quiet time in your day for contemplation. If you have a special prayer or meditation that you think others might like to share please send it to Tina and she and Marta will consider it for our next set of prayer selections.
when the recall sounds and the shadows fall
may we have hearts unembittered
by all we have suffered
and uncorrupted
by all we have enjoyed
and be at the last remembered and cherished as those who have loved greatly.
~ Vivien Pomeroy, Unitarian Minister 1883-1961)
We give thanks for family, friends and home.
May it be warm with love and companionship.
Here may we find rest from the day’s work, and refuge from cares; may our joys be deepened
and our grief softened by the love we give and receive.
~ Jewish prayer from Gates of the House: New Union Prayerbook, 1991
May life protect us and surprise us
And be no more harsh than our spirits may bear.
Amen.
~ from Congregation of Abraxus
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
~ St. Francis of Assisi, 13th century