Opening and closing readings about "welcome"
January 14, 2019 10:43 AM
I'm seeking opening and closing readings that I can read out loud at a small-group meeting for new members at my UU congregation. The theme needs to be "welcome". Guidelines below the fold.
(UU-specific guideline: These will be for chalice lighting and un-lighting.) They will be read out loud by me. They need to be short enough that I can read them in about 30-60 seconds each. They don't have to be UU-specific, and prose or poetry are both fine. The group will be around 10 people, so it's a relatively intimate setting. It would be nice if there were some theme about diversity or welcoming all people no matter who they are, but this is not absolutely necessary.
(UU-specific guideline: These will be for chalice lighting and un-lighting.) They will be read out loud by me. They need to be short enough that I can read them in about 30-60 seconds each. They don't have to be UU-specific, and prose or poetry are both fine. The group will be around 10 people, so it's a relatively intimate setting. It would be nice if there were some theme about diversity or welcoming all people no matter who they are, but this is not absolutely necessary.
My family's UU church's previous minister started a tradition that is carried on by our current one. It's a very short reading and it goes like this:
"Whoever you are, and wherever you have come from this morning, for this hour you are a part of this congregation and you are welcome here."
Emphasis original. It always resonated with me and I still like it.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 11:49 AM on January 14, 2019
"Whoever you are, and wherever you have come from this morning, for this hour you are a part of this congregation and you are welcome here."
Emphasis original. It always resonated with me and I still like it.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 11:49 AM on January 14, 2019
That's for the opening of the ceremony, by the way—the line in the Order of Service is literally "Welcome." For our chalice lighting, we do this call and response:
CALL: Let this flame be to us a symbol of the wholeness we seek.
RESPONSE: Its brightness dispelling gloom, lighting a path to faith and hope.
CALL: Its glow reminding us of the sacred bonds which link us to all people.
RESPONSE: Its radiance calling us to cast the light of freedom, justice, and peace upon all the world.
Maybe it's just that it's part of my tradition, but I like that one too.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 12:01 PM on January 14, 2019
CALL: Let this flame be to us a symbol of the wholeness we seek.
RESPONSE: Its brightness dispelling gloom, lighting a path to faith and hope.
CALL: Its glow reminding us of the sacred bonds which link us to all people.
RESPONSE: Its radiance calling us to cast the light of freedom, justice, and peace upon all the world.
Maybe it's just that it's part of my tradition, but I like that one too.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 12:01 PM on January 14, 2019
Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come.
Frequently attributed to Rumi, however some research shows that the authorship is fuzzy.
posted by rogerroger at 12:16 PM on January 14, 2019
Frequently attributed to Rumi, however some research shows that the authorship is fuzzy.
posted by rogerroger at 12:16 PM on January 14, 2019
"Come In," by Shel Silverstein:
If you are a dreamer, come in.
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer.
If you're a pretender, come, sit by my fire,
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in, come in.
Not sure if it fits your needs, but I have always loved it.
posted by gideonfrog at 12:45 PM on January 14, 2019
If you are a dreamer, come in.
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer.
If you're a pretender, come, sit by my fire,
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in, come in.
Not sure if it fits your needs, but I have always loved it.
posted by gideonfrog at 12:45 PM on January 14, 2019
Suzette Haden Elgin's Lovingkindness Survival Kit includes a "Prayer" and "Benediction" that might work well as opening and closing readings.
PRAYER
Holy One,
we delight in Thee
as Thou delightest in us.
We delight in the Earth,
and in the radiance of this universe,
knowing full well (if we choose wisely and with love)
that radiance will shine through us
as it shines through Thee.
And if there be weak ones among us,
by the strength of lovingkindness
there shall be radiance enough
for them as well.
Amen.
(Or "You" and "You delight," if you prefer.)
BENEDICTION
May I go forth in peace,
lovingkindness my pleasant bond,
even when I am apart from those I love;
thus, I am never truly apart.
May I go forth in love,
joy my constant companion,
even when I am alone;
thus, I am never truly alone.
Amen.
(Or "May we" and "our" and "we are.")
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:07 PM on January 14, 2019
PRAYER
Holy One,
we delight in Thee
as Thou delightest in us.
We delight in the Earth,
and in the radiance of this universe,
knowing full well (if we choose wisely and with love)
that radiance will shine through us
as it shines through Thee.
And if there be weak ones among us,
by the strength of lovingkindness
there shall be radiance enough
for them as well.
Amen.
(Or "You" and "You delight," if you prefer.)
BENEDICTION
May I go forth in peace,
lovingkindness my pleasant bond,
even when I am apart from those I love;
thus, I am never truly apart.
May I go forth in love,
joy my constant companion,
even when I am alone;
thus, I am never truly alone.
Amen.
(Or "May we" and "our" and "we are.")
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:07 PM on January 14, 2019
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posted by plonkee at 11:04 AM on January 14, 2019