Category: Seasons and Celebrations

Celebrating Alban Arthan: A Liturgy for the Winter Solstice

December 22, 2022

Preparation

Find a quiet place where you can be alone without distractions. Light candles (or a small fire). Take a few moments to center yourself.

Approach

Make the Sign of the Cross while saying:

In the name of God, the Three-in-One, the One-in-Three,
One holy and blessed Trinity, now and for ever. AMEN.

Druid Call for Peace

Deep within the still center of my being
May I find peace.

Silently within the quiet of the grove
May I share peace.

Gently (or powerfully) within the greater circle of humankind
May I radiate peace.

Greeting the Four Directions

From the Center, facing East say:

All praise and honor are yours, O God.
Angels and Archangels sing your praise.
Even at this darkest time of the year,
Winter’s barren trees and evergreens proclaim your glory.
The four corners of the earth honor you
And bring us your radiance and power.

Walk to the East Quarter, light a candle and say:

With the Hawk of Dawn soaring in the clear, pure AIR,
With the ever green pines, cedars, and firs,
We await the return of light in the EAST.
With Mary, Our Mother, 
we pray for wisdom, perception, and vision.

Walk sunwise (clockwise) to the South, light a candle and say:

With the great Stag in the heat of the chase,
With the prickly holly leaf and its blood-red berries,
We look to the SOUTH as we await the coming of the new Sun’s FIRE.
With the prophets of old and those among us now,
We pray for strength, passion, and courage.

Walk sunwise to the West, light a candle and say:

With the Salmon of Wisdom who dwells in the sacred WATERS of the pool,
With the growing green and twisting ivy,
We turn to the restorative darkness of the WEST.
Finding strength in living community of believers and the communion of saints,
We pray for intuition, spiritual understanding, companionship, and love.

Walk sunwise to the North, light a candle and say:

With the great Bear of the Starry Heavens,
With the deep and fruitful EARTH,
With the mistletoe that hangs between heaven and earth,
We turn to the NORTH, seeking stability and strength.
With all of creation that nurtures and sustains us,
We pray that our lives will bear good fruit in the coming year.

Walk to the Center, face East, light the God/Jesus/Sun and the Goddess/Mary/Moon candles.

Bow, make the sign of the cross, and say:

All praise and honor to God, Eternal Spirit, Maker of all that is;
To Jesu, the Christ, Bearer of our humanity;
And to the Holy Spirit, Awen and Breath of life.
As in the Beginning, so now, and for ever.
AMEN.

The Druid’s Prayer

Grant, O God, Thy Protection;
And in protection, strength;
And in strength, understanding;
And in understanding, knowledge;
And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;
And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it;
And in that love, the love of all existences;
And in the love of all existences, the love of God: Creator, Redeemer, and Life-Giver,
Mary our mother,
all the angels and saints,
All of creation that sustains and nourishes us,
and all goodness.

Adapted from Iolo Morganwg (attributed)

Song

The Word of God

Scripture Reading

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

John 1:1-9 (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised)

At the end of the reading say:

For the Word of God in Scripture,
For the Word of God among us,
For the Word of God within us,
Thanks be to God.

Iona Community

Canticle

Arise, shine; for your light has come,*
    and the glory of God is rising upon you.
Though night still covers the earth,*
    and darkness the peoples;
Above you the Holy One arises,*
    and above you God’s glory appears.
The nations will come to your light,*
    and rulers to you dawning brightness.

No more will the sun give you day light,*
nor moonlight shine upon you;
but God will be your everlasting light,*
    your God will be your glory.
Your sun shall no more go down,
    or your moon withdraw itself;*
for God will be your everlasting light.

Isaiah 60:1-3; 19-20, adapted from The Song of the New Jerusalem, from A Way of Living: A Worship, Prayer and Liturgy Resource for the Lindisfarne Community, Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon and Andrew Fitz-Gibbon. Copyright © 2006, Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon and Andrew Fitz-Gibbon.

At the end of the Canticle say:

Glory be to God, the Three-in-One, the One-in-Three;*
one holy and blessed Trinity, now and for ever. AMEN.

Prayers

Prayers of Intercession

Offer prayers for the following:

  • The members of your local congregation/grove/coven
  • Those who suffer, those who are sick, and those in trouble
  • The concerns of your local community
  • The world, its people, and its leaders
  • The universal Church, its leaders, its members, and its mission
  • Those who have died
  • Any other concerns or thanksgivings

Collect

Great Light, we are very aware of the darkness of this season, but we are also aware that the natural light will increase from here on. Help us walk in your ways so that we can play our part in righteous living, as you work within us to increase the light to its full brightness. We ask this in the name of our Saviour, Jesu, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

adapted from The Celtic Year: A Rhythm of Prayer and Meditation for the Eight Points of the Celtic Year, David Cole, Text Copyright © 2020. The Bible Reading Fellowship

The Prayer that Jesu Taught

Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Leave-Taking

Blessing

May the evergreen trees remind us that, even in the darkest and most desolate of times, the new dawn is just over the horizon.

May the prickly holly with its red berries remind us of the fire of the Sun.

May the curling, twisting ivy remind remind us that we need each other for support and companionship.

May the mistletoe that hangs between heaven and earth, deriving strength from both, remind us to plant good seeds and bear good fruit in the coming year.

With Mary, our Mother, may we be willing to bring God into our world.

+++ In the name of God, Eternal Spirit, our Maker, Jesu, the Christ and bearer of our humanity, and the Holy Spirit, font of wisdom and inspiration. AMEN.

Extinguish candles/fire and leave the space.

Celebrating God’s Fool, St. Francis of Assisi

October 5, 2022

Celebrating God’s Fool, St. Francis of Assisi

Written by

davidcantus

Originally Published

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Preparation

Find a quiet place where you can be alone without distractions. Light candles (or a small fire). Take a few moments to center yourself.

Approach

Make the Sign of the Cross while saying:

In the name of God, the Three-in-One, the One-in-Three,
One holy and blessed Trinity, now and for ever. AMEN.

Druid Call for Peace

Deep within the still center of my being
May I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the grove
May I share peace.
Gently (or powerfully) within the greater circle of humankind
May I radiate peace.

Greeting the Four Directions

Adapted from Canticle of the Creatures, St. Francis of Assisi

From the Center, facing East say:

Most High, all-powerful, good God,
all praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.
To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.

Walk to the East Quarter, light a candle and say:

All praise to you, O God,
through our Kindred Wind,
through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,
through whom you sustain your creatures.

Walk sunwise (clockwise) to the South, light a candle and say:

All praise to you, O God, 
through our Kindred Fire,
through whom you light the night,
Who is beautiful and playful, robust and strong.

Walk sunwise to the West, light a candle and say:

All praise to you, O God, 
through our Kindred Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.

Walk sunwise to the North, light a candle and say:

All praise to you, O God, 
through our Kindred Earth,
who sustains us and governs us,
and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Walk to the Center, face East, light the God/Jesus/Sun candle and say:

All praise to you, O God,
through our Kindred Sun, who brings the day;
and through whom you give us light.
How beautiful, how radiant in splendor;
Bearing the likeness of the Most High.

Still facing East, light the Goddess/Mary/Moon candle and say:

All praise to you, O God, 
through our Kindreds Moon and stars;
in the heavens you have made them,
bright, and precious, and fair.

Bow, make the sign of the cross, and say:

All praise and honor to God, Eternal Spirit, Maker of all that is;
To Jesu, the Christ, Bearer of our humanity;
And to the Holy Spirit, Awen and Breath of life.
As it was in the Beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
So may it be.
AMEN.

The Druid’s Prayer

Grant, O God, Thy Protection;
And in protection, strength;
And in strength, understanding;
And in understanding, knowledge;
And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;
And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it;
And in that love, the love of all existences;
And in the love of all existences, the love of God: Creator, Redeemer, and Life-Giver,
Mary our mother,
all the angels and saints,
All of creation that sustains and nourishes us,
and all goodness.

Adapted from Iolo Morganwg (attributed)

The Word of God

Psalmody

Psalm 19:1-6 OR Psalm 8

At the end of the Psalm say:

Glory be to God, the Three-in-One, the One-in-Three;*
one holy and blessed Trinity, now and for ever. AMEN.

Scripture Reading

Genesis 1:1-2:3 OR Job 12:7-10

At the end of the reading say:

For the Word of God in Scripture,

For the Word of God among us,

For the Word of God within us,

Thanks be to God

Iona Community

Canticle

A Song of Creation

Prayers

Prayers of Intercession

Offer prayers for the following:

  • The members of your local congregation/grove/coven
  • Those who suffer, those who are sick, and those in trouble
  • The concerns of your local community
  • The world, its people, and its leaders
  • The universal Church, its leaders, its members, and its mission
  • Those who have died
  • Any other concerns or thanksgivings

The Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
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.

The Prayer that Jesus Taught

Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Leave-Taking

Blessing

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me;
Christ beside me, on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Adapted from St. Patrick’s Breastplate,
From A Way of Living: A Worship, Prayer, and Liturgy Resource for the Lindisfarne Community, Jane Hall Fitzgibbon and Andrew Fitzgibbon

The Druid Vow

We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart, and hand in hand,
Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now,
Confirming this, our sacred vow.

Make the Sign of the Cross while saying:

In the name of God, the Three-in-One, the One-in-Three,
One holy and blessed Trinity, now and for ever. AMEN.

Extinguish candles/fire and leave the space.

Celebrating America 2022

July 4, 2022

Today is the 4th of July, “America’s birthday.” Red, white, and blue banners are everywhere, the smell of grilling hamburgers permeates the air, and somewhere, someone is playing that damn Lee Greenwood song. People are shooting off fireworks, lining the streets to watch parades, and listening to bands and orchestras in parks all over the country. Folks are celebrating.

For many of us, the celebration feels very different this year. We’re celebrating a birthday, but it feels like the birthday of a loved one who has recently died. It feels like a wake.

Several years ago, I attended a professional conference in Arlington, Virginia. I took some time to go into Washington DC and do the touristy stuff. If you’ve never been to DC, there are monuments everywhere covered with quotes expressing beautiful visions for the country. These truly are lofty ideals for the America that can be. I was struck by the vision of these earlier generations of American leaders yet sobered by the realization that we as a country have not lived up to these ideals; that, for some, the lofty vision of America was not meant for them.

The poet, Langston Hughes, pleaded:

Let America be America again,

The land that never has been yet —

And yet must be — the land where every man is free.

Langston Hughes, “Let America Be America Again” from The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.
Copyright © Langston Hughes, 1955

Throughout the poem Hughes states in a parenthetical aside that “It was never America for me.”

Despite our shortcomings as a nation, I (and many others) wanted to believe that we were learning, growing, and striving to be better, that we were working to realize the lofty ideals set forth in our founding documents. It is a dream that now lies in ashes at our feet.

For the first time in our history, the Supreme Court has turned its back on precedent and actually taken away rights. With the overturn of Roe v. Wade millions of women no longer have the right to control what happens to their bodies, making them, as some have said, little more than livestock. Justice Clarence Thomas has set his sights on other rulings based on the 14th Amendment: the right to contraception, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage. Conspicuously absent from Thomas’ list of rulings that should be revisited is the ruling in Loving v. Virginia, which grants interracial couples the right to marry. Overturning Loving would invalidate his marriage.

The Supreme Court has been busy. They’ve issued rulings targeting the Establishment Clause, deregulating power plant emissions, and overruling state restrictions on carrying guns. Next term, it looks as if they’re going to hear cases concerning non-discrimination laws and how states decide election results. The latter has some deeply troubling implications.

It seems that every day brings news of yet another mass shooting, the latest one being today at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois. School shootings, road rage killings, using a gun to end an altercation betray our cultural obsession with violence. Our first resort is to solve problems with violence and guns are the tool of choice. Even the obscene number of children shot and killed attending school doesn’t seem to get through to some. One politician even said that he was willing to sacrifice children if it meant preserving the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment has become our culture’s Moloch, a Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice, a practice strongly condemned in Leviticus.

In my home state of Tennessee, our governor has aligned himself with entities that want to dismantle public education, standing by silently while representatives of those entities disparage our teachers and our state’s colleges and universities.

This is just the tip of the iceberg; I could probably fill several pages with a list of all the problems we have. I will say that many of us are experiencing an existential threat. We make jokes referencing Margaret Atwood’s A Handmaid’s Tale but, deep down, we believe that it’s not a joke and we are terrified.

28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12: 28-31, New Revised Standard Version

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28, New Revised Standard Version

I keep hearing that we are a Christian nation, but what I’m seeing has little to do with the teachings of Jesus who came to show us a better way to live., the Jesus who told that the greatest commandments were to love God with all our being and our neighbors as ourselves. Instead of caring for the poor, the sick, and those without housing we demonize them and blame them and/or their lack of morals, character, and faith for their condition. Instead of caring for the strangers in our land as our own we lock them up, and often send them back to the dangerous and life-threatening conditions they were trying escape. What happens to a culture that forgets that all are made in the image of God, that we are all God’s children? How long can we ignore that what we do to one we do to all of us? Is there hope for us as a nation? Can America survive a descent into a Randian hellscape where everyone is only concerned for themselves, and fuck everyone else? I would like to believe so. It won’t be easy, and it will most certainly get messy. I leave you with the concluding stanzas of Langston Hughes’ Let America Be America. (The entire poem is here.)

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain—
All, all the stretch of these great green states—
And make America again!

Attribution: The header image, under-distress-flag-upside-down by Susan Ackeridge, is licensed under CC BY 2.0.