Suggestion: ’Refresh’ each page before reading to make sure to get my latest edition
‘The Other Lectionary’ is a suggested ‘southern hemisphere’ Lectionary (with a few Resources added) offered in parallel to,
or even replacement of, the RCL which is in standard use by many
Check out my two books still available...
Seasons and Self. Discourses on Being ‘at home’ in Nature
Bayswater. Australia. Coventry Press, 2018
And the recent one...
Dancing with Dandelions. Awe. Wonder, and a ‘wild’ Mystical Naturalism
Bayswater. Australia. Coventry Press, 2025
A GATHERING LITURGY FOR THE
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
“Landscape is an incredible, mystical teacher, and when you begin to tune into its sacred presence,
something shifts inside you”
4 January 2026 Christmas 2 (White)
Acknowledgement of Country/First Peoples
(An act towards reconciliation)
For thousands of years Indigenous people have walked
in this land, on their own country.
Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives.
We acknowledge the (NN) People of the (NN) Nation, past, present, and emerging leaders,
and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.
First Peoples Statement to the Nation 2017 is called “Uluru Statement from the Heart”
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019
Both available in Affirmations/Manifestoes
And we recognise and give thanks that we humans
are creatures of the Earth living in the ecosystem
—flowers, trees and insects; land, waters and mountain range—
that is unique to (NN).
May we honour one another and honour life itself.
(NN) is a safe place for all people to worship regardless of
race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
Gathering Music
Rich and Striking Visuals
“Art, whether it expresses itself through music, poetry, painting, or architecture...
is living with imagination and the disciplines of the creative sense.” (Bernard E Meland)
Artwork OR Floral/Symbols display (cloths, candles, stones, wood, leaves, flowers, earth, water) OR projection of Film/Video
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
How beautiful is this day.
How warm and inviting the air.
How clear the sky.
How full of life the teeming earth.
And we are alive! (Adapt.SCampbell)
So let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
The light waits –
Who will keep the light burning in our day?
Who will take the light into the world?
Who will carry the light into a new year?
All Who will carry the light if we do not?
Note: Check out 'Special Liturgies’ (this site) for the following:
(i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns is called Hymn of the Month
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns cover major international events or themes. They include the categories: 1. Bush (Brush) Fire, 2. Tsunami, Storms/Cyclones, 3. Earthquakes, 4. War/Remembrance, 5. Caregiving, 6. God as Mother, 7. Human Trafficking, 8. Disabled, 9. Migration/Refugees, 10. Terrorist Attacks, 11. Science/Cosmology
(iii) Some specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Celebrate the Glory” (Tune: ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’)
O come raise your voices, sing with joy and gladness
Sing of the marvel and the wonder we know
Born in the heart and shared the wide world over
Come, celebrate the story
Come, celebrate the story
Come, celebrate the story
The story of love.
Through countless trials, in the bleakest hours
Over the barriers that lay in their way,
Millions have carried light into the darkness
We celebrate their stories
We celebrate their stories
We celebrate their stories
The stories of love.
Wonder of wonders, strength beyond all knowing:
Human compassion meeting needs in the world.
Ours is the task to carry on this story
To celebrate the glory
To celebrate the glory
We celebrate the glory
The glory of love. (R. Scott Kearns 2010)
Remain standing after the hymn/song
Opening Sentences
v1 Come along with me as a sojourner in faith.
v2 Bring along
a sense of expectancy
a sense of high hopes
a glimpse of future possibility
a vivid imagination.
v1 We are called to pioneer forth
toward a future yet unnamed.
As we venture forward
we leave behind our desires for a no-risk life
worldly accumulations certainty of answers.
v2 Let us travel light
in the spirit of faith and expectation
toward the God of our hopes and dreams.
Let us be a witness to God's future breaking in.
v1 Come along with me as a sojourner in faith
secure in the knowledge
that we never travel alone. (Susan Greg-Schroeder)
Words of Awareness
It is good to be alive!
To share life with each other
in this wonder-filled and evolving universe.
We are most grateful.
May wisdom dawn in us
so we may see all things in clarity.
OR
We pray:
God of surprises,
startle us with truth we do not see,
amaze us with your power and grace,
beckon us, and lead us far above
restricted hope and narrow faith (MRose-adapt/sco).
May it be so.
Hymn/Song
"The Ceaseless Flow of Time” (Tune: ‘McKee’, 86 86) 350 SLT
The ceaseless flow of endless time
no one can check or stay;
we'll view the past with no regret,
nor future with dismay.
The present slips into the past,
and dream-like melts away;
the breaking of tomorrow's dawn
begins a new today.
The past and future ever meet
in the eternal now:
to make each day a thing complete
shall be our New Year vow. (John Storey)
OR
“New Year” 82 SNS4
Tune Bishopgarth
Methodist hymnbook No. 964 Presbyteryian Hymnary No. 370
The New Year brings another time
To practise some reflection,
To contemplate priorities;
What past ways need rejection;
The call of Jesus comes again
To strengthen our connection
To his inspiring way of life,
And maybe change direction.
The past is gone; cannot be changed;
The future is elusive;
We are tied to what we have been,
But we are not its captive;
The New Year points to hope we have
In love that is supportive;
In Jesus’ message we have learnt
This love is all-inclusive.
And so we forge ahead today
To meet God in the future;
Ignite in us the flame of love
To energize each venture;
And as we go God is within
To comfort and to nurture;
We follow Jesus, as he points
To life in all its wonder. (George Stuart)
People sit after the hymn/song
Welcome
Or in your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are gathering at (NN) for the first time
or who have returned after an absence.
Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Refer to printed liturgy.
Fellowship hour following the Gathering.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
CENTERING
Centering Silence
Centering prayer and meditation are age-old techniques to put us in touch with what Jesus called ruah in Aramaic, the holy breath, a living and animating field that gives birth to the self, seed, storm and stellar nebulae…
Meditation
Let us remember within us
The ancient clay,
Holding the memory of seasons,
The passion of the wind,
The fluency of water,
The warmth of fire,
The quiver-touch of the sun
And shadowed sureness of the moon.
That we may awaken,
To live to the full
The dream of the Earth
Who chose us to emerge
And incarnate its hidden night
In mind, spirit, and light.
—from “In Praise of the Earth” by John O’Donohue
Music of Reflection/Celebration
EXPLORING
Wisdom from the World/Religious Traditions
“Wisdom is not just special knowledge about something. Wisdom is a way of being, a way of inhabiting the world. The beauty of wisdom is harmony, belonging and illumination of thought, action, heart and mind.” (John O’Donohue)
Reader: May we open ourselves to the seeds of wisdom
that lies dormant in this/these reading/s.
All And may our minds be fertile soil
in which it/they may grow strong and true. (Gretta Vosper/ab)
Readings
“To Light a Candle”
By Robert C Howard. In Hello Poetry
To light a solitary candle
may not seem like much
but will suffice to
illuminate a neighbor’s path -
obscured by the loss of day.
So we strike a match
and with charring fiber and melting wax
reveal our neighbors’ faces
glowing faintly in the shadows.
Friends gather to join
their wicks and wax with ours
spreading shafts of hope-born light -
melting despair and gloom
in consoling flames of transfiguration.
Like a lighthouse set high on a cliff,
our beacons will shine through
the dark and fog of uncertainty -
Light to press the harm aside
Light to safen the shaking ones
in vessels great and small
from splintering against the rocks.
To light a single candle
may not seem like much
but it can suffice.
This we can do and we will!
Traditional Gospel:
John 1:10-14 (NRSV)
He came in the world, and the world came into being through him;
yet the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own, and his own people
did not accept him. But to all who received him,
who believed in his name,
he gave power to become children of God,
who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh,
or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us,
and we have seen his glory,
full of grace and truth.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Celebration/Affirmation of Faith (Optional)
The people stand as they are able
From all corners of the world:
All God has called a pilgrim people.
From all walks and ways of life:
All God has called a pilgrim people.
Black and white, male and female
All We are signs of God's division.
Black and white, male and female
All We are signs of God's new creation
joined together by love.
So let us not journey alone with God.
All So let us not journey only with our friends.
Let us be a place and a people of welcome
All signs of God's all embracing love. (PCruchley-Jones/wb)
Sharing 'The Peace’
Let us take some time to celebrate each other.
May a heart of peace rest with you. (David Galston/q).
All And also with you.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
OR
Namaste
Facing the person with right hand on your heart and a slight bow of the head…
The Divine in me honours the Divine in you.
OR
The Light in me recognises the Light in you.
OR
The spirit within me sees the spirit within you.
Hymn/Song
People stand as they are able, to sing
“Embrace This Life” (Tune: ‘Sine Nomine', 10 10 10 with hallelujahs)
Embrace this life and all its wondrous days,
let go of fear that in our heart betrays
the joy of life, the beauty and the praise.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
When truth becomes the gospel that we spread,
it lifts the shadows of our deepest dread;
with honest words our hearts are richly fed.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
The strength of truth creates a warming light
of peace and freedom, born when things are right;
an honest heart expands our inward sight.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Give thanks for truth that opens ways to care,
to ease the struggles and the pain we bear;
the way of truth improves the lives we share.
Hallelujah, hallelujah. © Peggy McDonagh, 2004 All rights reserved
People sit
CELEBRATING
Offerings
Presentation
God the weaver, making patterns,
spinning threads throughout our days,
help us to discern your weaving
in the multi-coloured autumn maze. (Adapt.Marjorie Dobson/mcm)
In Solidarity
Care Candle:
We are people of all ages who enter this safe space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and Celebrations; Griefs and Concerns shared.
Focused Thoughts:
Listening Response:
In this abundant blessing
All We share the joy.
In this, our time of need,
All May love abound. (Gretta Vosper/wwg)
And so we take this flame and light our special care candle…
The Care Candle is lit
For ourselves, for those named or remembered, and in solidarity with those
who have not the freedom to express their concern or celebration
for fear of discrimination or condemnation…
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of the sacred among and within us,
and to see new possibilities of the now.
The 'Abba' Prayer: (Optional)
You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Abba/Lord’s Prayer, and in your original language, as appropriate
All Eternal Spirit
Source of all that is and ever shall be,
Loving Parent in whom we discern heaven,
May knowledge of your holiness inspire all peoples.
And may your commonwealth of peace and freedom
flourish on earth, until all of humankind
heed your call to justice and compassion.
May we find the bread that we need for today.
And for the hurts we cause one another
may we be forgiven in the same measure
that we forgive.
In times of trial and temptation,
help us to be strong;
When life seems overwhelming,
Help us to endure;
And thus from the yoke of sin deliver us.
May you reign in the power of human love,
Now and forever. (Tom Hall)
Amen.
PARTING
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Come Celebrate…” (Tune: ‘Gift of life’, CGibson) 17 (v1-2) HoS
Come celebrate the gift of life:
creation’s journey from the star
whose first great flaring forth of light
responded to God’s word of power.
Enable us, O God, to see
your living word is in us still;
this vibrant possibility
within our human lives fulfil.
Come celebrate the gift of love,
potential in each human soul,
revealed by Jesus as he strove
to heal our world and make us whole.
Enable us, O God, to choose
beyond the inborn needs of self;
in loving, be prepared to lose
our boundaries, and find new life.
OR
“Celebrate Each Difference” (Tune: ‘Intercessor’, 11 10 11 10. 587 TiS)
We cannot make an easy, safe distinction,
all people are our neighbours, none denied.
The voices of all nations heard beside us:
all sisters, brothers, none we should deride.
The wall between the peoples has been broken.
In love of God divisions disappear.
As seen in Christ, we recognise our neighbours.
We greet unusual faces without fear.
Remain standing
Parting Words
The community candle is extinguished
Glorifying the past
can never be the key to our future.
All We need to get a new perspective on today
by getting a new vision of tomorrow. (Keith A. Russell)
Words of Blessing
My friends, when you go from here
know that our hearts are always in a holy place,
for we are always connected to one another.
Know that deep down,
our hearts beat in one universal rhythm.
May we each find the sacred space to hear it. (Israel Buffardi)
Hymn/Song (Cont).
“Come Celebrate…” (Tune: ‘Gift of life’, CGibson) 17 (v3) HoS
Come celebrate the gift of power:
the flow of God within each soul,
which calls us in this present hour
to see creation as a whole.
Enable us, O God, to know
your life is present in all things;
and may our lives, within that flow,
reflect the joy creation sings. (MBond)
OR
“Celebrate Each Difference” (Tune: ‘Intercessor’, 11 10 11 10. 587 TiS)
We celebrate each difference God has given.
Each nation, black and white, both straight and gay,
the able and the challenged, God has offered,
that we might share together, learn and pray
We meet with those who paint a different picture,
who value God in words not yet our own.
In dialogue we offer one another
a vision we could never find alone.
This God we seek is greater than each difference;
the source and ground of all variety,
the centre and the soul of all creation,
erasing hate with love, to set us free. APratt/ea
The people sit
''This Week' at (NN)
Notices
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Significant Events
Journey Candles
Music
Fellowship
Morning tea is now served.
You are invited to share in this time of fellowship
You are invited to keep this copy of the liturgy and take it home with you
to share with another member of your family, or with a friend
Please include any reproduction of hymns/songs for local church use
on your Music Licence returns, as appropriate
Some of the Resources used in this Liturgy…
Dobson, M. Multi-coloured Maze. Drama, Hymns, Prayers and Poems for Worship and Everyday Living. London: Stainer & Bell, 2004.
(SCO) Duncan, G. (ed). Seeing Christ in Others. An Anthology for Worship, Mediation and Mission. Norwich: The Canterbury Press, 1998.
(EA) Duncan, G. (ed). Entertaining Angels. A Worship Anthology on Sharing Christ’s Hospitality. Norwich: The Canterbury Press, 2005.
Duncan, G. (ed). A World of Blessing. Benedictions From Every Continent and Many Cultures. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2000.
Holy Bible. NRSV. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989.
(HoS) Hope Is Our Song. New Hymns and Songs from Aotearoa New Zealand. Palmerston North: New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2009.
O’Donohue, J. Four Elements. Reflections on Nature. New York. Random House, 2010
Pratt, A. More Than Hymns. Words for a Lyrical Faith. London. Stainer & Bell, 2015.
(SLT) Singing The Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
(SNS4) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Volume 4. Toronto. G Stuart, 2013.
(TiS) Together in Song. Australian Hymn Book 2. Sydney. HarperCollins Religious., 1999.
Copyright enquiries: http://www.togetherinsong.org/.
Vosper, G. With or Without God. Why the Way we Live is More Important than What we Believe. Toronto. HarperCollins, 2008.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
Web site Resources
Buffardi, Campbell, Russell, Greg-Schroeder, UUA Worship Web. Boston. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/
“Eternal Spirit”, Tom Hall. Direct from the author
Peggy McDonagh, 2004, One of several non-theistic resources found at: St Stephen’s Non-Theistic Project https://cloudfront.ualberta.ca/-/media/ststephens/publication-photos/ssc-ntlr-winter-2018.pdf
“Celebrate the Glory”. R. Scott Kearns 2010 (Direct from the author)