May Eve: Monday 30th April 2018

Different points in the turning year may be understood as corresponding with different stages of our lives – which may help us to make some sense of our life experiences, and to go onwards more cheerfully and trustingly.

May Eve is a festival of the Moon celebrating the passing of the last lingering traces of Winter, and the beauties and wonders of the Spring we have enjoyed and now leave behind as we enter into the Summertime. It is celebrated after dusk on 30^th April, the eve of May Day.

The short responsive liturgy, below, [posted early so you have time to prepare, is appropriate for use by any group of people, and is particularly suitable for an outdoor gathering, if possible around a safely managed bonfire, but it can easily be adapted for use indoors around a table. If possible, sit in a circle. There is a dance included in the liturgy, so enough space needs to be allowed for this, and for the inclusion of people who have mobility difficulties. A steady drum beat or some music for the dance would be helpful. You will need a bonfire or a large candle, a small candle or night-light for each person present, and matches to light them. Please exercise common sense when lighting and using fires or candles, and do not allow any risks: stay safe! There may be one leader, or you can take it in turns to lead. Everyone is invited to join in saying the words in bold type.

The liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting the words others have used: I am indebted to their wisdom. Please use these liturgies freely, adapting them as suits your own context. I am always pleased to hear from people who have used them.

The Welcome and Recollection:

Welcome to you all, as we gather here

to celebrate the passing of Spring into Summer.

As dusk is the transition from day to night,

so this evening is a threshold in time:

       We step from the season of Spring

       into the beginning of Summer.

As we take this step, we recollect all the many steps we have taken:

       We recollect the changes we have been through in our own lives,
       which have ultimately brought us together here and now.
Times of transition, as we shift our balance

from one stepping stone to another, can be difficult:

       What has gone before is familiar;

       what is to come is unknown.

But from our conception onwards, we have everything we need:

       We have everything we need
       to enable us to make our unique journey
       into becoming who we are each born to be.

Here and now, as we stand in the doorway of Summer,

it is safe for us to let go of everything and anything that disrupts,

or holds us back, from our safe passage through life.

A short time of quiet is kept

The Thanksgiving:

Now we are ready to step forward, in perfect love and perfect trust,

lifting up our lives and our hopes for the future,

offering up our thanksgiving for the glory and abundance of our world,

and giving thanks that nothing in our universe lives in isolation:

       We give thanks!

We give thanks that we can rely on the Sun for warmth and light,

that we can rely on the atmosphere around our planet

to enable life as we know it;

and that we can rely on one another:

       We give thanks!

We give thanks that that we are able to step beyond self-interest,

to share with other people, to give and receive help in times of need,

and to form relationships of friendship and love.

And we give thanks for the passionate unions of men and women

which enable new life:

       We give thanks!

We give thanks for the delights and passions of our senses,

and we rejoice in the passions and talents that bring us music and art and science and literature, and all the ways our spirits are lifted and united:

       We give thanks!

We give thanks for the amazing variety of life on our planet,

for the intricacies of nature, and the beauty of all the creatures;

and we give thanks that every one of us is unique and equally valuable:

       We give thanks!

The Circle Dance:
Part 1: Holding hands with your neighbours, sidestep left for 8 steps, then sidestep right for 8 steps. Repeat once.

Part 2: Run four steps forwards, swinging arms up; release hands, and clap with hands high, then join hands again; take four steps backwards bringing arms back down. Repeat once.
Part 3: Repeat parts 1 & 2 once; then release your neighbours hands, and begin a chain, stepping or skipping, as you interweave all the way round the circle.

The Lighting of Fire:

As we step over the threshold from Spring to Summer,

so we light this fire:

       Token of the Sun that warms the earth,

       giving us light and life,

       and symbol of the light that guides each of us

       on our paths of life.

A bonfire or central candle is lit.
Everyone takes a small candle.

One person lights their candle from the bonfire/candle,
and then uses it to light the next person's candle,
and so on until everyone has a lighted candle.

Like the light of Sun, of fire, and of candle:

       May light guide us on the way of life, as we move

       together and separately through the season of Summer.

The Closing:

Now we break our circle, to enjoy the fire,

to feast together, to sing and perhaps to dance again!

And when we go to our homes, may we have hope in our hearts,

passion for justice in our minds,

and the blessings of love and life in our souls.

       Happy have we met, happy have we been,

       happy may we part, happy meet again!

The candles are now extinguished.

If a bonfire has been lit, please do not leave it unattended,

and ensure it has either burnt out or is put out with sand or soil.

Food for the Feast:

Ask everyone to bring something with them for a shared pot-luck picnic, whether you're in or out of doors.

Decorative details:

If you're celebrating of doors, then simply enjoy whatever nature is surrounding you with. At home, of course we'll be making a wreath of seasonal branches and greenery for our front door; there'll be a big jug of fresh flowers on the hearth; and for the table, I'll be making a ring of fresh flowers, with birds, bees, butterflies, and bugs (ornamental ones of course!) to surround a big candle, inspired by this beautiful creation:

The Kindling of Fire: Easter Eve: Saturday 31st March

The Kindling of Fire: Easter Eve: Saturday 31^st March

From around the fourth century C.E. there has been a tradition in some churches of bringing new light into the sanctuary at the end of the Easter Eve vigil. A fire was started outside the church building and used to light the Paschal Candle, which was then brought in procession into the church and everyone present used it to light smaller candles, so that the light spread from the central source throughout the congregation. While this was being done, the third century Greek hymn Φῶς Ἱλαρόν (Phos Hilaron), one of the oldest known hymns, was often sung, and has subsequently been variously translated. The ceremony was known as the Lucernarium, the term also being applied to the bringing of candles or a lamp to a domestic table for the family evening meal.

The liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting the words others have used: I am indebted to their wisdom. Please use these liturgies freely, adapting them as suits your own context. I am always pleased to hear from people who have used them. And I'm again posting this early so that if you wish to use all or any part of it, you have time to prepare.

The short liturgy, below, is appropriate for use by any group of people, especially those who gathered for Tenebrae, to which it is a counter-balance. It would be good to hold this ceremony as late as possible on Easter Eve, following it by a very late supper. If possible arrange the chairs around a table. Those who were at Tenebrae will hopefully have remembered to bring their small candles with them; otherwise a small candle should be provided for each person present, along with the large central candle previously used. If it is safe to do so, you will need material for a small bonfire. Please exercise common sense – don't leave anything burning without supervision, and ensure everyone's safety. Everyone is invited to join in saying the responsive words in bold type.

You can also, of course, use this liturgical ritual on your own: it is good to make time for reflection.

Everyone is asked to meet out of doors very late in the evening if possible.

The Kindling of Fire:

A small bonfire or a large candle is lit

I am the Creator who dreams and speaks, and I am the Creation:

       I am the cosmic dance and I am the dancer.

I am the atom, the molecule and the space in between:
       I am the stars, the air, the fire, the earth, and the oceans.

I am the flower and the stone, the heartbeat and the silence:

       I am thought and I am matter.

I am love and joy, sorrow and sadness:
       I am all, and all is in me.

Life is my dream and my thought and my speaking:
       I am now and becoming, forever unfolding.

I am the spark and the flame of life and of transformation:

       Balancing sleep with wakefulness, darkess with light,

       death with life,

In me there is no tomorrow, there is no yesterday:

       There is only Now.

The Procession of Light:

If it has been safe to have a bonfire,

then a taper is now used to light a large candle from the fire.

One person carries the lighted candle carefully into the room.

Everyone else follows, while saying these responses

(based on the Phos Hilaron):

Light of the world in grace and beauty:

       Mirror of God's creative heart.

Transparent flame of love's free duty:
       You bring your light wherever we are.

Now we see the lights of evening:
       Now we raise our voice in praise.

Worthy are you of endless blessing:
       Sun of our night, lamp of our days.

The candle is placed in the centre of the table.

On this night of grace, may the Lord accept this candle:

       a solemn offering, the work of bees,

       and of your servants’ hands.

One person lights their small candle from the large candle,

then lights the next person's candle from it,

and so on until all the candles are lit.

As each candle is lit you may, if you wish, say:

The Light of God

The Exsultet (adapted):

Exult, let us exult, let the hosts of heaven exult,

let the angels, ministers of God, exult:

       Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her,

       ablaze with the light and love of her Creator,

       let all corners of the earth be glad,

       knowing an end to gloom and sorrow.

Rejoice, let all God's people rejoice,

arrayed with the lightning of God's glory:

       Let the earth and all creatures dance with joy,

       and all our voices sing God's praise.

Responsive Prayer: (extracts from Psalms 104 & 51)

       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak.
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever;
with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it;
above the mountains the waters stood.
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You send forth springs into the watercourses

that wind among the mountains.
Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;
from among the branches they send forth their song.
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You water the mountains from the clouds;
the earth is replete with the fruit of your works.
You raise grass for the cattle, and vegetation for everyone's use.
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all: the earth is full of your creatures.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation:

       Create in me a clean heart, O God.

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a contrite and humble heart you will not spurn:

       Create in me a clean heart, O God,

       and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Accept, we ask O Lord, the prayers of your people here,

and may your Light and your Love bring us to the healing of eternity:

       Amen.

Closing blessing:

Our Lord is yesterday and today, the beginning and the end,

the Alpha and the Omega:

       All time belongs to God, and all the ages:

       to God alone be glory.

By his birth, his death, and his life

may the Lord Jesus guard us and guide us:

       May the light of the Lord shine from our hearts

       and in all we do, for all our days.

The Lord be with you:

       And with thy spirit.

Lift up your hearts:

       We lift them to the Lord!

May the flame in our hearts be found still burning by the Morning Star:

       Arise, O Morning Star, Light of the World, and never set!

Food for the Feast:

For your very late supper after the Kindling of the Fire you might like to try some of these suggestions:

• Eggs (of course!) - scrambled, poached, fried, boiled, omeletted, quiched, french toasted, or pancaked – or try scrambled tofu (great with leeks) if you're off eggs
• Really good sandwiches (toasted?) on interesting breads
• Veggie paella
• Soup (Think luscious French onion or creamy sweetcorn chowder...)
• and the lemon and chocolate puddings of your choice!

Decorative details: just freshen up your Spring Equinox displays and add lots of daffodils in whatever containers are empty – jam jars look great.

Tenebrae: Thursday 29th or Friday 30th March 2018

The word 'Tenebrae' derives from the Latin for 'darkness' or 'shadow' and is the name of a Christian religious service celebrated during Holy Week, that is the week before Easter, often on the Thursday or Friday night. The main feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles, traditionally fifteen, resulting in an accumulation of darkness, symbolising the betrayal and eventual death of Jesus. The counter-balance to this is the Kindling of Fire on Easter morning.

This liturgy simply uses readings from John's Gospel (NRSV) interspersed with

music. It is appropriate for use by any group of people, especially after sharing an evening meal together. If possible, sit around a table with a large candle in the centre of the table, and a smaller candle for each person present placed in safe holders around the edges of the table. You will also need matches and a

candle-snuffer, and a way of playing some music. (Please don't watch the YouTube clips – just listen to them!) Please exercise common sense and ensure everyone's safety with regard to the candles.

Everyone is invited to join in saying the responsive words in bold type. Check beforehand that everyone is happy to read a passage. It would be good to take it in turns round the circle. If there are more or less than ten people present, please adjust the readings as appropriate.

You can, of course, still use this liturgy on your own, simply by reading it through and listening to the music. It is good to take time out on our own sometimes, for reflection, especially when commercialism seems to threated to overpower the origins of our annual festivals, and I hope this may be of use.

I am posting it a few days early, so if you wish to use any or all of this liturgy you have time to prepare.

The liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting the words others have used: I am indebted to their wisdom. Please use these liturgies freely, adapting them as suits your own context. I am always pleased to hear from people who have used them.

Opening Responses:

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 does not overcome it.

He was 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 he gave power to become children of God:

       And the Word became flesh and lived among us,

       full of grace and truth.

The central candle is lit

Music: Barbra Streisand: Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YONAP39jVE

Reading:

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus. There they gave a dinner for him and Martha served. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord - the King of Israel!”

The individual candles are lit from the central candle.

Music: Ofra Haza - Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72QC8EGnxTw

Reading:

Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit... Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour... Jesus said to the people, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

The reader extinguishes his/her candle.

Music: Shema Israel (Hear Israel)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82JbnMWKtSE

Reading:

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end... And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him...

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord - and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you...

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples - the one whom Jesus loved - was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot... and Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

The reader extinguishes her/his candle.

Music: The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=locW-9S00VU

Reading:

When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; but where I am going, you cannot come. I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.

The reader extinguishes his/her candle.

Music: Father Seraphim & Nina Basharuli – Aramaic Hymn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdRGWH1yy4A

Reading:

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.”

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

So the soldiers, their officers, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in- law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.

The reader extinguishes her/his candle.

Music: Benedictine Monks of Solesmes - Zelus Domus Tuae (Zeal for the Lord)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsMcMImp5Fg&list=PLxYcpW3IHsFtBHWju5sd38XOJkdVaquqp&index=2

Reading:

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

The reader extinguishes his/her candle.

Music: The Passion Of The Christ Soundtrack - Peter Denies Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyIeM2fFzLo

Reading:

The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest, and then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters.

The reader extinguishes her/his candle.

Music: Taize – Kyrie 10 (Lord)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgY0jQykj8E&index=4&list=PL46tecE7lIZ80LDQzsAJjVEnUuKNvDqUv

Reading:

It was early in the morning... and when Pilate had questioned Jesus he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Barabbas was a bandit. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

The reader extinguishes his/her candle.

Music: Fairuz - Holy Friday Lamentations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdTm8JD1LV8

Reading:

So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The reader extinguishes her/his candle.

Music: Eileen Ivers - O'Donnell's Lament

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mtCKkgEOHQ&list=RDVLXd2wl2f-Q&index=9&spfreload=1

Reading:

Then Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation for the Passover, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

The reader extinguishes her/his candle.

Music: Enya - Athair Ar Neamh (Father in Heaven)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvOeDWynY4o&index=36&list=PL6n_XTD5fjYG0AtyQXK8HMtNN90EbMIbH

All remaining candles, and the central candle are extinguished.

You are encouraged to leave in silence.

Please take with you your small candle, and keep it safe,

to bring it back/use it again for the Kindling of Fire ceremony

on Easter Eve.