2020 pandemic

God in Solidarity — Anna Blaedel, USA

God in solidarity God takes on flesh and joins life in the struggle – this is what radical solidarity feels like. Lives and souls and bodies entangled. Risks and possibilities shared. We’re in this together. The mess, the beauty, the work. Don’t be afraid to feel hopeful. God’s promises are kept. God won’t opt-out or […]

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Psalm 24, Lift up your heads — John Edgerton, USA

This modern psalm offers ‘balanced’ gender language, not inclusive, but the powerful juxtaposition between the masculine language of NIV and the feminine language of Edgerton’s version is effective, so I’ve included it. — Ana Gobledale, Editor   With Apologies to the Psalmist ‘Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that […]

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Affirmation of Faith for Complex Times – Red Crearte, Argentina

We believe in divine tenderness, which is no stranger to our anxieties, which is generously supportive in Jesus of Nazareth, a tireless walker to the directions that herald Life. We affirm our faith and renew our hopes in times of uncertainty, isolation, sickness and death, because we have heard the proclamation of those who have […]

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Dangerous liturgies — Simon Cross, UK

Explore Simon’s ‘Dangerous liturgies’ written during Covid-19 lockdown, and free to download and use. ‘As always please feel free to copy or use the poem in prayer or liturgy.’ – Simon Cross Simon explains: ‘During ten weeks of the UK lockdown, my friend Andy and I produced a weekly ‘liturgy’ (in this case: a curated […]

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Gathered in masks, gathered in love — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

A responsive Call to Worship for face-to-face worship with COVID-19 protection We gather today in masks. We gather today in love. Wearing masks shows our commitment to the health of all people. We gather today in compassion. Wearing masks enables us to welcome others into our physical space. We gather today in hospitality. Wearing masks […]

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Transforming our fears — Cara Heafey, UK

Our bodies are so fragile Our time here is so brief Our lives are but a single drop in the ocean of eternity And yet… We are known We are loved We are held May our fears about our death be transformed And may all our suffering be transfigured. May we discover, within ourselves, a […]

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Hope restored: a grandmother’s thoughts — Ana Gobledale, UK

Written after visiting my first grandchild. Baby smells waft into my nostrils. A pattering heart pulsates in my embrace. Tearlets moisten my eyes. Powerful hope swirls through my core. This is my body. This is my blood. God’s own child rests in my arms. By what name shall this child be called? Hope. Promise. Future. […]

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Prayer of approach & confession — Cara Heafey, UK

Prayers of approach and confession Loving God Our souls sing out in worship And all of creation bursts forth with praise! For you look with compassion on all who suffer. You shed tears of sorrow with those in grief. You reach down into the dark pit of hopelessness. You kneel in the dust to lift […]

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Dark Moments — Ann Lewin, UK

A reflection on Dame Julian of Norwich’s text from Revelations of Divine Love: ‘All shall be well. You shall see yourself that all things shall be well. That which is impossible for you is not impossible for me. I shall keep my word in all things and I shall make all things well.’ ‘All shall […]

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