Amanda Udis-Kessler

Pay attention! — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

We are called to pay attention: a responsive reading Many: This morning/afternoon/evening and all mornings/afternoons/evenings, we are called to pay attention. One: We are called to pay attention to our individual lives, to our delights and pains. We are called to understand and cherish ourselves, to take good care of ourselves, to know ourselves as […]

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Holy Darkness, Hold Us — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

This could be read by numerous readers (perhaps passing it around a circle) or in the traditional one/many responsive reading style.  It might be used for a nightime reading with a child or with a group out under the summer stars. One: Holy darkness, hold us. Many: Gentle darkness, soothe us. One: Peaceful darkness, heal […]

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Proud: Pride Day Reading — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

A reading for a Pride Day Service Written to be read responsively or by two voices. One: Today, Pride Day, we affirm with joy that we are proud. Many: We are proud to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and questioning. One: We are proud to have survived and thrived despite challenges to our dignity, […]

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Confession of a Class-Bound Church — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

A Responsive Reading (could be read by two voices) One: Spirit of love and life, far too wildly inclusive to care what’s in our wallets, Many: We confess that we have failed to live up to your radical generosity. One: We have kept our religion to ourselves. Many: We have made ourselves comfortable with worship […]

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God, the Soaring Eagle, song — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

  Ready-to-print music: God, The Soaring Eagle, music God, the soaring eagle, God, the mother hen, Architect and potter, shelter, shield and sun, Comforting the people others have condemned: You of many names, you nameless one: All our words of praise have just begun. God the gentle shepherd, God the mighty king, Crying out in […]

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Justice Prayer — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

Great mysterious Spirit of Love, be with me today and all days. Open my heart, move my hands, speak through my mouth and awaken my mind to prepare me for the work of love, caring, and justice in this broken and beautiful world. Sustain me when I am afraid. Goad me forward when I retreat […]

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We Are Gathered, hymn — Amanda Udis-Kessler

Tune: Nettleton 8787D — John Wyeth, Repository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813 We are gathered in the Spirit though our bodies are apart, Filled with joy and touched with wonder, separate hands but mingled hearts Giving thanks and singing praises for the love that calls us on. From our many different places we are […]

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Queer Sacred Songs — Amanda Udis-Kessler, USA

Amanda Udis-Kessler’s website, Queer Sacred Music, includes numerous songs (lyrics, scores and recordings) and worship items. Several new songs and worship resources express a relevancy to a pandemic reality. To access the songs on Amanda’s website, I prefer starting at the page entitled ‘Recordings’ where one can find the lyrics in addition to the recording […]

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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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