Human Rights Day

Justice dwellers, prayer — Simon Cross, UK

A responsive prayer of intercession & confession Silence:  a diamond symbol (♦) indicates a short pause. One: God, we call to mind those unfairly imprisoned. All: May your people dwell in justice. ♦ One: We call to mind those who need help but cannot get it. All: May your people dwell in justice. ♦ One: […]

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Wild God, talking to Jesus – John van de Laar, South Africa

Wild God – words to Jesus It seems to us that things would be much easier if you would just do what we ask, Jesus, If you were more compliant and co-operative, more flexible and adaptable, more open to follow agendas other than your own. But frustratingly, you refuse to be tamed, Jesus. You won’t […]

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Spiritual Practice — Alan Paton

Open my eyes that I may see the needs of others; open my ears that I may hear their cries; open my heart so that they need not be without succour; Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of […]

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Feast — Karen Campbell, UK

Karen writes, ‘This poem is in part autobiographical, speaking of my family, but also about the Church and world.’ Consider sharing this at a communion service. Mummy says ‘Come, for the feast is spread!’ She cracks the sweet between her teeth; A piece for you, a piece for me, No one on top, no one […]

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Reparations, a hymn — Raymond Stanyon, UK

What are the Reparations? tune: “The Church’s One Foundation” – Aurelia It seems that God’s creation is not what was designed. So easy to accept things and then become resigned To never being different, wrongs ne’er to be repaired Will ever come the time when your bounty’s fairly shared? We see the world around us […]

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I think without creeds — Gerardo Oberman, Argentina

A Statement of Faith (translated from the Spanish) I believe in the God who fired the first sun, who made life beat and who made it beautifully diverse, who went out to play, naked, through the gardens of the universe without fear of time, smiling, greeting the breeze. I believe in a God who befriended […]

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In God’s Image — Karen Campbell, UK

I am a child of God – As you are. In my face is reflected the likeness of God – As in yours. Why then do you despise the colour of my skin, The shape of my features, Or the texture of my hair? Why do you think that I must think Like you, Act […]

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Black — Karen Campbell, UK

If the night sky wasn’t inky Could the stars shine so bright? And if there wasn’t darkness, Tell me, how could light be light? No dark depths of earth – How would the flora grow? Black is essential, don’t you know. You tell me black is no good – The shade of evil, shade of […]

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Matthew 25:1-13, Questions — Gerardo Oberman, Argentina

Questions for the teacher By Gerardo Oberman, Argentina Re-interpretation of Matthew 25:1-13 (the foolish maidens), lection for Proper 27 (usually 23rd Sunday after Pentecost), Year A Translated from Spanish by Katie Fiegenbaum Ready-to-download:  Questions for the teacher PDF Questions for the teacher WORD Perhaps you are asking me, teacher to be numb to the needs […]

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Kairos! — Karen Campbell, UK

God, in whose likeness all are made, teach us to see each other as you see us – each individual, nation and people – beautiful. Beloved. Valued beyond measure. Enable us to see as you see. God, who is love, teach us to love each other as you love us – from the very heart […]

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Litany of Love — Zach Ford, UK

‘We stand for…’, a Litany of Love We do not stand against, We stand for: Love, inclusion, life, and dignity, Offering a hand to those in need, Or a shoulder to those who weep. We do not stand against, We stand with: The fearful, the oppressed, The rebels and truth-tellers, Those who take action. We […]

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Christ comes as a refugee, hymn — George Stuart, Australia

Tune: Dominus Regit Me Title: Ministering to Christ The sacred role of ministry Of caring for the broken – Christ can be heard, but silently As if his pain has spoken. The ministry to Christ is known In caring for the stricken; He comes to us in flesh and bone Of those caught in affliction. Christ […]

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Prayer for human rights — Joint Liturgical Group, UK

As the nations mark Human Rights Day on 10 December, we pray that governments worldwide will ensure their people have adequate health care, proper provision of food, clothing, housing and social welfare. We pray that all will be provided with the security of a basic income, the opportunity of a free education, and the guarantee […]

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