This litany was prepared for use by the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America.

Based on Genesis 1
LEADER: In the beginning our Divine Mother gave birth to the
universe.

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ALL: She gave birth to light. And She said, “That’s good!”

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LEADER: God gave birth to the earth, and She saw that it was good.

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ALL: She gave birth to the grass and trees and plants of all kinds
and said, “That’s good!”

.
LEADER: Our Mother gave birth to all the fish, both large and
small, that swim in the oceans and to all the winged birds that fly
above the earth. And She said, “They are good!”
ALL: God gave birth to the cattle and to all kinds of animals, and
She saw how good they are.

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LEADER: Then our Divine Mother gave birth to female and male
human beings. And She blessed female and male human beings
with responsibility for the earth and all the other living beings that
She had birthed.

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ALL: We come to celebrate all these gifts from our Divine Mother.

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LEADER: We come to learn again what it means to be entrusted
with these gifts.

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ALL: We join together with our Mother and with one another in
giving birth to beauty, peace, and kindness. We join Her and one
another in nurturing the earth and all living beings.

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LEADER: Our Mother gives us all power to give birth and to nurture
life.

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ALL: God, our Mother, you continually give life to us. Nourish us
and teach us to become all you created us to be in your divine
image. Help us to receive your power and love so that others may
draw life from us. May we join you in giving birth to new life and in
nurturing creation. So be it!

Jann Aldridge-Clanton’s passion is gender inclusivity in the realms of worship, religion and faith expression. Her website includes an annotated list of others concerned with the importance of inclusive language in liturgy, prayer and church life.

Shared with parents and carers at a church-sponsored child care centre.
If you made it on time to drop off, you are blessed.
If you made it to drop off before pick up, you are blessed.
If you made it with bits of weet-bix in your hair, you are blessed.
If you made it with your child dressed, you are blessed.
If you made it with your child undressing, you are blessed.
If you made it with only one shoe on, you are blessed.
If you made it after being woken by a screaming child, you are blessed.
If you made it after not sleeping, you are blessed.
If you made it with your eyes half open, you are blessed.
If you made it and have just realised you left the lunchbox at home, you are blessed.
If you made it but your child is about to scream, you are blessed.
If you made it and your child is running away from you in delight, you are blessed.
If you made it and you can’t wait to get out of here, you are blessed.
If you made it and you can’t wait to come back for pick up, you are blessed.
If you made it and you are now going back home to sleep, you are blessed.
If you made it and you are now going to enjoy your time, you are blessed.

May you know you are blessed no matter how you woke up this morning,

no matter how your child arrived at care,

no matter how you look or what you are wearing.

You are loved, you are cherished and you are important.

May the rest of your day be filled with moments of love, hope and laughter.

And maybe sleep.

Leader

‘Happy are those who find Wisdom

and who get understanding.

For her income is better than silver,

and her revenue better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called happy.’

(Proverbs 3:13-15, 17-18)
All

We come today seeking Wisdom.

If we seek Wisdom,

She will come to us.

Come, Wisdom!

Come to us today!

Jann Aldridge-Clanton’s passion is gender inclusivity in the realms of worship, religion and faith expression. Her website includes an annotated list of others concerned with the importance of inclusive language in liturgy, prayer and church life.