worship resources using inclusive language

Waiting to be filled – Bill Stephenson, USA

Call to Worship We come to this hour of worship full of much that clutters and distracts, stifles and burdens, making us often a burden to others and ourselves. We come to this hour of worship to be emptied of gnawing dissatisfactions, of anxious imaginings, of nagging resentments, of old scores to settle. We come […]

Read full text

Psalm 119 Renewed — Duncan Wilson, UK

Lection for Epiphany 6, Year A To be read responsively, by two voices or by a solo voice How happy we could be if we could reach perfection, if we could just keep to the rules. How happy if we could follow orders with a willing heart. Some people do manage to steer a straight […]

Read full text

Cara Heafey, liturgist, UK

Cara, a regular contributor to Worship Words, writes thoughtful worship resources emphasising the radical inclusiveness of the divine.  Cara, an ordained Minister in the United Reformed Church in Great Britain, writes, ‘I live in Oxford, in the UK, with my wife and two rescue dogs. I enjoy art, printmaking, writing and walks in fields and […]

Read full text

Waiting Prayers – Sam Goodman, UK

(somewhere between prose/poetry and prayer) So many of my prayers Are in the ether in hospital chapels Littered at school gates Waiting for the no.29 bus to town And many of my prayers Are wept over graveyards Scattered like confetti at weddings Joyful at newborn pics A lot of my prayers scramble to decide What […]

Read full text

In the darkness and doubt, a prayer — Ana Gobledale, UK

Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Easter), Year C John 20:19-31 Eternal One, as we travel through life’s valleys, in the places of darkness, and despair, we know that you are with us. Even when life’s doubts assail us, we know that you still abide with us, watching over us. Strengthen our faith. Help us […]

Read full text