Led by Liam Battjes Greenwood infused with Braided Sweetgrass reflections from Native Moons group members. View the archived service here: https://youtu.be/olzWn8RMZ9Y.
Order of Service
Preservice Music: Walking Trails Liam Battjes-Greenwood
Bell: Recognition of Land & the Words before All Others Anne Christie
Prelude What a Wonderful World (Lyrics inspired by Braiding Sweetgrass) Liam Battjes-Greenwood & Carol Harden
I give thanks to all the plants and trees,
The maple wood and strawberries,
and I think to myself, “What a wonderful world.”
I thank Mother Earth for all these things:
cattails by the pond, sweetgrass as it sings,
and I think to myself, “What a wonderful world.”
The gift of bee and flower, the lichen on a stone,
Teach us to work together, and not to act alone,
Ev’ry fin, paw or wing, is our kin, family.
I hear them sayin’, “Live with me.”
Ev’ry baby born, can watch and grow,
And learn from the earth all they’ll need to know,
‘Til they think to themselves, “What a wonderful world.”
And I think to myself, “What a wonderful world.”
Welcome and Pathways to Connection Liam Battjes-Greenwood
Chalice Lighting Being Braided Together Mary Saudade
In some ways, like the original Skywoman, we have fallen into this place.
In many ways, like Skywoman, we have been supported by the many gifts of the world around us — water, earth, turtle island, creatures and plants.
In some ways, our lives as humans, animals and plants are braided together and inseparable, interrelated and interdependent.
In some ways, when humans braid sweetgrass we are acknowledging this —
“We are braiding the hair of Mother Earth, showing her our loving attention, our care for her beauty and well-being, in gratitude for all she has given us.”
During this time together, may we braid together our thoughts and intentions
and grow in our appreciation of our relations within the Real World.
We light this chalice in thanksgiving for Brother Sun shining upon
all the children of Mother Earth — the Plants, the Animals and the People.
Music Mother Earth, Beloved Garden (Teal # 1067)
Time for All Ages Strawberries Are a Gift Lise Anderson
Offering Jean Terwilliger & Mike Greenwood
Today’s offering will be RIP Medical Debt. Contributions can be made at https://cvuus.breezechms.com/give/online.
Milestones & Passages Correcting Carlisle by Putting Down Roots Liam Battjes-Greenwood
Moment for Meditation Silver Lake
Three Readings and Reflections
Ask Questions and Wonder: Goldenrod and Asters
Dee Carroll & Friend
Immerse Yourself in Learning: Eating Cattails
Carol Harden & Alan Moore
The Sacred and the Superfund: Restoring Relationships
Helene & Larry Vanderburgh
Departing Blessing Earth Prayers (from the U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program) Helene & Larry Vanderburgh
We join with the earth and each other
To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air
We join with the earth and each other
To renew the forest
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures.
We join with the earth and each other
To celebrate the seas
To rejoice in the sunlight
To sing the songs of the stars.
We join with the earth and each other
To recreate human community
To promote justice and peace
To remember our children.
We join together as many and diverse expressions of One loving mystery:
for the healing of the earth and the renewal of all life.
Thanks to our incredible “Stream Team” Rich Wolfson and Richard Hopkins; Native Moons Group members for their participation; and Abi Sessions for managing the Zoom room. See more about honoring Indigenous People and joining the Native Moons Group here.
Thank you for joining us for worship!