celebrating the ordinary blessings of these strange days...

Each day that unfolds in our wee garden sanctuary nestled in the rolling Berkshire

hills is filled with oh so ordinary things: making tea, sweeping floors, cooking supper, sitting in the stillness, throwing the tennis ball for Lucie (and cleaning up her messes), reading, writing, washing clothes, and gathering groceries. Most nights we watch some esoteric European mystery on TV (currently we're in Sweden) and then something light and harmless. We check in from our solitary pursuits each morning for tea, at noon for a light lunch and then at supper time: it is our way of "praying the hours" and marking time with a quiet and shared tenderness. Once each week I venture out into the wider world to collect things we need from library books and paper products to red wine and light bulbs. On Sundays, I reach out to a small, virtual community of friends and strangers to share thoughts, prayers, songs, poems, spiritual reflections on this moment in our collective solitude, and maybe a bit of peace. These are such trying times.

In some ways I resonate with Camus who said there are three responses we can make to absurdity: 1) We can end it and take our lives; 2) We can struggle to find meaning within in\t through spirituality; or 3) We can embrace the absurdity as all there is and strive to be conscientious anyway. He, mostly, opted for number three while I continue to wrestle with option two. One way that helps me is framing each day and season with the wisdom of liturgical time. I have been fortified of late by the insights of a relatively new sacred timetable: The Season of Creation. For five weeks beginning with the first Sunday in September and closing on the Feast Day of St. Francis in early October, we're invited to listen to the spiritual insights of creation. This week is Forest Sunday where we start by joining "all the trees of the forest who sing for joy." (Psalm 92: 12)

During these five weeks, my "Small Is Holy" live-streaming will include celebrating Eucharist with those who choose to join in the feast. I have added the simple order of Eucharist at the close of this posting for those who may not have seen other options. (You might want to go to Be Still and Know on Face Book @ https://www.facebook.com/Be-Still-and-Know-913217865701531/) In so many ways, celebrating communion - even virtually - helps us practice not only opening our hearts to God's grace, but trusting that a love greater than ourselves is alive and moving in history. I have used texts from the Book of Common Prayer to honor various copyrights and will improvise other prayers. If you sense this might be of value, please join us @ 9:55 am for opening music. This week I will be sharing a few contemporary covers of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock." The liturgy we will us is as follows.

Celebration of the Eucharist for Creation

The live streaming starts at 9:55 am with various recorded tunes and continues until 10:03 to give people a chance to log on, get grounded and be fully present. After the morning reflections, we will use this liturgy to celebrate Eucharist together. Please have some bread and wine/grape juice for the sacrament.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and God’s righteous.

And all these things shall be added unto you: allelu, alleluia.

Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find,

Knock and the door will be opened unto you: allelu, alleluia

Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord is with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right…

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory: Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord:

Hosanna in the highest.

Leader: Yes, blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord… all this we ask through Jesus Christ: by him, with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God, now and forever. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name: your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread;
And forgive us our sins and we forgive those who sin against you.
Save us in the time of trial and deliver us from evil; for the kingdom,
The power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Words of Remembrance and Communion
Leader: Among friends, gathered around a table, Jesus took bread… These are the gift of God for the whole people of God. Take them in remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection that you may feed on him in your hearts by faith and thanksgiving: come, for all things are now ready: the body of Christ, the bead of heaven, broken for you. Take and eat.
People: Amen.

Please share the bread at this time

Leader: The cup of blessing poured out for you in grace: take and drink.
People: Amen.

Please share the cup at this time

Glory to our Creator, and to the Christ and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be;
World without end. Amen. And amen.

The Blessing