ARCWP Winter Edition of Newsletter- LEADING

https://arcwp.org/leading-winter-2020/ (for blog posting)
 https://arcwp.org/newsletter/ (for website posting)

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive House Church Liturgy, Sun City, January 9 2020 Holy Family, Our Family, Our Human Family Katy Zatsick ARCWP, Elena Garcia ARCWP

“Mother of Light" by Sister Marie Pierre Semler, Maryknoll

All: Infinite God in whom I live and move and have my being (arms outstretched), Holy Spirit Sophia in every person and all Communities (hands in Namaste position, bowing to person across from you), Inner God, my brother Jesus: I am your light for the world (hands crossed over heart) Amen.

Presider: God is within us all. All: And also with you.

Opening Prayer.*  

All: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust.  Holy family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.  Holy Family of Nazareth, make us one more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen.

See Sheet for Readings

First, Psalm Response:

Second, Third Reading

Gospel reading

Shared Homily: What is your vision for our families, in our communities, in our country? For the families of the world? Where do you see persons taking actions for the Common Good of all families?

Profession of Faith. All: We believe in God who is creator, sustainer and nurturer of all families.  We believe in Jesus Christ our brother and Beloved Son of God who is our love, our hope, and our light for all families. Born in a stable, he now resides in our souls.  We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of Wisdom Sophia renewer of all families within America and the world. Sophia who energizes and guides us to rebuild caring families, communities and to challenge injustices. We believe in the Communion of Saints our heavenly friends and family, who support our families on life’s journey. We believe we are One with all the families of the world and in the community of creation. We believe that God calls us to live fully, love tenderly, and serve generously so that all families of humanity, plants and animals in the world may thrive. Amen.

Presider: Always mindful of God’s unconditional love and care for us, we bring the needs of God’s families across the world to our loving Creator and Sustainer.

Response: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we trust in you, hear our prayer.   

Presider: May we work for peace for all families in the USA and across the world, we pray, Response.

Presider: In 2020 may we stand in solidarity with all families who are marginalized and work for justice and equality, we pray.. Presider: For what else should we pray…

Presider: We know you hear our prayers; those we speak and those we keep in our hearts. Energize our community as we begin our New Year, our gift from you. All: Amen

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

Presider:  Blessed are you, O God, Creator of all families. This bread is your MMOJ community living as the Holy Family with faith in your divine providence.  Through your love, we have this bread to offer, it will become for us the Bread of  life.   ALL:  Praise to God, center of the life of the Holy family.

Presider:  Blessed are you, O God, Creator of all.  This wine is our desire to follow your Way of Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope in 2020.  Through your divine providence, we have this wine to offer, it will become our spiritual drink.  ALL:  Praise to God, center of the life of the Holy family.

Presider: Divine Presence, we are united in this sacrament by the love of our Brother Jesus Christ and all families who seek to be the Compassionate presence of the Holy Family in our world and our time. ALL:  Amen.

All: Blessed are you, God of all life, through your goodness we have this bread and this wine and our own lives to offer. Through this sacred meal and the gifts of joy, peace and hope of Jesus, Mary and Joseph may we become your Presence for all families. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer. All Sing: We are holy holy holy (x3) We are whole; You are holy holy holy (x3) You are whole; I am holy (x3) I am whole; We are holy holy holy (x3) We are whole.

All: Come Holy Spirit and settle on this bread and wine. Fill them with the holiness and wholeness of Mary, Joseph, and our Brother Jesus the Cosmic Christ born in a stable and living in the center of our souls today.

Remembering Jesus.   (hand extended in blessing):

All: On the night before he died, while at supper with his friends and family, Jesus took bread, broke it, and shared it with those present, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat. This is my body which will be broken for you.” (Pause)

Then Jesus took a cup of wine and shared it with his family and friends, saying, “Take this all of you and drink. This is the cup of my life-blood. Do this in memory of me.”

All (2nd Invocation of Spirit, with hand on each other’s shoulder): Come Holy Spirit to rest on us. Refreshed from our worship together and joined with Jesus’ parents Joseph and Mary, and all our ancestors in faith; may we extend your Love, Faith, Joy, Peace, and Hope to all whom we meet this year.

Prayer of Jesus “Our Father and Mother”

Song of Peace Joy is flowing like a river, flowing out of you and me, flowing out into the desert, setting all the persons free. Peace is flowing...Hope is flowing…Alleluia

Litany for Breaking of Bread.

All: Loving God, you call us to speak truth to power. We will do so!

Loving God, you call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will do

so!

Loving God, you call us to be your presence in the world. We will do so!

Presider: With Joseph and Mary his mother, and his parents tending his birth, Jesus was born in a humble stable. He came to liberate, heal and transform all families in our world. All are invited to partake of this banquet of love and to live as the Heart and Hands of our Cosmic Christ. All: With our families, we are the Body of Christ, in our place and time.

Prayer after Communion, “Family Prayer”

Men: God made us a family, we need one another, we love one another, we forgive one another.  We work together, we play together,

Women: Together we use God’s word, together we grow in Christ, together we love all women and men, together we serve our God.

All: Together we hope and live for the kin-dom.  These are our hope and ideals, help us to attain them, O God through Jesus Christ, Mary, and Joseph we pray. Amen

Prayers of Gratitude from community

Final Blessing.

All (hand extended over community):

May Sofia’s vision and joy companion you.

May peace and hope fill your being,

May Jesus who is Love hold you close.  

As we celebrate the beginning of our New Year with Jesus alive in our hearts each day. Amen

Individual Blessing, around the circle. Place your hands on head of person and say

“Remember that you are highly favored,

And Deeply loved,

And Greatly blessed”

Presider: Let us go in the peace, joy, and hope of our newly born Prince of Peace, let our service continue through all of 2020!

All: Thanks be to God.

SIGN UP NOW FOR A NEW SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT COURSE - A NEW, NEW TESTAMENT: EXPLORING SACRED TEXTS, BEGINS JANUARY 15TH, PEOPLE'S CATHOLIC SEMINARY

https://pcs505coursedescription.blogspot.com/2020/01/pcs-505-new-new-testament-exploring.html

PCS 505 A New, New Testament: Exploring Sacred Texts

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to provide new perspectives on the legacy of Jesus in the earliest Christ communities that include a fresh mixture of the traditional New Testament texts alongside a treasure chest of ten new books that were lost for centuries and now have been discovered and translated : the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Truth, the Prayer of the Apostle, the Acts of Paul and Thecla, the Prayer of Thanksgiving, the Odes of Solomon, the Letter of Peter to Philip, the Secret Revelation of John, and The Thunder: Perfect Mind. A New, New Testament, which has been assembled by nineteen spiritual leaders and edited by prominent scholar Hal Taussig, makes contemporary scholarship readily available, readable and relevant to the public. It reveals a fuller portrait of the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus that will broaden intellectual understanding and spiritual growth.

TEXT(S)

The primary text for this course is A New, New Testament Edited with Commentary by Hal Taussig with a forward by John Dominic Crossan

COURSE FORMAT

This course uses a blog format Zoom video conferencing to foster an interactive learning community with instructors. Student(s) post their reflections and are encouraged to comment on each other’s posts.

ZOOM MEETING DATES
Course meets monthly on the following dates:
January 15
February 12
March 18
April 15
May 13
June 17

COST: $100

Instructors: Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan and Dr. Mary Theresa Streck

Bridget Mary Meehan, MA, D.Min, ARCWP, a Sister for Christian Community, is one of the founding members of the People’s Catholic Seminary. She is a member of the pastoral team at Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida. Bridget Mary presides at liturgies, officiates at weddings and offers sacramental ministry. She is an author of twenty books including The Healing Power of Prayer: New and Expanded Edition and Praying with Women of the Bible. Her work in communications media include programs about women priests on Google and YouTube. She is dean of the D. Min. and M.Div programs for Global Ministries University. Bridget Mary was ordained a priest in the first USA ordination in Pittsburgh on July 31, 2006 and was ordained a bishop in Santa Barbara, California on April 19, 2009. Her blog is http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/

Mary Theresa Streck, Ed.D., D.Min, ARCWP is one of the founding members of the People’s Catholic Seminary. She is a member of the pastoral team at the Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community in Albany, NY. She presides at liturgies, officiates at weddings and offers sacramental ministry. She is currently the lead program coordinator of  the ARCWP Program of Preparation team. Mary Theresa is an educator and artist who designs and creates sacred arts. She earned a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Sage Colleges, a Doctorate in Ministry from Global Ministries University and certificate in spiritual direction from Holy Ground, a spiritual direction training program. She was ordained a priest on September 15, 2013 and is a commissioned member of the Federation of Christian Ministries.

Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community - Liturgy for Epiphany - Presiders: Kim Panaro, ARCWP, and Kathleen Ryan, ARCWP

Feast of the Epiphany and Blessing of Miracle Margaret Joyner

Welcome and Theme

Opening Prayer

We begin our ceremony with a prayer to the Source of all Life.

O Holy One, you continually remind us that you love your creation by sending us brand new possibilities in the form of daughters and sons.  May Miracle grow in her understanding of your infinite love as she learns the meaning of faith through service. May she come to appreciate her possibilities as co-creator of her life in You. Amen.

Opening Song: How Could Anyone by Libby Roderick

https://youtu.be/1m0FY88-wnQ

How could anyone ever tell you

You were anything less than beautiful

How could anyone ever tell you

You were less than whole

How could anyone fail to notice

That your loving is a miracle

How deeply you’re connected to my soul

Repeat

Anointing of Miracle

Kim: This blessing begins with a statement of intent on the part of Kyra Burke and the godparents Britt Pollatolo and Tyler Burke. Miracle is too young to speak for herself so her mom and godparents will speak on her behalf. I invite Kyra and Miracle to stand with Britt and Tyler. Kyra what do you ask of this community?

Kyra: I ask that this community celebrate and bless my daughter Miracle.

Kim: Kyra this community welcomes the opportunity to bless Miracle. We also want to acknowledge and bless you as her mother. Just as you gave birth to her that same birth created you as a mother. Will you also accept the blessing of this community?

Kyra: Yes I will.

Kim: Kyra you are teaching Miracle to live justly, to love tenderly and to walk with integrity for all to see and celebrate. You are teaching her about our brother Jesus and his message of love. You also are teaching her the truth and beauty found in all spiritual traditions. Will you continue to do this to the best of your ability?

Kyra: Yes I will.

Kim: (to the godparents) Britt and Tyler do you promise to help Kyra to teach Miracle about the source of all life and about Jesus our brother and about the spirit of the Holy One within her?

Britt and Tyler: We do.

Kim: At the dawn of creation God breathed on the waters making them the wellspring of all holiness. From age to age oil has been used to anoint priests, prophets, leaders and visionaries.

Kim: (to all present) Please extend your hands in blessing the water and the oil. The Holy One calls us to be co-creators of a world filled with miracles. As co-creators with you we bless this water and oil as symbols of your grace-filled presence in this community.

Kim: (presiders and godparents anoint Miracle and Kyra; Kyra anoints Miracle) Kyra and Miracle you were created in love and welcomed to life with love. We anoint you with this oil in recognition that human love is sacred, that you are sacred.

Kim: I invite you, family and friends to extend your hands and take this moment to anoint Miracle and Kyra with a silent blessing.

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come,

the glory of the Lord shines upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth,

and thick clouds cover the peoples;

but upon you the LORD shines,

and over you appears his glory.

Nations shall walk by your light,

and kings by your shining radiance.

Raise your eyes and look about;

they all gather and come to you:

your sons come from afar,

and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,

your heart shall throb and overflow,

for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,

the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.

Caravans of camels shall fill you,

dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;

all from Sheba shall come

bearing gold and frankincense,

and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

This is a reading from the prophet Isaiah and the community affirms these words by saying: Amen

Alleluia

Gospel Reading

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

in the days of King Herod,

behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star at its rising

and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this,

he was greatly troubled,

and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,

He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,

for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

since from you shall come a ruler,

who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly

and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said,

“Go and search diligently for the child.

When you have found him, bring me word,

that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,

until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star,

and on entering the house

they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage.

Then they opened their treasures

and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,

they departed for their country by another way.

These are the inspired words from the authors known as Matthew and the community affirms these words by saying: Amen

Community pauses for silent reflection on the readings

Homily: Feast of the Epiphany 2020

Kim Panaro ARCWP

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. The story of the 3 Wise Men, 3 Kings or Magi from the East is a familiar tale. It is the stuff that holiday songs and nativity scenes are made of.  Most certainly not an actual historic event, what can we see through the eyes of 21 century faith.  Why would the writer we call Matthew have crafted a story about Jesus’ encounter with men from differing cultures and religious traditions?

There is much academic debate on who the Magi were. Scholars believe that they would most likely have been wealthy astrologers from what is now the region of Iraq and Iran.  The Magi practiced a combination of modern astronomy and astrology. They knew about ancient Hebrew prophecy but they were Gentiles that represented a variety of ethnic and racial groups.  Their religious tradition was likely Zoroastrianism. They believed in the discernment of truth through studying the movement of the stars and the interpretation of dreams. The Jewish leaders did not approve of these practices because it took God’s intention and plans out of the equation in favor of the presumed randomness of natural events. The Magi often consulted with Roman authorities and so the consultation with Herod is believable. Interestingly, after they encountered Jesus, they still trusted in the truth of their dreams instead of their pact with Herod. Thus, they returned home by a different road. Listening to the still small voice of God in their dreams they made a wise decision. 

Matthew seems to be challenging religious and political agendas.  The Romans and the Jews in this period were all waiting for a strong leader to be born to lead their people to victory in the known world. Well, the Magi’s recognition of Jesus as an embodiment of the Christ challenges the listener to understand that God has introduced a new plan for humankind. The Magi followed their own tradition of reading the stars and interpreting dreams to encounter the child who would be called king, divine and martyr. This is the meaning of the 3 specific gifts. When their homage was over, they did not convert to Judaism. They remained astrologers. They stayed true to their own path to spiritual truth. In doing so, they also protected the vulnerable child Jesus. Herod’s plot to destroy the Christ child was foiled by faithful astrologers.

In our day, we see that same Christ child threatened. The children living in cages on our southern borders, the refugees in Syria, the babies in the Iraq and Iran, the Ukraine, the West Bank and Gaza. It goes on and on.  Yet, like the Magi, we are each called to be Wise Men and Women who discern the call of the Holy one to protect and defend the divine Christ light in every person Matthew demonstrates that race, religion and country of origin are irrelevant in God’s plan for a just and compassionate world. Just as the Magi did not collude with Herod’s plan to hold on to power by spilling innocent blood, we must do the same. We must actively and intentionally seek ways to thwart the efforts of those who would harm these children, young and old, for their own greedy intentions.  Today we bless another embodiment of the Christ light, Miracle Joyner.  She, like Jesus, is a spark of the divine. Our blessing today does not add to that Light. No, it is a recognition that once again, Emmanuel is with us in the form of a human baby.  Just as Jesus had his mother Mary, Miracle has her mother Kyra. She will need her family and community to teach her how to hear her own voice, the voice of the Holy One and to follow her unique call. She, like Matthew, demonstrates to the world that God’s kin-dom is here and now. It is not reserved for any race, religion, country, or gender.  In a troubled world full of Herod’s it is easy to become overwhelmed.  The beauty of community is that none is called to do it all, but all are called to do something.  On this Epiphany Sunday we recognize the divine spark in Jesus, in Miracle, in refugees worldwide and all people.

Receiving of Candles

Kim: Kyra may this candle remind you of Jesus who opened people’s minds and hearts to see the light of God’s presence within them. Miracle may this candle remind you of Jesus who opened people’s minds and hearts to see the light of God’s presence within them.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Presider 1:  As we prepare for this sacred meal we are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. As bearers of LIGHT and HOPE, we bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel free to voice your intentions beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…..” 

Presider 1: We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen. 

Presider 2: With open hearts and hands let us pray our Eucharistic prayer as one voice:

(written by Jay Murnane) 

All: Holy One, you are continually creating the universe, continually giving birth to all of us. We sense the need to do the same, to set ourselves free from a sense of emptiness and barren hopelessness.

We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care. We give thanks, and joined with your vision of harmony and peace, we sing:

Blessed be our God!

Blessed be our God! 

Joy of our hearts, source of all life and love! 

God of Heaven and Earth!

God of Heaven and Earth!

Dwelling within, calling us all by name! 

Alleluia, sing!

Alleluia, sing!

Gift of love and peace!

Gift of love and peace!

Jesus Christ, Jesus our hope and light!

A flame of faith in our hearts!

A flame of faith in our hearts!

Proclaiming the day, shining throughout the night!

Alleluia, sing!

Alleluia, sing!

(Alleluia Sing by David Haas)

Your wisdom invites us to draw on our tradition, as old as the stars, shining through Sarah and Abraham, shining through your prophets in every age and every culture. We join that enlightening, enlivening tradition with what we are as we risk fidelity to a dream.

Filled with your spirit, we, like Jesus, can give birth in our day to your living word for the sake of hope enfleshed in creativity and confrontation, healing and reconciliation, justice, universal and unconditional love.

Please extend your hands in blessing.

All: We are grateful for your Spirit at our Eucharistic Table and for this bread and wine which reminds us of our call to be the body of Christ in the world.

Presiders stand at table

All: On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and friends.  He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet.

Presider 1 lifts plate as the community prays the following:

When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying: 

Take and eat, this is my very self.

 (pause) 

Presider 2 lifts the cup as community prays the following:

Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:

Take and drink.

Whenever you remember me like this,

I am among you.

(pause) 

Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace.

Holy One, we dare again to dream the ancient dreams and open ourselves to marvelous visions. There are mountains of arrogance to lower, valleys of fear and separation to fill in, to create a community and communion that stretches throughout our consciousness and around our world.

In this way, working to renew the face of the earth, we are opened up to your Spirit, the Spirit of light and life and love born in Jesus.

For it is through his life and teaching, all honor and glory is yours, Holy One, forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Presider 2: Let us pray as Jesus taught us: 

Holy One who is within, around and among us.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come; your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us,
now and forever, Amen.

Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter

Presider 1: Please join in our prayer for the breaking of the bread:

All:   Holy One, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice.  We will live justly.  

You call us to be Your presence in the world.  We will love tenderly.

You call us to speak truth to power.  We will walk with integrity in your presence.

(Presiders hold up bread and wine) 

Presiders: "This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Through it we are nourished and we nourish each other. 

All:  What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives; as we share communion, we will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.

Presider 1: Our Eucharistic celebration is all-inclusive and nothing can separate us from God’s love. All are welcome to receive at this table.  Please pass the gluten-free bread and the alcohol-free juice with the words: “Love shines in you!”

Communion Song /Meditation

Christ Be Our Light

By Bernadette Farrell

https://youtu.be/JhQ0_XMUtvQ

BLESSING

Presider 1: Please extend your hands and pray our blessing together.

May you always remember that the Source of All lives as a divine spark within you to inspire, renew and uplift you and all that you meet along your journey. ALL: AMEN

Sofia’s Blessing written by Mary Anne Nolan                                 

Closing

Presider 1: As we close this liturgy, Miracle and Kyra will bless us as we have blessed them with the sprinkling of water. Let us affirm Miracle by singing her favorite song to her, You Are My Sunshine by Jimmy Davis

https://youtu.be/ckKeQNCyPBU

Blessing is based on Baptismal Rite written by Mary Theresa Streck D.Min