Not Now, If Not Us... Who? A Prayer Service for the Women’s March

Leader:  I welcome and invite you to join me in prayer, song & blessings for Our 2020 Women’s March Pilgrimage. 

Refrain: We are marching...

We are marching...

We are marching in the light of God, 

We are marching....

We are marching....

We are marching in the light of God! (Repeat)

(Poem Adapted from: Stacey Zisook Robinson)

Leader:

May all who march, 

be embraced & enveloped, 

with Eternal Kairos Time, 

encircling, 

the struggles of our linear time!

All: 

Who would have the strength

to stand, and speak truth to power -

a tightrope walk

against the wind,

with no net below

except for the hand of God?

-We are marching...

-we are marching...

Leader: Who would walk the road

less taken, the one of

rocky crags and razor wire?

Who will lay down the false powers of gloom and doom? 

Who will rise up,

Marching towards 

Our glorious sunrise?

-We are marching...

-We are marching...

We are taking, 

the road that curves into a

perilous wood and we are

still looking up with hope!

Who would join us and 

sing the song of dissonance 

when it is easier - far easier!

to slip into the stream

and be carried

by its current?

-We are marching in the light of God!

-Together we rise towards 

  Our glorious sunrise!

Leader: 

Who would continue to dare

to demand justice,

show mercy,

offer comfort

shout defiantly -

who would love

in the face

of hate?

-We are marching...

-We are not giving up!....

Reader 1: 

In the Hebrew tradition, 

our sister, Puah stood, and Shifra

by her side, choosing life

and the cry of babes over

one man's harsh decree.

And Miriam, the one of

timbrel and drum

she danced across a river

and sang a song

of freedom's call!

-We are marching...

-We are marching....

Reader 2: A reading from the book of Isaiah.

“Learn to do good; seek justice, challenge oppression; bring justice to those without a parent and plead the cause of the poor & marginalized. (Isaiah 1:17). “ (pause)

“Our Beloved God has promised, O human ones, to do what is good! ...

And what does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

Hear what The Spirit is saying to the churches.  

Listen....

Keep marching! 

-we are marching!

-we are not giving up!

-we are marching!

Reader 1: In The Christian tradition, who will stand and stay with The Mother of Jesus, her sister and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross, as empire ordered execution? The men had dispersed.

-We are standing....

-We are standing in the breach 

  with God and each other!

Leader: Who will walk before the dawn, defiant of the guards of empire and witness resurrection?  Who will be sent to proclaim; The Good News of post-gloom & doom, a glorious sunrise?

-We are marching in the light of God! 

Reader 2: As we continue to companion Cleopas on the road to Emmaus, we are opening our lives to the stranger walking along with us.

Although we are overwhelmed by all that has been happening, these past few years, can we recognize The Divine, even in the brokenness? 

Can we recognize The Divine’s Presence in each other?

-Yes we can!

  We are marching 

  in the light of God. 

-we are not giving up....

-we are marching....

Leader: Who will stand

now, if not me? Who?

who will rise

now and march

now and sing a song

of freedom's call

now? Who,

if not for me.

Once more, and

yet again

if not now,

When?...

Let us pray:

Gather it all up, blessed ones; let it feed us like manna. 

Allow the crowds’ electric thrum to seep into us,

knitting itself into courage;

into holy boldness;

into fuel for the journey back, and for the journey forward. (Pause) 

Leader: Please raise your hands in a blessing gesture. 

May we be safe.

May we be free from all harm.

As the road or skies carry you toward your fellow pilgrims,

may we sense the presence of those who travel with us in spirit,

whose hopes and hearts are tucked into our pockets,

who name our journey’s purpose as sacred.

We are Blessing every word and action in, an ever expanding companionship of empowerment!

We are now sending you forth on

your transformative 

Women’s March Pilgrimage. 

March on!

-We are marching in 

   the light of God!

-Together we rise towards 

  Our glorious sunrise!

BLESSING FOR THE WOMEN'S MARCH

Amen

 FYI: I attached Pastor Dawn Hutchings’ sermon from last Sunday. I believe there is significant resonance between her Sermon & hopes for The Women’s March and other Social Justice Actions.

“The Sacrament of Resistance” 

Baptism.

Sacrament of Resistance - Baptism

Liturgy adapted by,

Rev. Karen Kerrigan ARCWP

Gathering Priest along;

The Huron, Rouge & Detroit River Watersheds and

The Great Lakes Water Basin.

Grateful member of St. Peter’s Peace & Social Justice Community,