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Thursday, February 11, 2021

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests - Liturgy of Ordination -Priesthood Diane Burroughs ARCWP, Diaconate Jill Striebinger ARCWP, Ocala, Florida, Feb. 11, 2021, 1 PM

Zoom Link:  

The Zoom link will be open at 12:30pm. Please join us by 12:55pm. 

Zoom link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87132292387?pwd=cnJJN1pwLyt5aU51d1ZHVDZraXYrUT09

Meeting ID: 871 3229 2387
Passcode: 880869

You are invited to join us via Zoom. Please wear a stole and have bread, wine/juice and a candle as we pray together the Eucharistic prayer.

Ordination Liturgy  Team:  

MC- Mary Theresa Streck, ARCWP,  IT: Peg Bowen ARCWP,,  Cantor: Dennis McDonald, ARCWP

Photographer-:Joan Chesterfield,  Ordaining Bishop :Bridget Mary Meehan

Location: Oasis Club House 8063 SW 106th Place, Ocala, FL 34481


WELCOME


MT: Good afternoon. My name is Mary Theresa Streck and I am a Roman Catholic Woman Priest from Albany, New York.  I have the privilege of being a member of the Pastoral Team of the Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community. Today I will lead you through the ceremony.


An ordination is a holy ceremony.  We are requesting that you please silence your cell phones now. 


We, the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, welcome you to the public ordination of Diane Burroughs as priest and Jill Striebinger as deacon. 


We gather together on this journey of Good News for those who long for the fullness of the Body of Christ for the life of the world. 

 

Historical and archaeological evidence reveals that women and men served as deacons, priests and bishops during the first twelve hundred years of the church’s history.


In the ordination of deacons and priests, we continue in the renewal of our first Christian traditions.  We celebrate the fact that Jesus invited women as well as men to become leaders in building the kin-dom and sent the Spirit, Wisdom-Sophia, to dwell with us and lead us forward in being Church.


We celebrate with joy the indwelling of our God among us. Our liturgical style is inclusive, which is expressed in several ways. We include female biblical images of God. You are invited to participate in the words of consecration and the doxology leading to the Great Amen. Our Eucharistic Table is open to all. 


Our presiding Bishop is Bridget Mary Meehan. Bridget Mary is a member of the Pastoral Team at Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida. 


We thank Peg Bowen who is facilitating the IT and Dennis McDonald who recorded the litany of the saints for this joyous celebration.


MT: We now welcome Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan who, as presiding Bishop, gathers us as the universal church.  Please stand and join in singing our opening song: All Are Welcome 


All Are Welcome (Marty Haugen)



https://youtu.be/js8RtT0mJpc
 


Let us build a house
where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
A place where
saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions;

All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.


Let us build a house where prophets speak,
And words are strong and true,
Where all God's children dare to seek
To dream God's reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness
And a symbol of God's grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found
In water, wine and wheat:
A banquet hall on holy ground,
Where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus,
Is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.



OPENING PRAYER


Bishop:  We gather joyfully for this ordination and we begin in the name of God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit,


All: Amen.


Bishop:  Our God is with you.


All: And also with you.


Bishop:  Let us pray:  Loving God, Jesus, our brother, taught the disciples not to be served but to serve.  We pray for these ordinands, that they may serve their sisters and brothers.  May they be effective in their work and persevering in their prayer, performing their ministry with compassion and concern for all.  


All:  Amen.


MT: Please be seated as we present the candidates for ordination.



PRESENTATION of CANDIDATE FOR DIACONATE


MT: Program Companion Diane Dougherty, will present the candidate for diaconate on behalf of the assembled community and the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests



Diane D: Jill Striebinger.


Jill: Here I am. I am ready.


Diane D: Dear Bishop, the holy Church asks you to ordain our sister, Jill, to the diaconate.


Bishop: Do you know if she is worthy?


Diane: Those responsible have been asked.  They testify that they find her worthy.  I will give witness and represent the church, the Body of Christ, as we present Jill for ordination.




Bishop: In the name of Jesus, we choose you, Jill, as our deacon.  


All:  Thanks be to God.  


MT:  Let us signify our approval by singing "Amen."



PRESENTATION of CANDIDATE FOR PRIESTHOOD


MT: Dena O’Callaghan, Program Companion, will present the candidate for the priesthood. 


Dena: Diane Burroughs


Diane: Here I am. I am ready.


Dena: Dear Bishop, the holy Church asks you to ordain our sister, Diane, to the priesthood.


Bishop: Do you know if she is worthy?


Dena: Those responsible have been asked.  They testify that they find her worthy.  I will give witness and represent the church, the Body of Christ, as we present Jill for ordination.



Bishop: In the name of Jesus, we choose you, Diane, as our priest. 


All:  Thanks be to God.  


MT:  Let us signify our approval by singing "Amen."



LITURGY OF THE WORD


Reading 1: The Proper Place for Devotion to Mary 

Recognition of this relationship between God and humankind in the ongoing creation of the world is one of the most ancient teachings of liturgical theology. If it applies to Mary, it also applies to us.

The proper place for devotion to Mary is a clear one: she is the mother, the woman, the human participant in the work of God.  She is the one who heard the Word of God in her heart and followed it to the end, whatever the cost to herself. By her unconditional fiat, she became the perfect recipient of God’s will that each of us would like to be. Her life belongs not simply to her own life but the life of the world as well.

It is in Mary that we see God’s creative will being done. In her, God not only prevails over the inherent weakness of mortality but brings it to the fullness of life.  In the memories of the May altars, the crowning of May queens, and the droning of a thousand decades of the Rosary, all those ideas came to life in me and generations of others, came to heart in us, came to stay forever.

These are the inspired words of Joan Chittister, prophet and spiritual leader, and we affirm these words by saying, Amen.

—from The Liturgical Year, (Thomas Nelson Publication, a division of HarperCollins) by Joan Chittister


Sung Response: You Have Anointed Me (the Dameans)



https://youtu.be/vUMdXhZB08U


Your spirit O God is upon me.

You have anointed me.


To bring glad tidings to the lowly, 

To heal the broken hearted, 

You have anointed me. 

To proclaim liberty to captives, 

Release to prisoners, 

You have anointed me. 


Your spirit O God is upon me.

You have anointed me.


To announce a year of favor,

To com-fort those who mourn, 

You have anointed me. 

To give them the oil of gladness, 

And share a mantle of joy 

You have anointed me. 


Your spirit O God is upon me.

You have anointed me.


Eightfold Alleluia



https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw

Gospel: A reading from the Gospel of Luke 

(1:46-55) 


Mary said:

My soul proclaims your greatness O God,

And my spirit rejoices in you, Holy One.

For you have looked with favor on me 

And all generations will call me blessed.

For you have done great things for me

And Holy is your Name.

Your mercy reaches from age to age .

You have scattered the  proud in their conceit.


You have deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.


You have come to the aid of your people, mindful of your compassion- the promise you  made to Abraham and Sarah

and their descendants forever.


(Adapted from The Inclusive Bible)


These are the inspired words of Luke and we affirm them by saying, Amen.


Homily: Bridget Mary Meehan


ORDINATION RITE


MT:  As the People of God gather in hope and love, we now invoke the Spirit of God within these women called to serve as priest and deacon, and within us all. 


Hymn to the Holy Spirit: Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit)



https://youtu.be/_0O0gNHgRh0


Come Holy Spirit, 

from heaven shine forth 

with your glorious light 

Veni Sancte Spiritus


Come, Mother of heaven, 

come, generous Spirit, 

come, light of our hearts. 

Veni Sancte Spiritus


Come from the four winds, 

O Spirit, come breath of God; 

disperse the shadows over us 

renew and strengthen your people. 

Veni Sancte Spiritus


You are our only comforter, 

Peace of the soul. 

In the heat you shade us; 

in our labor you refresh us, 

and in trouble you are our strength. 

Veni Sancte Spiritus


Examination of Candidate for Diaconate


MT: We invite Jill, candidate for the diaconate, to please stand.


Bishop: My dear sister, before you receive the Order of Deacon, you are asked to proclaim before the assembly, that you willingly take on this office and ministry.


Bishop: So I ask you: Are you ready to be ordained for ministry in the Church by the laying-on-of hands and by the gift of the Holy Spirit?


Jill: I am.


Representative of Community – Joan Chesterfield: Are you ready to fulfill the office of deacon faithfully and serve the people of God? 


Jill: I am.


Bishop: Are you ready to carry out the ministry of deacon in selfless dedication and in support of our bishops and priests?


Jill: I am.


Bishop: Are you ready to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully as has been handed down to us, for the glory of God and the flourishing of grace among God's people?


Jill: I am.


Bishop: Are you ready to live from the Spirit within, to be a person of prayer, and in this Spirit, to pray with and for the People of God for the whole world?


Jill: I am.


Representative of Community – Joan Chesterfield: Are you ready to support the poor and the sick and to help the homeless and those in need?


Jill: I am.


Bishop: Are you ready to shape your life after the model and example of Christ, whose body and blood are entrusted to you to share with the people of God?


Jill: With the help of God, I am ready.


Bishop: May God complete the good work already begun in you.


All: Amen.   


Examination of Candidate for Priesthood


MT: We invite Diane, candidate for the priesthood, to please stand.


Bishop: My dear sister, before you receive the Order of Priest, you are asked to proclaim before this assembly, that you willingly take on this office and ministry.  So I ask you: Are you resolved to be ordained for priestly ministry in the church by the laying-on-of our hands and the gift the Holy Spirit?



Diane: I am.


Representative of Community – _________________: Are you ready to fulfill the office of priest faithfully and serve the people of God? 


Diane: I am.


Bishop: Are you ready to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully as has been handed down to us, for the glory of God and the flourishing of grace among God's people?


Diane: I am.


Representative of Community – ________________: Are you ready to live the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and teaching the faith of Jesus and our church? 


Diane: I am.


Bishop: Are you ready to consecrate your life to God's holy work with all of creation and to unite yourself closely to the Christ who lived and taught us justice in the beatitudes and in the works of mercy? 


Diane: I am, with the help of God.


Bishop: May God complete the good work already begun in you.


All: Amen. 


Litany of Saints and Prostration of Candidates



MT: Diane and Jill, please stand. We invite the ordinands’ assistants to place the prostration cloths.


MT: We now invite the Jill to prostrate and Diane to sit with open hands while the litany of saints is sung.  The prostration and open hands are acts of loving surrender to God.  We call upon those who have gone before us in the communion of saints, our friends, the prophets of God, and all holy women and men.


Bishop: In gratitude, we pray to our loving God who grants abundant grace and blessings to these women, called to be deacon and priest. 


Litany of the Saints: (sung by Dennis McDonald, ARCWP)



https://youtu.be/TIkeAFSA-zM



At the end of the Litany of Saints: 


Bishop: Let us pray:  Gracious and Loving God, You hear our prayers and those of your angels and saints. You pour out upon these women the blessing of your wisdom and the grace and integrity of the order deacon and priest.  As we approach the moment of ordination, hold them close to you with your unfailing love.  You are with us now and always.  


All: Amen.


MT: We invite Jill to come forward to her chair for the laying-on-of hands.  Bridget Mary will now ordain Jill a deacon.




Laying-On-of-Hands for Deacon


MT: We come to the most sacred moment of the ordination rite, the laying-on-of hands for the deacon, which we celebrate in reverent silence.  The gesture is the prayer and there are no words spoken.  The Bishop lays hands on the ordinand and prays the prayer of consecration over her.  Please join in raising your hands in blessing.




Prayer of Consecration for Deacon


MT: Our bishop will now pray a prayer of consecration for our newly ordained deacon.


Bishop: We praise you, most loving God, and call on your name. You are with us and you give us all grace. You call people into holy service and you choose them for orders in the Church.


Loving God, you renew everything in your energy. You order everything according to your eternal designs. Through your word, your wisdom and the power of love, you provide what we need in the changing seasons of life.


You abundantly blessed your Church and have wonderfully designed the Body of Christ in great diversity of membership. You unite and sanctify us in your Spirit.  


You give your Church life and growth. For the praise of your Name, you have established the threefold ministry of Orders and furnished the Church with holy gifts, as from the beginning, you chose faithful servants for ministering to your holy people.


As the Church began to grow, the apostles, led by the Spirit, set apart seven proven people to be helpers in daily ministry. The apostles themselves wanted to be free for prayer and for the proclamation of the word.


To these chosen ones you entrusted prayer and the table ministry through the laying-on-of hands. We humbly present these deacons before you.

 

Bishop: I now invite you, the assembly, to join me in extending your hands over this woman as we embrace the Spirit in her and in all.


God’s Spirit strengthens you to carry out your ministry faithfully.


God’s Spirit calls you to heal and reconcile.  


God’s Spirit guides you in your work for justice and peace for all. 


God’s Spirit enlivens you in prophetic and liberating obedience. 


Together, we are one in Christ, loving and serving as God’s holy people. 


All: Amen.


Investiture With Stole for Deacon


MT:  We invite Diane Dougherty to come forward and represent us all by vesting this newly ordained deacon for ministry in her stole.


Presentation of the Gospel


Bishop: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”


Bishop: It is with great joy that we present to you our newly ordained deacon.



Laying-On-of-Hands for Priest


MT: Bridget Mary will now ordain Diane for the priesthood.


MT: We come to the most sacred moment of the ordination rite, the laying-on-of hands for the priest, which we celebrate in reverent silence.  The gesture is the prayer and there are no words spoken.  Please raise you hands in blessing.


Prayer of Consecration for Priest


MT: Our bishop will now pray a prayer of consecration for our newly ordained priest.


Bishop: Loving and gracious God, you are ever present to us. Your Spirit, Your Breath of Life indwelling with us, is the source of every blessing ensuring our growth and stability. 


In communion with the saints, with your friends, your prophets and our ancestors, your presence is within all of creation. You support us with your gifts of wisdom and patterns of order. You called forth leaders to serve and guide your priestly people. 


The numbers of leaders grew and their ministry was recognized by sacred rites. In the desert, you extended Your Spirit through Moses, to Aaron, Miriam and all the holy women and men of Israel.


You called seventy wise people to help them lead an exiled community from slavery to freedom. Among the children of Aaron and of Miriam, you shared the fullness of your power. You provided worthy leaders in sufficient number for the increasing rites of worship.


With the same loving care, you beckoned women and men for later generations to serve with Jesus' disciples. They continued his work of healing and teaching.  They loved and supported one another, became advocates for justice and prophets of peace.  They preached the Gospel to the whole world.


Loving God, you give this woman the graces of the priesthood.  You renew within her the spirit of holiness. You give her strength, wisdom and the gifts of your Spirit. 


Together with the people of God, You inspire and bless her as she responds to your call in loving service. 



I now invite you, the assembly, to join me in extending your hands over this woman as we embrace the Spirit in her and in all.


God’s Spirit strengthens you to carry out your ministry faithfully.


God’s Spirit calls you to heal and reconcile  


God’s Spirit guides you in your work for justice and peace for all. 


God’s Spirit enlivens you in prophetic and liberating obedience. 


Together, we are one in Christ, loving and serving as God’s holy people. 


All: Amen.



Investiture


MT:  We invite ______________ to come forward and represent us all by vesting this newly ordained priest for priestly ministry in her chasuble and stole.


Anointing of Hands


MT: The hands of our newly ordained priest will now be anointed for priestly service.

 

Bishop: God anointed Jesus, the Christ, through the indwelling of the Spirit.  May Jesus work through you to bless the People of God and to offer table friendship and unity. 



Bishop:  It is with great joy, that I present to you our new priest.



Preparation of Table for Eucharist 


Procession of the Gifts and

Presentation of the Cup and Plate

 


Bishop: Receive these gifts entrusted to you by the people of God for this sacred meal of remembrance and thanksgiving in praise, in hope, and in loving service. 




LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST


Offering of the Gifts


Bishop:  Blessed are You, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made.  It will become for us the bread of life.


All:  Blessed be God forever.


Diane:  Blessed are You, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.


All:   Blessed be God forever.


Eucharistic Prayer

Bishop:  Our God is with you.


All:  And also with you. 


Bishop: Lift up your hearts.


All: We lift them up to our God.


Bishop: Let us give thanks to our loving God.


All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.


Bishop: All-loving and ever-living God beyond all imagining, we give You thanks for the gift of awareness that allows us to recognize Your presence and action in our universe. Everything we have, everything we see, everything we do, everyone we love and everyone who loves us, reveals Your sustaining presence.  We thank You for Your presence which animates life and all that exists.  


Jill: You express yourself in human life and through us you sing and dance, speak and write, love and create.  In this we never cease to hope, and for this we always thank and praise You.  We join with the saints of all times and places as they sing forever to Your glory: 


All: Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker 



https://youtu.be/nTewBnxBy30


We are holy, holy, holy,

We are holy, holy, holy,

We are whole.


Spirit Divine, Come to Me,

healing Love, healing Me.

Open my heart, allow me to see,

Beauty and love, lives in me.


You are (I am) holy, holy, holy…


Bishop: Loving God, we live and move and have our being in You. We give thanks for those throughout history who have affirmed your loving presence and moved your people to give witness.  They have witnessed to your presence in lives characterized by love, mercy, compassion, generosity and forgiveness.

  

Diane: We thank you for Jesus, who loved so greatly, taught so clearly, and proclaimed so courageously.  He set people free from images, ideas and religious practices that bound them in fear and a false sense of separation from you. Through Jesus, we know our loving actions become a share in your life.  In Jesus, we see your Spirit challenging us to make your presence more visible on earth.

 

Jill: We thank You for Your Spirit of life and love among us. We are grateful that Your Spirit sets us free to discover your presence within us and in all of creation.  And for this we thank and praise You.  


Bishop: (addressing the assembly) I invite you, the People of God, to extend your hands and pray with me:


All: Loving God, intensify the presence of Your Spirit in these our gifts, as they, and we, become the Body and Blood of Jesus the Christ for our wholeness and the wholeness of all creation.  


All: We remember that on the night before he died, while at supper with his friends, Jesus took the Bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it them saying: Take and eat, this is my body.


 

All: When supper was ended, Jesus took the cup of wine, spoke the blessing and offered it to them saying: Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life in you. Do this in memory of me.

 

Jill: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

 

All: Nurtured by your Word, nourished by your food, called anew to be your people, we acclaim your praise.


Bishop: Loving God, through Jesus You entrusted this pledge of love to us.  We celebrate the memory of his life, death and resurrection, and bring to You the gifts You have given us: reconciliation, justice, and peace. You fill us with Your Spirit in the sharing of this meal. You keep us in communion with one another and with all living beings. Your Spirit makes us a sign of unity, a model of equality and instruments of Your peace.

 

Diane: Inspire our leaders, both religious and political, so that they act without fear to bring your justice. May they become peacemakers who transform your church and society so that all living beings and our planet may thrive.


Jill: You have gathered us around this table in friendship, with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the apostles, and all the saints. May all who are suffering in any way be strengthened and consoled by your Presence. You bless all who have gone before us and bring them into the lasting joy and peace of your presence.

 

Bishop: You gather together women, men and children of every race, language, religion and way of life to share in your one, eternal banquet. In your presence, we give you glory with all creation and with Jesus through whom your goodness flows.

 

  

All: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, may all glory and honor be Yours, all-loving God, forever and ever. 


All: Great Amen

https://youtu.be/9DiHBsKjBYQ


Prayer of Jesus


Bishop: Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us: 

Abwoon d'bwashmaya (the Aramaic Translation of the Lord’s Prayer)

This version reworked and derived from http://www.songofhome.com/Klotz.htm


All: Oh Breath of Life,

Creator of the Shimmering Sound

That flows through the conscious place

Within our womb-space

Wherein our heart exists

Giving light, to all.


 From this divine union

and our willing hands,

clear our intention

for co-creation

of a new world of peace. 


Create in each of us

a divine cooperation,

one compassionate action.

And help us fulfill what lies within

the circle of our lives

Each day we ask no more, no less 


Forgive us our hidden past, the secret shames,

As we consistently forgive

That of what others hide. 


Don't let surface things delude us,

but free us from what holds us back

from our true purpose.


 May power be in these statements

And may they be the ground from which all

our actions grow

Sealed in trust and faith.



Sign of Peace


Jill:  The peace of Christ be with you always.


All: And also with you. 


Jill: As we share our joy, let us share God’s abundant peace. Please share a sign of peace and return to your seats when the music ends.

 

Peace Song: Blessing Song by Jan Phillips



https://youtu.be/l1hFUfSb1Ww
 


May the blessing of peace be upon you may peace be all you know
may the blessing of peace be upon you may it follow wherever you go. 

Shalom, salaam, shaanti, pacem May peace prevail on earth 

Shalom, salaam, shaanti, pacem May peace prevail on earth. 

(continue with joy, love, light) 


Communion


Bishop: Please join in praying the prayer for the breaking of the bread:


All: Loving God, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. 

           We will live justly.   


Loving God, You call us to be Your presence in the world.  

We will love tenderly.


Loving God, You call us to speak truth to power.  

We will walk with integrity. 


Bishop: This is the Bread of Life. How blessed are we who are called to this Table.


All: Jesus, you affirm our worthiness and by your word, we will heal the world. 


Communion Songs: The Summons


The Summons Words: John L. Bell & Graham Maule,



https://youtu.be/V0aAkOe87mo


Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown?

Will you let my name be known?

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?


Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and me?


Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,

And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?


Would your summons echo true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.


Prayer After Communion


Bishop: Let us pray.  Loving God, You renew us with spiritual nourishment in this bread and wine. You watch over these newly ordained women and inspire them as faithful ministers of Word and Sacrament to give generously for your glory and for the good of all living beings.  We pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, our brother.


All:  Amen.


Blessing


MT:  Please stand and extend your hands as we pray our final blessing.


Bishop: Loving God, in this moment, You draw us to you and make us aware, not so much of what we've given but of all that we have received and have to share.


All: Amen.


Diane: You bless us and move us forward in prophetic obedience to Your Spirit. 


All: Amen.


Jill: You send us forth in power and gladness and with great courage, to live what we pray and profess.


All: Amen. 

RECESSIONAL


Recessional: Sing a New Church



https://youtu.be/ETV1DXQk_Gk


Michelle Sherliza and Delores Dufner


Summoned by the God who made us,
Rich in our diversity,
Gathered in the name of Jesus,
Richer still in unity.

Refrain:

Let us bring the gifts that differ,
And in splendid varied ways.
Sing a new church into being,
One of faith and love and praise.


Radiant risen from the water,

Robed in holiness and light,

Male and female in God’s image,

Male and female, God’s delight.

Refrain

Trust the goodness of creation;

Trust the Spirit strong within.

Dare to dream the vision promised,

Sprung from seed of what has been.

Refrain


Draw together at one table,

All the human family;

Shape a circle ever wider

And a people ever free.

Refrain


https://arcwp.org

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