Getting to Grips with Growth – 30/7/23
Musical Prelude: ‘Allemande’ from Cello Suite no 3 by JS Bach (played by Abby Lorimier and Peter Crockford)
Opening Words: ‘A House for Our Dreams’ by Dori J. Somers
We, all of us, build houses for our dreams..
The masonry and timber, glass and tiles,
A solid form, wherein we see our hopes,
A shelter and protection for our growth.
This house shall be a dwelling place
For courage, for integrity, for love
Engendered, nourished by a family
That speaks of “we” and means all humankind.
These walls shall represent the privacy
And dignity of individuals,
The open doors, a welcome to all people,
All ages, and all generations.
The windows shall keep light of inquiry
Illumining from outside and within.
May all words spoken here be born of love
And energy rekindle in the hearts
Of those who dreamed this house –
who plied the tools
And paid the price to actualize the dream.
May dreaming never cease for those within
Who know the world to be a troubled place,
But dare to struggle with imperfectness
Toward that brighter hope, that better day.
Let memories add warmth… a heritage,
A quilted patchwork stitched with history
Of kindliness, of daring for the good,
Of funny moments, jokes and smiles and tears.
This is a precious place, as every home
That shelters those who love and strive and share.
Its blessing is in lives that meet within…
In living, learning, caring, sheltered here.
Words of Welcome and Introduction:
These opening words – by Dori Somers – welcome all who have gathered this morning for our Sunday service. Welcome to those of you who have gathered in-person at Essex Church and also to all who are joining us via Zoom from far and wide. Whoever you are, however you are, wherever you are, you are welcome here this morning just as you are. For anyone who doesn’t know me, my name is Jane Blackall, and I’m Minister with Kensington Unitarians.
The title of this morning’s service is ‘Getting to Grips with Growth’. It’s a theme that was suggested by our very own David Carter – and later on in this morning’s service he’ll be giving our address on ‘Spiritual Growth, Economic Growth, and their Limits’. We might think of ourselves as a community that’s committed to spiritual and personal growth – growth in wisdom, depth, insight, skilfulness – that’s what we might aspire to, anyway – but might those noble aspirations be in tension with other forms of growth – particularly the economic and material growth which politicians so often speak of – growth which seems tied up with production and consumption? In this age when we are increasingly aware of environmental catastrophe it would seem that humankind needs to get to grips with growth as a matter of urgency. So, with David’s help, we’ll make a start this morning!
Before we go any further let’s make sure we’re all really here. Our bodies have made it to the church building, or to the computer and the zoom room, but let’s make sure our spirits have arrived as well. Let’s ground ourselves as best we can – and you’ll know how best to do that for yourself – maybe you can wiggle and stretch – maybe consciously put your feet on the floor – take a few conscious breaths. If you’ve come in carrying anxieties or aggravations perhaps you can gently set them aside for now. Because we are here to worship. To give an hour’s attention that which matters most in this life.
Chalice Lighting: ‘Bringing Us Home to Love’ by Frances Koziar
Let’s light our chalice flame now, as we do each week. This simple ritual connects us in solidarity with Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists the world over, and reminds us of the proud and historic progressive religious tradition of which we are a part.
(light chalice)
We light this chalice today as a people dedicated to personal growth.
May it burn away the oppressions we have been taught,
and glow instead with the humility of learning.
May it reignite our dreams for a better world,
and kindle our joy for simple living.
May its warmth extend out into the forgotten alleyways of exclusion,
and bring us home to love, to welcoming, and to all the challenges,
the questions, and the blessings of this beautiful path
to becoming a beloved community.
Hymn 32 (purple): ‘Earth Was Given as a Garden’
Let’s sing together now. Our first hymn is number 32 in your purple books – ‘Earth was Given as a Garden’ – it’s to a tune we sing quite often. For those joining via Zoom the words will be up on your screen to sing along at home. Feel free to stand or sit as you prefer as we sing.
Earth was given as a garden,
cradle for humanity;
tree of life and tree of knowledge
placed for our discovery.
Here was home for all your creatures
born of land and sky and sea;
all created in your image,
all to live in harmony.
Show to us again the garden
where all life flows fresh and free.
Gently guide your sons and daughters
into full maturity.
Teach us how to trust each other,
how to use for good our power,
how to touch the earth with reverence.
Then once more will Eden flower.
Bless the earth and all your children.
One creation, make us whole,
interwoven, all connected,
planet wide and inmost soul.
Holy mother, life bestowing,
bid our waste and warfare cease.
Fill us all with grace o’erflowing.
Teach us how to live in peace.
Candles of Joy and Concern:
Each week when we gather together, we share a simple ritual of candles of joy and concern, an opportunity to light a candle and share something that is in our heart with the community. So we’ve an opportunity now, for anyone who would like to do so, to light a candle and say a few words about what it represents. This time we’re going to go to the people in the building first, and take all of those in one go, and then I’ll call on the people on Zoom to come forward.
So I invite some of you here in person to come and light a candle and then if you wish to tell us briefly who or what you light your candle for. Please do get up close to the microphone as that will help everyone hear (including the people at home). You can take the microphone out of the stand if it’s not at a good height and have it microphone pointing right at your mouth. And if you can’t get to the microphone give me a wave and I’ll bring it over to you. Thank you.
(in person candles)
And if that’s everyone in the room we’ll go over to the people on Zoom next – you might like to switch to gallery view at this stage – just unmute yourselves when you are ready and speak out – and we should be able to hear you and see you up on the big screen here in the church.
(zoom candles)
And I’m going to light one more candle, as we often do, to represent all those joys and concerns that we hold in our hearts this day, but which we don’t feel able to speak out loud. (light candle)
Time of Prayer & Reflection: based on words by Lyn Cox
And let’s take those joys and concerns into an extended time of prayer now. This prayer is based on some words by Lyn Cox. You might first want to adjust your position for comfort, close your eyes, or soften your gaze. There might be a posture that helps you feel more prayerful. Whatever works for you. Do whatever you need to do to get into the right state of body and mind for us to pray together – to be fully present here and now, in this sacred time and space – with ourselves, with each other, and with that which is both within us and beyond us. (pause)
Spirit of Life, God of All Love, in whom we live and move and have our being,
we turn our full attention to you, the light within and without,
as we tune in to the depths of this life, and the greater wisdom
to which – and through which – we are all intimately connected.
Be with us now as we allow ourselves to drop into the
silence and stillness at the very centre of our being. (pause)
We come together this morning, and every Sunday morning,
as we each continue on our unique path through this life,
joining to remember and reaffirm our commitment
to our highest values and the common good.
Grant us the courage to continue on the journey,
the courage to act and speak for the well-being
of others, and ourselves, and the planet we share.
May we forgive ourselves and each other
when our courage and care falls short,
and may we resolve to try again, in love.
Grant us hearts to love boldly,
to embody our faith and our values
each day in living words and deeds.
May our hearts open to embrace
humility, grace, and reconciliation.
Grant us the ability to learn and grow,
to let the Spirit of Love and Truth work
its transformation upon us and within us.
Grant us the spirit of radical hospitality,
the willingness to sustain a dwelling place
for the holy that resides in all being.
Grant us a sense of being at peace in the world,
even as we are in perpetual motion,
tossed and turned by life’s tempests.
Let us cultivate – together – the strength
to welcome every kind of gift life brings our way
and all manner of ways to be on the journey together. (pause)
And in a quiet moment now, let us look back over the week just gone, to take stock of it all –
the many everyday cares and concerns of our own lives – and concentric circles of concern
rippling outwards – ‘til they enfold the entire world and all those lives which touch our own.
Let’s take a while to sit quietly in prayer with that which weighs heavy on our hearts this day. (pause)
And let us also take a moment to notice all the good that has happened in the past week –
moments of uplift and delight; beauty and pleasure; all those acts of generosity and kindness.
The hopes and dreams and possibilities that are bubbling up and reminding us that we’re alive.
There’s lots to be grateful for. So let’s take a little while to sit quietly in prayer and give thanks. (pause)
Spirit of Life – God of all Love – as this time of prayer comes to a close, we offer up
our joys and concerns, our hopes and fears, our beauty and brokenness,
and we call on you for insight, healing, and renewal.
As we look forward now to the coming week,
help us to live well each day and be our best selves;
using our unique gifts in the service of love, justice and peace. Amen
Hymn 31 (purple): ‘Earth is Gift of God’s Creation’
Let’s sing together now. Our next hymn is number 31 in the purple book: ‘Earth is Gift of God’s Creation’. I’m not sure how well we know this tune so perhaps Peter can play it through for us. The words will be up on screen as usual). Feel free to stand or sit as you prefer.
Earth is gift of God’s creation,
ours to nurture or neglect.
We are called to witness boldly
that all life deserves respect.
We are kin to every being,
sharing space on earth, our home.
Yet we squander vast resources,
seek to save ourselves alone.
When our lifestyle lessens others
we become a measure less.
When we choose to live more simply
we confirm what we profess.
Can we lose our tunnel vision,
see those who are cast aside,
sense the hurt of broken pledges,
hear the planet’s silent cries?
Tending space within earth’s garden,
honouring the future here,
we can serve with God as partners,
a community of care.
Strengthened by the rainbow’s promise,
sign of God’s enduring grace,
let us dare to live our calling
in our time and in our place!
In-Person Reading: ‘The Laws of the Earth and the Laws of Economics’ by Donella Meadows (abridged) (4 min) (Chloë to read)
Donella Meadows was a prominent environmental thinker who became the principal author of the influential book on sustainability ‘The Limits to Growth’, published in 1972. The following is an abridged version of a short piece she wrote on the same theme in the late 1990s. She died in 2001.
The first commandment of economics is: grow. Grow forever. Companies must get bigger. National economies need to swell by a certain percent each year. People should want more, make more, earn more, spend more, ever more.
The first commandment of the Earth is: enough. Just so much and no more. Just so much soil. Just so much water. Just so much sunshine. Everything born of the earth grows to its appropriate size and then stops. The planet does not get bigger, it gets better. Its creatures learn, mature, diversify, evolve, create amazing beauty and novelty and complexity, but live within absolute limits.
Now, when there’s an inconsistency between human economics and the laws of planet Earth, which do you think is going to win?
Economics says: compete. Only by pitting yourself against a worthy opponent will you perform efficiently. The reward for successful competition will be growth. You will eat up your opponents, one by one, and as you do, you will gain the resources to do it some more.
The Earth says: Keep your competition in bounds. Don’t annihilate. Take only what you need. Leave your competitor enough to live. Wherever possible, don’t compete, cooperate. Pollinate each other, create shelter for each other, build firm structures that lift smaller species up to the light. Pass around the nutrients, share the territory. Some kinds of excellence rise out of competition; other kinds rise out of cooperation. You’re not in a war, you’re in a community.
Which of those mandates makes a world worth living in?
Economics says: Use it up fast. Don’t bother with repair; the sooner something wears out, the sooner you’ll buy another. That makes the gross national product go round. Throw things out when you get tired of them. Get the oil out of the ground and burn it now. Make jobs so people can earn money, so they can buy more stuff and throw it out. Economics discounts the future. So a resource ten years from now is worth only half of what it’s worth now. Take it now. Turn it into dollars.
The Earth says: nonsense. Those invested dollars grow in value only if something worth buying grows too. The earth and its treasures will not double in ten years. What will you spend your doubled dollars on, if there is less soil, less oil, dirtier water, fewer creatures, less beauty? The earth’s rule is: give to the future. Lay up a fraction of an inch of topsoil each year. Give your all to nurture the young. Never take more in your generation than you give back to the next.
We don’t get to choose which laws, those of the economy or those of the Earth, will ultimately prevail. We can choose which ones we will personally live under — and whether to make our economic laws consistent with planetary ones or to find out what happens if we don’t.
Meditation: based on words by ‘The Part that is Not Water’ by Theresa I. Soto
We’re moving into a time of meditation now. I’m going to share a short poem by UU minister Rev. Teresa I. Soto – at first encounter it might seem only tangentially connected to our theme – but it speaks of a deep truth – how the growth on which our lives depend so often starts from small and humble beginnings. I’ve put the words on the back of your hymn sheet in case you want to read it again later (and they’re on the church website with the rest of the service text) but I encourage you to just listen and let the words wash over you for now. We’ll move from the spoken meditation into a few minutes of silence which will end with the sound of a bell. And then we’ll hear some music from Abby and Peter. So let’s each do what we need to do to get comfortable – adjust your position if you need to – put your feet flat on the floor to ground yourself – close your eyes. As we always say, the words and music are an offering, feel free to use this time to meditate in your own way.
‘The Part that is Not Water’ by Theresa I. Soto
The part of clouds that is not water
are pieces so tiny that no
human eye can see them. They float
so fast and easily that weather scientists
identify them as aerosols. Don’t, don’t
fall asleep because I said a science thing.
I want you to remember that all around you
dust, atoms, tardigrades and other tiny things
that hold the world together are doing dances
for you. Without that tiniest of dust specks
in perfectly clean air a cloud would struggle
to ever form. Which is true of any thing
that you want to grow. It must start small.
There are people who would tell you
that this chain reaction of events is
one on which everything, for them,
rises and then falls. The smallest dust, the
cloud, the rain. Allows the earth to drink, to
grow our food, to feed an ecosystem, to fill
the rivers and lakes from which we drink
The part that is not water is the tiniest dot
of dust. On this small and humble thing we
find that everything does rest.
Period of Silence and Stillness (~3 minutes) – end with a bell DING
Musical Interlude: ‘Romance no 1’ by Elfrida Andree (played by Abby and Peter)
Address: ‘Spiritual and Economic Growth (and their Limits)’ by David Carter
I’ll talk first mainly about spiritual growth, then economic growth and finally make some points on the relationship between them.
My approach has been shaped by considering spiritual growth together with economic growth. If I were talking about spiritual growth in general, there would be greater emphasis on practices that tap into our deep, still, centres – and on the inter-personal. The approach can be applied across many religions, working with a definition of: a deep-seated and long-term increase in ‘Golden Rule’ ethical behaviour arising from an engagement in prayer and/or meditation with a transcendent source.
This might seem very abstract, so here’s an example: the “greatest” or “most important” commandment found in all three synoptic Gospels. Mark’s version, based mainly on ‘The Message’, Chapter 12 [verses 28-31] is:
“One of the teachers of religious law … asked him “Which is the most important of all the commandments?” Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen Israel: the Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. And here is the second: “Love others as well as you love yourself”. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The second commandment is an expression of the Golden Rule and the full love of the Lord God an example of engagement with a transcendent source.
Expressions of the ‘Golden Rule’ are found in the religious writings of ancient Egypt, India, China, Persia and Rome as well as the Hebrew scriptures and other religious and secular traditions.
The ‘Golden Rule’ can be stated in a positive form – as in the Gospel example above “Love others as well as you love yourself” or in a negative form such as “Do not treat others in ways that you would not like to be treated.”
The interconnectedness of all life is now better understood through environmental science – and the understanding of ‘others’ can and should grow from all other people to all living beings. The Rev Feargus O’Connor’s article ‘All creation deserves the Golden Rule’ in The Inquirer of 21st January this year makes this point well – but uses expressions like ‘all living beings’ and ‘all sentient creatures’ and ‘the animal world’ synonymously. Our care, our love, for all living beings should obviously extend to plants – on which we depend for food to eat and oxygen to breathe – and through the interdependent web of life, to fungi, bacteria and simpler forms. How can we love these? Here are three of the many ways:
One: giving them space to thrive and not allowing monocultures of food or other crops to dominate. On a smaller scale, if you have a garden, keeping a wild corner or area.
Two: not polluting the land, rivers and seas. Seas and oceans cover about 71% of Planet Earth’s surface and our lives depend on them in some little-known ways. At least half of the oxygen we breathe is produced there, mostly by tiny green photosynthesising plankton.
Three: I don’t do this myself; but if you want to show your love and care by hugging a tree, then go ahead!
The first two clearly involve restraint and acceptance of limits on human demands on earth systems – as Mahatma Gandhi said ‘there is enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed’. This is a spiritual and moral matter found in many religious traditions and very clearly in the Taoist idea that “they who know they have enough are rich”.
This and living according to the Golden Rule may not be easy, especially towards people or living beings who are very different from us.
On a personal note; in my morning prayer I ask for help in loving others as myself and in loving Planet Earth, on whose living systems we depend. I address the transcendent source as “Spirit of Life, God of all Love” and “God of many names, mystery beyond any name”. I hope that this daily prayer routine – together with Sunday worship and other practices, including West London GreenSpirit – is helping my spiritual growth and the scope of my love and care.
Economic growth
This can be defined this as the increase … in the inflation-adjusted market value of the goods and services produced by an economy in a financial year. Statisticians conventionally measure such growth as the percent rate of growth in real gross domestic product…” [Wikipedia]
Economic growth is not only the concern of statisticians and academic economists but of politicians. In this country, the major political parties and most establishment commentators assume that economic growth has no limits and that it is unquestionably a good thing. Sometimes the attitude verges on idolatry – the worship of a false god. A related point was made in a sermon by Howard Hague in July 2012 “…why the continual yearning for more stuff? Shopping, as many have pointed out in recent years, is the modern religion, and the vast shopping arcades are our modern cathedrals”.
The idea that a growing population can have indefinitely increasing goods and services does not fit with our knowledge of our beautiful finite Planet Earth floating in space. This has been known since at least 1972 – over 50 years ago – when ‘The Limits to Growth’ was published. Many serious and well researched books and articles have followed since then.
But do politicians pay attention? The front pages of UK political parties’ websites, accessed on 25th of this month, show:
The Conservatives (at https://www.conservatives.com/news/2023/your-priorities-are-our-priorities) have “5 pledges”. The first two are:
- HALVE INFLATION this year to ease the cost of living and give people financial security.
- GROW THE ECONOMY creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.
This page has the headline slogan “Your priorities are our priorities…” no references to ‘environment’ or ‘climate’ – and only a single reference to ‘green technology’.
Labour (at https://labour.org.uk/missions/) has “5 missions for a better Britain”. The first two are:
- Secure the highest sustained growth in the G7.
- Make Britain a clean energy superpower.
The Liberal Democrats (at https://www.libdems.org.uk/plan) don’t have a similar numbered “5 pledges or missions” but the headline slogan “For a fair deal”.
The most prominent item is “cutting household energy bills” followed by “a rescue plan for the NHS”.
The main references to the environment are about preventing water companies dumping sewage in our rivers.
The Green Party (at https://campaigns.greenparty.org.uk/manifesto/) have the first two items
- Remain and Transform. Saying Yes to Europe and its Potential to Deliver Climate and Social Justice.
- Grow Democracy. Unleashing a Democratic Revolution.
Prominent slogans on this page are “The Green New Deal” and “Only the Greens say yes to Europe and no to Climate Chaos”.
If the party you support or usually vote for doesn’t appear to take these issues seriously enough, why not lobby its local or national officials?
The text of the service, including the live web links I’ve used for the UK political parties, will be available on our church website via the ‘sermons’ heading.
I’ll conclude with some points on the relationship between spiritual and economic growth
I’m again focussing on the ethical dimension of spiritual growth.
Politicians offering non-green and unlimited economic growth are like parents who offer their children as many sweets as they want. The children might be kept quiet or happy in the short term but in the longer term they’re likely to suffer tooth decay and other health issues. These politicians promote the short-term good feelings of economic growth but ignore the longer term suffering caused by the resulting increased CO2 emissions and extreme weather events – heatwaves and severe flooding. The only good growth is green growth with economic justice.
In the West, party political allegiances can generate as strong feelings as religious allegiances have done in the past. There are a few exceptions, such as Northern Ireland. Environmental and climate issues can also generate strong feelings – e.g. in Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion activists.
The findings of natural science are widely believed but many turn a blind eye when it comes to climate change and its causes.
Environmental understanding radically challenges widely-held values. The owner of a super-yacht or private jet – or even a “prestige” gas-guzzling car like a Rolls Royce or Ferrari – is seen not as someone to be admired or emulated but as someone to be pitied for their ignorance of the consequences of their life-style.
This change in understanding (like a religious conversion) is well expressed by the UU minister and theologian James Luther Adams: it is ‘…a change of heart, mind and soul – total personal orientation.’
Spiritual growth seems to be unlimited by the planet, only by human waywardness or contrariness – what Stephen Lingwood calls the ambiguity of human nature.
I’ll finish with a cautiously optimistic thought: the decline in traditional religious practice in this country is partly offset by the flourishing of many new spiritual groups, both in person and online, many with an environmental focus.
Hymn (on sheet): ‘A Hymn for Trade Justice’
Thanks David for sharing your thoughts on this subject and indeed for suggesting today’s theme – I think it’s one we could return to – ‘growth’ is a topic we could approach from many different angles. Time for our last hymn and it’s new to me – David suggested this one too – it’s on the hymn sheets in your order of service and the words will be up on screen – ‘A Hymn for Trade Justice’. Again I’m not sure this is a super-familiar tune but it’s perfectly singable! Still let’s hear Peter play it through once.
God whose people cry with yearning
For the lifting of debt’s strain.
Give to us the will for turning
From our ruthless search for gain.
Keep us struggling,
Keep us faithful,
In the fight to heal earth’s pain.
God who made the earth for sharing,
Help us work for fairer trade,
In our affluent lack of caring,
Help us see the price we’ve paid.
Grant repentance,
Grant forgiveness
for the unjust world we’ve made.
God, embracing all creation,
Bringing life and hope to birth.
Give to every human nation
A true sense of what life’s worth.
Give us freedom,
Give us wisdom,
In the saving of the earth.
Announcements:
Thanks to Jeannene for tech-hosting and Maria for co-hosting. Thanks to David for his reflection and Chloë for reading. Thanks to Abby and Peter for lovely music. Thanks Carolyn for greeting and Juliet for doing the coffee – both last minute stand-ins this week – much appreciated. For those of you who are here in-person, if you want to stay, I made bread pudding this week to my mum’s famous recipe (and I made it honour of Michaela as it’s her favourite and it’s her birthday tomorrow). Do hang around for a cuppa and a chat and a slice of bread pudding – it’s served in the hall next door. If you’re online I encourage you to hang on after the service for a chat with Maria.
We have various small group activities throughout the week. If you’re here in person, after you’ve had your coffee, come back in here for Margaret’s ‘Finding Your Voice’ singing class at noon. That lasts about 45 minutes, and it’s a fun and welcoming class, even if you think you can’t sing there will be something Margaret can do to help you! There are still spaces left for our online Heart and Soul contemplative spiritual gatherings (Sunday/Friday at 7pm) and this week’s theme is ‘Truth and Lies’. And just to trail something for the autumn, we’re going to re-start a once-a-month in-person Heart and Soul from the autumn, the dates are still TBC but it’ll probably be on a Wednesday evening.
This week there is the GreenSpirit gathering for Lammas, that’s online, on Tuesday 1st August (let Sarah know if you’d like to sign up for that). And in fact if you want to know more about GreenSpirit and all that they get up to year-round David and Chloë are both on the steering committee so they’re good people to ask about that. And the in-person poetry group is on Wednesday 2nd (have a chat with Brian if you’d like to know more and let him have your poetry choices in advance).
Looking further ahead we are planning to have our annual ‘Gathering the Waters’ service on 3rd September – this is a traditional ‘regathering’ after some of us have been gallivanting over the summer months – if you do go anywhere in the next month or so, for a holiday or a day trip, collect a little drop of water and bring it back with you (or you can always just bring some from your tap). And we’re hoping to have a bring-and-share lunch that day as well, after the success of last week, but we need a volunteer to organise that, to sign people up to bring food, and to make sure we have a good range of offerings, so if you might be willing to do that please do let me know.
I also want to draw your attention to the fact that we’re looking to recruit an audio-visual assistant to help us with video editing and tech hosting. The details were in the Friday email – we think it’s about six hours a week on average – most can be done from home but they’ll need to come in to church one Sunday a month. If you know anyone who might fit the bill please do pass the advert on.
We’ll be back next Sunday will another hybrid service, me again! Details of all our various activities are printed on the back of the order of service, for you to take away, and also in the Friday email. The congregation very much has a life beyond Sunday mornings; we encourage you to keep in touch, look out for each other, and do what you can to nurture supportive connections.
I think that’s everything. Just time for our closing words and closing music now.
Benediction: based on words by Sean Parker Dennison
At this moment of ending, may there be a good word –
A blessing – to help us remember what we have so often forgotten.
May the message we need be gently spoken
And held in the spaces in our cells,
The fibres that hold all we need to maintain
Our gentleness, our courage, and our hope.
At this moment of ending, may the goodness we wish
For ourselves and each other, this community,
Ecosystem, planet, and stardust galaxy,
Become such a part of us that we cannot tell
Where the blessing ends and we begin.
May it be so for the greater good of all. Amen.
Closing Music: ‘Sometime Maybe’ by Pam Wedgwood (played by Abby Lorimier and Peter Crockford)
Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall and David Carter
30th July 2023
