Festivals of Light – 10/12/23
Musical Prelude: played by Abby Lorimer and Brian Parsons
Opening Words: ‘Sacred Unknowing’ by Amy Carol Webb
‘We light this flame
For the art of sacred unknowing.
Humbled by all that we cannot fathom in this time,
We come into the presence of what we do know,
Perhaps the only thing we can ever know:
That Love is now and forever
The only answer to everything
And everyone
In every moment.’
May the love of our hearts bring light to our world.
Words of Welcome and Lighting our Chalice and Advent Candle for Peace
Good morning everybody, if we’ve not met before I’m Sarah Tinker, and I welcome you to Sunday morning here at Essex Church where this congregation of Kensington Unitarians has its spiritual heart. Welcome to those of you here in person this grey December morning and to those of you joining us online – and special greetings to those of you watching this gathering at a later date on a video or listening to a podcast. It’s great that we can make such connections with one another through time and space. And though our service theme today is Festivals of Light – it’s as much about the connections we all yearn for in life – connections with all aspects of ourselves, connections with other people and connections with that which matters to us most – our sense of the sacred, the most precious, that which calls us to be our best self and at the same time accepts us just as we are – with all our foibles and failings. All are welcome here.
So let’s take a moment to take a conscious breath and to breathe in and absorb that message of acceptance and breathe out and release anything which limits or troubles us this day.
(Light first two Advent candles)
The second Advent candle is traditionally lit for the quality of peace – as war rages in so many parts of our world – a single candle may seem both vulnerable and inadequate – yet still its light shines. May it touch the hearts of those who wage war, may it bring a light of new understanding to the minds of those who rage, may it inspire peace within each of us this day.
Hymn (on sheet): ‘Hills of the North Rejoice’
And as we look at the words of our first hymn today on our hymn sheets or screens – we’ll find an old favourite advent hymn – hills of the north rejoice – those of you who know your hymns from times gone by may well notice that us Unitarians have been changing the words again – to better fit with our values and beliefs. Written in the Victorian era by an Anglican priest, this hymn was once a triumphalist message of a faith and an empire that were expected to change our world – for the better. We live now in different times where it seems foolish and even dangerous to proclaim that any one monolithic system will save humanity. We are far too complex and diverse for that. But maybe we can sing this hymn with joy still, knowing that we are one world and one people, with love as our only true weapon and our only true path forward. See what you think as we sing together – and do feel free to stand, sit, sing or simply listen – hills of the north rejoice.
Hills of the North, rejoice;
River and mountain spring,
Hark to the advent voice;
Valley and lowland, sing;
Though absent long, your Lord is nigh;
He judgment brings and victory.
Isles of the southern seas,
Deep in your coral caves
Carry on every breeze
Hope of a world’s new birth
In love shall all be made anew,
this peace is sure, its promise true.
Lands of the East, awake,
Soon shall you all be free;
The sleep of ages break,
And rise to liberty.
On your far hills, so misty grey,
Has dawned the everlasting day.
Shores of the utmost West,
Lands of the setting sun,
Welcome the heavenly guest
In whom the dawn has come:
Love brings a never-ending light
That triumphed o’er our darkest night.
Shout, as we journey on,
Songs be in every mouth,
Lo, from the North we come,
From East and West and South:
In love shall all now find their rest,
all creatures of the earth are blest.
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)
In-Person Reading: ‘Wired for connection’ by Erin Powers
This reading ‘Wired for Connection’ by Erin Powers is about Christmas lights – I wonder if you’ve put any decorations up so far this year?
It’s also about our human connections and it starts with a quote from someone called David Maraniss:
“I believe that life is chaotic, a jumble of accidents, ambitions, misconceptions, bold intentions, lazy happenstances, and unintended consequences, yet I also believe that there are connections that illuminate our world, revealing its endless mystery and wonder.”
Erin Powers writes: It’s a familiar scene each Christmas holiday: no matter how meticulously the strings of lights were put away, they always seem to come out a tangled mess. What happens to them all through the year as they wait in their boxes?
And so the tradition of untangling the lights begins. We unwind them carefully, uncrossing and unlooping wires, stretching them out to their full length, all the while being mindful to not damage the bulbs which hold so much potential.
I find that people aren’t that different. We often feel like a jumbled mess of string lights: tangled up within ourselves, not knowing how to get undone or how to get back to our sparkly selves — especially when the holidays approach. Throughout the year, each struggle adds another tangle to the lights until by year’s end, we’re wound so tightly that we don’t even know where to begin. Sometimes we need a little help to sort ourselves out.
It’s been said that it’s easier to untangle a string of lights if you plug them in; the brightness of the little bulbs help to guide our fingers through the tangles. It’s no different for people. Connecting with friends, family, therapists, or trusted advisors can shine a little light to help us untangle ourselves, and to help us stretch out to our full potential.
Humans, just like strings of lights, are wired for connection. It’s when we’re wound most tightly that we need the connection most of all. We’re at our best when we are plugged in to each other. We find our true purpose and spark with others, not alone — and it’s in these connections that we shine most brightly.
Time of Prayer & Reflection: for all in need of connection, with thanks for poet Benjamin Zephaniah ‘people need people’.
We’re moving into a time of prayer and reflection now which expresses particularly our solidarity with those in need of connection. And as I was writing this service I heard of the death of Midlands poet Benjamin Zephaniah – who did so much to make poetry accessible for ordinary people – and especially teenagers who might otherwise have treated poetry with disdain. Zephaniah’s work is a gift to English teachers and their students and I’ll start this time of prayer with an extract from a poem of his called ‘people need people’ – his expression of our need for one another. Do look up his work if you’ve not come across him before. So let’s ready ourselves for reflection and prayer as we hear Zephaniah’s words about people:
People need people,
To walk to
To talk to
To cry and rely on,
People will always need people.
To love and to miss
To hug and to kiss,
It’s useful to have other people.
………….
People live in families
Gangs, posses and packs,
It seems we need company
Before we relax,
So stop making enemies
And let’s face the facts,
People will always need people,
Yes
People will always need people
I call now on the divine spirit of life and love to be with us now and to fill this place with light and warmth and to shine also within us. We humans who have so much potential within us – yet too often let our fears and anxieties hold us back and keep us small and separate. May we be braver, bigger, brighter beings this winter – people who recognise their gifts and use them for the good of all, people who encourage others to shine too.
We live in a world that needs us. A world that needs us to be the best that we can possibly be, a world that is calling us to shine a spiritual light in a material dimension. And how can we shine that light? Through our smallest actions, through the quality of our thoughts, through the love for ourselves and for others that we express in so many ways.
And may we use the power of our thoughts and our actions to shine a light in troubled places both in ourselves and in our wider world – that conflicts may be resolved and peace may prevail. We know our human yearning for connection – let us be the ones who make connections with others, that no-one need feel alone. And many of us know the troubled places in ourselves – our burdens and anxieties, the difficulties that assail us – may they be lightened and eased. We all know some of the troubled places in other people – may they be lightened and eased. We all know some of the troubled places in our world – may they too be lightened and eased – and may we each find a way to play our part in this process of bringing light to troubled places – playing our part however small it may be, using the potential we have for the greater good of all, bringers of a light to our world, comforters in times of darkness, and may this be so, for the greater good of all, amen.
Hymn (on sheet): ‘This Little Light of Mine’
And time now for our second hymn today – again the words will be on our hymnsheets and on screens. This one is called ‘this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine’ – a classic spiritual song from the African American tradition. And it has actions we can join in with – if we want to. As we sing or listen let’s imagine that light within us that can indeed make a difference in our world.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel – no!
I’m gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel – no!
I’m gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel – no!
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Don’t you try to ‘phew’ it out,
I’m gonna let it shine
Don’t you try to ‘phew’ it out,
I’m gonna let it shine
Don’t you try to ‘phew’ it out,
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
All around this world of ours,
I’m gonna let it shine
All around this world of ours,
I’m gonna let it shine
All around this world of ours,
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Meditation: ‘How the light comes’ by Jan Richardson
And now a fitting poem for this dark time of the year here in the northern hemisphere, by the artist, writer, and ordained minister in the United Methodist Church Jan Richardson. She writes so beautifully and generously makes her work readily available online. It’s called ‘how the light comes’ and it’ll lead us into a shared quiet time, and then we’ll have some lovely music from our musicians today Brian Parsons and Abby Lorimier – called ‘morning mood’ by Edvard Grieg – Grieg and his wife, singer Nina Grieg, were Unitarians in Norway. So let’s settle ourselves for a time of turning inwards as we hear ‘how the light comes’ by Jan Richardson.
I cannot tell you
how the light comes.
What I know
is that it is more ancient
than imagining.
That it travels
across an astounding expanse
to reach us.
That it loves
searching out
what is hidden
what is lost
what is forgotten
or in peril
or in pain.
That it has a fondness
for the body
for finding its way
toward flesh
for tracing the edges
of form
for shining forth
through the eye,
the hand,
the heart.
I cannot tell you
how the light comes,
but that it does.
That it will.
That it works its way
into the deepest dark
that enfolds you,
though it may seem
long ages in coming
or arrive in a shape
you did not foresee.
And so
may we this day
turn ourselves toward it.
May we lift our faces
to let it find us.
May we bend our bodies
to follow the arc it makes.
May we open
and open more
and open still
to the blessed light
that comes.
Period of Silence and Stillness (~3 minutes) – end with a bell
Interlude: ‘Morning Mood’ from Grieg’s ‘Peer Gynt’ (played by Abby Lorimier and Brian Parsons)
Reading: ‘Practices as Old as Fire’ by Judith Meyer
When days grow short
and people need the uplift of celebration and tradition,
we turn to practices that are as old as fire
and as deeply embedded in our souls
as any memory can be.
We remember that in dark times
whether they are dark times for the soul
or for the world,
we can rise up and be fully ourselves.
What better way to commemorate that truth
and carry it forward from one year to the next,
than by lighting a candle as the sun goes down,
and telling those stories of old.
Each of the many stories of people standing up for themselves,
of struggling to hold on to the traditions and meanings
that make them who they are —
each of these stories deserves to be remembered,
and told,
and treasured as evidence
that without freedom,
people cannot be
truly human.
The stories also tell us
that there is no end to the ways
in which we see light in the darkness,
whether it is the turning of the earth
back towards the sun,
or the courage of a people
in the midst of oppression.
The themes may meet and merge,
but that only adds to the depth of the meanings
they hold for us.
They grow more universal with each passing year,
and that is something we have every reason to celebrate.
The more complex and colourful the ritual life of humankind,
the more connected we may all be
to the experiences that we hold in common.
And in that connection,
to universal meanings
and common understandings,
however different our traditions may be,
peace may be found.
Address: ‘Festivals of Light’ by Sarah Tinker
Thank you for that reading. It expresses so well the importance of this image for humanity – the image of light shining in the darkness. And aren’t we in need of such imagery at present in the life of our world – where some of us feel quite overwhelmed by personal and international challenges. You don’t need me to spell those out. And as the reading we heard just now spelt out – we have always as a species needed our festivals and rituals, for these traditions help us to connect and we need to be connected to help us through life’s joyful times as well as its time of challenge.
I started writing Christmas cards this week and came across the slogan used by Amnesty International – it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness, it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
Just one candle – in the face of our world’s seemingly insurmountable issues it is understandable if we sometimes feel despair. In the face of the challenges that we ourselves face in our own lives and in the lives of those we care about – it is understandable if our hopes diminish at times. Life can be tough and living it can be tougher.
And in the turning of our planet earth here in northern lands we are given the changing seasons of the year that are mirrored by the seasons of the human spirit. It can be helpful to remember the ancient pagan origins of many of our festive traditions – the spiky holly that was thought to ward off evil spirits, the evergreen mistletoe that was revered partly because it grew without any root system, the candles and fruits that remind us of brighter, sweeter times, the Yule log that stayed alight throughout the winter time to remind people that lighter days would return.
The lighting of just one candle, literally and metaphorically, can remind us both of brighter times and of our own inner power, that inner light that can still shine in adverse circumstances – that inner light which can sometimes be relit by the light of another who notices that we are struggling.
So light is a symbol that recurs throughout human history and throughout all religious traditions, a symbol which carries such ancient primeval messages for us that they don’t need to be spelled out, because we already know them. We can look at the symbols from other cultures, other traditions – and we can fill in the gaps – we can add our own meanings, our own messages, the symbolism is universal. We can hear the stories and something resonates with us.
The Hanukah story based on a historical event of the tyrannical Syrians invading Jerusalem in 165 BCE, of being repelled at last by the brave group of Jews known as the Maccabees. The story of the special oil in the temple that was enough to last only one day and yet miraculously burnt for eight days till more oil could be prepared.
Don’t we all want to repel tyrants and have miracles happen in our lives?
The marvellous myths surrounding the Hindu festival of light Divali that took place in November this year. Rama and Sita, the king and queen at last vanquishing the powers of evil and returning to rule their kingdom – greeted by the delighted crowds who had lit their path with long rows of lamps to guide their way.
Don’t we all yearn to have our path laid out before us with guiding lights to mark the way.
The Hindu goddess Lakshmi who brings good fortune and prosperity, for whom houses are cleaned and decorated before the start of Divali and lights are placed on windowsills and around the door, so that she will want to enter the house and bring her blessings to its inhabitants. Debts are settled and generosity is shown to all.
Don’t we all want to invite the spirit of generosity into our lives and the life of our world.
The Christmas story with its powerful imagery of the innocence and infinite potential of new life born in seemingly inauspicious circumstances in a stable, new life that proclaims itself to be the light of the world.
Can’t we all at times be a light to the world – in the simplest of ways – in our speaking and listening to one another, in our smiles and expressions of care and concern, in the way we dress or in the beauty we bring into our homes, in the writing of personal messages on those Christmas cards we may or may not get round to writing.
There’s no shortage of stories and images for us humans to explore from these festivals of light. And one of the gifts for us in living in our multi-faith, multi-cultural world is that we can choose the stories and the symbols that work for us. If the vibrancy and meaning of our celebrations has diminished for us then we can re-create them and give them new life. We don’t have to repeat tired old rituals if we choose not to, if they have lost their meaning, we can seek new sources of light in the darkness. And here with Kensington Unitarians we can celebrate the eternal light of the world, we can share that light with one another and we can beam it back out to the world, recognising, encouraging and celebrating the light that shines within us all, Amen.
Hymn 165 (purple): ‘The Spirit Lives to Set Us Free’
And that message rings out in our closing hymn today – the spirit lives to set us free, walk in the light of love.
The Spirit lives to set us free,
walk, walk in the light.
It binds us all in unity,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light of love.
The light that shines is in us all,
walk, walk in the light.
We each must follow our own call,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light of love.
Peace begins inside your heart,
walk, walk in the light.
We’ve got to live it from the start,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light of love.
Seek the truth in what you see,
walk, walk in the light.
Then hold it firmly as can be,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light of love.
The Spirit lives in you and me,
walk, walk in the light.
Its light will shine for all to see,
walk, walk in the light
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light,
Walk in the light of love.
Announcements
Thanks to Ramona for tech-hosting. Thanks to Jeannene for welcoming everyone online. Thanks to our readers today. Thanks to Brian and Abby for our music. Thanks to our coffee makers and greeters. For those of you who are in-person – please do stay for a cuppa and cake after the service – it’s served in the hall next door. If you’re joining online please do hang on after for a chat with Jeannene.
We have various small group activities during the week. Heart and Soul, our contemplative spiritual gathering, takes place twice a week online. It’s a great way to get to know people more deeply. Send Jane an email if you want to sign up for Sunday or Friday. The theme is ‘Feasting’ – perfect for this time of year.
As ever Sonya is here with her Nia dance classes on Friday lunchtimes from 12.30pm.
Our Community Singing group will be back this coming Wednesday, 13th December, it’s great fun do come along, no particular musical ability required. And do join us for Carole Grace’s memorial service also on Wednesday 13th at 1pm followed at Carole’s request by a champagne toast and food.
The carol service is next Sunday 17th December, we’ll have our quartet of singers, and it’ll be followed by a potluck lunch; please let Patricia know if you’re going to come and what you’ll bring. We’ll also be having our traditional candlelit service at 5pm on Christmas Eve (no 11am that day).
Do put a note on your calendar of the winter solstice event – we’ll have a short concert of midwinter folk songs from our friend Marilisa Valtazanou on Friday 22nd December at 6pm – followed by time for festive treats and a small group gathering to mark the solstice through readings and sharing. Do let me know if you’re planning to come to that as it’d be really helpful to get a sense of numbers. And we’ve also got a New Year’s Mini-Retreat coming up – you can come online on the 30th or in-person on the 31st – let Jane know if you’re planning to be there to help us plan ahead.
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. Please do sign up for the mailing list if you haven’t already. 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 – ‘people need people’ as Benjamin Zephaniah reminds us.
So time now for our closing words and closing music – Abby and Brian will be playing a very perky Gavotte for us by WH Squires.
Benediction: ‘Share your glorious light with the world’ based on words by James Morison
Within each of our hearts there is a most glorious light.
Go forth, and let its spark help you understand what troubles both you and others;
Go forth, and let its light of reason be a guide in your decisions;
Go forth, and bring its ray of hope to those in need of help in both body and spirit, that they may find healing;
Go forth, and fan the flames of passion to help heal our world;
Go forth, and spread the warm glow of love, (pushing back) embracing the darkness of the world;
Go forth, and share your glorious light with the world.
Amen, go well and blessed be.
Closing Music: ‘Gavotte Humoristique’ by WH Squire (played by Abby Lorimier and Brian Parsons)
Rev. Sarah Tinker
10th December 2023
