New Beginnings – 14/1/24

Opening Music: ‘Debussy’s Affection’ – composed by E.L (played by Gigi Chi Ying Lam)

Opening Words: ‘Here We Are So Gathered’ by Patricia Shelden

Here is where we gather in the presence of the Sacred.
Here is where we gather to experience the Holy
Here is where, together, we face the unanswerable questions
and acknowledge that not knowing is as sublime as it is frustrating.

Here is where we unite in the midst of Life and all the glories
and suffering it can hold, knowing both are ever present.
Here is where we ask, think, risk, discuss, ponder and offer what
might not be welcomed or even acceptable somewhere else.

Here is where, if we allow it, we are deeply moved.
Here is where we encounter each other in deep and powerful ways
that surprise us, yet without which we would not survive.

Here we gather to worship, to experience something happen –
perhaps something different for each of us according to our beliefs,
something unnamed, uncategorized, and unusual yet absolutely necessary.
Here we are so gathered: our minds, our hearts, and our souls.

And, so, our worship begins.

Words of Welcome and Introduction:

These opening words, by Patricia Shelden, welcome you all to our Sunday service. Welcome to those of you who have gathered in-person at Essex Church, all who are joining us via Zoom from far and wide, and all of those who will be listening to this service via the podcast or our Youtube channel, at a later date. We are all one community however we join. For anyone who doesn’t know me, my name is Liz Tuckwell, and along with Patricia Brewerton and other congregation members, we’ll be leading today’s service as Jeannene is unfortunately unwell.

This morning’s service is on the theme of “New Beginnings.” Jeannene chose this theme partly due to it still being the start of the year, but also because there are new beginnings within the life of our church, with many new and old activities having been brought together to form a new programme of events. Alongside Sunday worship, these events provide various ways to connect with ourselves, with each other, and with that which is most Sacred for us.

Beginnings, whether chosen or forced on us, wanted or unwanted, can bring a variety of thoughts and feelings with them. And the tools and attitudes which help us navigate these beginnings can be varied. So in our congregational service today, we’ll hear from Charlotte, John and Patricia, as they share their own reflections on this theme.

Before we get into our hour of worship, let’s take a moment to truly settle ourselves, to “arrive” fully here, and prepare for this time together. Let’s each take a conscious breath…. And another…. with each exhalation mentally and maybe physically, setting aside anything we’ve come in carrying. We can always pick it up later if we wish. For now, let’s bring our whole selves to the here and now, as we prepare to worship together.

Chalice Lighting with words by Katie Sivani Gelfand:

As we do each week, let’s light our chalice now, our symbol of our worldwide Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist community and faith.

We call forth the life of our faith by igniting our chalice.
This spark of new beginnings invites us into a sacred space
to reflect where we have been and where we are going.
Even knowing that this particular flame will intentionally end
with our ritual extinguishing, we fear not its end…
For we know, with brave hearts,
that from every ending of our lives,
We are sent forth to make a new beginning.

Hymn 62 (purple): ‘Here We Have Gathered’

It’s time to sing our first hymn, Here We Have Gathered, number 62 in your hymn books if you’re here in the church. The words will also appear on your screens if you’re at home. Please sit or stand as you’re able for hymn 62.

Here we have gathered, gathered side by side;
circle of kinship, come and step inside!
May all who seek here find a kindly word;
may all who speak here feel they have been heard.
Sing now together this, our hearts’ own song.

Here we have gathered, called to celebrate
days of our lifetime, matters small and great:
we of all ages, women, children, men,
infants and sages, sharing what we can.
Sing now together this, our hearts’ own song.

Life has its battles, sorrows, and regret:
but in the shadows, let us not forget:
we who now gather know each other’s pain;
kindness can heal us: as we give, we gain.
Sing now in friendship this, our hearts’ own song.

Candles of Joy and Concern:

We’re now at the part of our service, where you’re invited, if you wish, to light a candle for a joy or concern in your life or the life of the wider world. You can light it with a few words about the reason you’re lighting it, or in silence. If you do speak, please speak right up close into the microphone so everyone can hear you, you can adjust the mic if you need to. I’m happy to take care of the candle lighting for you, and if you’d like the mic brought over to where you’re sitting, give me a wave, and I’ll bring it over. We’ll start with the people in the building first, and then we’ll go over to those on Zoom.

(in person candles)

If everyone in the room who wants to speak has done so, 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)

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.

Time of Prayer and Reflection with words by Carter Smith

Let us turn inwards now, in a time of prayer and reflection. For each of us, who or what we pray to may be different, but we do so with loving intent and compassionate minds. As we think of the things shared or not shared in our joys and concerns, the things which bring lightness and joy, and those things which bring sadness and turmoil, may we be held in the sanctity of wholeness.

Spirit of Life, God of all Love, forever moving amongst and within us, we call out your name.
We seek to know grace, so that we might honour our interconnectedness this morning, with each other and those who have gone before us.
When we witness suffering, in ourselves and in the world around us, may we know compassion.
When we are at a loss for words, when we’re unsure of the path ahead, may we be guided by this compassion to be witnesses still; To know and to feel the truth that this human family is broken, and that it is breaking with every life lost and with each time someone’s dignity is denied.
When we find ourselves exhausted and defeated, and unsure of where to go, may we keep witnessing, turning ever further toward your still, small voice.
Let us, here now, take a few silent moments to send our loving thoughts and prayers to those people and places who need it most today…..
Spirit of Life, remind us too that the experience of suffering does not close us off from the possibility of joy.
May we know that our interconnectedness is a miracle, and may it be a refuge for us, felt in the voice of a friend, in the touch of a loved one, in memories of days spent in good company.
Let us take a moment to remember those times in our own lives, and silently give thanks for them now,
May we remain grateful for the goodness we’ve witnessed and enacted in the world, and may the warmth of our lives together, hold us in love as we move into a future that is as uncertain as ever.
Spirit of Life and Love, God of our hearts and of our understanding, we ask, to know your presence, that it may remind us of what is sacred in each precious moment, even when in our brokenness. And may you teach us that sacred presence too, that we might know ourselves here and now, that we may be present for this one wild and precious life.
May it be so.
Amen.

Hymn 104 (purple): ‘Name Unnamed‘

Time to sing again, this time number 104 in your hymn books, “Name Unnamed”. This hymn speaks of some of the feelings and experience of change as we move towards starting something new. Again the words will be on your screen too, and please feel free to stand or sit as you’re able for hymn number 104.

Name unnamed, hidden and shown, knowing and known. Gloria!

Beautifully moving, ceaselessly forming,
growing, emerging with awesome delight,
Maker of Rainbows, glowing with colour, arching in wonder,
energy flowing in darkness and light:
Name unnamed, hidden and shown, knowing and known. Gloria!

Spinner of Chaos, pulling and twisting,
freeing the fibers of pattern and form,
Weaver of Stories, famed or unspoken, tangled or broken,
shaping a tapestry vivid and warm:
Name unnamed, hidden and shown, knowing and known. Gloria!

Nudging Discomfort, prodding and shaking,
waking our lives to creative unease,
Straight-Talking Lover, checking and humbling, jargon and grumbling,
speaking the truth that refreshes and frees:
Name unnamed, hidden and shown, knowing and known. Gloria!

Midwife of Changes, skilfully guiding,
drawing us out through the shock of the new,
Woman of Wisdom, deeply perceiving, never deceiving,
freeing and leading in all that we do:
Name unnamed, hidden and shown, knowing and known. Gloria!

Daredevil Gambler, risking and loving,
giving us freedom to shatter your dreams,
Lifegiving Loser, wounded and weeping, dancing and leaping,
sharing the caring that heals and redeems.
Name unnamed, hidden and shown, knowing and known. Gloria!”

Introduction to Congregational Reflections

As mentioned, being a congregational service, means it’s one of the ways we get to hear various takes on the theme, and John, Pat and Charlotte have pleasingly done just that. We’ll begin by listening to Charlotte sharing her reflection online.

Reflection: “New Beginnings and Full Circle” by Charlotte

When I first came back to France, schools were closed because of Covid, so I couldn’t find a job for 6 months. At the end of the summer, I applied in a specialist school in the town my mum was living, but I really didn’t want it. As an aside, one of the reasons I was glad to come back to France was that I had found teaching in London very challenging because of students’ behaviour. So, I went through a phone interview with the specialist school, and I had a face-to-face interview lined up. I really didn’t want to do it, but I needed a job.

At the same time, I was trying to call the public supply agency. When I finally got through, they had a job to offer me. Here is the kicker: it was part-time (half the number of hours), and in the high school where I had studied. Now, my high school experience was bad. I struggled with major depression all three years. Most of my memories from that time were unpleasant. And for a couple of years after I graduated, I didn’t want to drive past the building. So, you can imagine how I was feeling knowing that I would go back.

It turns out that I really enjoyed my time there, not despite the challenges I was facing then but because of them. Covid restrictions were still in full swing, so for most of the year, I only taught groups of 15 students. That made my transition back into teaching smooth. I had a mentor for the year, and she helped me gain the confidence in my skills I had lost during my last two years in London. I earned half a salary because of teaching part-time but because of lockdown and curfew, it didn’t matter that much anyway. Mostly, because I was teaching part-time, it allowed me to spend as much time as I wanted with my mum, who was transferred to the hospital in the town where I was teaching. My going back to my high school gave me closure and allowed me to move forward.

I had to go through teacher training again, and when I got my training placement, I moved to a town called Chartres. It’s actually where I was born, and I currently live half a mile away from the hospital! This started a brand-new life for me: I have a small flat (just for me!), I work in a variety of schools (4 since I moved to Chartres, because of bureaucracy), I meet new people!

Last summer, I decided to prepare a competitive exam to get a higher qualification. I teach four days a week and I go to uni every Wednesday. It turns out that the university where the course is taught is where I studied for my BA! And the course director was one of my professors back then. Now I have good memories of my time at uni. I’m not much of a party animal, but I loved the mental challenge of the courses. In any case, every Wednesday, when I get to uni, and when I walk the corridors, I can’t help but smile at this turn of fate.

There is a saying in French: “La vie est un éternel recommencement”. It means that life always starts back up, but for me, it’s about doing some of the same things I’ve done before. Not that I’m stuck, but in a way that makes me feel like I’ve gone full circle and that it was always meant to be this way.

Reading: “Completion” by Madisyn Taylor

Thank you Charlotte. In some ways echoing some of the themes in the reflection we just heard, is this reading by Madisyn Taylor.

Just as new beginnings are important, so is honoring the experience of closure.

Life is a collage of beginnings and endings that run together like still-wet paint. Yet before we can begin any new phase in life, we must sometimes first achieve closure to the current stage we are in. That’s because many of life’s experiences call for closure. Often, we cannot see the significance of an event or importance of a lesson until we have reached closure. Or, we may have completed a certain phase in life or path of learning and want to honor that ending. It is this sense of completion that frees us to open the door to new beginnings. Closure serves to tie up or sever loose ends, quiets the mind even when questions have been left unanswered, signifies the end of an experience, and acknowledges that a change has taken place.

The period of completion, rather than being just an act of finality, is also one of transition. When we seek closure, what we really want is an understanding of what has happened and an opportunity to derive what lessons we can from an experience. Without closure, there is no resolution and we are left to grieve, relive old memories to the point of frustration, or remain forever connected to people from our past. A sense of completion regarding a situation may also result when we accept that we have done our best and release the experience so we can move forward.

Closure can help us let go of feelings of anger or uncertainty regarding our past even as we honor our experience – whether good or bad – as a necessary step on our life’s path. Closure allows us to emotionally lay to rest issues and feelings that may be weighing down our spirit. When we create closure, we affirm that we have done what was needed, are wiser because of our experience, and are ready for whatever life wants to bring us next.

Meditation:

We’re moving into a time of meditation now, where I’ll invite you to contemplate on completion and beginnings in your own lives, before we share a good few minutes of silence and stillness together. Our time of silence and stillness will be brought to an end by a chime from our bowl and followed by some reflective music.

So I invite you now to get comfortable……. maybe putting down anything you don’t need…. feeling your feet on the floor, closing your eyes or softening your gaze……….

You may be aware of the sounds of the people around you,…. or noises from outside….,and you can just let those sounds drift away,…. allowing yourself to enter more fully,.. into that place.. of stillness,.. and silence within…..

And in this time of stillness, you might like to consider times of completion giving way to something new in your own lives. A new way of being perhaps, or of living? Something practical or logistically new in your life, having been given room, to be brought into being by something completing for you…or feel free to use this time, to meditate in your own way…”

Silence and Stillness

Musical Interlude: ‘Nocturne Autumn’ by Agnieszka Lasko (played by Gigi Chi Ying Lam)

Reflection: “New Beginnings” by John

I do not make New Year resolutions but over the last few years there has been in my mind a short list of activities that I wanted to at least consider as possible new beginnings.

Most of these were creative as I was conscious that most of my life has been spent in analysing and solving problems in a structured and systematic manner. The result of a scientific education and a lifetime of resolving often complex issues in ten-minute consultations.

I have personally learnt, but only after suffering painful consequences, about the importance of self-care. Maintaining my physical health through diet and exercise, modifying overthinking with meditation, and challenging my self-centredness with spiritual connection and service. But where was the creative activity?

Music was the first on the list. Alas, I do not play any musical instrument, but I do have a voice and have relearnt how much I love singing with others. I remembered enjoying singing in chapel as a boy but thought it would be seriously uncool to tell anybody.

Painting has been a tricky road for me with persistent self-criticism and difficulty with my colour blindness. I cannot recall ever having any artistic encouragement at school or at home. But I have found a supportive teacher at a community art class who continues to encourage me to enjoy just trying new techniques and materials.

So, when I gradually realised that poetry had finally made it to the top of the list, I was once more aware of a mixture of fear, curiosity, and confusion. How do I write my first poem? I had to learn poetry as a child but have no memory of ever composing a poem.

As usual I avoided just sitting down with pen and paper. I thought let’s do some research first (a well-trodden avoidance technique).

“A poem is an arrangement of words in a style more concentrated, imaginative, and powerful than that of ordinary speech or prose”. Wow!

What form should this arrangement take?

Some years ago I bought a book of classic haiku poetry and until now it has been quietly sitting unread on the bookshelf. Further research told me about haiku’s characteristics of a three-phrase format, a contemplative tone, and an emphasis on imagery over explanation. It is also very short!

After quite some time pondering about how feelings and thoughts become words and what are words (more avoidance), I had to take the creative leap.

I am going to read the poem I wrote, and before I do, I would like to share a brief reflection about it. In a small village churchyard in Sussex my mother is buried. On her headstone is inscribed her name, the dates of her birth and death, and just three words.

So here is my poem. I’ll read it twice:

“Lichen covered grave
Inscription slowly fading
God is love remains”

(Short pause)

“Lichen covered grave
Inscription slowly fading
God is love remains””
 
Reflection “Beginnings” by Patricia

I agreed to write something for this service about beginnings and then I panicked – when did I last begin anything? As I get older there seem to be more endings than beginnings in my life. So many people I have known and loved are no more. But also, so many things I have enjoyed doing are now out of the question for me. I know I will not be able to walk around the Brittany coastal path again carrying all that I need for the journey on my back. Long distance walking was something I had never done before so starting that walk was an adventure. And I will never crew a sailing boat again and hear David shout “Ready about – Lee ho!” as I pull on the ropes to change the direction of the sail and make the boat turn around. These endings are like threads pulled from the fabric of my life.

I stopped driving when we moved to Islington in 2015. It is unlikely that I will ever again move into a new house in a new neighbourhood. I will never start a new job again – even a voluntary one if it involves a lot of standing or lifting. So, no role in a foodbank or charity shop. But beginnings are important especially as one gets older. I can’t replace those threads now missing from my life, but I do need to make its fabric strong again and new beginnings are a way of doing that. Beginning something is a challenge and an opportunity to meet new people, maybe make new friends. And it is exciting.

As I lay awake wondering what I could say about beginnings I remembered that coming to Essex Church was a beginning. I zoomed in late in 2020 when Sarah Tinker was leading the service. I knew no-one. Sarah welcomed me and we both thought we recognised each other but have since realised that we had never met before – proof of this was my surprise to see how tall she was when we finally met in person. I didn’t hang about for the chat after the service but did keep coming back and am now beginning to know members of the congregation.

I was hesitant about becoming a Trustee after an experience at another church where I had been flattered to be asked to take a leading role without really knowing the problems the church had financially. No accounts had been drawn up for eight years as there was no Treasurer. The church was trying to run a commercial café but had no idea how to do this and was rapidly losing money. I should have stepped down immediately, as advised by family and friends. But pride or pure doggedness would not permit this and, needless to say, it did not go well.

This taught me not to rush to begin something unless you know what it is you are beginning. It’s okay if you are beginning to learn to paint or crochet but if you are beginning something which means that people will rely on you, whether it be a group, a class or a church you need to think about it. Beginning is just that – the beginning! Day One might be very exciting but what about all those other days that follow? So, I thought long and hard about beginning to take responsibility at Essex Church – and so far all is well!

Another thought I have had about beginning is again about ending. Everything we start we will have to finish at some time. How are we going to do that? What do we want to leave behind?”

Hymn 125 (purple): ‘One More Step Along The World I Go’

Thank you Patricia and John for your thoughts on the theme. Let’s sing our last hymn. One More Step Along The World I Go” The words are in your hymn book, number 125, and will appear on the screen. Let’s sing and stand as able for number 125.

One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go,
from the old things to the new,
keep me traveling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me traveling along with you.

Round the corner of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see,
you’ll be looking at along with me:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me traveling along with you.

As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me traveling the way I should;
Where I see no way to go
you’ll be telling me the way I know:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me traveling along with you.

Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough,
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me traveling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me traveling along with you.

You are older than the world can be,
you are younger than the life in me,
ever old and ever new,
keep me traveling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me traveling along with you.

Announcements:

Thanks to Ramona for tech-hosting, Thanks to Charlotte for welcoming people online. Thank you Gigi for playing for us for the first time, we look forward to you playing for us again. Thanks again to Charlotte and to Patricia and John for their reflections for this service, and those who read. Thanks to Juliet for making the tea and coffee for after the service and Marianne for greeting. If you’re here in the church, do stay for a drink and chat in the hall next door, and if you’re online, hang around to chat with Charlotte if you’ve time.

We have lots of activities going on during the week, just a few to draw your attention to: Today after the service, we were due to have our first in person “Sunday conversation” however with Jeannene unwell, it’s been postponed this time, but she’ll be starting it up next month.

Heart and Soul, our contemplative spiritual gathering is a great way to get to know people more deeply. A reminder that our online Sunday heart and Soul takes place twice a month now, so no Heart and Soul tonight. It will be next Sunday. The Friday Heart and Soul is still weekly, and on Friday the theme will be “Changing your mind”. Let Jane know if you want to sign up for Friday or next Sunday.

This Wednesday, 17th January we’ll have our in-person “Heart and Soul” gathering here in the church from 7pm.

Next Week’s service led by Jane, titled “Freedom,” followed by Margaret’s “Finding your voice” singing workshop – no singing ability required.

We’ve Jane’s induction as our Minister on 27th January at 3pm, I understand there’s about 20 people joining online and more than 60 in person, so it will be a real celebration. We’re still looking for people to help out on the day, so if you can, please let Jane or Liz know.

Looking further ahead, we’re hosting “Faith in our Future” a full day of talks and workshops, run by Unitarians for Climate Justice on Saturday 3rd February – Tickets for that are available via Eventbrite

Details of all these activities and more 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.”

Closing Words with words by Michelle Collins (adapted)

Time for our closing words and closing music.

As we look ahead to the coming week, may we remember that changes abound… around us, within us, between us; in our communities, our neighbourhoods, and our beloved faith communities. Changes abound.

May we each find the balance point we need as we move through our ever-changing world:
the balance between the old and the new, between the known and the unknown,
between the familiar and the perhaps bold and risky possibilities that may be there, waiting, so that we can bring those new possibilities to fruition, for the betterment of ourselves, and our world.

So may it be.

Amen.

Closing Music: “Colorful Cloud Chasing The Moon” by Ren Guang (played by Gigi Chi Ying Lam)

Service created by Jeannene Powell and Congregation Members

14th January 2024