Читать книгу Worship Anthology - S. Craggs - Страница 11

Communion Circle Prayer

REV. RACHEL DOBIE

The prayer, a circle prayer, expresses something of the nature of God. The sharing with my probationer in the sacrament of Holy Communion mirrored the sense of companionship that had been the hallmark of my probationer’s time with me and the congregation.

I offer this suggestion for Holy Communion, which was used at the united farewell service for Frances Henderson, who had spent her probationary period in the four parishes of which I am minister.

It was a service for all ages, and there were many children present. I had not expected more than fifty to attend, since it was New Year’s Day; but we actually had about eighty, and it was too late to change any plans we had made.

We wanted the worship to be dignified but relaxed, and so there were no white cloths except for veiling the elements; no great entry, and the elders were part of the body of the congregation, not seated round the table. A short order of Holy Communion from Worship Now was used.

Frances shared in the liturgy. The congregation was invited to leave the pews and stand in a group round the Communion table (which is on a slightly raised chancel area) between the Institution and the Prayer of Thanksgiving. This they did, old and young together, though not in the tidy rows as on a Galilee hillside.

When it came to the distribution, we took the now broken home-made loaf and passed the pieces round, collecting what was left.

Some of our congregations use a common cup and some glasses. When it came to the distribution of the wine, we each, Frances and I, lifted one cup and napkin and one tray of glasses, having explained before we started that they could receive from either of us.

There was something deeply moving to see hands reaching out for our very ancient cups made for the valley in which some of the communicants now lived and worked. After the prayer and the Peace, they returned to the pews.

When I had planned it, it did seem slightly risky. We were both so glad we had done it. We celebrated in the same way the following New Year.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Lord, you are to us a circle;

in you there is no beginning, no end.

When you enfold us, you hold us, and so we praise you,

there is no place where you are not;

when the circle faces outwards

no one is hidden from your sight, no one excluded from your presence,

and so we praise you.

Father, you are time itself,

and yet you are without time.

There was no time when you were not,

there can be no time when you will not be.

And for that sense of infinity, we praise you.

Yet there are times when we try to hide from you;

hide the fact that our lives are not centred on you;

that we slip into the shadows cast by our own

and the world’s selfishness and greed.

Forgive us, for we recognise our own imperfections.

Draw us out of the darkness,

Change us, cleanse us, restore us, we pray.

(Silence)

Know that God in his love and mercy forgives you and calls you to his side.

AMEN.