Welcome to Circle of the Flaming Chalice, An affiliate of Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church, 23925 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI


Beltane 2004

This ritual was done as part of the Sunday church service. The church part of the service is in green. If only the headline is in green that indicates a regular part of the service, but with Pagan content.

 

Music for Gathering:
With drumming
Gathered Here 1
Gathered here in the mystery of the hour.
Gathered here in one strong body.
Gathered here in the struggle and the power.
Spirit, draw near.

Opening Words: Oh do not tell the priest of our art or he would call it sin, but we shall be out all night, conjuring summer in, and we bring you news by word of mouth for women, cattle and corn, now has the sun come up from the south with oak and ash and thorn.

Cast the Circle: Using bubbles

Call the quarters:

North: Spirits of the North, great benevolent and powerful creatures of earth, grant us wisdom and tolerance. We do summon stir and call you forth to protect this circle, the witness this rite. Hear my words, attend to me as I will. So mote it be.

East: Spirits of the East, great benevolent and powerful creatures of air, grant us new ideas. We do summon stir and call you forth to protect this circle, the witness this rite. Hear my words, attend to me as I will. So mote it be.

South: Spirits of the South great benevolent and powerful creatures of fire. Southern sky purify our thoughts. We do summon stir and call you forth to protect this circle, the witness this rite. Hear my words, attend to me as I will. So mote it be.

West: Spirits of the West great benevolent and powerful creatures of water, grant us feelings and emotions. We do summon stir and call you forth to protect this circle, the witness this rite. Hear my words, attend to me as I will. So mote it be.

Call the Goddess and God: See separate sheet. Unfortunately, the separate sheet was lost.

Light the Chalice: May the light we now kindle inspire us to use our powers to heal and not to harm, to help and not to hinder, to bless and not to curse, to serve you, Spirit of freedom. 2
We hallow this time together by kindling the lamp of our heritage. 3

Let there be light to drive away the darkness. Let there be wisdom to shine on the unknown. Let there be love to heal our aloneness. Let each of us be a light for one and other.
Welcome

Hymn: Sarah's Circle #212 4

Please greet your neighbor in the spirit of friendship.

Young People's Joys and Sorrows

Message For All Ages

Offertory

Carrying the Flame:
Following the flame bearers, K-5 students and their teachers may go to their activities

Congregational Response:
Go now in peace, go now in peace,
May the spirit of love souround you
Everywhere, everywhere you may go.

Re-centering music: Spirit Call Carol Eagleheart

Music: Amazing Grace A Pagan version

Reading: I sat up one night Ntozake Shange

Joys and Sorrows

Guided Meditation

Music: O Great Spirit The Northwest Singers

Sermon: Wicca: Not What You May Think

Extinguishing the Flame.

Postlude: May the Circle be Open NWUUC Pagan Circle 5

Announcements


1. Philip A. Porter, Gathered Here #389, in Singing the Living Tradition, Unitarian Universalist Association, 1993

2. Passover Haggadah, #453, in Singing the Living Tradition, Unitarian Universalist Association, 1993

3. Albert Thelander, #449, in Singing the Living Tradition, Unitarian Universalist Association, 1993

4. Carole A. Etzler, # 212, in Singing the Living Tradition, Unitarian Universalist Association, 1993

5. Found at BryteUnicorn's Enchanted Forest

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