We pause as the path of the sun reverses, seemingly holding its place for a moment of turning. Let us delve into the gifts of darkness at the winter solstice. We follow curiosity and contemplation down into the cold earth, taking a journey to the world below the surface....

Everything is about to change. And it already has. It will be. It was. It is. The dawn you eagerly await to end the long, cold darkness is already full sun far off in the east. Yet even after light’s return spring is months away. Thirty long years pass after His birth before the Messiah comes.

May you never thirst. May your body and your spirit always have what they need. When you are in need of refreshment, or new life, may the waters be available to you. May you never know thirst unto death, in your body or in your soul. May you never thirst. And may your body and your spirit always...

Kids, I want you to do something special: I want you to put on your backpacks, if you brought them, leaving the back pocket open just enough for us to drop in a small gift...and I want you to stand up on your pews....

For this blessing, the youth were invited to sit in a semi-circle on the chancel, around the chalice, and then come forward one at a time. The minister/leader may put their hand on the youth's shoulder as they face the congregation: (full name of youth), we bless you today....

Here is where I found my voice and chose to be brave. Here’s a place where I forgave someone, against my better judgment, and I survived that, and unexpectedly, amazingly, I became wiser. Here’s where I was once forgiven, was ready for once in my life to receive forgiveness and to be...

Little flame, Light the tender kindling of our souls... And soon a roaring blaze shall be Of warmth and love and community. From this little spark May a fire of passion spread from heart to heart, And light our way, sweet spirit. And light our way.

The chalice lit among us is a beacon A beacon of hope, in a world in crisis A beacon of possibility, made manifest in community A beacon of warmth through our interconnections A beacon of light illuminating our shared wisdom A beacon of connection by our being together...

Let there be light The light of joy, the light of happiness, and the light of contentment May it illuminate our paths and fill our lives with peace And let there be dark For it is from our dark places that we are brought forward Tried and tested And impelled toward growth It is in these places th...

May the Waters gathered here remind us of what each of us brings to this community and of the waters that nourished us before we were even born, that continue to give us sustenance and energy for our life journeys. and for all creatures on this earth....

In the mystery of life about us there is light. It gives us a place to be, to grow, to rejoice together. It opens the pathways to love. In this place of friendship there is freedom. Let the light we kindle go before us, Strong in hope, wide in good will, Inviting the day to come.