Principle 2: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations

Principle 6: The Goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all

Prelude::       Keep fresh before me The moments of my high resolve. By Howard Thurman (adapted)

Despite the dullness and barrenness of the days that pass, if I search with due diligence, I can always find a deposit left by some former radiance. But I had forgotten. At the time it was full-orbed, glorious and reslendent. I was sure that it would illumine my path for all the rest of my journey. I had forgotten how easy it is to forget. There was no intent to betray what seemed so sure at the time. My response was whole, clean, authentic. but little by little, there crept into my life the dust and grit of the journey. Details, lower level demands. all kinds of crosscurrents nothing momentous, nothing overwhelming, nothing flagrant- just wear and tear. If there had been some direct challenge a clear cut issue- I would have fought it to the end, and beyond. In the quietness of this place, surrounded by the all pervading presence of the Spirit, my heart whispers: Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve, that in fair weather of foul, in good times or im tempests, in the days when the darkness and the foe are nameless or familiar, I may not forget that to which my life is committed.

*Opening Words:       Edward Everett Hale

I am only one. But still I am one
I cannot do everything, But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

Lighting the Chalice:

May we be reminded here of our highest aspirations,

And inspired to bring our gifts of love and service to the altar of humanity.

May we know once again that we are not isolated beings,

But connected, in mystery and miracle,

To the universe, to this community, and to each other.

Joys and Concerns: (We throw a small stone into this bowl filled with water, to symbolize our thoughts, which move in circular rings eternally, like concentric waves.)

We invite you to share your joys and concerns since our last meeting

Prayer: ( followed by a moment of meditation)

In the quietness of this place and in the Spirit of the Community in which we share and find strength let us pray. Keep fresh before us the moments of high resolve, that in good times or in tempests, we may not forget that we are a justice seeking people. The prayer of our souls is a petition for persistence; not for the one good deed, or single thought, but deed upon deed, and thought upon thought, and thus we shall strive to find the strength and common purpose to lead a life worth living.

Story for All Ages:  (the children go to Religious Education at the end of the story and the adults sing "Spirit of Life" )

Hymn::    # 123  (STLT)   "Spirit of Life"   by Carolyn McDade (adapted)

Spirit of Life, come unto us,
Sing in our hearts all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in our hands, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold us close; wings set us free;
Spirit of Life, come to us, come to me.

First Reading:

Make me an instrument of peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, joy.

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

It is in dying to self that we are born to life.

St. Francis

*Second Reading:

We'll build a land where we bind up the broken.

We'll build a land where the captives go free,

Where the oil of gladness dissolves all mourning.

Oh, we'll build a promised land that can be.

Come build a land where the mantles of praises

Resound from spirits once faint and once weak;

Where like oaks of righteousness stand her people.

Oh, come build a land, my people we seek.

Come build a land where sisters and brothers,

Anointed by God, may then create peace:

Where justice shall roll down like waters,

And peace like an ever flowing stream.

Discussion: (copyright: First Unitarian Church San José)

Some people say that there can be no peace without justice, and no justice without peace.

How do you see that the two as necessarily interrelated? How has this view affected how you work for either peace or justice?

Some people work hard on justice issues for individuals: they feed homeless people, work in school programs, visit and support people in prisons. Some work hard on systemic issues, attempting to change the systems that create injustice. Have you done work in either arena? Both? Do you see a relationship between the two? If most of your work is in one area or the other, do you see that area as more important?

One of the ways the dynamic tension between these two principles is played out is that sometimes, people accuse those who focus their work on micro-justice work of failing to do the important work of making systemic changes – and even of doing work that actually supports an inherently unjust system. Others accuse those who work on macro-justice of failing to show compassion for individual suffering. Do you ever feel guilty about the things you are NOT doing?

How can we best use our principles to inform and empower our lives?

How can we stay focused and in the words of Howard Thurman Keep fresh before us The moments of our high resolve?

* Closing circle of hands: ( by Jane Ellen Mauldin)

(Holding hands or link arms as you read the closing words together)

So often words fail us and we do not know to whom or what to pray.

We ask for legs that can walk for peace, Arms that can work for justice,

Voices that can speak with love,Hands that can soothe a feverish brow.

By our actions and voices May our prayers be sent. Shalom,Salaam,Amen.

*Hymn:    Go now in Peace     

Go now in Peace, Go now in Peace,
May the Love of God surround you
Everywhere, everywhere, You may go

*Stand as you are willing or able