The Beauty of Feminist Liturgy

What better way to unwind after a hard day's work than to sit back and relax with some feminist liturgy. Like Our Mother Who Is Within Us:

Our Mother who is within us

we celebrate your many names.

Your wisdom come.

Your will be done,

unfolding from the depths within us.

Each day you give us all that we need.

You remind us of our limits

and we let go.

You support us in our power

and we act with courage.

For you are the dwelling place within us

the empowerment around us

and the celebration among us

now and for ever. Amen

Beautiful, isn't it, but don't forget croning. Yes, croning, in which a group of old crones celebrate being just that, crones. One of the better parts of this empowering liturgy features the Presentation of Crone Jewels, which only cost around a buck apiece from a "rock shop." It goes like this:

Presentation of Crone Jewels (These can be purchased at a rock shop for about $1 each)

Leader: “Amethyst has long been credited with special magic, believed to have powers of protection, healing, and enhancement of mental powers and wit, valued as a stone of spirituality and peace. It is associated especially with the Crone. We wish to present each of the honorees with her own Crone jewel as a token of her status as Crone.”

[Stones presented by Leader]
Toast to the New Crones (Have a sparkling drink here)
Leader: “Let us now toast the new Crones.”
Group Chant: “The earth, the air, the fire, the water, return, return, return, return.”

So special, treasure your crone jewels. After a closing benediction invoking the elemental spirits of earth, air, fire and water, the newly minted crones are free to disperse. 

You can read the whole thing here or, if you prefer, be inspired by the ACoC (Anglican Church of Canada) clergyperson who's also a wizard figure.

Your Friend,

LSP

A Beautiful Bear Creed

Perhaps you're upset about the crew of wealthy, MillSoc celebrity degenerates mocking the Church at the Met Gala. So here's something to put it all right, a beautiful Bear Creed by Sarah Moon. 

It goes like this:

God Our Mother Bear 

I believe in God, our Mother Bear, source of all being.

Solidarity Against Empire

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s wisdom made flesh,along with Sophia, the church, and all that live in wisdom. Born of the bad-ass womanist liberation theologian, Mary, suffered under the systems of oppression of this world, was crucified, died, and was buried,forever joining in solidarity with those murdered by Empire.

Bad Bear

On the third day, the women declared him risen;signifying God’s “No” to oppression.Jesus points to God our Mother Bear,who works in this world, calling for justice for the poor and oppressed. 

Happy Bear

I believe in Sophia Spirit, Christ’s body, the church,the communion of saints,the grace to reject this world’s systems, hope for justice in the future, and renewed life everlasting. Amen.

Perhaps you think this is some kind of joke. Hey, don't shoot the messenger.

God bless,

LSP

God of Surprises

It's not every day that the numbers-thin Church of England is rescued by a stray cat on the icy streets of a provincial Russian town. So here's a helpful prayer, to mark the event:

God of Surprises, 

you call us

from the narrowness of our traditions

to new ways of being church

from the captivities of our culture to

creative witness for justice

form the smallness of our horizons

to the bigness of your vision.

Beautiful, isn't it, and while we're at it, why not join together in song? Here's one, from Worship and Rituals in a Feminist Key. It's called "You're a Lot Like Me."

(Chorus)

In the very middle - In the very middle - You're a lot like me

A shining rainbow personality

The clothes and the skin -- are just the car you're in

In the very middle you're a lot like me.

(Verse)

Some got castles - Some got shacks - Some got backpacks on their backs

Many different ways to dance and sing

But the most important thing is :

(Chorus)

In the very middle...

How very uplifting.

LSP

                                                                                  

Why is Anglicanism Declining?

Anglicans in the West are baffled. Why isn't anyone coming to church, why are congregations declining? It's a great mystery.

Except that it isn't.

LSP

Lift Up Your Hearts!

Joy!!

The news hasn't been good. The Religion of Peace is acting with characteristic savagery, the Administration stonewalls, lies and bullies, ammo's too expensive or unavailable altogether and we're being smitten by a plague of tornadoes. Oh, I almost forgot! Mainstream Anglicanism in the West has become a sort transsexual pantomime.

Really?

So here's a version of the Lord's Prayer to lift the spirits and get everyone closer to the goddess.

Our mother who art in earth 

hallowed be thy creation 

shekinah come 

indwell wisdom 

within this mortal person 

you give us this day 

our daily cup 

attend our deepest wounds 

for we are called to birth life anew 

tempt us with your beauty 

to pursue your desire 

and deliver us from all slavery 

present this hour 

for thine is the drink of passion 

that nursed a manger baby 

great found of mystery 

spring 

now and forever, amen.

Toothsome...

Pretty neat, eh? Here's some more. It's a form of intercession to be used at a women's Eucharist. 

"Sophia Wisdom: Our world community today, broken, unhealed and full of suffering, cries out for women's voices and leadership. We need women priests...to witness daily for nonviolence in a world gone mad with the power of weapons and guns and greed. 

Getting rid of the guns and greed

We need women priests...to put their bodies on the line and witness to the Powers that Be to stop bloodshed. We need women priests...to name our government's squandering of the people's money. We need women priests...to call our government, church, and all institutions to transparency, conversion, and accountability. 

Wall Street Trembles

We need women priests...to speak up to the government and voice the basic needs of the grassroots -- which have gone unmet for so long. We need women priests...to preach the Good News to the poor, the oppressed and exploited, and to empower them mightily. 

Afflicting the Rich

We need women priests...to boldly proclaim the Gospel so that it afflicts the rich and comfortable -- who need shaking up. We need women priests...to name the injustices-which are many-that take us away from the fullness of our humanity. 

We Demand Respect!

We need women priests...to demand respect for our Earth and her life-giving waters. We need women priests...to restore us and our lives to wholeness/holiness-and to recreate us as community."

You Clowns

What a gang of clowns.

LSP