Good Shepherd: Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B

Via https://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/150359728225/the-good-shepherd-seeks-and-finds-the-lost-with I have got out of the habit of re-interpreting or commenting on  the weekly Collect prayers, but looking at this week's on the very familiar topic of The Good Shepherd, I thought I'd have a go. My first impulse is to say no Shepherds, no Sheep. But remembering that this is a classic, …

A Humanistic alternative to prayer, after the Prayer of St Francis

May I be an instrument of peace.Where there is hatred, may I bring love.Where there is offence, may I bring pardon.Where there is discord, may I bring union.Where there is error, may I bring truth.Where there is doubt, may I bring faith.Where there is despair, may I bring hope.Where there is darkness, may I bring …

Alternative Humanistic Collect Prayer for Proper 9 Year C

Friends, We recognise that the commandments of religion are derived from the morality of humanity, contrary to their supernatural claims. May we strive always to question the morality presented to us by religion, and to endeavour to navigate the 'moral maze' in such a way as to do the least harm. May we be devoted …

Thought for Today

May we be gentle protectors in time of trouble,May we pierce the gloom of despairMay we sing a song of freedom and dissent in the face of injustice. (Based on an excerpt from the Church of England's Morning Prayer liturgy for today). (c) Kowethas Kernow, 2022.

Whitsun

Whitsun, nowadays more commonly known by the name Pentecost, commemorates the story of the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of 'tongues of fire' upon the heads of the disciples ten days after Jesus' Ascension into heaven, leading them to passionately share the Gospel in foreign 'tongues'. It is celebrated on the seventh …

A Simple Humanistic Alternative to Prayer for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

We long for a true 'Jubilee' - a human world no longer burdened by debt and poverty, and a natural world no longer damaged by pollution, overwork and other human activities. We long for societal systems that are whole, and which no longer uphold and perpetuate oppression. We long for healthy relationships between people and …

Humanistic Collect Prayer for Ascension Day

As we think about the story of Jesus' Ascension into heaven, May we be encouraged to reach for the highest good for our communities, the wider world and the planet. May we not be daunted by the responsibility that comes of knowing that we must rely on Humanity itself to solve the problems that we …

Do You Love Me More Than These?

I like to check the Lectionary readings for each Sunday. Sometimes it's easy to draw out a secular 'message'or meaning from the text. Other times it's much more difficult. This week's Gospel text tells the story of the risen Jesus on the beach, calling to the disciples who do not recognise him. They have caught …

Alternative collect Prayer for Proper 22, 18th Sunday after Trinity/ 19th after Pentecost

Dear Community, May we always be as ready to listen as we are to speak, and willing to give as much as we wish to receive May we pour upon each other the abundance of human mercy, forgiving ourselves and each other our trespasses against one another, keeping the way to repentance and testitution always …

Alternative Collect for the Feast of St Matthew

We celebrate the Feast of St Matthew.We share the joy of the possibility of TransformationDepicted in the story of Jesus' calling of Matthew, from Tax-collector and Collaborator, to Apostle and Messenger of Hope.May we renew our commitment to extending Mercy and Compassion, The offer of Transformation and Renewal To Ourselves as well as Others. Amen.