Theme: Healing the wounds between Christianity and Pagan traditions through truth, repentance, mutual respect, and shared hope.
Preparing the Sacred Space
Place upon the altar:
- A cross, representing the Way of Jesus.
- A candle, representing the Divine Light present in all sincere seekers.
- A bowl of water, for cleansing and healing.
- A bowl of earth, honoring the sacredness of creation.
- A green branch or living plant, symbolizing renewal.
- Incense, herbs, or flowers meaningful to the participants.
Light the central candle.
Pause in silence.
Opening
Leader:
We gather not to erase our differences, nor to claim that every path is the same, but to seek healing where there has been harm, truth where there has been denial, and friendship where fear has built walls.
May Divine Love guide us.
All:
May Love make us one in compassion, while allowing each tradition to remain true to itself.
Invocation
Leader:
God of Abraham and Sarah, God revealed in Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Breath of Wisdom,
Goddess and God as honored within the Correllian Tradition, Ancestors of many peoples, Spirits of the living Earth,
May all who seek goodness, justice, peace, and compassion be welcomed into this sacred moment.
May we listen more than we speak.
May we heal more than we wound.
May we bless more than we condemn.
The Prayer of Truth
Leader:
History has not always reflected the teachings of love.
In the name of Christ, churches and governments sometimes participated in conquest, forced conversion, destruction of sacred places, suppression of languages, and violence toward Indigenous peoples and traditional religions.
These actions caused profound suffering and left wounds that continue today.
We do not deny this history.
We bring it into the Light.
(Silence)
Prayer of Repentance
Leader:
Jesus taught:
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Where Christians have been instruments of domination instead of peace,
All:
May healing begin.
Leader:
Where sacred traditions were mocked,
All:
May respect grow.
Leader:
Where Indigenous wisdom was silenced,
All:
May voices be restored.
Leader:
Where fear replaced love,
All:
May compassion prevail.
Reflection
Water is lifted.
Leader:
Water remembers.
It carries both tears and hope.
May this water remind us that every generation has the opportunity to choose a different future.
Each participant may touch the water as a sign of commitment to healing.
Reading
Leader:
A reading from the Gospel:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
A reading adapted from the Druid’s Prayer, traditionally attributed to the Welsh bard and druid Iolo Morganwg:
“Grant, O Divine, Your protection; and in protection, strength; and in strength, understanding; and in understanding, knowledge; and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice; and in the knowledge of justice, the love of it; and in that love, the love of all beings; and in the love of all beings, the love of the Divine and all goodness.”
Leader:
May this ancient prayer remind us that true wisdom grows from justice, compassion, and reverence for all life. Whether we call upon God, Goddess, Spirit, or the Sacred Mystery, may our lives bear the fruit of peace and care for one another and for the Earth.
All:
May we walk gently upon the Earth, honor the wisdom of our ancestors, protect the dignity of every people, and become faithful stewards of creation.
So may it be.
Allow time for quiet reflection.
Commitment to a New Way
Leader:
We reject hatred.
All:
We choose respect.
Leader:
We reject domination.
All:
We choose partnership.
Leader:
We reject prejudice.
All:
We choose understanding.
Leader:
We reject violence against conscience.
All:
We choose freedom of belief.
Blessing of the Earth
Each participant places a hand upon the bowl of earth.
Leader:
From this Earth we all come.
Upon this Earth we all walk.
To this Earth we all return.
May we care for creation together, not as rivals, but as fellow pilgrims.
Prayer for Shared Service
Lord Jesus,
Teach us to recognize Your image in every human being.
Holy Spirit,
Teach us humility.
Divine Mother,
Teach us compassion.
God and Goddess,
Teach us reverence for all life.
May Christians become more Christlike.
May Pagans walk faithfully according to their consciences.
May we defend one another’s freedom to worship without fear.
May justice and mercy embrace.
Amen.
Closing Blessing
Leader:
Go into the world as bridge-builders.
Speak truth without hatred.
Practice conviction without arrogance.
Honor your own path while respecting the paths of others.
May the peace of Christ, the wisdom of the Divine, the blessing of the Earth, and the love that unites all compassionate hearts remain with you always.
All:
So may it be.
Amen.
