Is God Love?

February 8, 2004

Rev. Gretchen Woods

(with Claudia Hall, Michael Molk, and Susan Peck)

CALLING THE DIRECTIONS

(light the candle after calling the words)

East (yellow): I call our awareness to the East: the place of air and dawn, of new beginnings, of Spring, of creatures of the air, of child hood, of the mind and intellect and ability to make good decisions, and of “filial love.”

South (red): I call our awareness to the South: the place of fire, of full sun at mid-day that shines into the dark places and illuminate our minds, the place of Summer, of four-legged creatures, of adolescents, of passion, power, sexuality, and of “eros.”

West (blue): I call our awareness to the West: the place of water, of sunset, of going into the dark to find deeper understanding, the place of Autumn, of the creatures of water and the womb, of adulthood, of emotions and healing. As I do so, I call into our healing circle those for whom we wish “healing love” and light: (allow time for names to be called out).

North (green): I call our awareness to the North: the place of earth, of the turning of the day and year, the place of winter and the cleansing winds and snows, of our tree and rock relations; of infants and elders; of purity, honesty, integrity, and leadership in community; of wise love as “Sophia.”

Center (white chalice): I call our awareness to the center, the mystery within/beyond, and through all that is, the connections we feel deeply, even though we may not be able to perceive with the five senses. This is the place of love and life beyond words, richly and fully lived.

OPENING WORDS

from Song of Solomon 2:10–13

My beloved speaks and says to me:

“Arise my love, my fair one, and come away;

for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone,

the flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance.

Arise my love, my fair one, and come away.”

AGAPÉ LOVE FEAST: CHOCOLATE COMMUNION

It is our custom in this community to affirm our covenant with one another by sharing meals. We do this in many ways, including Community Dinners, which Martha Clemons and Roberta Smith organize for us, our Social Action lunches which benefit local charitable groups, and desserts that raise funds for our partner Church in Korispatak. We eat well.

But this custom has roots in all world cultures. Jesus engaged his followers with the Jewish custom of sharing meals as an expression of love and caring for one another. For him a shared meal represented the love of God made manifest in our world. He broke bread and offered wine, nourishment and stimulation for the body, mind, and spirit. God’s loving presence was felt in the nourishment.

Out of that same tradition, Universalists used the chalice of communion as a prominent symbol of God’s caring love. That Love is our best expression of God, both within and beyond, is a root understanding from that part of our heritage.

On Valentine’s Day, we share chocolate, knowing it stimulates our endorphins and helps us to feel valued and connected. It reminds us of the love we share with one another. (We also have some non-chocolate goodies for those who may be allergic or just don’t like chocolate. That is not heresy here!)

While our RE students pass the chocolate, we ask that you wait until all are served before eating. As you are waiting, you might want to meditate on what makes life sweet for you, what you love the most, what your Source offers you in these moments. There is plenty for all, so you can trust that you will get your share. That is part of the symbolism of communion. And if you want more than your share, maybe you would like to meditate upon that feeling as part of our religious community. So many of us don’t know we are loved. Here is a place for that discovery

PRAYER

Source of Life and of Love, moving in and through this gathering today, let us become aware of your presence and your power to comfort and to heal, to evoke joy and peace, and to bring us closer together as an inclusive and caring spiritual community. As we share in this chocolate communion, may our sense of blessing and being blessed increase, and may we deepen the covenant of our community by becoming more aware of the love we share together.

So Be It! Blessed Be!

CLOSING WORDS

from the Song of Solomon:

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm;…

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.