“Let the rain come and wash away the ancient grudges, the bitter hatreds held and nurtured over generations. Let the rain wash away the memory of the hurt, the neglect. Then let the sun come out and fill the sky with rainbows. Let the warmth of the sun heal us wherever we are broken. Let it burn away the fog so that we can see each other clearly. So that we can see beyond labels, beyond accents, gender or skin color. Let the warmth and brightness of the sun melt our selfishness. So that we can share the joys and feel the sorrows of our neighbors. And let the light of the sun be so strong that we will see all people as our neighbors. Let the earth, nourished by rain, bring forth flowers to surround us with beauty. And let the mountains teach our hearts to reach upward to heaven. Amen.” – A Prayer for the World – Rabbi Harold Kushner, 2003
I’ll be leading music with the lovely Karen Banta, as we pray liturgies written and collected by Rev. Debbie Royals, Pascua Yaqui from Tucson, AZ and Canon for Native American Ministry in the Diocese of AZ. More amazing speakers include Rev. Canon Sarah Snyder, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Advisor for Reconciliation, Rev. Dr. Alison Boden, Dean of Religious Life and Dean of the Chapel at Princeton University, and Ms. Katrina Brown, producer and Director of the film, “Traces of the Trade,” and founder of the Training Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery.
So exciting.
FYI: The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross is an organization of women, founded in 1884 by Emily Malbone Morgan and Vida Dutton Scudder, who may both be found on the Episcopal Calendar “A Great Cloud of Witnesses”
Companions vow to live under a rule of intercessory prayer, thanksgiving, and simplicity of life. Our prayers focus on the needs of individuals and families known to Companions around the world as well as on our concerns for the unity of all God’s people, God’s mission in the world, social justice, and peace and reconciliation.
A diverse group of more than 800 women in 35 chapters, both lay and clergy, single and partnered, the Society welcomes women from any church with whom the Episcopal Church is in communion: the Anglican Communion, the Moravian Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA).
Photo is of the Forgiveness Garden outside the Adelynrood Chapel
Location: Adelynrood, 46 Elm St. Byfield, MA