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Affirmations Benedictions Blessings Chalice Lightings Closings Invocations Litanies Meditations Openings Poetry Prayers Readings Responsive Readings Rituals Stories
Beatitudes for the Neurodivergent

Beatitudes for the Neurodivergent

Blessed are the unfocused, for they notice the sparks of divinity that illuminate the world.…

S Stacey Elza
A Blessing for Canvassers and Callers as They Begin

A Blessing for Canvassers and Callers as They Begin

In these times of fragmentation... to canvass is to choose the deeper assurance of interconnectedness and to heed the call of radical, all-embracing love.

J Jodi Cohen Hayashida
A Blessing for Canvassers and Callers upon Their Return

A Blessing for Canvassers and Callers upon Their Return

As we set down this work for the day, may we release with it all that has wounded us, keeping close only what has fed and enlivened our spirit... When we bless the world with our love, we are blessed in return.

J Jodi Cohen Hayashida
An Elemental Body Blessing

An Elemental Body Blessing

In neo-Pagan traditions, we recognize five elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. We call on these Elements to help us in a variety of ways…

N Noel Lemen
Blessed Are the Queer

Blessed Are the Queer

Blessed are the wanderers, Seeking affirmation. Blessed are the worshipers, Praying from closets, Pulpits, pews, and hardship. Blessed are the lovers of leaving – Leaving family and familiarity, Leaving tables Where love is not being served. Blessed are those who stay....

H Helen “HP” Rivers
Blessing of the Easter Baskets

Blessing of the Easter Baskets

Let us imagine for a moment that our lives are like the baskets that our children will use after the service to collect colorful eggs and candy. And as we welcome that imaginative connection, let us pause for a moment to accept a blessing....

L Lucas Hergert
Building Blessing

Building Blessing

We ask blessings on this, our church home. May this building be a tool to continue the good work of our helping hands, our loving hearts, and open minds. May this home be safe harbor for all who sail upon the sea of Life, and a beacon of hope to those on rough waters....

J Jennifer Stokes
Teacher Hand Blessing

Teacher Hand Blessing

Note: This ritual combines fresh water with water from the previous year that has been boiled and filtered. The combined water is poured over the hands into the common bowl. Minister: The ancient Greek philosopher Heracltus of Ephesus is famous for one belief. He taught his students that...

C Charlie Dieterich
Laying on of Hands

Laying on of Hands

With our words we have given our mind's consent to the letter of this covenant. Now let us come together in the spirit of covenant, laying on our hands, and offering our heart's consent. As we begin, join me in placing your hands over your heart. Feel its precious beating....

K Keith Goheen
Blessing of the Bikes

Blessing of the Bikes

Spirit of life and of love, Mystery that connects us all, We give thanks for this day For this gathering of bicyclists (and those who support them)—strong and vibrant. On this day, as they set out on their ride, we pray that they will be safe....

M Margaret Weis
A Blessing for Bridging

A Blessing for Bridging

[Names], as you step forward into your next chapter, we send with you our fondest hopes and blessings. May life bring enough challenge to fuel your dreams, enough affirmation to honor your gifts and enough nurture to give your spirit peace. Believe in your vision. Follow your dreams....

M Maureen Killoran
This Milestone of Your Life

This Milestone of Your Life

When you doubt yourself or feel afraid; when you fail, as we all do at times, remember that spark—always there sustaining and revitalizing you.

R Rita Capezzi
Rainbow Blessing

Rainbow Blessing

May the rainbow of love enfold you; may your fluidity never be hindered.

C Cricket Hall
A Blessing for Leaders

A Blessing for Leaders

Bless your intention, to love, to comfort, to draw close.

K Kye Flannery
A Blessing for the Dying

A Blessing for the Dying

Out of mystery we are born, and mystery receives us when we die.

M Michelle Buhite
Blessing Our Many Masculinities

Blessing Our Many Masculinities

We bless today all the masculinities with us and within us.

K Kye Flannery
An Elemental Blessing

An Elemental Blessing

May your kindness abound like hydrogen, which fuels every star.

S Stacey Elza
Wonder and Curiosity, Safety and Fun

Wonder and Curiosity, Safety and Fun

By giving your church home here a chance to bless your school supplies, you're carrying their good intentions with you when you go to school.

T Tiffany Fae Anderson
Blessed, When the World Has Fallen Apart

Blessed, When the World Has Fallen Apart

May we be our descendants’ bravest heroes, keepers of the flame.

V Vanessa Titang
Your Hands

Your Hands

There is power in your hands; the power of a kindness that beckons to remake the world.

L Lucas Hergert
Carry Each Other into the New Year

Carry Each Other into the New Year

May we remember that we each carry inside of us a spark of the Divine.

B Beth Monhollen
The Be-Attitudes

The Be-Attitudes

love is your song and you are fully loved in turn

S Sam Allen
Dedication for Banned Books Library/Collection

Dedication for Banned Books Library/Collection

We call for the freedom and the right for all stories to be freely shared.

M Michelle Collins
Dedication for Rainbow Flag

Dedication for Rainbow Flag

May this flag inspire us to live with pride, to embrace our truths, and to unite in the face of adversity.

M Michelle Collins
A House for Our Dreams

A House for Our Dreams

We, all of us, build houses for our dreams.. The masonry and lumber, glass and tiles, A solid form, wherein we see our hopes, A shelter and protection for our growth....

D Dori J. Somers
A Blessing for Risk-Takers and Failures

A Blessing for Risk-Takers and Failures

Today we share in a blessing for losers, risk-takers, all failures far and wide.... Blessed are they who fall in the mud, who jump with gusto and rip the pants, who skin the elbows, and bruise the ego, for they shall know the sweetness of risk. Blessed are they who make giant mistakes, whose...

R Robin Tanner
A Blessing for the Divorced or Separated

A Blessing for the Divorced or Separated

For all who left a relationship in order to save your heart, may your own heartbeat be your blessing. Its rhythm, its particular kinships, its unique rhythm. May you know your own heart as God's blessing....

M Meg Riley
A Blessing for Queer Youth of Faith

A Blessing for Queer Youth of Faith

Bless you, for who you are, right now, right here. Bless you in your queerness, your genderfabulousness, your questioning, wondering, exploring, declaring. Bless you in the words you create and evolve and claim for yourself.

C Cathy Rion Starr
Blessed Is the Sky

Blessed Is the Sky

Blessed is the Sky, And all that is warm and filled with light. Blessed is the Air, And all that is open and free. Blessed is the Earth, And all that is steady and firm. Blessed is the Sea, And all that is hidden and deep.

E Eric Williams
Body Blessing

Body Blessing

[Touch hands to your own forehead, if it feels natural] May you be blessed with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. May your intellect take you far on your journey. You have been blessed with reason and free will, it is your call every day to use these gifts. [Throat] May you be blessed with voice.

L Lisa Bovee-Kemper
UU Hanukkah Blessings

UU Hanukkah Blessings

We honor the great mystery of the universe, the source of all, which deems everything sacred by its power to unite us...

L Lorenzo Bassman
For All the Mothers

For All the Mothers

For all the mothers and mother figures The grandmothers, aunts, and extended family members who mother The soon-to-be mothers, the wish-they-were mothers, the never-wanted-to-be mothers, the “it’s complicated” mothers The birth mothers, foster mothers, adoptive mothers, stepmothers The “used...

L Lindasusan Ulrich
Rainbow Flag Dedication

Rainbow Flag Dedication

Let this banner be a symbol of hope, A blanket of protection for those who need it, And a cape of power for those who must be empowered. Let this flag be a standard of our conviction to embody all of these things, And to be the change we will upon the world. Let the will we weave to empower and...

A Alex Swift
Love Shine Rounds Me Like a Light

Love Shine Rounds Me Like a Light

As I go to sleep tonight, Please, love, hug my family tight. With stars and moon so big and bright Love shines round me like a light. As I go to sleep tonight, Please, love, hug my family tight. Can be sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"...

K Kathleen Green
Loving Spirit, Be Our Guest

Loving Spirit, Be Our Guest

Loving Spirit, Be our guest, Dine with us, Share our bread, That our table Might be blessed And our souls be fed.

G Gary Kowalski
Beatitudes for Justice Builders

Beatitudes for Justice Builders

The following can be read by one leader, read by several leaders, or read responsively between leader(s) and the congregation. Blessed are you who can question your own assumptions and listen with an open mind; you will receive new insights beyond your imagining. Blessed are you who suffer the...

L Lindi Ramsden
Be the Blessing You Already Are

Be the Blessing You Already Are

Service Leader: In our religious tradition, it is not just ministers and religious professionals who have power to bless. Each of us has the power to bless another, and to bless the world. Therefore I invite everyone here to participate in this blessing....

J John Gibb Millspaugh and Sarah Gibb Millspaugh
Prayer for Dedication of New Home Built by Women Build-Habitat for Humanity

Prayer for Dedication of New Home Built by Women Build-Habitat for Humanity

Opening Prayer As we draw together this evening, let us pause for moment to remember the faces of the many women who have gathered in this space to build a house for <name>....

C Carie J Johnsen
A Prayer of Dedication for a Meetinghouse

A Prayer of Dedication for a Meetinghouse

Out of wood and stone, out of dream and sacrifice, the people build a home. Out of the work of their hands and hearts and minds, the people fashion a symbol and a reality. May this house be truly a place of meeting: meeting in warmth and joy and openness; meeting in courage and love and trust....

E Eileen B Karpeles
Blessing for Community Friendship Feast

Blessing for Community Friendship Feast

Spirit of kindness and compassion, we come from different places to this sacred ground of communal caring. We are enriched by the company of each other, and are drawn closer to the heart of love in this time of service. Touch this gathering with tenderness so that we may be refreshed anew by the...

N Nancee Campbell
May The Waters Gathered Here

May The Waters Gathered Here

May the Waters gathered here remind us of what each of us brings to this community and of the waters that nourished us before we were even born, that continue to give us sustenance and energy for our life journeys. and for all creatures on this earth....

S Susan Karlson
Blessing of New Drivers

Blessing of New Drivers

Keeper of our journeys, Today we mark and celebrate a significant moment in the lives of these young people Who this year assume the responsibility of becoming licensed drivers. We ask that they might be gifted with wisdom to make good choices as they navigate the roads ahead....

G Gary Kowalski
We Bless This Sanctuary

We Bless This Sanctuary

NOTE: All or part of this ritual can be used to bless a sacred space. We blessed our newly renovated sanctuary for the qualities and attributes we were trying to create with our renovations. Between each blessing, we sang a hymn, had a children’s story, took the offering, had a choir anthem, and...

S Sandra Fees
Go Boldly

Go Boldly

May you be brave enough to expose your aching woundedness and reveal your vulnerability. May you speak your deepest truths, knowing that they will change as you do. May you sing the music within you, composing your own melody, playing your song with all your heart....

J Jean M. Olson
Playground Dedication

Playground Dedication

We gather this afternoon, under this sky with these clouds and sun, connecting with this earth, which nourishes and supports us, to dedicate this natural playground. New things need to be recognized and appreciated – that’s what we do with a dedication. To dedicate means to set something aside...

J Jonalu Johnstone
Playground Dedication II

Playground Dedication II

Under the wide sky, upon this earth the feet will dance of children stretching, swinging, leaping in joy, challenging themselves with new achievements as the years go by. Memory of goodness is made in such moments as this place will bring. May those who play here feel cared for and filled with life.

E Emmy Lou Belcher
May Each Person's Backpack Be Their Friend

May Each Person's Backpack Be Their Friend

Each person (mostly children but some adults will have brought their backpacks too) comes forward with their backpack and stands in a group. The prayer follows, then worship associates give each person a “luggage tag” bearing a flaming chalice logo. Spirit of Life and Hope and Love, for many of...

M Maureen Killoran
Blessings of the Elements

Blessings of the Elements

Based on Dedications led by the Revs Janne and Rob Eller-Isaacs, Unity Church-Unitarian, St. Paul, MN Let us enter into a space of dedication and hope, of promise and love, as we bless these young members of our community. I invite (children and caretakers) to the chancel. (Children’s names), by...

B Bill Neely
Wherever We Go, We Go in Love

Wherever We Go, We Go in Love

Kids, I want you to do something special: I want you to put on your backpacks, if you brought them, leaving the back pocket open just enough for us to drop in a small gift...and I want you to stand up on your pews....

J Jen Crow
Blessed Are All Living Things

Blessed Are All Living Things

For the blessing of animal companions we give thanks. For the beautiful ones, those whose fur is silky and whose tails are long; whose feathers are brilliant or whose voices are splendid... we give thanks. For the frantic ones, the runts and the hungry, who run for a food bowl or a pat as though...

M Maureen Killoran