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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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
The Be-Attitudes

The Be-Attitudes

love is your song and you are fully loved in turn

S Sam Allen
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Your Gifts Are Welcome

Your Gifts Are Welcome

This ritual provides an opportunity for people to bless one another, look into other's eyes with respect and acknowledge the sacredness within. People may participate while seated or standing or may choose to sit in silent meditation or prayer instead. We travel together on a search for meaning,...

L Lyn Cox
May You Never Thirst

May You Never Thirst

May you never thirst. May your body and your spirit always have what they need. When you are in need of refreshment, or new life, may the waters be available to you. May you never know thirst unto death, in your body or in your soul. May you never thirst. And may your body and your spirit always...

E Erica Baron
All That We Share Is Sacred

All That We Share Is Sacred

This blessing was written in honor of two Unitarians, Martha and Waitstill Sharp, who during WWII dared to risk their own comfort in order to help save the lives of those in desperate need. As we gather together, May we remember When you share with me what is most important to you, That is where...

A Andrée Mol
Blessing of Gratitude, Celebration, and Support

Blessing of Gratitude, Celebration, and Support

Today, we're thankful for you and what you bring to our church. Your spirit, talents, generosity, imagination, and dedication reaffirm our fellowship and create our Beloved Community. Our heartfelt thanks to you on this day and for all days to come. For those who embrace Thanksgiving as a day to...

G Gwen Matthews
Blessing for Safety Pins

Blessing for Safety Pins

Spirit of Love and Life, may these common things be candles in the darkness, showing a refuge for those in need of safety and support....

P Patrick McLaughlin
Thus Shall You Remember Me

Thus Shall You Remember Me

Dearly beloved, the story is told that a man named Jesus dined nearly two thousand years ago among his disciples on the eve of his arrest and crucifixion. Some say that Jesus took bread, spoke of it as his body, broke it into pieces and passed it among them to eat....

B Barnaby Feder
Blessing for Life and the End of Life

Blessing for Life and the End of Life

We offer blessings for life and the end of life. Blessings for the dying. Blessings for the caregiver, holding love and carrying burden. Blessed is the Body. Youth claimed by death. Elder claimed by death. Blessed is all creation moving toward one ending in order to begin again. Let us Bless the...

N Natalie Maxwell Fenimore
Blessing for the Women's March

Blessing for the Women's March

May you be safe. May you be free from all harm. As the road or skies carry you toward your fellow pilgrims, may you sense the presence of those who travel with you in spirit, whose hopes and hearts are tucked into your pockets, who name your journey’s purpose as sacred. May you encounter...

E Erika Hewitt
Incarnational Beatitudes

Incarnational Beatitudes

Blessed are the homeless and those who beg for spare change, for they will inherit the house of the Lord. Blessed are the black mothers who lament the deaths of their sons at the hands of the state, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex,...

N Nicole Anderson
Blessed Are We

Blessed Are We

Blessed are we who gather with open hearts, together, in this space, today. Blessed are we: the chalice-lighters of resistance, justice, love, and faith. Blessed are we: the heretics, the outcasts, the walkers of our own way. Blessed are we: the border-crossers, the refugees, the immigrants, the...

A Andrea Hawkins-Kamper