Christian mystic, Meister Eckhart, asked the question, "What does God do all day long?. He answered that God gives birth. 'From all eternity God lies on a maternity bed giving birth. The essence of God is birthing. We are all meant to be mothers of God.' "

This morning, we celebrate Mothers Day- we honor mothers, grandmothers, aunties, honorary grandmothers, mothers of dogs, cats and pets and the feminine spirit that resides in every one of us, the calling to give birth to life and love in the world. We celebrate spring as mother earth gives birth to new growth. We celebrate the birthing of a new global consciousness that transcends the petty rivalries of religion and race, dogma and difference.

Spirit of Life, we are immersed in sacred miracles that surround us, if only we would have eyes to see and ears to hear and the capacity to feel.

The beauty of this moment awakens in us and a new awareness is birthed within
Clear eyes reflect sun warmed cheeks, radiant with the glow of brilliant humanity
The elegance of the morning hush beckons the rising sun
puddles of spring sunshine splash through branches and windows
reminding us of change and fresh starts
May we learn divine truth from nature
knowing that as we reach towards nature, we find ourselves to be mothers of God.

We pray that, like spring buds, our minds would remain open at all times
Like busy squirels, may we gather new ideas, shunning dogma, expanding our consciousness
We give thanks for those pioneering teachers who
put into words questions our minds have quietly pondered
We give thanks for Bishop and Christine Spong who tirelessly give themselves
to the task of putting new flesh on ancient beliefs that have ceased to be life giving in the modern world.
May we find inspiration from the Spongs and other teachers to reach towards the divine who is called by infinite names
knowing that as we reach towards new truth, we find ourselves to be mothers of God.

God become flesh, heaven on earth

we give thanks for new life, and this morning we celebrate baby Colson, born to Hillary and Nick, and we honor proud new grandparents, Cindy and Don Anderson. We celebrate Lilah and Simon Tunney, new born twins to Jon and Christine- yin and yang, joy and anxiety. We give thanks for new mothers, old mothers and all mothers of God.

We pray for all those who are in pain or grief.

Dear Ed Dornbos who passed away this week. May Anna, George, Joann and all the family know the embrace of community reaching towards them with divine compassion.

Dear Emilie Baker who is getting so weary, yet still has the capacity to birth God in laughter and love shared. May she never feel alone.

We offer love and prayers to those known and those not known, those who are anxious, sad or depressed, thinking especially of those for whom Mothers Day is difficult or sad.

May all find limitless compassion in the heart of community
knowing that as we reach to embrace suffering, we find ourselves to be mothers of God

We offer prayers for Myanmar and Tibet, Darfur and Sudan, and everywhere that people are running out of food, water and hope. May hope never die.

May we value each and every life, and may we be agents of justice.

May we meet each act of horror with hearts that ache for peace
We send unconditional love and solidarity to all people, especially those who suffer because they are honest about their sexuality or their beliefs

May we be a church that is life giving
Knowing that as we reach towards the poor and oppressed, we find ourselves to be mothers of God

Finally add your own prayers to the silence, giving quiet voice to cares and concerns
knowing that as you reach towards stillness, you find yourself in God's embrace.

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