We direct thoughts, words, our apathy and wonder, our gratitude and intercessions to others, ourselves and to timeless mystery and presence. What is within, between and beyond we both question and affirm as we gather again on this Summer morn. In this heat and humidity-drenched season, we again blend our preoccupations on the immediate day-to-day tasks, joys and burdens as well as our broader thoughts on this grand world, our cosmos and emerging consciousness. Summer soccer, t-ball, vacations, work and play fill our days and lead us again to negotiate whether we are enlivened or overburdened - or a mixture of both. May we be surrounded by and sense the energy and spirit that ties us together in unity and love. (Silence/pause)

We wonder about and affirm freedom and independence. We wonder if freedom is illusory; yet we affirm the liberty and self-determination granted and protected within this nation, this community and our lives. We wonder about and resist the forces, systems and people that seek to absolutize, to indoctrinate, to propagandize - whether with religion or government. We affirm the freedom to quest and question, to push the boundaries outward toward new realities and revised ideologies. We wonder about how each day we are domesticated and act as arms of the state - perpetuating conformity with ourselves, our children and others. We affirm the unique ways we subvert and revise what has always been, creating new thoughts, theologies and life-styles. All these and more we raise as we contemplate again the affirmations of and movement beyond boundaries, beyond ethnicities, beyond creed.

As we move through life with action and apathy, facing the contradictions and enjoying the conveniences, we commit again to clear and intentional thinking about what keeps us from exercising our citizenship and engaging with life, each other, with justice in bold and dramatic fashion. We commit to undoing the bonds of oppression to those around us, to work toward truth-seeking and freedom for those not yet free. With hearts and hands and voice, we affirm all peoples of the world, the spectrum of diversity that gifts and challenges us all and the rhythm and pulse we share with all global people. We commit to move beyond uncritical patriotism and to expose seductive forces of religion and consuming that keep us from authentic expressions of compassion, independence and inclusion.

We lift up now all those we are mindful of. We affirm the power of praying for those in hospitals, in homes, in prisons, those depressed, those dying, soldiers and citizens in Iraq and elsewhere in the world who are fighting,dying and suffering, those grieving over the loss of one loved - and all other dramas, joyous and painful, within this human family. In silence now we raise our thoughts and prayers. (Silence/pause)

We would continue our gathering with confidence, in wonder and with gratitude - for the possibilities, fun, celebration and independence this day holds and for the ability to create beauty, communicate honestly and act gracefully - to be part of a tradition and religion that frees us to love, to resist, create, to love, include, heal and celebrate. In honor of all lovers of freedom, Christs, prophets, zealots, leaders - and the likes of us.

Amen.

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