Reflection on Service of Hope in Loss
Reflection on Service of Hope in Loss
On a very cold Sunday afternoon in early December, 37 of us met at Trinity in Excelsior for a lay planned and led service offering readings, music, and candle-lighting as a way to forge ahead through our griefs and losses toward Presence and Hope. Forge might be the wrong word here because it suggests great effort, even struggle. Rather, what we offered those who came was a space and time to set aside struggle and to surrender the burdens of grief, worry, and fear. That meant allowing our bodies, minds, and souls to rest, be still, and breathe deeply.
It seemed important to us that when asking people to set aside the weight of brokenheartedness that we acknowledge the reason for the pain which caused it - so we included readings that spoke to the realities of living in a world that sometimes frightens us, where a relationship, or a body betrays our trust in it, and that sometimes the one we trust the most is taken from us. Words from poems told us we are seen. We are heard: “Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch.” And “Blessed are you, telling your tears they can flow. Telling your anger it can speak.”
The readings and the music brought us through acknowledgement of our griefs to show how and where we can find reasons to hope again. Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God - neither death, rulers, or powers can do that. Pauls prayer for the Roman’s resounds for us today, that “God, the source of hope, will fill [us]”.
We found hope through gorgeous music and gentle challenges in readings to “Know you are not alone…Seek others who are tender hearted...Trust goodness…Choose trust over fear, love over anger….Don’t become an enemy of the world and its brokenness…Take courage; trust grace; stay connected; practice love.”
Towards the end of the service we brought our lighted votive candles forward and placed then on the altar. When the lights were dimmed the candles shone and reminded us that light shines brighter in darkness. It was beautiful.
The Trinity community that came together for this service included those who brought a neighbor, a friend, a family member. Whoever came that afternoon was meant to be there. It felt to me like an appointment with God who met us with a reminder from one of the readings. “You do not know the end of grace.”
Afterwards, Charlotte said, “I don’t think you should change anything for next year’s service. Just keep everything exactly the same.” Jen said, “The service was the perfect blend of quiet, holy space and gentle guiding through grief towards hope through prayers, scripture, and music. We were invited to sit and rest for the service. It was a surprising gift to not stand up! Sometimes we sang and sometimes we just listened and soaked in the music.” Others commented that they received what they needed at just the right time.
Our Trinity team for this event was Susan Webster, Julie Rohr, Cathy Rude, and Grace Pope Carlson.