September 2017: Tag

Tag was a photographic exhibition by Ealing London Independent Photography group.

Tag is a game where one person tags another, only this time played with photographs. Each photographer responds to the previous image creating a chain reaction of connected images. The results were displayed in St Mary's Church during the Borough of Ealing Art Trail (BEAT) September 6th - 16th.

The exhibition formed the setting for Grace on the evening of Saturday 9th September, so we picked up the theme and ran with it - in a meditative kind of way!

What have you received - from God, the Church, other people? What do you want to pass on? How will you change it as you pass it on?

Hold This Space Communion liturgy

[We have been inspired by and used many of the wonderful prayers and liturgies written by Cheryl Lawrie. The introduction and after communion prayer are from Cheryl and we have added in the middle section]

Introducing Communion

The first time this story was told they gathered around a table - a ragged collection of people – sinners, betrayers, the power-hungry, fragile, lonely, lost.

The first time this story was told, Jesus promised that it was for all time - that whenever the bread was broken and the wine was poured, wherever the story was told around the table he would be there.

Today we tell the story as its been told a thousand times over; we break the bread, and we pour the wine; sure, as we do, that we belong at this table and that Jesus is here with us.

Jesus blessed you, Father, for the food; he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said: this is my body, given for you all.

Jesus then gave thanks for the wine; he took the cup, gave it and said: this is my blood, shed for you all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup we celebrate the cross on which he died to set us free. defying death he rose again and is alive with you to plead for us and all the world. Send your Spirit on us now, that by these gifts we may feed on Christ with opened eyes and hearts on fire.

If we come to this table angry, let this bread and wine be our peace.

If we come to the table as sinners, let this bread and wine be our grace.

If we come to the table betrayed, let this bread and wine be our wholeness.

If we come to the table broken, let this bread and wine be our hope.

If we come to the table empty, let this bread and wine be our life.

For this is a holy table, with food to fill a hungry world and wine to quench thirsty hearts. It is God’s in the making, and ours for the taking.

A Prayer For After The Distribution Of Communion

Maybe in this there has been a glimpse of the kingdom a foretaste
a hint
a promise.

Let it hold you and let it send you so you will never be at peace

until all are fed until all know home until all are free until justice is done

until peace is the way until grace is the law until love is the rule.

Until God’s realm comes until God’s realm comes until God’s realm comes...

Amen.