Friday Compline from Journey into Light Retreat

 Oops — sorry! I forgot I was meant to be posting that here as well. 

I hope catching up doesn't spoil it for you. Maybe start with the morning one posted after this, and come back to this one on Sunday night?

Anyway, here we go.

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#0  SHORT FANFARE

I declare this retreat OPEN!! 

(Well, in a few minutes. I’ll put up a gathering post)

 

#1 GATHERING

Welcome, friends, to our Candlemas retreat, Journey Into Light. 

 

Over the next 48 hours as we travel together through the rhythms of light and darkness, and think about this season of light returning to our world in the springtime, please feel free to join in with as much or as little as you wish of these online gatherings. 

 

I hope our journey together will be a blessing and an inspiration.

We begin with Night Prayer — we’ve called it Compline, but it’s not the traditional format (nothing is, in The Campfire Church!) but our own quiet time together to end the day.

We hope you have come armed with your cup of cocoa or tea or coffee, to make you comfortable and relaxed as we put the world to bed.

#2 READING (Mark 4.35-36)

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. 

#3 SONG — “So much magnificence” by Miten

There is so much magnificence

Near the ocean

Waves are coming in

Waves are coming in

Hallelujah

#4 PRAYER

Before me peaceful

Behind me peaceful

Under me peaceful

Over me peaceful

All around me peaceful.     

(Navajo prayer)

Let the day end

the night fall

the world move into silence

and let God’s people say ‘Amen’.

Let minds unwind

hearts be still

bodies relax 

and let God’s people say ‘Amen’.

But before the day is done

let God’s holy name be praised

and let God’s people say ‘Amen’.              (Iona)

#5 SOME THOUGHTS TO REFLECT ON  

St Brighid, Imbolc, the birth of the spring lambs, and the returning of light after the winter.

#6 CONFESSION

(Feel free if you wish to copy and paste any you want to share into the comments)

The end of the day.

These are the treasures of today ………… 

These are the things that need your salve…… 

These are the things I am ashamed of……… 

These are the things I am proud of……… 

Thank you for it all.

May none of it be wasted, even the knotty bits.

#7 CLOSING PRAYER

I am not just me by myself, I am part of everything; 

part of your web of life.

Please centre me again, and from this prayer 

may hope and peace be released along the web.

Especially, there are the ones you have given me, 

the ones who are connected to my being by great arteries of love, the ones who tug at my heart-strings.

As the day began with you, so may it end with you:

Goodnight, Thou-Who-Watchest-Over-Me.

Please use my rest to heal and equip my soul, 

for thou art with me.

Amen