"Samhain; Hallows Blessing for the Ancestors" Oct 31, 2021
Channel: Unitarian Church of Edmonton
Date: 2021-10-31

The ancient Celts believed the year was divided into two parts, the lighter half in the summer and the darker half in the winter.  Samhain (SOW-ihn) was the division between these halves – the end of the Harvest, and the time when the veil between our world of the living and the world of the dead was at its thinnest.   So we remember and honour those who have gone before us.    
ORDER OF SERVICE
Ingathering Music
Chimes
Greeting
Prelude  - Where Do We Come From, music by Brian Tate, words by Paul Gaugin, performed by Chorealis
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
Chalice Lighting - For the Web of Life by Paul Sprecher
Reading - Remembrance Invocation by Lyn Cox
Hymn #350 The Ceaseless Flow of Endless Time
Reading - What Hallowe'en means to Pagans by Heather Lovvorn
Hymn #1001 Breaths
Reflection by Yvonne Mireau
Sharing Our Abundance - Child Haven
Song - From You I Receive
Message - Gordon Ritchie
Candles of Care and Concern
Meditation
- In word, Samhain Ancestor Meditation, by Patti Wigington
- In silence
- In music, With You Always, by Gordon Ritchie, performed by Chorealis
Closing words - They Are with Us Still by Kathleen McTigue
Hymn #46 Now the Day Is Over
Extinguishing the Flame - Four Element Blessing by Eric Williams
Announcements
Carry the Flame
Benediction



Unitarian Church of Edmonton website: https://www.uce.ca/
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The Unitarian Church of Edmonton is a liberal, multi-generational, religious community.
We celebrate a rich mosaic of free-thinking, spiritually-questing individuals joined in common support and action.  We welcome diversity including diversity of beliefs from divine believers to humanists, from pagans to atheists and agnostics.  We believe in the compassion of the human heart, the warmth of community, the pursuit of justice and the search of meaning in our lives.

We gather with gratitude on traditional Cree lands that are now a part of Treaty Six and shared by many nations.   A treaty is an inheritance, a responsibility and a relationship.  May we be good neighbours to one another, good stewards to our planet and good ancestors to our children.

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