1. You hold us in your arms, our Mama,
Dreamed into being by holy love,
Placed in this world of awesome beauty,
With all below, beside, above.

2. Your blood runs azure in our rivers.
Your waters break in oceans green.
Your sweetness flows in crimson maple.
Your brilliance gleams in frosty sheen.

3. Instead of love we seek dominion
We build our empires without heed or care.
O rock us, Mama, back into tending,
With graciousness, in the home we share.

4. Restore the guardians of ancient wisdom.
Unsettle us with brave insight.
Come find us amid all precious creatures,
Together healing and making right.

Lyrics: Jennifer Henry (March 2026)
Tune options: “The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended” (437 in Voices United)

1. We hear the voice of Mary still
In women the whole world around
Who bring the hope of God to birth,
And free those who are bound.
Her voice is in the dream of all that terror and want will end.
She stirs our passion even now. Her faith to us she lends.

2. We see the beauty of angels still
In heaven’s magnificent glow,
In light that dances in the cold
And colours that bend in a bow.
The splendour that our God displays reveals Her dream of peace.
Divine good news speaks to us still to make all warring cease.

3. We wait alongside shepherds still,
With those whose nights are long.
And yet they bring true faith to bear
and daring hope keep strong.
It was to workers God’s joy came, those whom the world heard from.
Through those on empire’s margins still God’s powerful messages come.

4. We see the magi journey still
In wise ones who seek the Divine.
With truth the star that guides them on
And faith the tie that binds.
Defying tyrants now as then, compassion holding sway,
Their inspiration still they give, to go another way.

5. Into the cradle of our hearts
the Child is, once again, born.
The Christ who comes to bring great joy
The Hope that takes our form.
The wild conspiracy of love that brought the Saviour to birth
Continues in our day and time, embracing all on earth.

Lyrics: Jennifer Henry (2025)
Tune Options: “It came upon the midnight clear” CAROL (Willis)
Note: Picture of Nativity scene in the midst of lit Christmas trees: Unsplash, Mustafa Turhan

Easter Morning

Early in the morning, Mary comes to the grave of her friend… Today we lift up those who like Mary are  in grief, pain,  trauma, injustice, turmoil or distress. Those whose belief in change and possibility is dashed.  Let these be the first to glimpse hope, to feel grace– the grieving, the oppressed, those who have given up, those for who life has stopped. Let us proclaim, insist, celebrate, that unexplainable grace, unimaginable new life, unbelievable  transformation, comes first to these ones and flows across our aching troubled world.  Christ is risen. Alleluia

Words and image: Jennifer Henry

Easter 2022

Thinking tonight about how grief lingers, sticks to each bone and sinew, presses into our flesh and whispers in our breath. Never ends, really. Never leaves. And while this is the sad essence of life, it is also the most powerful testimony of our capacity to love.

While I am thinking about my own love list of losses, I also linger today on all those who have died whose stories have left the front pages and yet, for their families and friends, the loss has only deepened. If, over this last year, at the time of the tragic uncovering of graves or other devastating deaths, we have said some version of “thoughts and prayers,” if we have raised our hands in honour, if we have spoke or acted in consolation as the person or people have passed through the news reels of our consciousness, can we spend another moment now?

Words: Jennifer Henry

September 8 2021

Sister Spirit of Struggle,

we claim your presence,

in the marchers and rollers,

for women’s voice and vote,

in the striking workers,

for bread, herring and roses too,

in the women peacemakers,

resisting the warring of yesteryear and today.

Sister, we see you

in the women on the frontlines of car,

whether plague or trauma,

in the women who defend land and water,

who decry racism and hate,

who guard dignity, unveil ableism,

create art and possibility.

Spirit, move where you will,

in nurture and challenge, diversity and unity,

as we link dreams across continents and struggles,

this international Women’s Day and everyday.

Amen.

Words: Jennifer Henry (2021)

As we enter into this story in our day,

may we decry tyrants that still rule, expose forces that still terrorize, confront the realities that still displace.

As we enter into this story in our day,

may we celebrate the ones who follow their heart, who centre the child, who defy those who deal in death

May our gifts be passion, commitment and action for a day when all children under the star filled skies might thrive in dignity, safety and possibility. In the name of the toddler Christ,

Amen

Words: Jennifer Henry (Ephiphany 2021)
Image: Kyle Gregory Devares

For All Who Mother,

Creator, we give thanks for all those who mother in diverse and wonderful ways. May we find words and ways to express our gratitude.

For the mothers who build peace all around the world that the lives of their children might be transformed. May the origins of this day be honored with our deepened commitment to peace.

For the mothers of Black sons, of Indigenous daughters, of all racialized children. May racist violence and white supremacy end and safety, equity and justice for all children be made real.

For the spiritual mothers, chosen mothers, mothers of history and mothers of movements who have helped to bring about change in church and world.  May our lives and our choices build on their legacy. 

For those seeking to mother who are denied, for those who grieve their mothers, for mothers who grieve their children, and for those for whom the word “mother” is pain and not comfort. May your stories be honoured.

For our Mother the Earth, who is wounded by our neglect and excess. May we learn from what she is teaching us about how to truly live.

We lift all these prayers to you, Creator. With your Mothering love, receive our prayers. Amen

Words: Jennifer Henry

May 9, 2020