Ordination

Ministry Celebration and Blessing

Order

14:10 recorded music starts

14:28 procession with Jai Ma [start at 00:00]

Procession - All

In the following order: Kate D, Feargus, Julio, Kate W, Shana

Enter from Bride’s entrance, walk up the aisle. All sit on front row, Kate D and Shana continue to front (Kate to lectern; Shana to seat)

Welcome Rev Kate Dean

I welcome you all to Rosslyn Hill Chapel - we call it a spiritual home for open minds. We especially welcome home Shana, on this special day, as we celebrate her ministry journey so far. This is a celebration for all. So if there is something in your life worth acknowledging, this is a time for that too. Today we honour our connections, friendship, love, new beginnings, changing seasons. Let’s celebrate together.

Enjoy the feast later,dance at 6pm, be present in the joy of fellowship here.

A few housekeeping notes before we begin: You may have already found the toilets over there. This celebration calls us to be present in this sacred place, the ceremony is being streamed so there is no need to take photos. I encourage you to turn any bleeping devices to silent during our time together. 

Chalice Lighting Rev Kate Dean

Words by Kate

Invoking the Ancestors Julio

I call upon our ancestors to be present with us. Our cosmic ancestors From our great great spiritual ancestor the cause of the big bang our great grand parent the hydrogen gas which then created our grand parent the Sun, our spiritual cosmic mother earth. I call upon our blood ancestors from single cell organisms to  the first humans, the ancestors of our bloodline and those whose lives are so remarkable they are honoured elders. All those spirits who guide us in love,wisdom.  in spirit who guide us with their writings and values. Their prophetic voices echo through the ages calling for justice , the scientists who extend our life with their empirical studies, the teachers who taught our teachers, those who built our first home and railings.

Dear ancestors fill this sanctuary from foundation to spires with your energy.

Please everyone extend your arms out straight, then wrap them around you as we group hug our ancestors in this sacred space, this sacred celebration.

Sing: Spirit of Life Julio

Invite everyone to sing Spirit of Life in different languages - words are on a separate sheet. We will sing through 3 times - you can sing in the same language each time, or switch.

Please rise in body or spirit after the piano introduction.

Legacy and Vision Rev Feargus O’Connor

Wisdom of the ancestors and hopes for future generations

Welsh Hymn Mi Glywaf Dyner Lais (I Hear A Tender Voice) sung by Lucie Rhiannon

accompanied by organ to the tune Gwahoddiad

Blessing of the Water, Kate D

accompanied by Jayni on piano

Bowl with water, small bowl of pebbles - people will come up, take a pebble, hold it with their wish/prayer/blessing for Shana, then drop the pebble into the water

If any children present invite them to the front and ask:

Where do you think the water came from? (the tap!)

​​This is ordinary water but you are going to make it special with your wishes.

This is how - we’ll take a pebble, hold it, quietly say a wish/prayer/blessing for Shana, then drop the pebble into the water.

[invite everyone else. FYI Jayni will go first of the adults to then play piano]

after everyone has been:

May this water be blessed and may all our wishes come true.

Tributes:

Rev Feargus O’Connor

Karl Stewart (Bristol Unitarians)

Reflection Kate D servant-leader

[to be added]

I conclude with these words, which have been read during ceremonies at significant times in my ministry journey. They are written by Rev Jim Robinson, a minister of this Chapel when I found Unitarianism here 17 years ago and I offer them to Shana, as guidance on her calling to be the best minister she can be, one that leads and one that serves.

The Minister as a Servant Leader by Rev Jim Robinson

      A servant is a person who serves. A leader is a person who leads. Usually we think of these as opposites. But an effective Unitarian Minister is both simultaneously.

  You are called to serve. To serve the values we cherish as Unitarians: human dignity, justice, equality, compassion, a free mind, acceptance of one another, the right of conscience, the democratic process, peace, liberty, justice, love. These values are Sacred. You are called to serve the Sacred.

   You are called to serve other people, especially those in your congregation. You are called to love other people, and to help them find and express the best parts of themselves.

   You are called to serve the church. To make worship the best it can be. To make religious education the best it can be. To make social justice the best it can be. To make a beloved caring community be the best it can be. This is true whether your church has ten members or a thousand.

    You are a servant of our values, our people, and our church.

    You are, at the same time, a leader. You lead by modeling the values we cherish. When there is pain you model compassion. When there is conflict you model human dignity and communication. When there is joy you model gratitude. You lead, not from your ego, but from your love. You lead by living the values we cherish as Unitarians. You don’t let the congregation settle for mediocrity. Over and over again, you lead people into living our values.

    You lead by getting people involved in every aspect of church life. You lead by empowering people of all ages to share their love, passions, talents, interests with their church community. In the pulpit, in the classroom, in social justice, in caring for others – you lead by getting people involved. You lead by requiring them to bring their best self to church, not their worst.

    Simultaneously, you serve and lead by modeling the values we cherish, by getting people involved, and making a church community the very best it can be. An effective Unitarian Minister is a servant-leader. Shana: be 100% a servant and 100% a leader, put them together, and your ministry and your church will be a gift to the world. Be a servant leader.

Reflective Interlude [05’00] Jayni

Reading: A Friendship Blessing by John O’Donohue Read by Rev Kate Whyman [00’40”]

May you be blessed with good friends.

May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.

May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where

there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.

May this change you.

May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you.

May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging.

May you treasure your friends.

May you be good to them and may you be there for them;

may they bring you all the blessing, challenges, truth,

and light that you need for your journey.

May you never be isolated.

May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam ċara.

Blessing from Friends, delivered by Emily Jackson [04’00”]

During this time friends may make silent offerings

Prayer led by Rev Julio

Dear sacred universe, ultimate and always present sacred energy, souce of love, abundance, equality and peace.

Thank you for your presence, thank you in connecting with our ancestors and Shana through time and space calling her to ministry. She embarked on a lifelong journey and may the love of all here keep the harmonious balance  which serenely  grounds and compassionately lifts into soaring splendor.

The world seems to be full of shadows of fear, hatred, discrimination, phobias and otherness, systemic evils. May the Sacred light in our hearts be beacons, as Shana continues her ministry casting out and exorcizing the world with love. Let love guide you Shana as you echo the wisdom of ancestors and co create a better world of serenity, inner peace but also outer peace of human siblinghood, equality and abundance. Whether it be in a humble meditation at Sunday service or as you pray with your feet and drum In a march of protest. Amen, and blessed be.

Chant: Loka Samasta with drone track, led by Shana followed by translation

Loka Samastah

Sukhino

Bhavantu

Shana:

May all beings everywhere be happy and free,

May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

Shana stays at the lectern. Julio and Kate stand.

Commitments 

Shana:

In this moment of commitment, I offer these vows, recognising the shared connections that bind us all, regardless of our beliefs:

I commit to love, guide, and care for all members of our world community

- not out of obligation, but from a genuine spirit of compassion;

not seeking personal gain, but embracing the opportunity to serve;

not asserting control over those who look to me, but striving to be a supportive example for all.

I commit to cherish my loved ones (family/friends/partner), to nurture my household with respect and care, and to uphold a positive presence within the wider community.

I commit to approach my teaching with integrity, sincerity, and clarity of expression, ensuring that my words foster understanding and connection.

I commit to fulfill the responsibilities of my ministry with honour, dedication, and a commitment to patience and thoughtful guidance.

These vows I make with an open heart, asking for the strength to uphold them and for understanding in moments where I may wobble along the way.

May I grow and learn alongside those I serve.

Julio: Shana, do you promise to serve with your mind in wisdom, your mouth in truth, your heart in compassion, and your hands in action for the wellbeing of all.

Shana: I do

Affirmation of guests and supporters

Julio: Do each of you present here promise to support Shana in her ministry to the best of your ability.

All: We do

Blessing Shana (with flower) Kate D

Dip flower in the blessed water, sprinkle water on Shana

With this water as a sign of purity, and in the presence of everyone here, I bless you in your ministry.

Shana, may your thoughts, words and actions contribute towards the happiness and freedom of all beings all over the world

Singing: May I Be Filled with Loving Kindness (a capella)

Shana starts alone - May I be filled…

Kate gesturing towards Shana and Shana gesturing towards congregation - May you be filled

Invite all - May we be filled…

Shana - May I be filled… (OK if others still sing)

May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well.

May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well.

May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be whole.

Reflection by Shana

I'm feeling blessed and gratefu to see so many of you here today and I know there are many who have joined online - thank you.

It has been quite a journey for me. I’m grateful for all the connections I've made along the way, esepcially my peers in training - from those who were with me in May 2021 in Manchester to those I got to know in September 2024.

(It was also lovely to not be the only brown person! Thanks Tina, who is online!)

Connection is what will strengthen our Unitarian movement.

Quality of connection relates to the quality of life.

COMMUNITY

Looking back on my journey, I realise how important it is to find balance between growing as an individual and supporting one another. My passion for ministry really pulled me in, and getting involved with community has been such a fulfilling experience. 

Being part of a community taught me how much we all need each other to grow and thrive. My experiences have shown me that engaging with others enriches our lives and strengthens our capacity for empathy.

If we don’t take the time to recognise and appreciate our communities, we might end up missing out on so much in life. I truly believe that being part of a community isn’t just about finding personal happiness; it’s also about coming together for a shared purpose. When we connect with others, we create something bigger than ourselves, and that’s where the real magic happens. 

Calling

My own trusting and turning has helped appreciate the transformative nature of faith and the ongoing journey of spiritual growth.

Each one of you possesses the incredible ability to serve life and uplift others through loving kindness, whether in small, subtle gestures or larger, impactful actions.

Ultimately, we can commit to being kind to one another.

Kindness doesn’t always require a grand action; sometimes, it’s about simply being present for those around us. By opening our hearts and being there for people, we create a ripple effect of compassion and connection. Let’s inspire one another to embody kindness in our everyday lives.

[pause]

A calling is more than just what we do for work, or our titles.

It’s the intersection of our passions, values, and experiences.

It transcends traditional career guides or personality tests.

A calling reflects who we truly are and what we’re meant to contribute to the world. Imagine it as a symphony composed of your life's experiences—the highs and lows, triumphs and trials—all leading you to a unique purpose.

It’s that exciting feeling of completeness when you engage in work that resonates deeply with your spirit. A calling can feel like a whisper or a shout, urging you to follow a path that brightens your potential.

Recognising how every moment has shaped you, I encourage you to find your own calling - embracing the diverse paths in your life. 

When those paths come together, you might see a rich passage filled with meaning, one that is unmistakably yours, waiting to be walked with courage and joy.

I invite you to take a moment to listen closely, reflect on the callings of your own life.

[1 minute pause]

May you step forward, and pursue what sets your heart on fire.

__

This journey of self-discovery reminded me that living a good life is all about the connections we make and the care we show for one another. It's all about those meaningful relationships that light up our path.

These values allowed me to navigate my path while trusting in the unfolding of my journey.

Last year Jayni shared with me the poem 'Eternity' by William Bake.

It encourages living in harmony with our desires and purpose, which resonates with my experience in my personal life and with my vocation.

I'd like to share it with you:

He who binds to himself a joy 

 Does the winged life destroy 

 He who kisses the joy as it flies 

 Lives in eternity's sunrise 

May our unique callings be brightened by love, inspiring us to use our hearts, minds, and actions to spread greater love, justice, and truth throughout the world. Together, we can create a brighter future, where our collective efforts foster compassion and understanding in every corner of our lives.

In all that you do, may you lead in love.

May it be so.

Sing: We Shall Be Known led by Janine and Jayni

We shall be known by the company we keep

by the ones who circle round to tend these fires

We shall be known by the ones who sow and reap

the seeds of change alive from deep within the earth

It is time now

It is time now that we thrive

It is time we lead ourselves into the well

It is time now, and what a time to be alive

In this great turning we shall learn to lead in love

In this great turning we shall learn to lead in love

Closing Blessing Shana

May we embrace the journey of serving Life in our own unique ways, sharing our gifts with love. Remember, we’re always surrounded by the incredible Love that supports us every step of the way.

In all that you do, may you be blessed.

[?hold chalice and say]

May the flame of truth, love, justice, freedom continue to burn brightly within us.

[blow out chalice]

End procession (recorded music)

Shana and Julio first, followed by Kate etc