May we walk gently . . .
By Charlie Dupree
“What are you doing New Year’s Eve?” The song was first recorded in 1947. But here we are today . . . on the edge of 2019, tipping over into 2020. I wonder what God is imagining for you . . . has always been imagining for you. Whatever it is, it’s not isolated to a particular year or dependent upon a calendar. Instead, it’s an arc, and this new year adds its voice to the last, and to all of the ones that are ahead of you.
Now that the Christmas lights are beginning to fade, we turn our attention to what is ahead . . .
Help Us Enter the New Year
God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.
Lower of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
In this new year, may the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead.
– Vinita Hampton Wright; Offered by Douglas Ruschman
See you in Church!
Charlie+
Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Richmond, Virginia
Preferred pronouns: he, him, his