Opening Day for many of us would normally be this coming Saturday. However, with many areas of the country and world closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I’m not sure how many gatherings are going to happen.
As such, I thought I would share what I have used before as my “pastoral” portion of the ceremonies. May we continue to be renewed and refreshed upon the waters of this marvelous Earth. And may that compassion we have received flow through us as we care for one another.
Blessed Be,
Joel
P.S. – I have placed the following Blessings under the Resources page.
I am profoundly aware that we yachtsmen/women stand upon the shoulders of all of those who have gone before us – especially the working fishing fleets. The first pleasure yachts were often recommissioned working craft. As such I would strongly encourage all of us to participate in the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet at …
We are people who journey as vessels containing wellsprings of hope;
sharing, replacing, and adding new waters
of proclamation, power, prophecy and prayer
to the containers of our life and faith.
We pause and reflect on the movement of the tide of this journey,
as it washes upon our shores* …
Let us pray:
Blessed are you, Lord our God
for you have created a wide and wonderful world in which we can travel
– we can voyage – upon this watery world.
We ask your blessings upon us (and our vessels)
upon our leavings and comings.
Be our ever near companion, O Holy Guide to all Travelers,
and spread the way before us with beauty and renewal.
On our voyages may we take with us
as part of our traveling equipment
a heart wrapped in wonder and awe
with which to rejoice in all that we shall meet.**
O Creator God, may the waters that covered us at our birth
once again remind us of our creation in you.
Remind us that we are vessels of the waters of hope
and that your outpourings have power to heal
and make whole our bruised world.
Let the living waters of creation, womb, baptism, and Spirit
encircle us that we may remember we are yours and be thankful.*
Amen.
________
I’ve heavily relied upon these two sources, my only contribution has been in the combining of them.
*from Elizabeth Lopez Spence. The United Methodist Book of Worship. (1992) #527 (adapted)
**Adapted from Edward Hays. “Blessing Prayer When About to Leave on a Journey.” Prayers for the Domestic Church. (1979) 35.