Moment of Oneness, March 11, 2026 - Prepared by Phillis I. Sheppard

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81507551772
Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772
To connect by phone dial: 1-301-715-8592

Opening Prayer: Beloved, maybe our deepest longing be love. May our most valuable gift be love. May our steadfast commitment be love.

Opening Song:  “Love Song to the Earth” - Paul McCartney, Sean Paul, Natasha Bedingfield

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pLCSTn6_uU0 

Reflections:  Selections from Mary Ford-Grabowsky, Woman Prayers: Prayers by Women Throughout History and Around the World

1. I. Do you ever wonder, old lover of mine, where so much love comes from? I wonder this often, because no matter how distressing the world is, wherever I am, there never seems to be a shortage of love. Is this true, as well, for you? (Alice Walker)

1. II. The Soul in Love 

As the fish swims freely in the vastness of the seas, as the bird soars boldly in the vastness of the air, so I feel my spirit roaming free in the depths and heights and immensity of love. 

(Beatrice of Nazareth, Brabant (Netherlands and Belgium), c.1200–68)

1. III. My Book Was Begun in Love 

My book was begun in love and must also end in love. For there is nothing so wise or holy, so beautiful or so strong, and so perfect as love.

 (Mechtild of Magdeburg, Germany, c.1212–82)

1. IV. I see in my mind a little ball of golden light. I watch this light as it begins to grow larger and larger, until now it covers the entire inner vision of my mind. I see within this light a beautiful temple. I see a garden that surrounds the temple and a body of water that flows through the garden. I see that the inside of the temple is lit by this same beautiful golden light, and I am here. For I have been drawn here by the power and in the presence of God. I dedicate my days and my relationships and experiences to You. May Your Spirit, which is within me, so guide my thoughts, my feelings and my perceptions of all things That I might grow into a happier, more peaceful, more loving human being. Illumine my mind, illumine my life. Amen. (Marianne Williamson)

Closing Prayer:

Love is patient.  [May it be so]

Love is kind.  [May it be so]

Love does not boast. [May it be so]

Love does not rejoice in evil. [May it be so]

Love protects truth. [May it be so]

Love hopes.  [May it be so]

(I Corinthians 13:4-7)

Love walks gently upon the earth. [May it be so]

Love embraces in love. [May it be so]

Amen.