The following "laying on of
hands" ceremony was composed using words from a sermon by Rev. Sue
Spencer, other rituals, my own ideas, and the poetry of Unitarian Samuel
Longfellow. A slightly more impromptu rendition of this was used at the
ordination ceremony for the Reverend Dr. Gaye Ortiz on May 11, 2013.
In our free church tradition – the
one Unitarians and Universalists inherited from the Reformation – every member
of a congregation is called to serve. Every member of the community is a
minister, and has a ministry! This is often recognized in Unitarian
Universalist ordination services, through the central act of “laying on of
hands.” This is an ancient ritual symbolizing the act of conferring of power,
by one person to another.
In hierarchical churches, a bishop
performs the laying on of hands; in others, the assembled clergy. But at most
UU ordinations, it’s done by the entire congregation, joined as one body,
linking hands and hearts. This makes sense in our tradition, for it says where
the ordained person’s power really comes from. Not from on high, but from the
people assembled, with the Spirit moving among them.
So I invite Gaye to come forward now
and we are all going to connect together. Gaye and I talked about this and
decided we didn’t need to have an order for folks to stand in concentric
circles, instead we ask those who are nearby to come forward and put their
hands on Gaye – and others will put their hands on the shoulders of these folks
or hold their hands – and on and on until we are all connected. Gather with me in this laying on of
hands—whether you are part of the participating clergy, members of the two
ordaining congregations, family, friends, and loved ones, connect with the
Spirit of life and love and with Gaye Ortiz on this day.
(After all are connected sing)
Gathered here in the mystery of the
hour. Gathered here in one strong body.
Gathered here in the struggle and
the power. Spirit draw near. (Sing with me) (Repeat)
With this spirit running through us
to Gaye and from Gaye to us, we are joined in that interdependent web of life
& love in the shared ministry of our precious faith.
From hand to hand the greeting
flows,
From eye to eye the signals run,
From heart to heart the bright hope
glows;
The seekers of the light are one. (Samuel Longfellow)
It is accomplished.
So be it. Amen.