This past Sunday we had a blessing for Irene's Place. Over 55 people came along, representing 5 denominations and 15 congregations. I was overjoyed! Here is a copy of the blessing along with pictures from the blessing. My house was full of people and felt fully blessed.
Welcome – Peter (Chair of Board)
Acknowledge Aboriginal caretakers of the land
Named the groups involved
Scripture – Is 32:17-18
Doorway – Entrance/house Jim Barr (minister)
God, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.
May this house be a place for your Holy Spirit of Peace to dwell.
Bless this house from roof to floor,
from wall to wall,
from end to end,
God enter every part of life in this house.
God we ask that this house is a home,
a safe shelter in this broken world.
A healing place to find respite from the stress of daily life.
May this home become a place where faithful discipleship is nurtured
And knowledge of your abiding presence fostered.
Help each resident to see that a home is not so much a place as a way of living with one another,
Anchored in your steadfast love
Turn toward the door:
Bless this doorway
May all who come to it
be treated with respect and kindness
May all our comings and goings be under the seal of God’s loving care
May this door be always open to those in need,
Open to the neighbour or the stranger
May many friends who come to this door in times of trouble and sorrow,
find an open door to them and to their needs
We give this welcome mat as a blessing that this door will be a threshold of God’s peace and wholeness
Jim places mat at entrance
Leader: Bless this ministry
People: Bless this House
Kitchen – Doug for AAANZ (member of board)
God bless this kitchen.
Bless the preparation of meals that happens in this place
As Christ invites us to the table
So may this space offer friendship and welcome every visitor;
the stranger, the poor, the sick and embrace them with patience and peace
Bless the herbs and spices that flavour our cooking and our lives
Bless the pots and pan used to prepare the food
May the ill-seasoning of anger and bitterness never poison the meals prepared here
Help us to remember that you are the creator of all that we eat, you have provided for us and we name the privilege of eating good food each day.
You, God are the water of life
May this water jug help the residence to warmly welcome all that enter this kitchen
Doug gives a water jug
Leader: Bless this ministry
People: Bless this House
Lounge / Dining Room – Yvette (member of board)
God bless this room where work and life together are centred
May it be filled prayer and playfulness.
May the walls encompass a home that is filled with unending love and laughter.
Let it be a teaching place where the lessons of faith are taught and lived
A loving place where forgiveness and grace permeate the relationships of those living together
May anger dissipate quickly and joy and laughter abide generously.
May those who enter here find fellowship with God and each other.
Christ is our light in this world may this house and ministry be a light in this community and city
By giving this candle we ask God to give you clear vision and that the warmth of God’s presence will enter each place touched by this light
Yvette gives a candle
Leader: Bless this ministry
People: Bless this House
Bathroom – Merilyn (minister)
God bless these rooms where our bodies are cleansed
May they be places of wholeness in body, mind and spirit.
May each member of this house be fully embodied, honouring and loving their body.
You continue to create us as new and whole people
Help us to gently care for ourselves
This soap is given as a symbol of health and healing in these rooms
Merilyn gives soap and soap holder
Leader: Bless this ministry
People: Bless this House
Bedrooms – Peter
God bless each of these rooms with refreshment
Rest us and rest in us, O God
we ask for peaceful rest to be given for daily renewal
May the spirit be the comforter of our tears; all loneliness be banished,
and that fear may never enter this place.
Shield and surround these rooms this night and every night
So that every resident may sleep in peace
Give dreams of your renewal for the world
May the fragrance of this lavender filter through these rooms as the spirit seeps into each one
Peter gives Lavender
Leader: Bless this ministry
People: Bless this House
Garden/house – in front yard Words from Sheldon/Mennonite Mission Network – Clair
Words from SheldonOn behalf of Mennonite Mission Network - I congratulate you on the opening of Irene's Place in Canberra. May God grant blessings of peace and joy as the ministry of Irene's Place is inaugurated. May the Lord lead in bringing young people to participate in this program of peace and reconciliation, and may this new ministry initiative be an agent of transformation in Canberra and beyond.
May the door of this home always be open to others.
Alert to you presence
Peace between people
Peace between all who live here
The Peace of Christ above all peace
Peace between friends each day and every day
Our going out and our coming inChrist, in our coming and in our leaving
The Door and the Keeper; For us and our dear ones, this day and every day
Clair gives a fruit tree
Moriah leads the singing of Shalom and thanks everyone for coming and being part of this special day.
