GC44 Holy Manners Litany for October 19, 2024

Called together by Christ as a community of broken but hopeful believers, striving to be faithful servants of God in our time and place as we offer our varying gifts,

we commit to keeping God at the center of everything we do.

We confess, that we have not always lived up our vision of community, we need the Spirit to reorient us, to live an emerging faith, challenging us to live by grace rather than entitlement,

We commit to be truthful in our communications by: speaking for ourselves; and speaking purposefully;

We are called as a diverse community of people celebrating our differences;

And so, we commit to honouring our intercultural vision through welcoming the conflict of ideas; making space for the full and equitable participation of all, enabling especially people who are quiet to speak; being mindful of our body language; listening carefully without interruption and separate people from problems;

We are called to be bold disciples, as we live into our call to discipleship we will hold one another to account when we do not keep to our commitments; We will take a future orientation in our discussions and imagination; demonstrate appreciation; And honouring the decisions of the body;

We are called to lead in hope with purpose and vision as members of a community held and inspired by God, partnering with God in the mending of the world, So, we commit to keeping the discussion at the table and to be faithful stewards of our time.

We affirm that we are Called by God, as disciples of Jesus, to offer leadership to The United Church of Canada as it seeks to be a bold, connected, evolving church of diverse, courageous, hope-filled communities united in deep spirituality, inspiring worship, and daring justice. Amen

— a litany by The Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary (2022)