International Women's Day celebration

Share this opening ritual for the International Women's Day Celebration in the Philippines.

Prepare a colourful centre piece where the symbols of the four corners of the earth will be placed.

Gong: CALL FOR SILENCE:

Opening Song: Be Gentle with Myself

I will be gentle with myself and I love myself,

I am a child of the Universe

Being born each moment (Repeat song few times)

From the East : (While the gong is played the symbol for the EAST – LIGHT will be danced forward. The bearer of light holds the Light up while the prayer is read & place it in the middle of the decorated circle after the prayer.)

Prayer: We ask for the blessing of Spirit of Brightness, the Spirit of Shalom. Make us whole, make us gentle. Help us to be consistent bearers of Light and Life to all the people we serve.

From the West: (While the gong is played the symbol for the WEST – Earthen Vessel with Plant on it will be danced forward. The bearer holds the Plant up while the prayer is read and places it in the west side of the decorated circle after the prayer)

Prayer: We ask for the Blessing of the Spirit of Integrity - Give us the Strength and Courage to continue to support and be signs of hope to the bruised women and children because of the experiences of abuse.

From the North: (While the gong is played the symbol for the NORTH – WATER will be danced forward. The bearer holds the Water up while the prayer is read and places it in the North side of the decorated circle after the prayer.)

Prayer: We ask for the Spirit of Clarity. Make us channels of coolness, cleansing, growth. Open our eyes and make our hearts be compassionate to our fellow travellers in this world especially to the women and children carrying their painful but sacred stories in life.

From the South: (While the gong is played the symbol for the SOUTH – INCENSE will be danced forward. The bearer holds the incense up while the prayer is read and places it in the North side of the decorated circle after the prayer.)

Prayer: We ask for the Blessing of the Spirit of Transformation; help us to grow in Love; to trust in Ourselves; to create a safe and caring environment and community.

Few Moments of Silence while instrumental music is played.

A LITANY OF WOMAN’S POWER: (adopted from Ann M. Heiedkamp)

Leader: Spirit of Life, we remember today the women, named and unnamed, who throughout time have used their power and gifts You gave them to change the world. We call upon these foremothers to help us discover within ourselves Your power – and the ways to use it to bring about the Kingdom of Justice and Peace in our Country and the World.

Reader 1: We remember SARAH who with Abraham answered God’s call to forsake her homeland and put her faith in a covenant with God.

All: We pray for the power of faith

Reader 2: We remember ESTHER and Deborah, who by acts of individual courage saved their nation.

All: We pray for their power and courage to act for the greater good of all.

Reader 3: We remember MARY MAGDALENE and the other women who followed Jesus who were disbelieved when they announced the resurrection.

All: We pray for the power of belief in the face of scepticism.

Reader 4: We remember TERESA of AVILA and CATHERINE of Sienna who challenged the corruption of the church during the Renaissance.

All: We pray for their powers of intelligence and outspokenness.

Reader 5: We remember JOAN OF ARC confronted the powers that be and courageously accepted the consequence of death because of her stand.

All: We pray for the courage to take responsibility for the consequences of the good decisions we make in our life.

Reader 6: We remember our MOTHERS and GRANDMOTHERS whose lives shaped ours. We remember our Great Women of the Phil. Herstory: GABRIELA SILANG, TANDANG SORA, and the heroic Women of Malolos whose lives are shining examples for Filipinas at all times.

All: We pray for their power of leadership and compassion.

Reader 7: We remember the Women in our country and the whole world today who face a life of poverty, who are Victims of Violence in their homes and are discriminated in society.

All: We pray for their hopefulness to work together for a better life.

Reader 8: We remember our Daughters, Sisters, Nieces, Friends and all young Filipinas, the bearers of hope and promise of our Motherland.

All: We pray for power to seek the fullness of life and salvation.

Leader: We have celebrated the power of many women past and present. It is now time to celebrate ourselves. Within each of us lies the seed of power and glory. Our bodies can touch with love, our hearts can heal, our minds can seek our faith, truth and justice. Spirit of Life be with us in our Quest. Amen

Let us go forth from here blessed and renewed in the Spirit of SHALOM, the Spirit of INTEGRITY, the Spirit of BRIGHTNESS, the Spirit of Courage, the Spirit of Compassion and Love, with our hopes renewed, in the Name of our Creating, Liberating, Gentle God now and forever. AMEN.

H A P P Y W O M E N’ S D A Y TO ALL ! ! !

Closing Song: MAY THE CIRCLE BE OPEN

May the circle be open but unbroken

May the Peace of the Goddess

Be ever in our Hearts

Merry meet and merry part

Merry meet again

(The last song may be substituted with a Circle Dance appropriate for the event or the Circle Dance can be performed after the song)