"Before this service, ask participants who feel that they are aging to bring two symbolic objects: one symbolizing what they are leaving behind, and the other symbolizing what they are gaining as they move on. These people should be self-selected, instead of designated according to some chronological age.
"As the group gathers, play classical music. Form two circles, one inside the other. Those who feel they are aging sit in the inside circle. The others sit in the outside circle. Place a table in the center to serve as an altar. On the altar place a paper sack, small pots containing potting soil, a bowl containing seeds, and a pitcher of water.
"Hymn of Invocation "Come, Christ-Sophia, Our Way," #6
"Meditation on Aging
One person in the group reads the following meditation aloud.
"Music, art, and literature that have stood the test of time are called 'classics.' We put the highest value on wine that has aged. But people who have stood the test of time are not called 'classics.' We put little value on aging people. We give them such labels as 'hags,' 'little old ladies,' 'old codgers,' 'geezers,' and 'dried-up raisins.'
"Our society worships at the altar of youth. In movies and on television and in magazines, beauty comes in the form of youth. Our culture places highest value on youth. We equate romance with youth. Businesses and institutions desire youthful leaders. Fearing loss of beauty and romance and power, we desperately try to hang on to youth by dyeing our hair, having plastic surgery, going on grueling exercise and diet programs.
"By our language and our actions we demean aging people. We devalue their ability to make meaningful contributions to society. Some cultures look to older people for wise counsel, but we shuffle them aside. By ignoring the gifts and graces of our elders, we are all diminished. We cannot become all we are created to be until we place sacred value on life at every age.
"Biblical revelation places great value on aging people. In ancient Israel those who held positions of authority were 'elders.' These older members of the community performed important tasks of local government and justice (Numbers 11:16-30). In the early Christian community the leaders were elders, serving as decision-makers and ministers (Acts 15:6-21; 1 Peter 5:5; James 5:14). Scripture equates aging with Wisdom (Sophia in Greek), a personification of deity. Sophia gives age sacred value. Sophia is older than the earth. Wisdom says, 'Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth' (Proverbs 8:23). Wisdom is old. Old people have wisdom.
"Our aging leads toward wisdom when we place high value on ourselves as we change and grow. As we age wisely, we leave some things behind. We may need to grieve some losses. But wise aging also means that we move toward new experience with hope and eagerness. We can then celebrate what we gain as we age."
Litany of Mourning (all stand)
"Inner Circle An uncertain future lies ahead as we age. We fear the unknown. We fear the losses we may suffer.
"Outer Circle We hear your fear and anxiety. Standing with you, we go with you into the future. We feel with you the fear of the unknown.
"Inner Circle We join together to mourn our losses. Connecting with one another, we share our pain. We grieve for what is no more.
"Outer Circle We hear your pain. Standing with you, we join in your sorrow. We grieve with you for what is no more.
"Inner Circle Our youth is no more. We mourn the loss of our youth.
"Outer Circle We want to understand what your losses mean to you. Help us understand so that we may feel with you.
"All sit down again. The people in the inner circle take turns sharing their symbols of what they are leaving behind. They reflect on feelings of regret and loss. A person in the outer circle takes the paper sack from the altar and hands it to a person in the inner circle. This person places her or his symbol in the sack and passes it to the others in the group who do the same. Then the person takes the sack out of the room.
"Litany of Celebration (all stand)
"Inner Circle Our worth does not lie in our youth. We are much more than our youth. The certainty of youth was only an illusion.
"Outer Circle Your value does not depend upon your youth. Our value does not depend upon our youth. We are all much more than our youth.
"Inner Circle We feel hope as we move on. Claiming power to reject demeaning labels, we call ourselves wise elders and classics.
"Outer Circle We feel your hope and power. You are wise elders and classics. You have much wisdom to give to us all.
"Inner Circle We gain wisdom as we age. Embracing the gifts of each moment, we discover new meaning and new creativity.
"Outer Circle We value your growing Wisdom, and desire to learn from you. We celebrate your new discoveries.
"Inner Circle Though we have suffered loss, we celebrate gains as we move on.
"Outer Circle We want to celebrate with you. Help us understand what you are gaining.
"All sit down again. The people in the inner circle take turns sharing their symbols of what they are gaining as they move on in life. They reflect on their feelings of hope, and share dreams for the future. Then they place their symbols on the altar in the center of the circle.
"As members of the group read the following passages, the others meditate upon the passages and upon the symbols on the altar.
"Scriptural Affirmations of Aging
"Reader 1 The righteous flourish like the palm tree,
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of God;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
In old age they still produce fruit;
they are always green and full of sap (Psalm 92:12-14).
"Reader 2 Wisdom was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
Wisdom took part in establishing the heavens and the foundations of the earth (Proverbs 8:23, 27, 29).
"Reader 3 Within Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique, manifold,
subtle, active, incisive, unsullied,
lucid, invulnerable, benevolent, sharp,
irresistible, beneficent, loving,
steadfast, dependable, unperturbed,
almighty, all-surveying,
penetrating all intelligent, pure
and most subtle spirits.
For Wisdom is quicker to move than any motion;
she is so pure, she pervades
and permeates all things (Wisdom 7:22-24).
"Reader 4 Wisdom deploys her strength from one end of the earth to the other, ordering all things for good. Wisdom makes all things new (Wisdom 8:1; 7:27).
"Reader 5 Let your souls receive instruction from Wisdom. For in the end you will find rest in her (Sirach 51:26; 6:28).
"Reader 6 I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young people shall see visions,
and your old people shall dream dreams (Acts 2:17).
"Hymn of Celebration "We Claim Your Support, Christ-Sophia, Our Rock," #32
"Take the small pots containing potting soil from the altar, and give one to each person in the inner circle. Pass the bowl of seeds around the circle. Each person takes a few seeds and plants them in the pot while telling the group what dream or talent or hope she or he would like to see blossom in her or his life.
"The people in the outer circle then pass around the pitcher of water, each one pouring a few drops of water on the seeds of each person in the inner circle. The people in the inner circle place the pots back on the altar. All stand and form one big circle, while praying the following benediction.
"Benediction (in unison)
"Send us forth Sophia, our Wisdom, with new dreams and bright visions. Even as we mourn what we have left behind, we celebrate all we are moving toward. Divine Wisdom, may we see in you the sacred value of age. Open our eyes to discover new meaning and creativity as we age wisely and well in your image. Empower us to let go of the old and embrace the new as we continue to blossom into all you created us to be. Amen.
"Turn the classical music back on and pass around glasses of aged wine, continuing the celebration of all that has stood the test of time."
