Opening

Activity time: 5 minutes

Light the chalice and share these words from Lee Ann Wester:

Autumn marches on,
Mighty Oaks stand still and yet,
Flaky, brittle oak leaves filter sunlight,
Hanging on until,

The frost bites and the rain drills.
The leaves let go and surrender
To their fate.

And so each must meet the same,
To know that we must someday go,
Yet to stay forever now.
Autumn marches on.

Or share Reading 718 in Singing the Living Tradition, "All Souls" by May Sarton.

Call attention to the covenant you have posted and ask participants to reaffirm their willingness to let it guide your time together.