March 2016 meeting for reverence

On Sunday our meeting for reverence was led by a visitor – the Unitarian District Minister for London and the South East of England, Rev Martin Whitell.  Martin had already conducted two Unitarian weddings at the Ringwood Meeting House but this was the first time he had come to lead our regular meeting for reverence.

He took as his theme “The Sounds of Silence.”

Our gathering followed our usual format, starting with a simple ritual.  Our silent ritual can be interpreted in a variety of ways, since we each place meaning on it privately.  For instance, one interpretation might be that it honours the four fundamental elements fire, earth, water, air.  Another interpretation might see the same ritual as reminding us of “light of spirit or soul connecting us”, “bread of life given for us”, “water of life moving through us”, “breath of life inspiring us”.  But there are as many different meanings as there are people taking part, because as Unitarians we do not impose doctrine (religious theory or explanations) on anyone.

Included in the meeting were a mixture of readings, silence and music, both for listening to and for joining in with.  There was “Songs without Words” (Op 38 no 6) by Felix Mendelssohn.  There was also a piece performed by the Dunblane Cathedral handbell ringers.  Two hymns from the most recent Unitarian hymnbook were sung and then Martin reflected on the role of quietness in our finding our way in life.  The Simon and Garfunkel song “Sounds of Silence” gave more food for thought.  The texts of the hymns and readings explored the religious experience of realising in quiet times things that are not easy to put into words but that underpin life choices and changes.

Also as usual, we lit candles as we shared our current joys and concerns.  This part of the meeting sometimes has many words out loud, and sometimes almost none at all.  Yet it is always one of the most moving parts of our time together.

These are some of the words that were used during our meeting:

We listen too much to the telephone and we listen too little to nature.  The wind is one of my sounds.  A lonely sound, perhaps, but soothing….

As a matter of fact, one of the greatest sounds of them all — and to me it is a sound — is utter, complete silence. 

André Kostelanetz (1901–1980) Russian conductor

And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

And the sign said “The words of the prophets

Are written on subway walls

And tenement halls

And whispered in the sounds of silence.”

© 1964 Words by Paul Simon

True silence is the rest of the mind;

it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body – nourishment and refreshment. 

William Penn (1644–1718)

  

You can hear the footsteps of God

when silence reigns in the mind. 

Sri Sathya Sai Baba (1926–2011)

Indian guru and philanthropist

Let us be silent,

that we may hear the whispers of the gods.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) Transcendentalist