Note: This may be a draft? I might update it some more, tweak it some? Dunno.
C = read by Celebrant, A = read by All, italics = actions
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If before Communion, the celebrant says: C: We are about to take goodness & compassion into our bodies. Let us prepare ourselves to do such, by performing confession and absolution.
Otherwise: C: Let us perform confession and absolution.
C: As a group of individuals, we say.
A: I have done wrong. I have hurt others. I have sinned through my own fault, in my words and in my actions, in what I have done, and what I have failed to do. I have fled from my responsibilities. I have strayed from the path of righteousness.
C: As a whole, we say.
A: We, as a people, have done wrong. We have sinned against ourselves, our fellow humans, the flora & fauna, even the earth itself. We have hurt others. We have fled from our responsibilities to ourselves, each other, and to making a better world. We have strayed from the path of righteousness.
C: Yes, we have indeed sinned, and we realize our grievous errors. We hurt from the ways we have hurt others & the world around us, as we realize we are all connected. We beg for forgiveness, for reconciliation with ourselves, our beloved community, and our world.
C: Let us now perform absolution on each other. May we forgive each other, as we wish to be forgiven, practicing this skill to take out into the world.
Turn to your neighbor and take turns saying “I have sinned.” If you wish to confess a specific sin, feel free to do so. The other may lay hands upon the sinner (with consent), while responding “I forgive you. You are forgiven.” Then turn to another neighbor and repeat the ritual. Do this a few times. (For those who know how The Sign of Peace works in Christianity, like that.)
Alternatively…
The celebrant turns to the closest member(s) of the congregation and performs the ritual with them, instructing them to pass it on to the next person.
After the ritual, the celebrant raises their hands and says…
C: Kith & kin, for any wrongs that have failed to be forgiven, as a representative of Humanity & by the power given to me by the Universal Life Church, I hereby grant you forgiveness & absolution. Go forth, do good, and do your best to sin no more.
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