CPT Arizona

A Liturgy - "No More Deaths"

No More Deaths
A worship service remembering those who have died in the Arizona/Sonora desert while migrating from Mexico to the United States.

Call to Worship

Leader: As we gather, we are mindful of the many paths that brought us here.
All: Some were direct, some meandering, some with challenging obstacles.
Leader: As we gather, we remember the sacrifices of others, made on our behalf.
All: Some were made gladly, some because there was no other choice.
Leader: Together now, we move forward on our journey into the wilderness.
All: To prepare the way for the one who brings God’s reign and our true joy.

Prayer

In this time of learning, reflection and prayer, O God, open our hearts and our minds to your presence. As we remember others of your children who travel different paths than ours, fill us with your compassion. And when our paths intersect, may we embrace each other with love like yours and continue our journey together. Amen.

Prayer for Forgiveness

Leader: For the sin of silence, for the sin of indifference,
All: Forgive us, O God.
Leader: For the complicity of the neutral, for the washing of hands,
All: Forgive us, O God.
Leader: For the closing of borders, for the closing of hearts,
All: Forgive us, O God.
Leader: For all that was done, for all that was not done,
All: Forgive us, O God.

Song – Be Not Afraid (verse 1)

You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety, though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words to refugees, and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God, and live.
Be not afraid, I go before you always.
Come follow Me, and I will give you rest.

Reading – Magnificat

My spirit rejoices in you my Savior, for you have remembered me in my lowliness, and now I will be called blessed. You have done great things for me, and shown mercy to all those who trust in you. You have stretched out your right arm, and scattered the proud with all their plans. You have brought down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. You have filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away with empty hands. You have kept your promise to our mothers and fathers, and come to the help of your people, to Abraham and Sarah and to all generations forever.

Response

Leader: A blessing on you who are poor,
All: You are already living in God’s presence.
Leader: A blessing on you who mourn,
All: You shall be comforted.
Leader: A blessing on you who hunger for justice,
All: You shall be satisfied.
Leader: A blessing on you who make peace,
All: You shall be called children of God.
Leader: A blessing on you who are persecuted in the cause of right,
All: You are already living in God’s presence.

Song – Be Not Afraid (verse 2)

If you pass through raging waters, in the sea you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the powers of hell, and death is at your side,
Know that I am with you through it all.
Be not afraid, I go before you always.
Come follow me, and I will give you rest.

Placing the Names

Each person who has been given a slip of paper with the name of a migrant who died in the desert comes forward and reads the name and age aloud, to which all respond “Presente”  - they are present here.

After reading the name, the slip of paper is attached to the small section of border fence which has been constructed at the front of the sanctuary.

[OR read the names as a litany without the symbolic fence.]

Carlos Garcia Bravo 18 Rosa Mercedes Cano 30 Jose Perez Rubio 16 Unknown/Desconocido 26 Lorna Celeste Robles 5 Ricardo Ibarra Telles 42 Rogelio Juarez Torres 31 Amalia Ortiz Lincona 22 Unknown/Desconocida? Marcial Perez Alverez 26

Pedro Bautista 27 weeks Jose Lopez Cardenas 35 Unknown/Desconocido 50 Jose Avila 64 Teresa Vela Velasquez 16 Martin Gallegos Perez 28 Rene Olvera Medina 60 Maria Hernandez 20 mon. Unknown/Desconocida ? Jorge Aburto Zamorano 38

Adrian Diaz Dionicio 35 Javier Gabriel Valdez 25 Elonia Lopez Alfaro 32 Unknown/Desconocido ? Carlos Valentin Bahena 18 Delia Herrera Altilano 45 Saul Dominguez Lujan 20 Hector Romero Correa 19 Abel Aleman Cabrera 41 Unknown/Desconcido ?

Names of desert deaths placed on a fence

Prayer

Into your hands, O Merciful One, we commend these your servants. Receive them into the arms of your mercy and shelter them for eternity. May their resting place be as in the Garden of Eden. May they repose in peace in the company of all the saints in light. Amen.

Song – Be Not Afraid (verse 3)

Blessed are you poor, for the kingdom shall be yours.
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked ones insult and hate you, all because of me,
Blessed, blessed are you.
Be not afraid, I go before you always.
Come follow me, and I will give you rest.

Materials Needed:

1. Simple Symbolic Fence: 2 four foot posts with flat footings, about 10 feet of chicken wire attached to posts. (See photo from Trinity Presbyterian Church, Tucson)
2. Enlarge and print names and ages of migrants who have died in the desert. Cut and distribute to people.
3. Paper clips used as hooks to attach names to the fence.