Leader
As we gather today, let us give praise to the God who made us and ask his blessing on our meeting through the words of Psalm 8.

Leader
O LORD, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! You have exalted your majesty above the heavens.

All
When we behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place – who are we that you should be mindful of us? Or our children, that you should care for them?

Leader
Yet you have made us little less than the angels and crowned us with glory and honor.

All
You have given us to rule over the words of your hands, putting all things under our feet.

Leader
All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

All
O LORD, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth!

LEADER
O LORD, our Lord, as the psalmist reminds us, you have entrusted into our humble hands the care of the creatures of this world: plants and animals, yes, but even the care of each other. This is a great honor, but also a grave responsibility and there are times when we feel that we shall stumble under its weight. As we begin our discussions, we ask you to draw near and be with us. In our conversations with one another may we come to a richer understanding of the common good of all creation that you have asked us to guard. Deepen our appreciation for both human dignity and human limits. Guide us to see implications of our ideas for the real, living persons we serve.

All
We invite you into this gathering and ask that everything we do here be for the glory of your name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.