God of social graces
be with me in this gathering today.
In every interaction, stand by my side.
When words are needed, help me find them.
In the give and take of conversation,
help me to give carefully
and take freely.
When others choose to put me down,
be with me in humiliation’s slow burn.
Keep me from returning evil for evil
and teach me the way of compassion.
In the rough and tumble of mingle and chat,
in the grapple and embrace of sustained discussion,
you are my centre of gravity,
my steadying force,
the ground beneath my feet.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.