ikhala graphic communications...this book contains material on the following themes:, climate change...

Cover Icon: St Francis by Bob Mash, Cape Town 2012

Typesetting and Layout:Ikhala Graphic Communications

Season of Creation 2 1

FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

“I am delighted to introduce ‘Season of Creation Two’, and warmly commend it for wide use across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, to help us in responding to God’s call to care for his creation.Caring for the environment has been identified as one of the priority areas for action at Provincial level, as part of our Vision for our church. Yet our vocation to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us is not new, being rooted in the creation accounts with which our Bible opens. Here we read that God ‘formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life … and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it’ (Genesis 2:7,15).Sadly, we have not done a great job of taking care of God’s good gifts. Instead, all too often we bring about lasting damage. Now we are faced with environmental degradation, climate change, and, in many places, soaring food prices and falling food security. These resources remind us that with God’s help, we can rediscover his vision for living in harmony with the world in which he has placed us.May God bring blessing to your people and community as you use this resource.Yours in the service of Christ”

(Archbishop Thabo Makgoba)

Acknowledgments

We appreciate the permission to use materials from the following sources:• AnglicanAlliance• ChurchestogetherinBritainandIreland• WorldCouncilofChurches

Use of this book

ThisbookisdesignedtobeusedtogetherwithSeasonofCreation,therearenewthemesbuttheliturgicalnotesandadditionalliturgicalmaterialsfromthefirstSeasonofCreationcanbeusedagain.ItisintendedtobeusedduringtheSeasonofCreation(themonthofSeptemberendingwithStFrancisdayonthe4thofOctober)butcanusedatanytimeduringtheyear.

Thisbookcontainsmaterialonthefollowingthemes:,climatechangeandeco-justice,foodandenvironmentaljustice,water,sustainableenergyandbiodiversity.Thesectiononbiodi-versitylinkswithStFrancisdayandtheblessingofanimals.

ThereisaclearlinkbetweencareforGod’screationandjustice,forourdegradationofGod’sworldisimpactinguponthemostvulnerableinsociety.

The Environmental Network of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa:Rev Canon Rachel Mash, Ven. Andrew Warmback, Rev Tim Grey, Bishop Geoff Davies, Kate Davies, Shaun Cozett, Maropeng Moholoa, Nonhlanhla Shezi.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ForewordandAcknowledgements..................................................1

Tableofcontents...............................................................................2

EucharisticprayerfortheSeason....................................................3

LectionaryfortheSeason..................................................................5

Climatechangeandeco-justice.......................................................6

Foodandenvironmentaljustice.....................................................12

Water.................................................................................................18

Sustainableenergy..........................................................................24

Biodiversity–StFrancisDay...........................................................30

Liturgyfortheblessingofanimals...................................................34

MaterialsforSundaySchool............................................................35

Additionalliturgicalmaterials.........................................................36


EUCHARISTIC PRAYER FOR SEASON OF CREATION

TheLordbewithyou. And also with you

Liftupyourhearts.We lift them to God

LetusgivethankstotheLord,ourGodofallofCreation.It is right to give him thanks and praise

YouspoketheWordandallthatisinheavenandontheearth,allthings,cametobe.YourSpirithoveredovertheprimalelements,andyoubroughtforthlifeinformsinnumerable,includingthisourfragileearth,andweamongstitsinhabitants.

Asourpastisinyou,soourhopeforthefuturerestswithyou.Aswehaveturnedfromyourway,soweturnagaintothewarmthofyourlove.Throughyouallthingsarebroughttonewlife.

And now we give you thanks for the glories of your creation given into our care, and for the opportunities we have to share that richness with all your people

Andsowiththewondersofcreationandthesongsofpraiseofallyourcreaturesbothinheavenandonearthwepraiseyounowandforeversaying: Holy, holy...

InthenightthatJesuswasbetrayed,hetookbread,workofhumanhands,giftofourearth,andgavethankstoGod.Hebrokethebreadtospeaktousofthebreakingofhisbodyuponthecross.Hegaveittohisfriendsandsaid:

Takeandeat,forthisismybodywhichisgivenforyou.Dothisinremem-branceofme.

Hetookthewine,workofhumanhands,giftofourearth,andgavethankstoGod,Creator.Hepouredoutthewinetospeaktousofthepouringoutofhisblood.Hegaveittohisfriendssaying:Thisismybloodofthenewcovenant,shedforyouandforallcreationfortheforgivenessofsins.Everytimeyoudrinkofthewine,dothisinremembranceofme.Soweproclaimthemysteryoffaith

Christ has diedChrist is risenChrist will come again.


ThereforeGod,wewhoseekyourreconciliation;wewhoneedreconciliationonewithanother;wewhohopeforreconciliationwithallcreation,drawclosetothismystery.

Inbeingbroken,spiltandburied,lifesprangforthagain.Inthebreaking,thereisanopeningup;inthespilling,therearetherootsofsharing;indeathandburial,thereistheseedofthenewlifetocome.

Aswelookinourworld,inourlives,andinourhearts,forhissecondcoming,keepusclosetothisvisionthatwehaveseen.Throughthegivinginthebreadandwine,reconcileustoourworldandgiveusthebrokenoneness,thespiltunity,andtheburiedresurrectionbywhichwecanrestoreyourcreationandfulfilyourwill.

Senduponus,anduponallyourcreation,thelifegivingSpiritwhofirstmoveduponthewatersofthedeep.

Stirinusthecreativeandredeemthedestructive.UniteuswithyouthroughthebodyandbloodofyourSon,yourWordmadefleshasyourWordhasmadeflesh.

Bywhom,andwithwhomandinwhom,intheunityofyourCreativeSpirit,withallthathasbeen,is,andwillbeinyouruniverse,westandbeforeyouandworshipyou,Godofall,insongsofeverlastingpraise,

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours forever and ever. Amen.

Lord’s prayer etc

Final blessing

Gooutintotheworldrejoicing,andencountertheCreatorwhowaitstomeetyouthere;savouritsrichnessanddiversityandliveasthosewhopraiseGodforitsbounty;andtheblessingoftheCreatorGod,theEternalFather,theRisenSonandthePromisedHolySpiritblessyouthatyoumightbeablessingtootherstodayandalways.

Amen

From Season of Creation. Written by Rev A Warmback. Authorised for use in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa

LECTIONARY FOR SEASON OF CREATION TWO


THEME OLD TESTAMENT PSALM NEW TESTAMENT GOSPEL

Climatechangeandeco-justice

Isaiah24:1-6(Itspeaksoftheearthlyingpollutedunderitsinhabitants)

Psalm98:1-9(TheearthrespondstothesavingworkofGodandwelcomesit)

Rom8:18-25(Humansalvationmeansrelief for the createdorder)

Matthew8:23-27(Jesus’authorityoverwindandwaves)

Foodandenvironmentaljustice

Lev25:8-24(Restorationandareturntoequitythrough the principle ofJubilee)

Psalm85(Linkbetweenrighteousness andthewellbeing of the land)

James5:1-8(Economicimbalances causedbyexcessivewealth in a few reflectinthecriesof the labourers)

Luke4:16-21(Theroleofthemessiah)

Water Gen21:8-19(Dependencyonwater)

Psalm104:10-17(Recognitionofthe relationship betweenwaterandlifeandGodastheprovider)

Revelation22:1-7(Waterasmeta-phor for the life thatflowsfromGod)

John4:1-15(Thespiritualmeaning of water)

Sustainableenergy

Leviticus25:8-24(Asustainablestrategyforagri-culture)

Psalm46(Godremainsthe source of ourstrengthandsustainabilitynomatter what else happens)

Col1:15-23(Allthingscre-atedthroughChrist)

John3:16-21(GodsenthisSonforthesalvationof the whole of creation)

Biodiversity Gen1:12-28(Thestoryofthebeginning of biodiversity)

Psalm148(Ecopraise!)

Rev5:11-14(Biodiversity–allcreatures come together in praise)

Matthew 10:36-33(GodvaluesallofHiscreatures)


SERMON NOTES:

CLIMATE CHANGE & ECO-JUSTICEMatthew6.19-34

Thecurrenteconomiccrisisisdeeplylinkedtothesocialandenvironmentalcrises.Thelinkisthatourrelationshipwithwealthandposses-sionhasbecomeidolatrous–asasocietywehavebeenseekinghappinessthroughthings,ratherthanthroughrelationships.ThevaluesJesusproclaimed-God’sKingdomvalues–suggestthatweshouldratherinvestinrelation-ships–withGod,peopleandcreation.

TheContext–aTripleCrisisThecreditcrunchisdeeplyconnectedtoourunsustainableuseoftheearth’sresources,andthepressuresthisisputtingonfinancialsys-temsandalsoonhumansociety.

“Itisbecomingclearerhowfarwehavebeenmortgagingourchildren’stomorrowtofundourtoday,bothfinanciallyandinouruseofthefiniteresourcesoftheearth…Freemarketscannotflourishwithinavalue-freeenviron-ment.”(BishopofLondon) Bothfinanciallyandenvironmentallywecan-notkeepborrowingfromwhatisnotreallyours.Thereismuchtalkcurrentlyaboutthethreepillarsofsustainability:economic,socialandenvironmental.Today,allthreearebeingprofoundlyshaken.Economically,themyththatunlimitedgrowthcouldcontinueforeverhasbeenshattered.Theglobaleconomymaybe5timesthesizeitwas50yearsagobutitis now running up against the twin buffers of unrestrainedgreedandtheplanet’slimitedresources.Oilwillpeaksoonifithasn’talready.Risingcarbonemissionsarecausingunpredict-ableweatherpatternsthatmakeagriculture,transportandinsurancehighlyunpredictable.Inaworldofeconomicboom,twobillionpeo-pleliveonlessthanR10adayand60%oftheearth’secosystemshavebecomedegraded.

Moreover,themyththatmoremoneywouldautomaticallymakeushappierisbeingchal-lengedinmostaffluentwesternsocieties.ThepsychologistOliverJameshasdescribedthesocialvirus‘Affluenza’wherebywearesuckedintoanaddictivecycleofbelievingthatbuyingmorestuffwillmakeusmorehappy,whereasitsimplyleavesuswantingmore.Economicwoes,socialuneaseandenvironmentaldeple-tion–thethreepillarsonwhichoursocietiesarebuilt,arebeingshakentothecore,andpeoplearesearchingforadifferentwayofbe-ing,andofliving.

So,wehaveacontextofcreationincrisis–acrisiscausedbyhumanityincrisisaboutitspurposeandvalues.InthiscontextwhatdoesourChristianfaithhavetooffer?Recognisingthattoooftenweinthechurcheshavesimplymimickedthevaluesofwidersociety,whereshouldwebedifferent?

InourreadingfromMatthew6,Jesusoffersaradicallydifferentapproachtohowwevaluetheeconomic,thesocialandtheenvironmen-tal.“Donotstoreupforyourselvestreasuresonearth,wheremothandrustdestroy,andwherethievesbreakinandsteal.Butstoreupforyourselvestreasuresinheaven,wheremothandrustdonotdestroy,andwherethievesdonotbreakinandsteal.Forwhereyourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso”(Matthew6.19-21NIV).

Jesusisclear–moneyandpossessionscaneasilytakeGod’splaceinourlives.Jesus’challengetoourcurrentcrisisisalsoclear.Wehaveturnedcreationintocommodi-tiesandpeopleintounitsofproduction.Wehavebeenworshippingmammon-economicgrowthandprosperity,ratherthanworshippingGod.IntheSermonontheMount,ofwhichthisreadingisapart,truevalueslienotinac-cumulatingmorematerialpossessions,butincultivatingdeeperrelationships.

Ratherthanourhappinessdependingonbalancingeconomic,socialandenvironmen-talsustainability,Jesusoffersusanalternativemodel.Ourtruehappinessliesinourrelation-ships–firstlywithGodandhisKingdomvalues,andthenwithpeopleandwiththenon-humancreation.


IfweseekfirstGod’sKingdom–hisruleandhisvalues–thenourcurrentcrisesfallintoper-spective.TheworriesofpeopleinJesus’timeweresosimilartoourworriestoday-food,clothing,housing,savingforarainyday–manyoftheuniversalhumanworries.Jesusdoesnotsaythesethingsdon’tmatter.Ratherhesayssomethingabitsurprising:lookatGod’screa-tion–atbirdsandatflowers.Becomeornithol-ogistsandbotanists!

Inhiswonderfulparaphrase‘TheMessage’,DrEugenePetersonputstheseverseslikethis:“Look at the birds, free and unfettered,not tied down to a job description,careless in the care of God.And you count far more to him than birds …Walk out into the fields and look at the wild-flowers.They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen colour and design quite like it?The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers- most of which are never even seen –don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax,to not be so preoccupied with getting,so you can respond to God’s giving.”

Aswetakeourmindsoffourpreoccupationwithtomorrow’sworriesanddeepenourrela-tionshipwithGod’sKingdomvalues,soeve-rythingfallsintoperspective.SpendingtimeinGod’screation–goingforawalk,watch-ingplants,birds,thewavesatthebeach,themovementoftheplanetsandstars,diggingagarden–allofthesecanbewaysinwhichGodhelpsustorediscoverwhatisreallyimportant.Weneedtospendtimeonourrelationshipswithpeople,withfamilyandfriends.WealsoneedtodeveloprelationshipswiththepoorandgrowinGod’sloveandcompassion.AndaswedevelopourrelationshipwithGod,ourmaterialisticvalueswillbechallengedandchanged

RevDavidBookless:ARocha

Source: Churches together in Britain and Ireland

Global Warning

Creator God – maker and shaper ofall that is,seen and unseen;You are in the expanse and depthof Creation, and in the processesthat make life possible.

Yet we are distracted by the godswe make ourselves and ourlives become fractured and fragmented.In our brokenness we disturb theEarth’s capacity to hold us.Instead we find climate uncertaintyand global injustice.

Call us back from the brink.Help us to choose love not fear,to change ourselves and not the planet;to act justly for the sake of the vulnerable;andto make a difference todayfor life tomorrow.

In your name – Father, Son and Spirit.Amen.

Martyn Goss 2008: Source: Churches together in Brit-ain and Ireland.


SERMON:

FOOD & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE‘OUR DAILY BREAD’John6,1-12

‘The great community problem of our mod-ern world is how to share bread.’ ThesewordsweresaidbyGeorgeMacLeod,theFounderoftheIonaCommunityinScot-land,severaldecadesago.Thegapbetweentherichoftheearthandtheearth’spoor,afterthirtyyearsofnarrowingfollowingWorldWarTwo,hasbeenfollowedbythirty-fiveyearsinwhichithasgotwider-sowidethattherehasneverbeenatimeinhumanhistorywhenitwassogreat,oraffectedsomanypeople.Truly,Lazarusisfaraway.

Butthegospel[John6,1-12:Jesusfeedsthefivethousand]isavividreminderthattheprob-lemofhowtosharebreadisnotanewone.ItshowsJesuslivingwiththehugetensionsthatwereeruptingroundabouthim,strug-glingtofindtimeandspaceforsolitudeandprayer,andyetfollowingthemovementofhisheart,goingoutincompassiontothepeoplewhocrowdedroundhimwhereverhewent,fullofneed,fullofareawakenedhope.Thereisawonderfuldescriptionofhoweveryoneate.Johnreads,‘theyallhadasmuchastheywanted.’ItcontainsoneofthemostbeautifulimagesintheBible,thispictureofsharing,ofabasicneedsatisfied–andnoonegoinghun-gry!

Butfoodhasbecomeanextraordinarilycom-plexandemotivesubject,fullofcontradictions.Cookerybooksdominatethebestsellerlists,therearewholetelevisionchannelsdedicatedtoprogrammesaboutcooking,restaurants,food-growing,celebritychefs,andtheinterest-ingterm,‘foodpornography’hasenteredourdictionary.

Obesity,especiallychildhoodobesity,isturn-ingintoaseriousnationalepidemic.Weare

confusedaboutwhatconstituteshealthyeat-ing,confusedbythelabellingonthefoodwebuy,confusedaboutwhatthesolutionsmightbe.Theemotionalandpsychologicalmeaningsoffoodareevenmoreofaminefield;dieting,eatingdisorders,theroleoffoodandmealsinfamilyandcommunitylife,thevaluesofhospi-tality.

Andthat’sbeforeweevenstartonthebigquestionsofsustainableagriculture,factoryfarming,climatechange,energyuse,resourceshortagesandconflicts,traderulesandglobalhunger.Thebottomlineofalmosteverymajorglobalproblemhasgotfoodinitsomewhere.SoIthinkit’sstillveryrelevantthatintheLord’sPrayer,thefamilyprayerofthechurch,thefirstpleawemake,thetopoftheagenda,is:’Giveustodayourdailybread’Bread,ofcourse,aswellasbeingarealthinginitself,alsostandsasasymbolforotherthings-forhomes,healthcare,work,hope,justice-allthethingsthatJesuswasalwaysgoingonabout,thenecessitiesoflife,thewherewithaltosus-tainlife.

We need to remember that food for our-selves is a material question but food for our neighbours is a spiritual one

Andhowdoesthislinktothefoodweputonourplates?Well,itstartswithwhatweputinourshoppingtrolleys.Wecantrytobuylo-cally,especiallysupportingsmallfarmersandproducers,andhelpingourownlocalecono-miesratherthanbuyingproductsmadeoutsideofSouthAfrica.Whenwedoourgroceryshop,wecanbuyacoupleofextraitemstodonatetothoseinneed.Wecouldsharemoremealswithfriendsandstrangers.WecouldenjoyandgivethanksforourfoodasagiftfromGod.Wecancutdownonjunkfoodandeatfoodwhichisgoodforourbodies.

He has filled the hungry with good things…’ (Luke1,46-55)

ThisverseisfromtheMagnificat,Mary’ssong.HersisthegreatNewTestamentsongoflib-eration.Sheanticipatesthenatureofglory,andshenamesitandshecelebratesit.ThisiswhatGod’sglorylookslike...


He has scattered the proud with all their plans…He has lifted up the lowly…He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich awaywith empty hands.

Thisishowitwillbe.Maryistheprophetofthepoor,announcingthetransformedsocialorder.Thespiritualrealmisembeddedineconomicandpoliticalreality.Wearepromisedacosmicliberationinwhichthehungrywillbefilledwithgoodthings.Ifwesharetheanxietyandpain,weneedtorememberthatwealsosharethepromiseofglory.

EveryEucharistserviceshouldalsoremindusofourcommitmenttoshare;thebreadwasbrokentobeshared.:theprophetAmosre-mindsus

‘I hate your religious festivals; stop your noisy songs; instead, et justice roll like a river, and righteousness like a stream that never runs dry.’(Amos5,21–24)

Ifwegetsocaughtupintheperfectionofourownremembrance,orthebeautyofourceremoniesandprayers,orourownnourish-ment,thatweforgetthatpeoplearestillhun-gryandweareembodiedwiththeminChrist’sbody,thenwerathermissthepointofJesusthebreadoflife.Thebreadwasbrokentobeshared.

WhenweenvisageourgreatfeastinthekingdomofGodwherenoonegoeshungryandallaresatisfied,Iwillbehappytoforgogalabanquetsinfavourofasimplepicnicbythelake.Butitwillnotbeatruecelebrationuntileveryoneisincluded;thestreetchildrenandthosewhoaresufferingfromfamineaswell.Godgiveusgracetoshareourbread.

RevdDrKathyGalloway,HeadofChristianAidScotland

Source: Churches together in Britain and Ireland

Bless, O Lord,the plants, the vegetation and the herbs of the field,that they may grow and increase to fullnessand bear much fruit.And may the fruit of the land remind us of the spiritual fruit we should bear.

Coptic Orthodox liturgy, Egypt.


SERMON:

WATER‘Waters of life - Enough for all!’

Isaiah55:1,10-13,1Peter3:18-21,Rev.7:16-17,John4:4-15

God’s great and wonderful gift of water is so necessary for both our bodies and our souls. Without water there is no life. Nothing can survive, grow and flourish without water.

Itisnotsurprising,then,thatwaterisaverysig-nificantimageintheBible.ThroughouttheOldTestament,welearnthatGodprovideshiscrea-tionandushumanbeingswithanabundanceofwaters.Asamatteroffact,theearthcouldbecalled‘TheWaterPlanet’sinceitconsistsofsomuchwater.Evenourownbodiesconsistofmorethan70%water!TheriverfromEden(inpresentdaydevastatedIraq?)flowedabundant-lyandsuppliedthegardenwithplentyoffreshandhealthywater.

ThePsalmsandtheProverbsandotherbooksintheBiblealsotellusaboutthiswonderfulabundance.OurtextfromIsaiahspeaksaboutitslife-givingabundancetosustainagricultureandfoodforthewholecreation.ItisclearthatGodprovidesuswithenoughwater-eveninadesertsituationofBiblicallands.WehumanbeingsmustrecognizeGodasthegiverofallwater.Ifwestopdoingthat,itwillhaveseri-ouseffects.Wewillsuffertheconsequenceofourownignorancewithpollutedwaterandanunliveableenvironment.AlreadyintheOldTestamentitisclearthatthisabundantsupplyofwaterrequiresplanningandcarefromthesideofhumanbeings.ObedienceandworshipofGodarenecessaryforustohaveenoughwater.God’seconomyisalwaysaneconomyofabun-dance,butalsostewardship.

AftertheIsraelitesfollowMosesintothedesert,theydoubtGod’sabundanceandcomplaintoMosesthattheyarebeingbroughtintothewil-dernesstodieofthirst.Mosesstrikestherockwithhisshaftandwatersflowoutoftherock.

TheabundanceofExodusandNumbershasasimpleformula.WorshipGodaboveallandyouwillhaveallthatyouneed.“Youshallwor-shipGodandIwillblessyourbreadandyourwater”Exodus23:25.Numbers24:7promises,“watershallflowfromhis[Israel’s]bucketsandhisoffspringshallhaveabundantwater.”

ManyPsalmsandProverbsremindusofGod’sbountifulgiftofwaterandourneedtosharethatgift.Proverbs25:21remindsusthattheonewhogiveswaterwillgetwater.

ForChristians,watercertainlyhasbothadirectrealimportanceandadeepspiritualsignifi-cance.Jesusisconcernedwithboth!

Jesus’discussionwiththeSamaritanwomaninthegospelfortodaydealswithboththeseaspectsofwater.JesusandthewomanmetatadeepwellinSychar.Itwasnotawatertankorotherdeviceforgatheringwater.Itwastheancientwellofthecity,wellknownbyall,caredforandrespectedbyall,sincealltheinhabit-antsofthecityweretotallydependentonit.Itwasprobablysurroundedbysomeshelteringtreeswithitsrootsdeepdowninthemoistofthesoilclosetothewell.OutofthiswellofSycharcamefreshandlivingwater,gushingforthoutofthedepths.

Thedialogueinthisgospeltextmovesfromordinarywatertothethirstfordepthwithinus,aplacewherewecananchorourwholelife,forultimatemeaningandsatisfaction.Allourthirstisathirstwithinagreaterone-forGod!Ashetellsthewomanatthewell:“ThosewhodrinkthewaterthatIwillgivethemwillneverbethirsty.ThewaterthatIgivethemwillbecomeaspringofwatergushinguptoeternallife.”(John4:14)Whatabeautifulimage!Thesim-plegiftofwateronearthbecomesthesacredgiftofGodfromheaven-tocleanse,healandtransformbothourbodiesandoursouls.

WhyisitthatChristianstodayhavesomuchtrouble making the connection between the physicalandspiritualaspectsofwater?HowcanwereadallthesethingsaboutwaterintheBibleandnotseeanyrelationtothealarmingstateofwaterallaroundusintheworld?


DespitetheabundanceofwaterontheEarth,wehumanshavedoneapoorjoboftakingcareofit.Weabuseitforotherpurposes.Wearedivertingriversandstreamsunnecessarily,wepoisonit,andwasteit,indifferenttotheconsequences:toomanypeople,toolittlewa-ter,waterinthewrongplacesandinthewrongamounts.1.2billionpeopleintheworlddonothaveaccesstocleansafedrinkingwater,and2.4billiondonothaveadequatesanitationduetopollutedwaters. TheWorldCouncilofChurchesrecentlyfoundoutthat80%ofalldiseaseinpoorcountriesisrelatedtopoordrinkingwaterandpoorsanita-tion.Asmuchas40%oftheworld’spopulationgoesthirstyeveryyearnowadays,withsomecountriesconsumingmoreandmorewhileoth-ersgetlessandless.WomenandchildreninEastAfricanowwalkanaverageof21minutesforeachtriptocollectwater.

Jesuscamethatallhumanbeingsmighthavelifeandhaveitabundantly.Heclearlyshowedthroughout his life that he cares both about our spiritualandphysicalwellbeing.Abundantlifeisacombinedspiritualandphysicalreality.TheonewhoistouchedbyhisHolySpirit,theSpiritofLove,thefountainoflivingwatercannotclosetheireyestothephysicalwatersituationoftheworld.‘’Ho,everyonewhothirsts,cometothewaters:andyouthathavenomoneycomebuyandeat!’(Isaiah55:1)Whatcouldwedoinourcongregationtomakethisbecomearealityinthefullsenseof‘abundantlifeforall?’Herearesomepracticalsuggestions:

•Weneedtorepentofouruncaringways andattitudestowardscreationandthe naturalenvironmentingeneralandtoday inparticulartowardsGod´swonderfulgift ofwater. •Donotusebottledwater,ratherusetap water.TapwaterinSouthAfricais completelysafetodrink. •Participateinabeachorrivercleanup. •Donotuserunningwaterforrinsingthe disheswhenyouarewashingup. •Installawater-savingshowerhead,and choose to shower rather than bath

Source World Council of Churches

Creating God, your name is written in every leaf, every bird, every river, every stone, every living being. Thank you for calling us by name.Thank you for your continued creating power in water, rivers, forests and oceans. Make us attentive to the wounds of the earth and willing to work for the healing of the whole creation.Let our children enjoy an abundant nature and live a long life on earth.

2003 LWF Assembly in Winnipeg.


2012istheUnitedNationsYearofSustainableEnergyforAll,withatargetofgivingthewholeworldreliableandcleanenergyby2030.Weneedtomakeradicalchangestomoveawayfromelectricitywhichisgeneratedbyfossilfuelswhichcauseclimatechangeandarebecomingincreasinglyexpensive.Wealsoneedtomovetogreaterefficiencyandlowerconsumption.Renewablesourcesofenergy(greenenergy)alsocreatemorejobsthanfossilfuels.

Currentlythemajorityofenergycomesfromburningfossilfuels,eitherdirectlyortogener-ateelectricity.Thisemitscarbondioxideintotheatmosphere,whichweknowtobecausingglobalwarmingandclimatechange.Wearealreadyatsubstantialriskofexceedingthe2degreeCelsiusrisebeyondwhichitisgenerallybelieveddangerouseffectswilloccur.

Oil,gasandcoalwerecreatedovermillionsofyearsandthereisonlyalimitedamountavail-ableontheplanet.Althoughwearenotgoingtorunoutofanyofthemcompletelyinthe

Energy is a gift from God as part of his creation but one we hardly notice... until there’s a power cut! But one in five people in the world has no access to electricity at all and two in five rely on burning anything from wood to animal excrement for cooking and heating and the fumes damage their health: two million a year die as a result

SUSTAINABILITY: ENERGY AS GODS GIFT

nearfuture,wehavecertainlydiscoveredandextractedthebulkoftheeasilyaccessibleandhighqualitysupplies.Thisiswhywe’redrillingforoilandgasinincreasinglydeepwater,sur-veyingtheArctic,andstartingtoextractfromtheAlbertatarsandsandthroughoilfracking,atrelativelyhighenvironmentalandeconomiccost.Trendsincoalaresimilarbutlessad-vanced.

Many argue that we cannot continue to produce oil and gas in the quantities we do currently, but even if we can, the combination of increased extraction costs and increased demand by countries such as India and China means that the trend of increased energy prices we’ve seen in recent years is going to increase, putting the cost beyond the reach of the poorest in the world.


Cleaner cooking can be provided by supplying stoves that run on electricity, solar power, or smokeless fuels such as propane and charcoal pellets. (Although these still produce CO2, they produce less than traditional methods, due to greater efficiency.)

What does this have to do with us? It combines three principles of our Christian life and relationship with God:

• CareforGod’screation:weshouldcare abouttheeffectsthatourenergyuseis havingontheplanetGodhasgivenustolive onandlookafter.

• CareforGod’speople:weshouldcarefor thepoorandsuffering,andbeconcerned fortheinjusticethatsomeintheworldhave littleaccesstoenergywhileothersusevast amounts.

•WiseuseofwhatGodhasgivenus:energyis agiftfromGodforourbenefitand enjoyment.Isouruseofitfaithfultohim,or arewebeingwasteful?

As Christians, we have responsibilities both to care for the poor and to care for the planet. So we need to be aware of the issues and know what we can do both as individuals and as churches.

It’sveryeasytotakeenergyforgranted.With-outthinkingaboutitwe’llplugsomethingin,flickaswitch,turnonthegasorstartthecarandexpectsomethingtohappen.Onlyontherareoccasionsthatsomethinggoeswrongdowerealisejusthowdependentweare.

The United Nations have made 2012 Sus-tainable Energy for All year, with two goals:

• Everyoneintheworldshouldhaveaccessto cleanelectricityandheating.Aconsequence ofallthisburningisfumeswhichdamage people’shealth,andalsopollutethewider environment.

• Theworldshouldmovetosustainable energy:ouruseoffossilfuelsisalsopolluting andcausingclimatechange.

As Christians, we have an additional insight. All this energy originates ultimately in God’s creation of sun, moon and Earth. And he gives us vastly more, in solar radiation hit-ting the earth, than we can currently use. Our bible passage will help us reflect on this.


BIBLE REFLECTION - READ PSALM 146• Godcreateseverythingandprovidesfor us.Canweexpectasmuchenergyaswe like?Whyorwhynot?• Howdowereconcileverses7-9withall we’vetalkedabout?• Dowehavearoleinprovidingthepoor withenergy,andifsowhat?• GiventhatGodistheultimatesourceof energy,whatdoesthatsayabouthowwe useit?

SUGGESTIONS FOR PRAYERThankGodforhisgiftofenergyandthatwehaveplenty.Prayforthosewhoarewithout,andforeffortstogivethemabetterfuture.

BIBLE REFLECTION - READ GENESIS 1:26-30• Thiswell-knownpassagedoesn’tmention energydirectly,butwhatconclusionscan wedraw?

• Theearthisgiventoallofhumanity,past, presentandfuture.But…“Humanityal wayswantsafreelunch,butisn’tprepared todothewashingupsothatsomeone elsecanhaveameallater.” Isthistrue,whyisittrue,andcanwedo anythingaboutit?

• Caniteverberighttouseourincreasingly scarceresourcesforunnecessarythings? (e.g.TV,entertainment,electronicdevices forthatdothingswecoulddobyhand, etc.)

An electricity fast: Take a day to live using no electricity, or as little as possible. Reflect on how different this day was.

Be thankful: Each time you use energy, whether electricity, gas, driving a car, or using something that has taken energy to produce, take the opportunity to thank God for what his gift of energy has enabled you to do.

Energy efficiency and consumption: Think about how you can cut your electricity usage. Some suggestions are: using a ‘wonder box’, only filling your kettle with as much water as you need, making sure you put the lids on pots, turn off the oven ten minutes before your food is ready, use energy saving light bulbs, turn your geyser down to 50 degrees and use a blanket, turn off heaters and wear more layers, keep your car serviced and the tyres inflated. Use teleconferencing, form a lift club...Share ideas with other members of the congregation.

BIBLE STUDY – SUSTAINABLE ENERGY: ENERGY AS GOD’S GIFT


SUGGESTIONS FOR PRAYERThankGodforwhatwecandowithelectricity.Prayforwisdomforourleadersandthoseinenergycompaniesastheytrytomeetthechal-lengingsustainabilitytargets.

BIBLE REFLECTION - READ ISAIAH 58

This chapter is often quoted when talking about helping the poor and social injustice issues generally, but in the original context it is as much about wider lack of community.

•WhatthreethingsaretheIsraelitescalledto do?(Seeverses6,7,9a.)

• Howmighttheseapplytotheissueof sustainableenergyandthereasonswhy manystillliveinenergypoverty?

• Arethereanylimitstoourobligations? Whatis“poor”anddoweneedtohelp everyonewhohaslessenergyaccessthan us?Whatwouldbethepractical consequencesifwedidsucceedingetting themalltoourownlevelofconsumption?

• Doesthispassageadvocatethatweshould “fastfromenergyuse”,whateverthatmight meaninpractice?


SERMON:

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23James 1:17-27Song of Solomon 2:8-13

When faced with a flat packed piece of furniture to assemble I am always tempted to ignore the maker’s instructions, thinking that I know how best to do it. The consequence of persisting with my way of doing this frequently results in a lopsided wardrobe and various screws left over that don’t appear to fit anywhere.

Asahumanracethisisoftenourwayofoper-ating;devisingourownrulesandwaysratherthanobeyingGod’scommands.Theconse-quencesforhumanbeingsandthenaturalworldhavebeendevastating.WendellBerryclaimsthat“ourdestructionofnatureisnotjustbadstewardship,orstupideconomics,orabetrayaloffamilyresponsibility;itisthemosthorridblasphemy.”

Deuteronomy 4issetattheedgeofthePromisedLand,withthepeopleofGodpoisedtoenter.Theyareontheborderbothgeo-graphicallyandtheologically.Itisvitalthereforethattheygetitrightforthesakeofthemselvesandcominggenerations(v9).Thewriterim-ploresthepeopletofollowthedecreesandlawstaughtbyGod,notasastraitjacketbutasmeansofensuringhumanflourishing.TheseareguidelinesforgodlylivingthatwillallowagoodlifeforthepeopleofGodthroughthegenerationsandfortherestofthecreatedorder.Possessionofthislandflowingwithmilkandhoney,thatisaplaceofgreatnaturalandspiritualrichness,isawonderfulopportunitytobecelebrated.ItisalsoagiftofGodrequiringstewardship.Thereforeourresponsibilityisto‘becarefulandwatchyourselvessothatyoudonotforgetthethingsyoureyeshaveseenorletthemslipfromyourheart’(Deut4:9).Centraltothishumanflourishingistheneedtoremember

continuallythatitisnottheirsbyrightbutthelandisagift(v1).Itiswhenweassumeposses-sionisbyrightratherthangiftthatweenterintoanexploitativerelationshipwiththeland. FurtherexplorationofDeuteronomyandtherestoftheTorahgiveshintsandindicationsofhowcloselyalignedtoGod’scommandmentsaretheconceptsofcreationcareandsustain-ability,forexamplepreservationoffruittreesinthetimesofwar(Deut.20:19-20).

JesustakesthisthemeupinaddressingthePharisees in Mark 7.Heurgesthem,whothoughtthattheywerefaithfullyfollowingGodstipulations,tolookagainatboththebiggerpictureandmorecloselyattheheartofthematter.Socaughtupinseemingtodotherightthingandtickingthereligiousboxes,theyhadlostsightofGod’srealpurposes.

TheobservanceofCorban(v11)wasasophis-ticatedwayofpretendingtodoone’sdutytoGodwhilstneglectingthosewhoneededhelp.JesuscontinuesinthelonglineofOldTestamentprophetsandisunabashedinhiscondemnation,labellingthosewhodothis‘hypocrites’(v6).‘Youhaveletgoofthecom-mandsofGodandareholdingtothetraditionsofpeople’(v8).InthesewordsJesusholdsupamirrortoourownheartsbothindividuallyandasanation.DoweplayreligionordoweliveinawaythatmakesthecallofGodonourlivestoloveGodandloveourneighbourourprimaryconcern?

ThiscalltoloveGodandtoloveourneigh-bourhasimplicationsonhowwestewardtheGod-givennaturalresourcesoftheearth.Aretheyusedtohelpthepoorestandtheneedi-est?Thetemptationistocry‘Corban’,andtocarryonconcentratingonourinternalchurchlifeandchurchbuildingswhilstneglectingthemarginalized.Theeffectsofclimatechangeandenvironmentaldegradationfallhardestonthepoorestoftheworld.CreationcareandworkingforsustainabilityisanintegralpartofthedualobedienceofcaringforthepoorandlookingafterGod’sgoodearth.Sustainableen-ergyisanexampleofthisdualobedience;forexampletheUnitedNationsaimtopromoteandprovidecleanstovesprovidesakeyneedforsomeofthemostmarginalizedpoorpeople


on the planet whilst at the same time helps to preservethenaturalhabitataroundthem.ThisisanattempttoloveGodthroughhelpingsus-taintheresourcesofthenaturalworld.

James 1:17-27.TheepistleforthedayisoneofthestarkestandmostchallengingpassagesoftheNewTestament.Itisalsoinmanywaysoneofthesimplestandclearest.Jamesisquite explicit that real religion is a matter not somuchoforthodoxybutoforthopraxis,notjustbelievingtherightthingbutdoingtherightthingaswell.Lookingafterwidowsandorphans,inotherwordsthepoorestofthissocietyandofanysociety,isnotanoptionalextraforChristians.Simplysaying‘staywarm,eatwell’isnotwhatChristiansarecalledtodo.Ourcallingistobepartofthesolutionandhelpprovidewarmthandstovesandfood.ThatishowJameswouldunderstandtruereligion.

“Ifinpietythechurchsays,‘TheearthistheLord’sandthefullnessthereof’andinfactisnodifferentinthoughtandactionfromthegen-eralcommunity,whowillbedrawntoherwordandworshipto‘comeandsee’thatherworkorsalvationhasanymeaning?

Source: Churches together in Britain and Ireland.Rev. Mike Gilbert.

A morning prayer

Show us how to do things well today, so that others may not suffer, here or there, now or in the future. Show us how to make our contribution as we change the way we live, travel, make and consume, pack and unpack, use, misuse and re use energy, heating and lighting. Show us how to do simple things well in our home, places of work and lifestyle choices. Show us how to protect the world you made, in all its diversity and goodness, from our carbon emissions, global warming and climate change, rising temperatures and sea levels, the displacement of peoples, environmental poverty, harm and destruction. Show us how and show us why, so that alone and with others our contribution will make a difference. Amen

© Robin Morrison 2006. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2008.


What is biodiversity? This is a technical term for the variety of life on Earth. It refers not just to the diversity of species of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria etc, but also to the variety within any one species and to the various ways species live together in ecosystems.

Why does biodiversity matter? Manypeoplefeeldelightinthediversityitselfandwanttopreserveitforitsownsakeandforitsbeautyandinspirationalvalue.Thereisalsoasenseofpreservinggeneticdiversitysothatfuturegenerationscandrawonitasaresource,e.g.fornewdrugsinmedicineorresistancetopestsincropplants.

Biodiversityisalsoimportantbecauseit:• iscrucialforsourcesoffood,fuelandenergy,

•isneededtoregulatetheEarth’satmosphere,

•isessentialforpollination,waste-disposal, pollutioncontrol,agricultureandcleanwater.

The Community of All Creation

BIODIVERSITY: ST FRANCIS DAY

Why is it important to Christians? TheaccountsoftheCreationintheearlychap-tersofGenesisemphasisethedelightGodtakesinhisCreation.MorespecificallyinGen-esis2.15Adamisinstructedto‘tillandcarefor’theearthandmanymoderninterpreterstakethis in a strong sense that we are accountable toGodforthecarewetakeoverourfellowcreaturesandoursharedworld.Currently,hu-manactivitiesaredestroyingbiodiversityatalarmingratesandtheselossesareirreversible.

Inthebiblicalviewtheearthandallthatfillsitcompriseacommunity.Oneofthebasicerrorsofourcultureistoseparatehumanityfromtherestofcreation.Theveryterm‘theenviron-ment’suggeststhatweareaseparateentity,whileeverythingelseis‘outthere’.IntheGenesisaccountofcreation,humansandothercreaturesareformedtogether(Genesis1:24-31).Humans,endowedwithaspecialcallingandspecialprivileges,haveapivotalroleinthedevelopmentandwell-beingofcreation.Whenwefail,allcreationsuffers.


Correspondingly,theredemptionofcreationawaitsthefullredemptionofhumanbeings(Romans8:18-23).Wearecalledtodotwothings–tohelptosavethespeciesthathehascreated,andtoturnfromthearroganceandidolatrythatincurshisjudgment. Somepeoplethinkthatthedisappearanceofnaturalspeciesdoesn’treallymatterthatmuch.Inplanningmatters,economyoftenismoreim-portantthanecology.Partlyasaresultofsuchamindset,wearelivingthroughthesixthgreatextinctioninthehistoryoftheEarth–andthefirsttobecausedbyhumans.Thecurrentrateofextinctionissaidtobe100oreven1,000timesabovethenaturallevel.AtruesenseofthevalueofGod’screationwouldcauseustorepentofsuchcallousdisregard. Inourglobalisedeconomy,greedyandabu-sivetradingpracticesdispossessbothpeopleandnaturalspecies.Destructionoftropicalforestsassaultsbothindigenousracesandwildlife.Tradeinivoryand‘bushmeat’threatenelephantsandprimates.Sometimesforestsaredestroyedbypeoplewhoarethemselvesdesperateforlandinordertofeedthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Inmanycasesdemandfromtherichnationsdrivestheexploitationbothofpeopleandofthenaturalworld.Forinstancethedemandforfishhasdepletedstocksworld-wide.Thusinourworldoppressionofthepoor,suchasisdenouncedbyAmosinhistime,isin-separablefromthedestructionofspeciesandecosystems.Ratherthanjustfeelingguilty,wecantakepracticalandpoliticalactionstowardsfairandecologicallyresponsibletrade.

BIBLE STUDY – BIODIVERSITY

Read together: Job 38:1-27 (Ideally use ‘The Message’ – a fresh, mod-ern version

Questionsforreflectionanddiscussion•Whydoesnatureflourish?WhatdoesJob suggestaboutthis?•WhatimagesdoesJob38usetodescribe God’sworkincreation?(Answersincludedesigner/architect/par-ent/ruler/provider)

•WhatdothesetellusaboutGod’s character?•WhatotherattributesofGod’scharacter havepeopleseenintheirownexperience ofnature?•WhatdoesJob38:25-27suggestabout whomcreationisfor?Isitonlyforpeople?• Howdoeshumanbehaviourtodayinhibit creationfromflourishing?•Whataretherootcausesofthis–where havewegonewrong?•Howdoweneedtore-orientateourselves toregaintheperspectiveofJob38? What might this mean for: -ourpriorities? -ourlifestyles? -ourchurch-life? -ourwork-life?

•Prayforareasoftheworldthatare sufferingtheeffectsofClimateChange andbiodiversityloss.•Prayforthosewhoworkinthe environmental&conservationsectors.•PrayforChristianorganisationswhichare seekingtocareforGod’sworld•PrayforGod’sChurchworldwideto recoverthefoundationalimportanceof creationcareinitsworshipandmission.

Source (Rev Nigel Cooper : Churches together in Britain and Ireland)


SERMON:

BIODIVERSITY Good News for All Creation

AttheendofStMatthew’sGospel,Jesussaystohisdisciples“Goandsharethegoodnewswithallcreation.”Allcreation.Thetaskofbelieversisnotsimplytogoandcommunicateafewideastoafewpromisinghumanbeings,itistotransformthefaceoftheearth.WearetobethebearersofgoodnewsfortheworldthatGodhasmade.Notforanyonelittlebitofit,foranyonecommunityattheexpenseofothers.Notevenitseemsforhumanityattheexpenseofeverythingelseintheuniverse.Goodnewsforallcreation.

Andthatiswhywe’rehere,toasktodaywhatisgoingtobegoodnewsforcreation?Itlooksinthelastfewdecadesparticularlyandperhapsthe last few millennia as if the human race has onthewholenotbeenverygoodnewsfortherestofcreation.Andthat’scatchingupwithus,catchingupwithusintermsofitspracticaleffects.Wearesee-ingpollutionofouroceans,lossofbiodiversity,andincreaseofhunger.

Wearemoreandmorebeginningtorealisehowwehaveturnedourbackonthatcom-mandoftherisenLord,tobeandtocarrygoodnewsforallofhisworld.WeneedtoaskGodtorallyusanduniteusandinspireusaroundavisionofuniversalgoodnews,whichisjusticeforcreationandjusticeforGod’shumanchildrenalso.Thesetwothingsareinseparable.

Wedonothavetomakesomekindofchoicebetweenlookingafterhumanbeingsandlook-ingaftertheplanet.Weareashumanbeings,incaseyouhaven’tnoticed,creatures.InJob38:18wecanfindthatwonderfulreminderofwherewestandincreation.GodsaystoJobwithunforgettablefatherlysarcasm“HaveyoucomprehendedtheexpanseoftheEarth?Declareifyouknowallthis.”Sowearepartofagreatinterwovensystemoflife.Welivebecausewearecreatures.Wedependonthehealthoftheworldaroundus.Andbecauseofthat,thehealthoftheworldaroundusandourownlong-termhealtharenottwothingsbutone.Let’snotlosesightofthat.

Sadly,wehearalltoooftenhowclimatechangeisaffectingthemostvulnerablecom-munitiesontheearth.Ofourfailuretoattendtothehealthandwellbeingofcreation,thefail-uretosharegoodnewswithcreationitself.

StPaul’swordsintheLettertotheRomans8:19-21 “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God “.Holdthatvisionwithenormousclarityandpower.Whenhumanbeingsarehealedoftheirsinandtheirfear,whenhumanbeingsfindtheirhealing,theirdeliverancefromselfishnessandgreedandanxietyitbeginstomakeamysteri-ousdifferencetoeverything.YoubegintoseethatGod’spurposeforthewholecreationisgloryforallthatismadeinwhichhumanbe-ingssharewithallotherthings.CreationitselfwillbesetfreefromitsbondagetocorruptionandobtainthefreedomofthegloryofthechildrenofGod.Somehowourdeliveranceintojoyandthanks-giving,intoreconciliationwithGodandoneanotherspillsoverintothereconciliationandthetransfigurationofthewholeworldwe’rein.Ourliberationistheworld’sliberation.GoodnewsforusshouldbegoodnewsforthewholeofGod’sworld.Soforustobesharinggoodnewswiththewholehumanraceandthewholeworldinwhichandfromwhichitlives,isforustobesetfreefirstofall.Setfreefromthemyththatsomehowhumanbeingsreallyexistsome-whereelsethanintheworldasittrulyis.Thatsomehowwe’reincharge.Thatsomehowthisisgiventoustouseaswewish,asifwewerenotembodiedbutdisembodied.

Weneedtobedeliveredfromthat,weneedtobedeliverednotonlyfromuntruthbutfromfear.Thefearthatifwetakestepsofcourageandgenerosityinrelationtotheworldandtooneanothersomehowwewillmakeourselvesalittlebitlesscomfortable.

Thisisnotaboutfear;thisisnotaboutallofusasChristianssayingtotherestofthehumanrace“It’stimetopanic.Worryharder.”Becausemysteriouslythatdoesn’tactuallychangeverymuch.Whatwehavetosayisinthesharingofgoodnewsthereislifeforus,lifeforourneigh-bours,lifeforthecreationinwhichGodhas


placedus.Andthatissomethingforjoynotfear.Soplease,let’sfocusonthethanksgivingandthewonderofthegiftwe’vebeengiveninouruniverse.Andthegiftoffaith,perspective,courage,spiritfilledvisionthatisours.

BacktoJobagain.“WhodeterminedthemeasurementsoftheEarth,whostretchedthelineuponit?Onwhatwereitsbasissunk?Wholaiditscornerstone?Whenthemorningstarssangtogetherandalltheheavenlybeingsshoutedforjoy.”Nowthatiswhereourpassionforcreationcomesfrom.It’sthesingingoftheheavenlybeings;it’sthemorningstarsrejoic-ing.It’screationasagiftforwhichwemustbegrateful.Agiftinwhoselifeandforwhoselifewemustactnotoutoffearbutoutoflove,outofgenerosity.Andoutofthehopeofthatfree-domofthegloryofthechildrenofGod.

“Go...”saysJesus“...sharethegoodnewswitheverycreature,witheverythingthathasbeenmade.Wehavebeenprivilegedtoheargoodnewsandsowerenewourcommitmenttospeakthatgoodnewscourageouslyinaworldsoappallinglyhungryforit.Tospeakgoodnewstothepoorestandthemostvulnerable,tospeakgoodnewstothecreationabusedandexploitedbyus.

IftheGodofJobandtheLordJesusChristandStPaularerightthenourwitnessinthisrespecttrulyisasignofourliberation.Andasignofhopeintheworld.Mayitbeso..

By Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.Source: Churches together in Britain and Ireland.

Good Lord, most High Almighty, to you all praise is due, all glory, honour, blessing, belong alone to you; there is no man whose lips are fit to frame your name.

Be praised then, my Lord God, in and through all your creatures especially among them, through noble Brother Sun, by whom you light the day; in his radiant splendid beauty he reminds us, Lord, of you.

Be praised, my Lord. Through Sister Moon and all the stars;you have made the sky shine in their lovely light.

In Brother Wind be praised, my Lord, and in the air,in clouds, in calm,in all the weather moods that cherish life.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water; she is most useful, humble, precious, pure. And Brother Fire, by whom you lighten night; how fine is he, how happy, powerful, strong.

Through our dear Mother Earth be praised, my Lord, she feeds us, guides us, gives us plants, bright flowers and all her fruits.

Be praised, my Lord, through us, when out of love for youwe pardon one another.When we endurein sickness and in sorrow.Blessed are they who preserve in peace; from you, Most High, they will receive their prize.

Be praised, my Lord, praised for our Sister Death, from whom no man alive can hope to hide; wretched are they who die deep in their sin. And blessed those, Death finds doing your will. For them there is no further death to fear.

O people! Praise God and bless him, give him thanks and serve him most humbly.

The Canticle of the Creatures - St. Francis of Assisi; translation by Molly ReidyReproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2001


BLESSING OF ANIMALS Saint Francis day

Concerning the Occasion

Animals are a vital part of the creation of which human beings have been given stewardship. They provide us with companionship, and in some cases assist in independent daily liv-ing. The rite which follows is intended for use when it is desired to give thanks and to pray for God’s blessing on pets and other domestic animals. It is anticipated that a significant num-ber of children will be present, and their partici-pation and leadership should be encouraged. Portions of this material may be incorporated into the Sunday Eucharist of a congregation..

Intercessions and Thanksgivings.Leader: Wethankyou,God,forthegiftoflife:forthebeautyandwonderofcreation,andfor our own lifewhichcomesfromyou.People: Glory to you for ever and ever.Leader: Wethankyoufortherichnessof animallife:forfishandbirds, insects,reptiles,andmammals.People: Glory to you for ever and ever.Leader: Wethankyoufortheanimalswho giveusfaithfulcompanionship, joywhenwearehappyand comfortwhenwearesad.People: Glory to you for ever and ever.Leader: Wethankyouforcallingusto carefortheseanimals. Maywelearnloveandrespectfor alllivingthings.People: Glory to you for ever and ever.

The priest says the prayer of blessing.Blessedareyou,living,lovingGod.Allcreationpraisesyou,yetyouhavegiventheearthintoourhands.

Youmadeanimalsasourcompanions,that in caring for themwemightlearntoloveandcareforallyourcreatures,andfindinthemasignofyourgrace.Aswefulfilthiscallingmaywedrawclosetoyou,thegiverofalllife,throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.

The animals are blessed

The service may continue at the Peace

From Canadian Book of Occasional Services

Reader: The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and all that dwells therein.

All: We live in God’s world, we are not alone. We share this life with the heavens and the earth, with the waters and the land, with trees and grasses, with fish, birds, and animals, with creatures of every form, and with all our brothers and sisters.

Reader: God saw all that was made, and behold, it was very good.

Source: A Service of Worship - The Earth Is the Lord’s, United Church of CanadaReproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2003


CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES

Invitethechildrentoclosetheireyesandpicturetheirfavouriteplaceintheworld.Nowthinkofonethingeachoneofuscoulddototakecareofthisworlde.g.recycling,wastinglesswater,switchingoffelectricalappliancesinsteadofleavingonstandby,notdroppinglit-teretc.Eventhesmallchangesweallmakecanmakeadifference.Inpairsorindividually,askthechildrentoproduceposters,eithershow-ingsmallchangeswecouldallmaketocareforourworld,orcelebratingtheworld’sbiodiver-sity.Putthesepostersuparoundthechurchorbuilding.

Make a green colour strip Takethechildrenouttocollectasmanydiffer-entgreenleavesaspossibleorprovidetheseforthem.Putastripofdoublesidedstickytapeonapieceofwhitecardandarrangetheleaves(orpartsoftheleavesiftoobig)incolourorderfromlightestgreenthroughtodarkestgreenontothetape.Thisgivesacol-ourstripshowingsomethingofthediversityofplantsinthelocalenvironment.

Leaf collage DrawalargeleafshapeonanA4pieceofpa-per.FilltheleafshapewithasmanydifferentleavesfoundinthelocalenvironmentgluedonusingPVAglueasacollageofplantdiversity.

Psalm of praise ReadPsalm8tothechildren.Usingalargesheetofpaper,createa“thoughtshower”ofthingsinthenaturalworldthatthechildrenwouldliketogivethankstoGodfor.Thesemightincludefavouriteplaces,animals,foodetc.Then,scribethechildren’sPsalmofpraisebeginningandendingwith,“OLord,ourLord,howmajesticisyournameinalltheearth!”Andincludingthechildren’ssuggestionsinthemainbodyofthe“Psalm”.Readthejointpieceofworktogether.UsethisPsalminchurchnextweek.

Story Board ReadthestoryofcreationfromGenesis1tothegroup.Youmayprefertouseachildren’sversionoftheBibleorTheMessageforthis.ProvideanA3pieceofpaperdividedintosixsquarestothechildren,toworkoninpairsorindividually.Askthechildrentodrawthecrea-tionstoryineachoftheboxestorepresentthesixdaysofcreation,remindingthemthattheseventhdaywasadayofrest.

Creation Cube ReadthestoryofcreationfromGenesis1tothegroup.Youmayprefertouseachildren’sversionoftheBibleorTheMessageforthis.Providethechildrenwithacubenet(template)onA4card.Oneachfaceofthecube,drawoneofthesixdaysofcreation.Cutoutandmakeupthecube.Eachtossofthecubewillremindthechildrenofadifferentaspectofthecreationstory.

Flower collage pen pots Providethechildrenwithpicturesofflowersfromgardeningmagazinesorseedcataloguesetcandacardboardcup.UsePVAgluetocoverthecupwiththeflowerpictures,whichcanthenbeusedasapenholder.Asthechil-drenmaketheflowercollagepenpots,discussthediversityofplantsintheworld.

Wildlife garden Useacornerofthechurchgarden,awindowboxorlargeplantpottosowsomewildflowerseedsforthechildrentocreateandcarefortheirownwildlifegarden.Talkabouttheim-portanceofprovidingtherightenvironmentforbeesandotherwildlife,howwedependonbeesforpollination,theimportanceofsup-portingnativespeciesetc.

Creation musical Listentothestoryofcreation.Eithermakemusicalinstrumentsoutofjunkorusepercussioninstrumentstoproduceasoundtrackforeachaspectofthecreationstory.Rereadthestorywiththechildrenplayingtheirmusic.


ADDITIONAL LITURGICAL MATERIALS

Blessing

Deeppeaceoftherunningwavetoyou,deeppeaceoftheflowingairtoyou,deeppeaceofthequietearthtoyou,deeppeaceoftheshiningstarstoyou,deeppeaceoftheSonofPeacetoyou.

Amen.Gaelic blessing, from Words and Songs of Reconciliation and Praise, Graz, 1997)

Sending forthLeader:GoforthnowtocareforGod’sworld.Useenergywisely.Shareyourknowledge.Sacrificewherenecessary.Liveinharmonywithallcreation.Gooutintoalltheworldasprophetsofanewwayoflivingandpreachthegoodnewstoallcreation.AndtheblessingofGodAlmighty,Father,SonandHolySpirit,Bewithusallnowandalways.All: Amen.From Prayers for the Planet, at a service at Hinde Street Methodist Church, London, before the Climate March, December 2005

Reading on food and environmental justicePsalm65v1a,9-13GoodNewsBible:

OGod,itisrightforustopraiseyou...Youshowyourcareforthelandbysendingrain;youmakeitrichandfertile.Youfillthestreamswithwater;youprovidetheearthwithcrops.Thisishowyoudoit:yousendabundantrainontheploughedfieldsandsoakthemwithwater;yousoftenthesoilwithshowersandcausetheyoungplantstogrow.Whatarichharvestyourgoodnessprovides!Whereveryougothereisplenty.Thepasturesarefilledwithflocks;thehillsidesarefullofjoy.Thefieldsarecoveredwithsheep;thevalleysarefullofwheat.Everythingshoutsandsingsforjoy.

A litany for sustainable energy

CreatorGod,youhavegenerouslyblesseduswithanabundanceofgiftsinthis,yourworld.Helpustoshareinthatgenerositybylivinginawaythatensuresthatyourgiftswillcontinuetobeavailableforfuturegenerations.O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation

CreatorGod,werejoicethat,ashumanbeings,wehavebeencreatedinyourimageandlikeness.Butwealsorecognisethathumanityalonecannotade-quatelyreflectyou.Thewholediversityoftheearthisneededtogiveusevenaglimpseofyourwonderandgreatness.Helpustoliveinasustainablewaysothatthismarvellousdiversityisrespected.O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation

CreatorGod,weliveinaworldwheresomeofusthrowoutfoodwhileothersgotobedhungry;wheresomehavethemodernamenitiesoflifeattheirdisposalandothersstruggletofinddrinkingwater.Maywelearntosharewithoneanotherand,inthisway,cometoshareinyourgenerositytoall.O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation

CreatorGod,thesun,thewindandthewavesareyourgiftsfortheflourishingofthewholecommu-nityoflifeonearth.Helpustousethemcreativelytoproducesustainableenergyforall.O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation

Throughscientists,engineersandscholarsnewknowledgecomestolight;maynewdevelopmentsintheproductionofsustainableenergyprotectourfragileplanetandpromotethewell-beingofallpeoplesandallcreaturesontheirjourneytowhole-ness.O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation

WeprayfortheUnitedNations,forallinternational,nationalandlocalleadersandformanagersofcompaniesthattheymaybeguidedbyyourSpirittomakewisedecisionsaboutsourcesofsustain-ableenergyforall.O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation

CreatorGod,Youhaveblessedhumankindwithunderstanding,imaginationandmemory.Showushowtolearnfrompastmistakesandplanforthefuturecreativelyandresponsibly.O God, give us your love for the whole of Creation

Priest/leaderLetuspray:Createinusanewheartandanewvi-sion,OGod,thatthegiftsofYourSpiritmayworkinusandrenewthefaceoftheearth.Maywebeonewithyousothatourworkisyoursandyourworkisours.WeaskthisinthenameofJesus,wholiveswithyouandwiththeHolySpiritforever.Amen(Source: Churches together in Britain and Ireland – resources for creation time)

We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of the earth and sky and sea;for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers;for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers.We praise you for these good gifts and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity.Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation,to the honor and glory of your name, now and forever.

(Source: The Book of Common Prayer; Church Publishing, New York)

ikhala graphic communications...this book contains material on the following themes:, climate change...

Documents