God's call to Earthkeeping - Awakening to - For creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God - ELCA Resource ...
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Awakening to
God’s call to
Earthkeeping
For creation waits
with eager longing
for the revealing
of the children of God.
Romans 8:19
Awakening to
God’s call to
Earthkeeping
For creation waits Contents
with eager longing Leader Guide
for the revealing
Introduction 3
of the children of God.
Romans 8:19 Session One: Rediscovering
Our Place in Creation 5
Participant 10
A four-session small group study Session Two: God’s
Presence
to encourage, empower, and Fills All Creation 12
equip Lutherans in their calling Participant 18
to care for creation. Leader Resource 21
Caring for creation is an essential component of Session Three: Biblical
religious faith and witness. Faithful “earthkeeping” Foundations for
can deepen our relationship both with God and with Earthkeeping 22
one another, as we work for the healing of the world. Participant 26
This resource is downloadable at no cost from Leader Resource 28
the ELCA website at ww.elca.org/stewardship/
teaching. For more specific information about Session Four: Creation Waits
earthkeeping and using this resource, you may with Eager Longing! 35
contact the author, and ELCA Diaconal Minister, Participant 40
Kim Winchell, at KWinchellDM@aol.com.
KB: set “living in...” Appendix of
by Kim Winchell
in Minion Italic
at about 12 point.
Resource Materials
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard
Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian A Theology for Earthkeeping 43
Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the USA and used by permission. All rights reserved. Sample Survey on Religious
Faith and the Environment 45
Copyright © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
This study may be downloaded and reproduced for one-time Historical Voices on Creation 46
Living in God’s amazing grace local usage. All reproductions must include this notice.
A Congregational Covenant for
**Though this study guide has been designed with ELCA
the Care of Creation 48
Lutherans in mind, members of other denominations can
easily modify it for their own use, by incorporating pertinent Helpful Resources for a Faithful
materials from their own faith traditions and national church Response as Earthkeepers! 49
offices.
Design: Brewer Communications, Inc. www.brewer-com.com
Cover photo ©iStockphoto.com/czardases
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Introductionw 2
Introduction
Leader Guide
Earthkeeping is a term Possible Uses Desired Outcomes
being used by many people of faith to and Contexts It is hoped that participants will:
describe the nature of our responsi- ● Gain a deeper awareness and
This resource is intended for use
bility to care for creation. It springs understanding of our connection
in any faith-based small group setting,
from our wonder, awe, and gratitude to creation and discover new
such as: adult/older youth Sunday
for God’s wisdom, creativity, and ways to live into God’s hope and
school or Christian education classes,
blessings that fill the natural world. guidance for our lives and world.
Women’s circles, Men’s groups, or a
It also grows out of our dismay and
congregational “creation care” team. ● Awaken to the Spirit’s urgent call
concern for the degradations and
The material may be presented in our time, to better care for the
“groaning” of God’s good creation.
over four, approximately one-hour Earth, in ways that are just and
Faithful earthkeeping involves
sessions, but suggestions and options sustainable for all.
extending the justice, peace, reconcil-
are included for extending the study,
iation, hope, and love of Christ to all ● Embrace a hopeful vision for
where feasible or desired. It could
creation. In caring for the Earth, we how we, and the generations that
also be utilized over a weekend in a
also deepen our relationship with follow us, can live in a world
retreat setting. This curriculum is
God and with one another, making marked by a loving, healthy,
merely an introductory overview, and
our faith more alive and relevant, in life-giving relationship between
groups are encouraged to make use
and to a broken world. humankind and the rest of God’s
of the additional resources listed in
This study guide has been creation.
the Appendix, so that earthkeeping
developed to help group participants
might become more fully integrated ● Be empowered and equipped to
hear and respond to God’s call to
into the ongoing awareness, life, and find ways to bring that vision to
earthkeeping, as a way to grow in
practices of our family of faith. life, both in our personal lives
their faith and to work for the healing
Thank you, and blessings be upon and through a congregational
of the world, both individually and in
you, for your leading of this group witness to the wider society.
congregations.
study about answering God’s call to
care for the Earth! This study booklet
is arranged for use by the group
leader, with separate, reproducible
participant pages for each
session.
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Introductionw 3
Leader Tips and
Advance Preparation:
● Read through and familiarize
yourself with the whole study
booklet ahead of time, taking
note of placement of materials,
any advance prep needed for
each session, and potential
options for expanding the
sessions.
● Order, or borrow, and preview
any videos (from the Resource
list) that may be used.
● Provide notice of this study
group opportunity in your
congregational newsletter or via
other means available to you for
promoting and advertising it.
● Post a sign-up sheet ahead of
time to aid in determining how
many participants to plan for and
how many copies of participant
PHOTO © KIM WINCHELL
pages to prepare. Please use
recycled content papers!
● Consider “decorating” the meet-
ing space to be used with a small
collection of natural objects, pho- or a state ELCA public policy ● [Important!] The leader, and par-
tos, or posters depicting natural office will also be a helpful ticipants, should collect (both
scenes (participants may also be resource, in terms of issues. prior to the class and throughout)
invited to add to this collection). any newspaper and magazine arti-
● You may also wish to review, and
cles about current environmental
● Make sure your meeting space perhaps obtain for group mem-
issues or problems, and post or
has sufficient, comfortable seat- bers, a copy of the ELCA’s social
display them in some manner in
ing and tables, if needed (though, statement Caring for Creation:
the meeting room (this will be
if possible, consider holding your Vision, Hope, and Justice—see
important in leading up to, and
discussions outside!). www.elca.org/socialstatements/
preparing for, Session Four).
environment.
● Access to a white board or paper
● Finally, have fun with this! Be
flip chart would be helpful. ● Each session has suggested
open to the leading of the Spirit.
prayers for the Opening and
● Be aware of nearby nature cen- This should be a journey of joy,
Closing/Sending, but feel free to
ters, planetariums, and any local discovery, and hope for all
create your own prayers, if
or state environmental groups involved. Encourage and allow
desired, and to have group
(as potential places to visit or for all to have a chance to be heard,
members share in the leading of
info on current local issues). and strive to have discussions
prayers and readings. Potential
that are courteous and respectful,
● The national ELCA office for discussion questions will be
accepting that sometimes we may
public policy, The Washington included for each session.
have to agree to disagree.
Office, (www.elca.org/advocacy)
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Introductionw 4
1
Awakening to
God’s call to
Earthkeeping
Session One
Rediscovering Our Place
in Creation
When I look at your
heavens, the work of
your fingers, the moon
and the stars that you
have established,
what are human
beings that you are
mindful of them,
mortals that you care
for them? [Yet] …you
have given them
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/JARED DELARIMAN
dominion over the
works of your hands.
Psalm 8:3-4, 6a
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session One 5
Leader Tips and
●
Session One:
Rediscovering Our Place in Creation
Leader Guide
Advance Preparation
Make sufficient copies of the
Survey on Religious Faith & the
Note: This study guide utilizes the
common modern scientific
understanding that the universe is
approximately 13-14 billion years
old, and the Earth about 5 billion
Opening the Session
1
Leader welcomes group partici-
pants and invites brief introductions,
if needed (fuller introductions will
follow opening prayer and opening
Environment (Appendix, page 45) years old. See pertinent videos,
books, and the “Clergy Letter readings).
if you choose to use that compo-
nent in Session One and later Project” in the Resources section
return it for participant review for further information, if you A Call to Prayer
and reflection in Session Four. think this will be of concern to See page 10. This may be read
Alternately, the survey can be any of your participants. in unison; leader may follow with a
distributed and collected prior free-form prayer or invite participant
● You may wish to find some
to the first class, and reviewed petitions of hopes for the study
Hubble Telescope photos to have
confidentially ahead of time. group, or creation itself.
available or on display for this
Whichever way the survey is
session (or schedule a follow-up
used, the idea is to gain a sense
visit to a local planetarium).
Distribution of the Survey
of the starting point attitudes of (optional)
the group. Plan to have partici- ● Plan ahead for how you might
Ask participants to take just a
pants write their name or initials convey the concepts of the
couple of minutes to quietly fill it out,
on the backside of the survey, Ancient Hebrew worldview and
fold it in half, and put their name
after it is folded in half to turn in. the scope of time, introduced in
or initials on the backside before
Be sure to save these, as they will this session. Take a few moments
returning it to you.
be revisited in the last session. to examine the illustration, an
You may wish to share some
artist’s depiction of “Ancient
● If possible before the first ses- personal words about your hopes for
Hebrew Cosmology,” as gleaned
sion, provide participants with a this group study, and ask participants
from the opening chapters of
copy of the Theology for what their hopes are. Another option
Genesis. This will be introduced
Earthkeeping (Appendix, page would be to share the list of “Desired
in the section, “Ways of
43; please use a double-sided Outcomes” from the introductory
Rediscovering Our Place.”
copy) and request that they read material.
Explanatory text, provided below
it prior to your first gathering. You may then read the following
in the session outline, may be
Other options: it may be read questions—not to be answered, but to
read aloud.
aloud by either the leader or help set the theme and tone of this
participants at some point during ● The “Appreciating Our Place in first session.
the beginning of the session Time” analogy: You may wish to
(depending on the time avail- sketch out a picture of the ten Questions to think about:
able), or distributed at the end volumes, or plan to bring in ● What do we know about our
of the session, as a take-home an encyclopedia set, to help “place” and how might that
reading. participants visualize this. There inform our “role” as humans, as
is also explanatory text that you God’s people, on Earth?
will read for this illustration.
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Onew 6
● How might ancient views, cou- The ancient worldview and
pled with new understandings of
Ways of
Rediscovering how far we have come
our place in space and time, help
Leader may read the following
us to rediscover our place within Our Place or summarize in his/her own words.
the “matrix of grace” that is our
Leader facilitates this This is what the known world
earthly home?
discussion, by reading or seemed to be like, to ancient eyes: the
● How familiar are you with summarizing provided text. Earth held up by pillars, with waters
your bioregion and backyard’s below, welling up in rivers, lakes, and
ecological features? How do we name our place? oceans, with above the “firmament,”
Each person is asked to share like a dome, that the sun and stars
Introductory Reflection
where she or he was born, grew up, moved across, and with “floodgates”
See page 10; invite one or two to let in the rain and snow. How far
and where they live now. (An
persons to read it aloud. we have come in our understanding,
alternative “invitation” would be to
Allow a short time for discussion, of the nature of the universe, and
borrow a conversation starter that the
if desired, of this Introduction or the where the Earth fits into it!
Australian Aborigines purportedly use
Theology for Earthkeeping.
when they meet a stranger. They ask
You may address the provided
two questions: “What waters do you Finding our place
sample questions as a group, or have
participants take a few minutes to
come from?” and “Where is your bone in the universe
country?”) Leader slowly reads aloud the
privately write their thoughts in the
space provided on their handout for following “universe statistics.”
this session. Participants may wish to close their
eyes, to listen in a more reflective
manner.
The universe had been developing for
some 8-10 billion years prior to
Earth’s appearing.
The Earth was “born” nearly 5 billion
years ago.
It is part of a solar system, that is
itself part of the Milky Way
galaxy; and our solar system
is in what you might call the
“backwaters”—an outer arm—
of our spiral galaxy.
Our Milky Way galaxy contains
about 300-400 billion stars, many
similar to our Sun, with planetary
bodies of their own.
Our home galaxy moves in relation-
ship to a group of some 26 other
galaxies, known as a “cluster;”
ours is called the “Local Group.”
Illustration from Reading the Old Testament: An
Introduction by Lawrence Boadt, Paulist Press, NY,
1984, page 115. Used by permission.
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Onew 7
This so named Local Group cluster of Possible questions for
galaxies is, itself, part of a group
Appreciating
reflection and discussion Our Place in Time
of over 1000 clusters, making up
Select one or more of the follow-
what is called the Virgo Leader reads this analogy and
ing questions for discussion by the
Supercluster. the commentary following.
whole group or break into smaller
Here’s one way to try to grasp
Now try to imagine a single super- groups, if numbers warrant.
our place in time, in the history of the
cluster as a white dot—remember
universe and the Earth.4 Begin by
that it contains hundreds, if not ● When you consider our physical
imagining a ten-volume encyclopedia
thousands, of galaxies, them- location within the universe,
set. This will represent the 5 billion-
selves containing billions of stars do you find it humbling?
year history of Earth (which followed
…there are estimated to be Frightening? Exciting? Other
8-10 billion years of the universe’s
something on the order of feelings?
development).
10 million such “dots,” such
● How does your consideration Each volume of Earth’s history
superclusters, spread across the
of the vastness, mystery, and holds 500 pages; each page represents
vast expanse of space.1
wonder of our universe influence 1 million years.
your sense of the immensity of In such an encyclopedia set,
[pause] God’s love for us? life—in the form of the first cellular
life—does not appear until volume 8,
● Knowing what we do of the
It’s about more than our human with much of that volume devoted to
universe, does it increase or
minds can conceive of, isn’t it? Does plants, though reptiles reach their
decrease the significance of
this sort of knowledge shake our peak about page 440. Humans come
humans? Does it, should it, affect
faith, or fill us with awe and wonder, along fairly late in this story …page
how we relate to one another and
or a sense of humility and gratitude? 499, of the last of the ten volumes! In
the natural world around us?
this model (configured to stop at the
How we relate to God?
Hear these words of year 2000), the time of organized
Brian Swimme, in his book, The human civilization (the past 6,000
Scripture:
Hidden Heart of the Cosmos, uses a years) is represented by the final two
For I am convinced that nei-
phrase to describe how he views the words on the very last page.
ther death, nor life, nor angels,
nor rulers,nor things present, nature of the universe. He calls it the
nor things to come, nor powers, “all-nourishing abyss.” 2 On the other Time analogy commentary
nor height, nor depth, nor any- hand, the late Lutheran theologian by Lutheran ethicist, theologian, and
thing else in all creation, will be Joseph Sittler, in his 1954 essay, “A author Larry Rasmussen:
able to separate us from the Theology for Earth,” describes cre- “The astonishing thing is the last
love of God in Christ Jesus our ation (as viewed through the lens of syllable of the last word of the last
Lord. Psalm 104) as “a matrix of grace in volume. Here humans turned the
Romans 8:38-39 which all things derive significance great tide against life itself. Here the
from their origin, and all things find process of slowly closing down major
I pray that you may have the fulfillment in praise.” 3 Which phrase life-systems began at human hands.
power to comprehend, with all feels most comfortable to you? Might …It is astonishing that an organic
the saints, what is the breadth “all-encompassing matrix of grace” world aeons in the making could be
and length and height and be a good compromise that fits both so easily jeopardized by the species
depth, and to know the love of
scientific and theological understand- that claims to master its secrets and
Christ that surpasses knowl-
ings? Can you come up with other care for it as a watchful steward.
edge, so that you may filled with
suitable ways of naming our context …Alongside our miniscule tenure
all the fullness of God.
in the universe, that arise from our the thing most astonishing is our
Ephesians 3:18-19 belief, through faith, that we are held gargantuan imprint. These are the ten
in and by God’s love, the grace of volumes of earth to date. We begin
Christ, and the power of the Spirit? volume 11 as the twentieth century
comes to an end.”5
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Onew 8
The group may wish to share After a pause for silent ● As a group, visit a local nature
their thoughts and feelings raised by reflection, Leader closes with prayer: center, natural area, or wildlife
the readings on “place” in space and refuge—get to know your bio-
Let us pray: Almighty and
time. Or, the Leader may invite here a region! Conduct a prayer walk
everlasting God, you made the
few moments of quiet reflection, for outdoors, and leave silent pauses
universe with all its marvelous order
all to consider what God’s Spirit may for creation to join in and for
and beauty, its atoms, worlds, and
be saying to us at this moment in our personal reflection and prayer.
galaxies, and the infinite complexity of
history and how we are called to be,
living creatures. Gracious Lord, you ● Create a “get to know your bio-
and act, in our connection to one
are the artist of creation and the bear- region quiz” about plant, animal
another and to God’s awesome
er of life; give us the wisdom and species, natural features, etc.
creation around us.
understanding to care for the Earth. and see who scores the highest.
Grant that as we see and experience (There is a sample one in Earth
Closing all the blessings and mysteries of your Ministry’s The Greening
A Commentary creation, we may come to know you Congregation Handbook.)
more truly, and more surely fulfill our
by ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. ● If your group is agreeable to
Hanson (page 11) role in your eternal purpose. In your
singing, find a good hymn to go
holy name we pray, Amen.
Invite someone to read this aloud. along with the day’s theme.
Participants may then take a moment Possibilities include God Who
to quietly reflect upon and answer the Options for expanding Stretched the Spangled Heavens,
“Question to ponder” or use it as a Session One Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW)
take-home exercise. 463 or Evangelical Lutheran
● Visit a local planetarium or
invite an astronomy professor or Worship (ELW) 771).
A Scripture Reading someone from a local astronomy ● For an in-depth, secular resource
Leader reads a paraphrase of club to make a presentation to the on bioregionalism and “Discover-
Psalm 8:1, 3-6a. class or the congregation. ing A Sense of Place” (in an
O Lord, our Lord, how majes-
● Find some photos taken by the eight-session group discussion
tic is your name in all the Earth!
Hubble Telescope, share and course), contact the Northwest
When we look at your heav-
discuss; a good book of amazing Earth Institute, Portland, Oregon
ens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you pictures from space, coupled with at (503) 227-2807 or
have established, we cannot reflections, is The Hand of God: www.nwei.org.
help but wonder: Thoughts and Images Reflecting
what are human beings that the Spirit of the Universe, Endnotes
you are even mindful of them, Templeton Foundation Press, 1999. 1 Universe statistics are drawn from
mortals that you so care for The Whole Shebang – A State of the
them? ● Discuss materials from The Clergy Universe(s) Report by Timothy
Yet you have made them a lit- Letter Project Web site: a February Ferris and The Hidden Heart of the
tle lower than God, and 2006 letter signed by over 10,000 Cosmos by Brian Swimme. See
Resources.
crowned them with glory and clergy in the U.S.,
honor. You have placed us on in support of the teaching of 2 Brian Swimme, The Hidden Heart
this Earth and given us domin- of the Cosmos: Humanity and the
evolution, noting that religion and
New Story, (Orbis, 1996), 100.
ion over the work of your science do not have to be in an
hands. 3 Sittler’s essay is reprinted in
adversarial role (plus sermons and
Evocations of Grace (28); see
essays). www.uwosh.edu/ Resources.
“Earth Ball” colleges/cols/clergy_project.htm
4 This analogy was first conceived
by Olaf Skarsholt (page 11) by Robert Overman; it is referenced
● Show the videos, The Blue Planet,
Read aloud, slowly, by one by Larry Rasmussen, in his book,
or Keeping the Earth: Religious
person. Earth Community, Earth Ethics, 27.
and Scientific Perspectives on the
5 Rasmussen, Earth Community,
Environment (see Resources).
Earth Ethics, 28.
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Onew 9
Session One:
Rediscovering Our Place in Creation
Participant 1.1
Furthermore, the testimony of both
A Call to Prayer Introductory scientists and spiritual teachers is
(to be read in unison) Reflection that the natural world also sustains
We who have lost our sense and The question that needs to be us in psychological and spiritual
our senses—our touch, our smell, asked is whether we truly know that ways, as well.
our vision of who we are; we we live on, and as a part of, the Earth.
who frantically force and press Of course, theologically, we would Questions to ponder
all things, without rest for body say that we are “in the world” but not In what ways have you experienced a
or spirit, hurting our Earth and “of” the world. But, how aware are connection to nature?
injuring ourselves: we, typically, of our physical, biologi-
We call a halt. cal, and ecological connection to the _____________________________________
rest of the natural world? Scientists
We want to rest. We need to rest and tell us that our bodies are made of _____________________________________
allow the Earth to rest. We need the elements of stardust, generated
to reflect and to rediscover the in cosmic explosions eons ago. The _____________________________________
mystery that lives in us, that is Bible teaches us that we have been
the ground of every unique made out of the dust of the Earth and _____________________________________
expression of life, the source of that in Christ, all things hold together
the fascination that calls all –—you might call that the theological _____________________________________
things to communion. counterpart to the ecological reality
that all things are interconnected. Is there a particular place in the natu-
We declare a Sabbath, a space of
In modern times, however, and ral world that especially nourishes you
quiet: for simple being and letting or makes you feel closer to God?
especially in developed countries, it
be; for recovering the great,
seems that many people have become
forgotten truths; for learning how
disconnected from the natural world. _____________________________________
to live again.
It’s “the environment”—something
(“Let us pray…” or other separate from us, a mere backdrop _____________________________________
petitions may be added here, for human activities—a storehouse of
or simply conclude.) goods for our use. Thomas Berry, in _____________________________________
Amen. his book The Dream of the Earth,
speaks of this as a type of “autism,”1 _____________________________________
* Prayer taken from Only One Earth, that insulates us from feeling the
United Nations Environmental _____________________________________
Programme “Environmental reality of our inherent connection to
Sabbath” materials, 1990. the world around us. In such a state
of limited awareness, it becomes all Endnotes
1 Thomas Berry, The Dream of the
too easy to harm the natural world
Earth (San Francisco: Sierra Club
and its creatures, forgetting that we Books, 1990), 16.
are connected, and that we need a
healthy planet to sustain our lives.
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Onew 10Session One:
Rediscovering Our Place in Creation
Participant 1.2
A Commentary The ancient
by ELCA Presiding Bishop
Mark S. Hanson
worldview
This is what the known
“We cannot escape the intercon- world seemed to be like
nectedness of the earth’s fabric of life. to ancient eyes: the Earth
Creation is the matrix of all our activ- held up by pillars, with
ities, both as human beings and as waters below, welling up
in rivers, lakes, and
Christ’s church. God gives us and all
oceans, with above the
creatures life through the water, air, “firmament,” like a
food, and all the other gifts that come dome, that the sun and
to us from the earth. Everything we stars moved across, and
do both depends on these gifts, and with “floodgates” to let
in the rain and snow. How
has some kind of impact upon them.
far we have come in our
If these gifts are treated with con- understanding, of the
tempt and abused, people, animals, nature of the universe,
and plants suffer together. If they are and where the Earth fits
Illustration from Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction by
graciously received and cherished, into it! Lawrence Boadt, Paulist Press, NY, 1984, page 115. Used by permission.
people will flourish with the rest of
creation. We cannot love God or our Closing
human neighbor without caring for “Earth Ball” by Olaf Skarsholt
creation. The question is not whether If the earth
the church will engage what our soci- were only a few feet in di-
ety calls the environment, but how.” ameter, floating a few feet above a
* Excerpt of a November 2003 Letter, com- field somewhere, people would come from
memorating the 10th Anniversary of the ELCA’s every where to marvel at it. People would walk
social statement: Caring for Creation: Vision,
around it marveling at its big pools of water, its little
Hope & Justice.
pools and the water flowing between the pools. People
would marvel at the bumps on it, and the holes in it, and they
Question to ponder
would marvel at the very thin layer of gas surrounding it and the
What is your hopeful vision, as a child
water suspended in the gas. The people would marvel at all the
of God, for how humans should live on
the Earth in connection with the rest of creatures walking around the surface of the ball, and in the water.
creation? The people would declare it precious because it was the only one,
And they would protect it, so that it would not be hurt. The ball
_____________________________________ would be the greatest wonder known, and people would come
to behold it, to be healed, to gain knowledge, and to know
_____________________________________ beauty and to wonder how it could be. People would love
it, and defend it with their lives, because they would
_____________________________________ somehow know that their lives, their own
roundness, could be nothing without it.
If the earth were only a few
_____________________________________
feet in diameter.
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Onew 112
Awakening to
God’s call to
Earthkeeping
Session Two
God’s Presence
Fills all Creation
The pastures of the
wilderness overflow,
the hills gird them-
selves with joy, the
meadows clothe
themselves with
flocks, the valleys
deck themselves with
grain, they shout and
sing together for joy.
Psalm 65:12-13
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MATT DULA
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 12Leader Tips and
●
Session Two:
God’s Presence Fills All Creation
Leader Guide
Advance Preparation
It would be great if this session
could be conducted outdoors!
● For the Opening Reflection, you
will need to make a copy of the
Leader Resource page for Session
Two: Ancient Teachers and Voices
on Creation and God’s Presence
2
Opening the Session
Welcome group participants and
invite introductions, if there are any
new members. Allow a short time for
any questions or reflections anyone
If not, aim to foster the inclusion (found in the Participant pages
for this session, page 21). On would like to share from Session One.
of “nature” in whatever creative
this page, you will note that there The Introduction may then be
ways you can—for example,
are seven numbered quotes. Cut read aloud before the Opening Prayer
bring to your gathering area a
them apart so that you can give and Reflection, or participants may
small collection of natural objects
them to seven individual readers. simply read it silently, prior to
(even simple stones will do, if
If you have less than seven mem- beginning the session, for their
varied and interesting). You may
bers in your group, you can read own preparation and reflection.
wish to have one particular item
some of the quotes yourself, or Introduction and Opening Prayer are
as a focus point or centerpiece.
have readers do more than one. on the Participant page for Session
● There will be a “take-home spiri- Two (see page 18). Invite the
tual exercise,” based on quotes ● Arrange the seating for this participants to join with you in the
by ancient Christian saints and session, if possible, such that prayer: “Let us pray…”
teachers. Copy the two Historical participants can sit in a circle. Opening Reflection with “Ancient
Voices on Creation pages from the Teachers and Voices on Creation and
● Just prior to beginning the
Appendix (see pages 46-47) and God’s Presence:” Describe what the
session, ask for up to seven
cut out each individual quote, so quotes are (i.e., “Ancient Teachers”
volunteers, to read the “Ancient
that there will be one on each etc.) that you will be using for the
Voices” quotes during the
slip of paper; fold each in half Opening Reflection. Invite partici-
Opening Reflection. You should
and place in a basket. These will pants to listen in a contemplative
instruct them to read them in
be distributed at the end of the fashion and to quietly reflect, as the
order, beginning at your signal,
session. Make sure there will be series of quotes are read aloud by
and to allow at least 10 seconds
sufficient copies for the number your designated readers.
of silent pause between each
of participants (each person When all of the quotes have been
quote. As they read a quote, they
needs one; there may be some read, allow a short time of silent
may also name the person it
extras by using the seven quotes reflection before proceeding with the
is from, and the dates of that
from the Opening Reflection— discussion on spirituality.
person’s life (helps establish the
see below).
context and long history of such
words).
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 13Spirituality/ Questions for reflection Considering God’s
Creation Spirituality and discussion Immanence and the Hymn
Have participants form pairs or of all Creation
Question the group members:
groups of three, and discuss the fol- Leader reads aloud:
How would you describe or define
lowing questions among themselves. When we read or hear of Luther
“spirituality”?
Allow approximately five to 10 saying something like “The power of
Just a short answer or phrase
minutes. Space is provided on the God is present at all places, even in
will do; there is no single, or right or
handout, if you feel the participants the tiniest tree leaf,” it may be helpful
wrong, answer here. This may be han-
would rather write down their to understand the definition of the
dled as a group discussion question,
thoughts and then share in a term “immanence” and to know the
but you may find it helpful to give
discussion with either their small difference between pantheism and
participants one or two minutes to
group or the group as a whole. panentheism.
jot something down in the space
provided on their handout page. Theologically, God is understood
● Have you ever felt God’s presence to be both “transcendent” and
After a short opportunity for
in creation or “nature”? When? “immanent”—transcendent, meaning
sharing of participants’ answers on
Where? How? above and beyond all that is, but also
how they define spirituality, you may
find it helpful to read the following ● Have you ever felt more immanent, meaning “indwelling” or
short descriptions: spiritually alive or “awakened” abiding within and pervading all of
(had an “epiphany”) by an creation. Some people may feel
You may say:
experience in nature? uneasy about thinking of God as
One way to define and describe being present in all creation.
spirituality is that it grows out of the However, such an awareness of God’s
depth of our awareness of God’s presence is not to be confused with
presence, both within our own being Martin Luther “pantheism”—the worship of natural
and within all that surrounds us— (1483-1546) items or entities as God, or gods.
other people, events, or creation Another term that some have used
itself. For many, a sense of spirituality and a sampling of his in recent years to help make that
might come most naturally in their comments about creation distinction, is “pan-en-theism,” an
awareness of God’s presence “in, understanding that God is in (“en”)
with, and under” the elements of Introduction suggestion: all that is, as well as above and
Holy Communion and through “Let’s take a moment to hear beyond all that is.
Holy Scripture, God’s written Word. some of the things that Martin Luther God’s indwelling love and grace
So: What makes “creation had to say about God and creation…” inspires and calls forth what we
spirituality” different? Invite individual group members might think of as the “hymn of all
It’s not so much that it’s different, to read the Luther quotes aloud, in creation.” Consider this text, just
but it does involve, for some, a new turn (see page 19). one of many that describe aspects of
way of seeing and a new way of learn- this holy, God-praising response by
ing to be receptive to God’s imma- Discussion creation itself:
nence, or presence, within the natural Allow a short time for general
world. St. Augustine called creation comments or use the questions below, The pastures of the
God’s other “great book.” Another as a group or in the small groups wilderness overflow, the hills
well-known Church father, Thomas from the previous discussion. gird themselves with joy, the
Aquinas, put it this way: meadows clothe themselves
Sacred writings are bound in two with flocks, the valleys deck
● Have you ever heard of any of
volumes, that of Creation and that themselves with grain, they
of Holy Scripture. these quotes by Luther before?
shout and sing together for joy.
So, creation spirituality might be ● Do you find them surprising?
Psalm 65:12-13
understood as growing closer to God,
● What feelings or thoughts do they
by learning to read also from the
stir up for you?
“book of creation.”
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 14And, how often have we declared An example of a phrase you
in our liturgy, our intention to be a
Fostering a deeper might try, would be either of these
part of that holy hymn, in our (creation) spirituality: two which we used in this session:
Eucharistic Hymn of Praise: How? Where do we
“All creation is a symphony
Sing with all the people of start? of praise to God.”
God, and join in the hymn of all
A shorter summary of this section Hildegard of Bingen
creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and is provided on the handout for indi-
might be to God and the Lamb vidual reflection at home, but if you “The whole earth is a living
forever. Amen. have time, it could be helpful for you icon of the face of God.”
to read the following aloud, and to St. John Damascene
Lutheran Book of Worship, review the “spiritual exercises” prior
“Hymn of Praise,” Holy Communion,
to closing this session with prayer. With practice, we will find that
pages 61, 81 and 102
God’s Spirit can touch us through cer-
You may say: tain images in nature to help inform,
Discussion Probably the easiest place to start enrich, and enliven our prayers or
Choose one or more of the follow- is in simply paying attention and even mirror, in a metaphorical way,
ing questions for group sharing. making use of all of our senses, when something we are experiencing in our
● Have you ever thought about we are outdoors. We can try to be own life and help to bring clarity to
what is meant by “the hymn of more conscious of the fact that we, the situation.
all creation”? as humans, are a part of nature, not You will recall that our Lord
separate from it. We can pray for Jesus himself frequently went into the
● How and where do you hear the openness of heart, mind, and spirit wilderness to pray, and that he would
hymn of all creation? to God’s presence woven throughout often use natural images and
● Do you think it is manifested creation. metaphors to illustrate his parables.
only in the audible sounds in We can try to understand our Of course, in urban areas, finding
creation? Or might a field full of physical “place” in new and deeper “wilderness” can be nearly impossi-
wildflowers or dew-laced spider ways—we can learn the names of ble; and finding special “nature
webs “shout and sing” its own creatures, trees, and plants in our moments” to reflect on God’s good-
kind of praises to God? bioregion, for example. At sundown, ness can also seem challenging.
we might try to be intentionally However, we might be surprised at
● How might we learn new ways to conscious of the fact that the Sun is how often life—greenery, creatures—
hear the hymn of all creation? not really going “down,” but rather, will try so hard to occupy any niche it
● Do you think that we, as humans, that our part of the Earth is turning can find. While we may discover
add to the harmony of that hymn, away. When we look at the stars at unexpected beauty in such places,
or do we also (too often?) strike night, we should know that we’re not we should also open our eyes anew
discordant notes? just looking “up,” but also out and to the challenged, and often less
down, into vast reaches of space that, beautiful, urban corners of creation.
without the force of gravity, we would Something for us to think about:
tumble into! How might we help to bring healing,
A common spiritual practice for freshness, life, and greenness to
deepening one’s connection to God is even such places, as “ambassadors”
to use a simple, repeated phrase as a of Christ’s reconciliation—in the
prayer-like meditation. Using such a restoration of right relationship—of
phrase while walking outdoors can be all things?
a way to prepare ourselves to be
more open and receptive to what
God would have us see or learn from
creation, and so become a pathway
to a deeper spirituality.
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 15● Visit a natural area, or even your
In Summary own backyard, and try reading
Closing
Fostering a deeper sense of from the “book of creation,” by Read by Leader or a volunteer,
spirituality, through connecting with reflecting upon the images, using Leader’s guide.
God in creation, is about nurturing a objects, or creatures that draw
deeper awareness of our surround- your attention. Keep notes about A Scripture Reading
ings …breathing in the joys (as well your experiences in a prayer (Psalm 19:1-4a)
as the sorrows) evident in the natural journal. What is God revealing to The heavens are telling the
world and listening more carefully for you? What is God saying to your glory of God; and the firmament
“the hymn of all creation.” What is heart? proclaims his handiwork. Day
God trying to teach us, through this to day pours forth speech, and
“other book” of scripture? ● Write a “Letter to the Creator.” night to night declares knowl-
What would you say to God, in a edge. There is no speech, nor
letter, to express your apprecia- are there words; their voice is
“Spiritual Exercises” you
tion for (or even your questions not heard; yet their voice goes
can try at home about) the natural world? out through all the earth, and
Leader reviews and describes About your particular corner of their words to the end of the
the suggestions for the following creation? What, specifically, world.
reflection exercises. would you thank God for? What
Each participant should also would you express sorrow about? Let us pray:
select one slip of paper, with a quote What would you tell God that you How wonderful, O Lord, are the
from the “Ancient Voices” collection will do, to help heal creation? works of your hands! The heavens
(of saints, theologians, etc.) for
Leader Note – if members of your declare your glory; the arch of sky
exercise #1 that the Leader prepared
group are agreeable, you may displays your handiwork. In your
ahead of time.
wish to extend an invitation to love You have given us the power to
them to share their “Letters” with behold the beauty of your world
You may say:
the full group, at the beginning of robed in all its splendor. The sun and
● Take some time each day to read
Session Three or at another time the stars, the valleys and the hills,
the quote you received; read it
of gathering (if you are on retreat, the rivers and lakes, all disclose your
outside or reflect on it during
for example). presence. The roaring breakers of the
your prayer time, whether that’s
sea tell of your awesome might. The
inside or (preferably) outside.
beasts of the field and the birds of
What words or phrase most
the air bespeak your wondrous will.
catches your attention? How
In your goodness you have made us
does this particular quote have
able to hear the music of the world.
meaning to you? How might you
The voices of loved ones reveal to us
weave it into your prayers?
that You are in our midst. A divine
voice sings through all creation.
— a Jewish Prayer
Help us, O Lord, to hear your
voice more clearly!
And let the people say,
Amen!
PHOTO © KIM WINCHELL
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 16● Do further study on Hildegard ● Visit and walk an outdoor
Options for expand- of Bingen and learn about her labyrinth; be open to God’s
ing Session Two concept of viriditas, or “greening presence, seek to learn something
● Incorporate appropriate hymns, power.” Book suggestion: new about God’s love for you and
such as When Long Before Time Praying with Hildegard of how the Earth and others may
(With One Voice [WOV] #799 or Bingen, by Gloria Durka, in the need your talents and gifts.
ELW #861) or The Canticle of the “Companions for the Journey”
● Plan and plant a natural area,
Sun by Marty Haugen (Anthology series by Saint Mary’s Press,
garden, or meditative garden on
I:1980). Winona, MN, 1991.
your congregation’s grounds.
● Visit a natural area and conduct ● Read aloud (assigning parts) in
a prayer service to celebrate class or in worship, Old Turtle, a
creation and to pray for healing book by Douglas Wood, Pfeiffer-
and reconciliation between Hamilton Publishers, MN, 1992
humankind and the Earth and (see Resources).
its creatures.
● Show and discuss one or both
● Expand on themes and ideas of The Greening of Faith videos
raised in this session, as a group, (see Resources).
in a weekend retreat.
PHOTO © KIM WINCHELL
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 17Session Two:
God’s Presence Fills All Creation
Participant 2.1
Introduction Opening Prayer Spirituality /
In this session, we will consider Holy and gracious Lord, we Creation Spirituality
how we might open our hearts more give you thanks for the wonders, the
Discussion questions
fully to God’s presence and revelation mysteries, the blessings, and the
Have you ever felt God’s presence in
within the natural world. You may be beauty of creation.
creation or “nature”? When? Where?
surprised that this form of spiritual Open our hearts, and attune our How?
awareness comes from a long and spirits, to your voice and presence
ancient tradition of Christian writers, as it flows through, sustains, and fills
_____________________________________
thinkers, and even Martin Luther all the Earth.
himself! What can these voices Grant that we may come to know
_____________________________________
teach us today? How do we define you more deeply, and hear more
“spirituality” and “creation spirituali- clearly, the ways that you call us to
_____________________________________
ty”? What’s the difference? Is there care for your good creation, and for
a difference? Could it help us to one another.
_____________________________________
act differently? What “spiritual In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
disciplines” might help us to connect
_____________________________________
more deeply with God through the Reflection
testimony of creation? Listen now with your ears, mind,
and heart to the words of several Have you ever felt more spiritually
ancient Christian teachers, who wrote alive or “awakened” (had an
“epiphany”) by an experience in
and spoke about God’s presence in
nature?
creation…
_____________________________________
Discussion question
How would you define or describe
_____________________________________
“spirituality”? What does it mean to
you, personally?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 18Session Two:
God’s Presence Fills All Creation
Participant 2.2
Martin Luther Questions for discussion:
Have you ever heard of any of these
(1483-1546) quotes by Luther before?
…and a sampling of his comments about creation
_____________________________________
[Note: “LW” = Luther’s Works, a scholarly God is wholly present in all
compilation of his writings.] creation, in every corner, behind
_____________________________________
God wants to be praised for you and before you. Do you
nourishing and cherishing, for think that God is [just] sleeping
_____________________________________
God cherishes all creatures. God on a pillow in heaven?
is not only the Creator, but is (LW 51:43)
_____________________________________
also the Sustainer and
Nourisher.
God is in all creatures, even _____________________________________
(LW 5:197)
in the smallest flowers!
(LW 54:327)
Do you find them surprising?
God’s entire divine nature is
wholly and entirely in all crea-
tures, more deeply, more The power of God is present _____________________________________
inwardly, more present than the at all places, even in the tiniest
creature is to itself. tree leaf. _____________________________________
(LW 37:60) (LW 37:57)
_____________________________________
God is entirely and personally God writes the Gospel, not in _____________________________________
present in the wilderness, in the the Bible alone, but also on
garden, in the field. trees, and in the flowers and
_____________________________________
(LW 37:61) clouds and stars.
(Attributed to Luther; exact
source in his writings
What feelings or thoughts do they stir
unknown)
up for you?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 19Session Two:
God’s Presence Fills All Creation
Participant 2.3
even mirror, in a metaphorical way, Spiritual Exercises
Fostering a deeper something you are experiencing in
(creation) spirituality you can try at home
your life and help to bring clarity to
● Take some time each day to read
(take-home reflection) the situation. Recall that our Lord
the quote you received; read it
Jesus frequently went into the
Fostering a deeper sense of outside or reflect on it during
wilderness to pray, and that he would
spirituality, through connecting with your prayer time. What words or
often use natural images and
God in creation, is about nurturing a phrase most catches your atten-
metaphors to illustrate his parables.
deeper awareness of your surround- tion? How does this particular
ings …breathing in the joys (as well quote have meaning to you?
What is God teaching you, through this
as the sorrows) evident in the natural “other book” of scripture? How might you weave it into
world and listening more carefully for your prayers?
“the hymn of all creation.” Probably
_____________________________________ ● Visit a natural area, or even your
the easiest place to start is in simply
paying attention and making use of own backyard, and try reading
_____________________________________ from the “book of creation” by
all of your senses, when you are
outdoors. Pray for openness of heart, reflecting upon the images,
_____________________________________ objects, or creatures that draw
mind, and spirit to God’s presence
woven throughout creation. With your attention. Keep notes about
_____________________________________ your experiences in a prayer
practice, you will find that God’s
Spirit will touch you through certain journal. What is God revealing to
_____________________________________ you?
images in nature to help inform,
enrich, and enliven your prayers or ● Write a “Letter to the Creator”.
What would you say to God, in a
letter, to express your apprecia-
tion for (or even your questions
about) the natural world? What,
specifically, would you thank God
for? What would you express
sorrow about? What would you
tell God that you will do, to help
heal creation?
PHOTO © KIM WINCHELL
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 20Session Two:
God’s Presence Fills All Creation
Leader Resource
Ancient Teachers and Voices on Creation and God’s Presence
1 3 6
For what can be known For when one considers the Without the Word of God no
about God is plain to them, universe, can anyone be so sim- creature has being. God’s Word
because God has shown it to ple-minded as not to believe that is in all creation, visible and
them. the Divine is present in every- invisible. The Word is living,
Ever since the creation of the thing, pervading, embracing and being, spirit, all verdant green-
world his invisible nature, name- penetrating it? ing, all creativity. All creation is
ly, his eternal power and deity, For all things depend upon awakened, called, by the
has been clearly perceived in God who is, and nothing can resounding melody, God’s
the things that have been made. exist which does not have its invocation of the Word.
So they are without excuse. being in God who is. All creation is a symphony of
—Romans 1:19-20 — St. Gregory of Nyssa praise to God.
(335-395) — Hildegard of Bingen
(1098-1179)
2 4 7
For even creation reveals the Some people, in order to dis- The day of my spiritual awaken-
One who formed it, and the very cover God, read books. But ing was the day I saw—and knew—
work suggests the One who there is a great book: the very all things in God and God in all
made it, and the world mani- appearance of created things. things.
fests the One who made it. Look above you! Look below — Mechtild of Magdeberg
— St. Iraneus of Lyons you! Note it. Read it. God, (1210-1279)
(130-200ad) whom you want to discover,
never wrote that book with ink.
Instead he set before your eyes
the things that he had made.
Can you ask for a louder voice
than that?
— St. Augustine (354-430)
5
The whole earth is a living
icon of the face of God.
— St. John Damascene
(675-749)
pronounced “dama-see-en”
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Twow 213
Awakening to
God’s call to
Earthkeeping
Session Three
Biblical Foundations for
Earthkeeping
Wherever the river
goes, every living
creature that swarms
will live, and there
will be very many
fish, once these
waters reach there.
It will become fresh;
and everything
will live where
the river goes.
Ezekiel 47:9,11
PHOTO © KIM WINCHELL
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Three 22Session Three:
Biblical Foundations for Earthkeeping
Leader Guide
Humans, in service to God,
have special roles on behalf of
the whole of creation.
Made in God’s image, we are
called to care for the Earth as
God cares for the Earth.
Plan the small group work
This session, in particular,
will require some extra prior
consideration and planning for how
best to utilize the material, which
●
3
Another alternative would be to
have the full group address one
main text collection at a time
(i.e., OT, NT, Prophets) and break
into four smaller groups—one for
each subsection—and reconvene
—ELCA social statement, will depend in part on (1) the size of
the full group three times, at
Caring for Creation: Vision, your group and (2) the time allotted
shorter intervals.
Hope, and Justice for this session.
● Suggest that each small group
● Ideally, your group’s size will
Leader Tips and allow for dividing participants
choose a facilitator, to help the
group move through the texts and
Advance Preparation into three smaller groups, each
discussion questions, and who
● You may wish to have Bibles of which would focus on one of
can later summarize one or two
available, even though the study the three main text collections.
key insights from their group,
texts will be printed in the If there are enough people to
when the full group reconvenes.
Participant pages. form a fourth small group, you
The small group facilitator may
could divide the Old Testament
● In the Participant pages for also find it helpful to read aloud
text pages.
Session Three, you will find both the short introduction for their
the usual double-sided handout, ● You should allow at least 30 text collection, before beginning
plus several pages of biblical minutes for the small group their work.
texts, divided into three work, with another 10 minutes
● The small group can decide
groupings: for discussion when the full
whether they will take turns in
group reconvenes, plus time for
reading the texts aloud or divide
Group I – Hebrew Scriptures the Closing.
up the texts for individual
(Old Testament)
● You will notice that each of the reading, before discussion of the
Group II – New Testament
main text collections is divided questions.
Group III – Prophetic Texts
You will need the basic handout into four sub-sections, each with
● Approximately five minutes
for each participant, but only one several texts and accompanying
before the full group reconvenes,
set per group of the biblical texts. discussion questions. If there is
ask the groups to bring their
insufficient time (or if the small
work to a close and to jot down
● Plan how to arrange your room group chooses), choosing only
some answers to the “summary
to facilitate smaller group one or two texts from within a
overview questions” on their
discussions (e.g., how many subsection may provide a
handout.
chairs in each of at least three “sampling” to help address the
groups). A paper flip chart or discussion question(s).
blackboard may be helpful, if you
wish to record comments from
the closing discussion.
Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping Session Threew 23You can also read
