April 2018 WATERritual: Returning to Life, Returning to Earth – WATER – Womens Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual

April 2018 WATERritual: Returning to Life, Returning to Earth

By Diann L. Neu and the WATER Staff

The audio to the WATERtalk for April 2018 can be accessed here.

Preparation

If you can, gather outside. Set your altar with spring flowers or plants, basil, dill, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, thyme, mint (or any herbs you prefer). If you desire, you can also make a fruit dessert and herbal tea to be blessed at the end of this ritual.

Call to Gather

Spring is a time for new life. Daffodils, tulips, and cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The green of Earth is renewed once again. Today, we gather to cherish and reflect on Earth’s beauty. We gather to remind ourselves that we are stewards of this Earth and that we must protect it against the unjust climate policies of the current administration. Though we find ourselves in the midst of political turmoil, let us not forget to open our eyes to the promise of spring, to find beauty and hope in all Earth has to offer, and to recommit ourselves and our justice movements to care for all creation.

Naming Our Circle

Let us share our name, where we are geographically, and one word that comes to mind when we think of spring.

Song: “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Pierpoint

Verse: For the beauty of the Earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies:

Refrain: Source of all, to you we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Poem: “Children, It’s Spring” by Mary Oliver
From New and Selected Poems, Volume Two, p 5

And this is the lady
whom everyone loves,
Ms. Violet
in her purple gown

Or, on special occasions,
a dress the color
of sunlight. She sits
in the mossy weeds and waits

to be noticed.
She loves dampness.
She loves attention.
She loves especially

to be picked by careful fingers,
young fingers, entranced
by what has happened
to the world.

We, the older ones,
call it Spring,
and we have been through it
many times.

But there is still nothing
like the children bringing home
such happiness
in their small hands.

Song: “For the Beauty of the Earth”

Verse: For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flow’r,
Sun and moon, and stars of light:

Refrain: Source of all, to you we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Litany: Holy is Your Creation

Climate change is real, and scientists have shown that humans are causing it.
Holy is Your Creation.

We can make a difference and slow climate change down.
We are the stewards of Your Creation.

Half of the world’s forests no longer exist.
Holy is Your Creation.

We can use cloth instead of paper products.
We are the stewards of Your Creation.

In the past forty years, humans have directly or indirectly killed half of all existing wildlife.
Holy is Your Creation.

We can visit a National or State park to remember the holiness of the natural and wild world.
We are the stewards of Your Creation.

Sea levels are rising and by 2100 the White House could have an ocean view.
Holy is Your Creation.

We can choose public transportation and reduce our carbon footprint.
We are the stewards of Your Creation.

9.1 billion tons of plastic have been created, and more than 70% of that goes into natural ecosystems.
Holy is Your Creation.

We can reduce and reuse before recycling.
We are the stewards of Your Creation.

It is predicted that by 2030, 100 million more people will be impoverished solely due to the rising food prices that climate change is bringing.
Holy is Your Creation.

We can eat less meat. Rainforests are being replaced with farms largely used to feed livestock. That same food could feed us instead.
We are the stewards of Your Creation.

Climate change is real, and scientists have shown that humans are causing it. However, we also have the power to slow it down.
Holy is your Creation, we will be the stewards.

Song: “Holy Ground,” adapted from This Is Holy Ground, Copyright © 1982 Birdwing Music (ASCAP) BMG Songs (ASCAP)(adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used with permission. Words adapted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZLcWkaSYk0

This is holy ground; we’re standing on holy ground.
Earth is present, and where God is, is holy.
This is holy ground; we’re standing on holy ground.
Earth is present, and where God is, is holy.

These are holy herbs; God’s given us holy herbs.
God works through these herbs, and so these herbs are holy.
These are holy hands; God’s given us holy hands,
God works through these hands, and so these hands are holy.

Reflection | Discussion

During this time of celebrating Earth let us reflect on what Earth means to us, and how we have and will steward it. Plant an herb while you share your reflection or when you feel led.

Blessing of Herbs

Blessed are you, Holy Creator, for calling forth stewards of creation throughout time, and especially now, when climate change and the future life of Earth is in our hands. Bless us to be stewards of Your creation.

Blessed are you, Holy Healer, for giving us herbs of spring: basil, dill, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, thyme, mint, and so many others. They beautify Earth, flavor foods, have medicinal properties, and nourish body and soul.

Bless us to be healers of Your creation.

Blessed are you, Holy Gardener, for bringing forth fruit from Earth. And for blessing the cooks who made this berry crisp and steeped this mint tea.

Bless us as we eat and drink, and remember the delicious parts of life that are gifts of Earth.

Song: “Holy Ground”

Take Action

There are seemingly thousands of ways that we can help Earth each and every day. Here are a few important ones highlighted by Popular Science, at https://www.popsci.com/earth-day-cut-down-on-waste#page-3.

Reduce the waste you are creating by choosing reusable options whenever possible. Follow the phrase “Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.”
Quit using plastic straws. This year’s Earth Day is themed around reducing plastic waste, and straws are one of the worst plastics as they are non-recyclable and harm animals. Either turn down straws when offered or invest in a reusable metal one.
Compost! Food thrown away produces a lot of methane when it is sent to a landfill, but composting that same food greatly decreases methane production.
Eat less meat. The meat industry is very energy intensive, so simply giving up beef or reducing meat heavy meals can make a large difference.
Change your transportation medium. By reducing car use and using public transit when possible individuals are capable of greatly decreasing the pollutants they produce.
Vacation locally. Air travel releases pollutants higher up in the atmosphere which makes road trips a much more environmentally friendly way to vacation.
Support politicians who take scientific evidence into consideration.

Sending Forth

As we leave tonight, we take with us a renewed appreciation for Earth and its beauty.
Let us be kind stewards to the ground that sustains us. Let us respect Earth and one another.

Mission

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