Celebrating the Earth
Earth Day was officially April 22. I remember the very first Earth Day when I was in 7th Grade. We had several lessons and activities throughout the day to address the pressing issues of pollution. The next year (as an 8th Grader) several classmates and I had our pictures in the Dayton Daily News as we appeared to testify at a hearing to require a factory to install exhaust towers that produced cleaner emissions. Our newly created organization was S.O.A.P (Students Organized Against Pollution). At the time, to my Junior High logic, the needs and solutions seemed so straight forward and obvious.
But some 50 years later, as Climate Change has greater devastating impact on the world – we still need to commit ourselves to the Love of Creation. Please note our River Day Activities at Trinity on May 14 and mark your calendars for other Go Green Deerfield workdays throughout the coming weeks.
Mother Earth, Womb of God,
we thank you for the gift of life.
You love us as God: you create us of yourself,
and receive us into yourself.
You hold your children
even when we destroy you.
You feed us even when we are ungrateful;
you unfold us in beauty even when we refuse to see.
You teach us renewal, to give and receive,
the mystery of flow.
Even in our smallness you include us
in something great and beautiful.
O Generous One, whose law prevails forever,
O Divine Word, whose creating never ceases:
bless us that we may belong humbly,
that we may love beautifully, that we may live fruitfully.
O Earth, our Eden, our Heaven, our Hope,
may we be faithful Earthlings,
in loving harmony with you.
Deep Blessings,
Pastor Dale
