Study on Creation Spirituality at The Land: Class One

I've recently found a faith community that fits me like a gloves. That has always seemed impossible, as I practice what Matthew Fox calls deep ecumenism. I am primarily a mystical Christian, with a heavy dose of Pagan, and a healthy dash of Buddhist. This community is called The Land, and they are a Methodist-based outdoor church dedicated to social justice and the Earth.

I have been leading the morning study using Matthew Fox's book Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth. I am sharing the class curriculum plus a few notes here.

Class One of Creation Spirituality

I borrowed some of the material from ELCA's Awakening to God’s call to Earthkeeping. 

Read: 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 relationship to a group of some 26 other galaxies, known as a “cluster;” ours is called the “Local Group.”

This so named Local Group cluster of galaxies is, itself, part of a group of over 1000 clusters, making up what is called the Virgo Supercluster.

Now try to imagine a single supercluster as a white dot—remember that it contains hundreds, if not thousands, of galaxies, themselves containing billions of stars …there are estimated to be something on the order of 10 million such “dots,” such superclusters, spread across the vast expanse of space.

[pause] It’s about more than our human minds can conceive of, isn’t it? Does this sort of knowledge shake our faith, or fill us with awe and wonder, or a sense of humility and gratitude?

We discussed our responses, and then read scripture that applied. I am new to using scripture to back up what I say, but I feel if I can find Bible passages that support what I am teaching, then it is less likely to be met with suspicion.

Scripture

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:18-19

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may filled with all the fullness of God.

Psalm 104: 30

When you send forth your Spirit, they [the creatures, the earth, the heavens] are created; and you renew the face of the ground.

Psalm 8:1, 3-6a.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the Earth!

When we look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established, we cannot help but wonder: what are human beings that you are even mindful of them, mortals that you so care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have placed us on this Earth and given us dominion over the work of your hands.

Questions

Read poem at beginning of book and discuss how society might be different if this was taught from the beginning.

·         When you consider our physical location within the universe, do you find it humbling? Frightening? Exciting? Other feelings?

·         How does your consideration of the vastness, mystery, and wonder of our universe influence your sense of the immensity of God’s love for us?

·         Knowing what we do of the universe, does it increase or decrease the significance of humans? Does it, should it, affect how we relate to one another and the natural world around us? How we relate to God?

·         What is your hopeful vision, as a child of God, for how humans should live on the Earth in connection with the rest of creation?

Agricultural Biodiversity and Sustainability for the Future (Guest Post)

Thank you to Jack Lundee for submitting the following guest post.

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June 7th, 2010

Agricultural Biodiversity and Sustainability for the Future

"…In other environmental issues we tell people to stop something, reduce their impact, reduce their damage…" - US Ecologist Gary Nabhan

Since the beginning of the green movement, there has been a rise in the number of organizations and businesses that are doing their part in the promotion of sustainability through conservation. This past Earth Day brought about the Earth Day Network, which has been playing its part to bring conservationist and green enthusiasts together, sharing ideas and discussing new ways to support the planet. Other large organizations non-profits like Doug Band and the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) have been working on successful emission reduction projects in the San Francisco Bay area. All the while, the climate is continuing to worsen, and individual, as well as collaborative acts, are important for any successful green campaign. As human beings, we're constantly told to reduce our carbon footprint, consume less unhealthy foods, and spend less time in the shower! But let's take a minute to step back and look at this from a different perspective; one that Gary Nabhan strongly suggests.

Gary Paul Nabhan, phD., is a Arab-American writer/conservationist who's extensive farming work in the U.S./Mexico borderlands region has made him world renown. Specifically speaking, Nabhan is known for his work in biodiversity as an ethnobotanist. His uplifting messages and attitude towards life and culture has granted us access to multiple beneficial theories including his latest of eat what you conserve.

According to The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, about three quarters of the genetic diversity of crops been vanished over the last century and that a dozen species now gives %90 of the animal protein eaten globally. In accordance, just 4 crop species supply half of plant based calories in the human diet.

Nabhan claims that by eating the fruits and vegetables that we are attempting to conserve/save, we're promoting the granular dissemination of various plant species. But this goes beyond what we typically buy in supermarkets, particularly because of price and abundance. We must remember to try new things and immerse ourselves in the very concept of diversity. Keep in mind; the benefits of splurging for that costly fruit/vegetable supremely outweigh the cons. Not only does one promote biodiversity and further eliminate the need of farmers to remove rare, less purchased crops off their agenda, but one also effectively encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Agriculturist Marco Contiero mentions that "biodiversity is an essential characteristic of any sustainable agricultural system, especially in the context of climate change."[1] Contiero believes that people should eat localized crops, spending less time purchasing imports and becoming heavily reliant.

According to Conterio's theory, this would suggest that we, as individuals, tend our own crops/plants, and make sure to purchase localized farm products at supermarkets and groceries. In the end, this condenses export/import reliance, thus reducing our carbon footprint.
Nabhan and Contiero's theories both rely profoundly on an action oriented approach at conservation and sustainability. With an abundance of green movements following Earth Day 2010, organizations and individuals have taken a stronger following to expert opinions like the ones demonstrated by both of these highly influential agriculturalists. So remember, when the fall season approaches, be sure to visit your local apple orchard to pick some fresh fruit. Also, as eco-conscious individuals, don't hesitate to stop the next time you drive by a yard stand with fresh crops. Promoting biodiversity and localized farming is a crucial piece of the conservation puzzle.

Jack Lundee – Supporter of all things green and progressive.

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Want to submit a guest post for my Intuitive Gardening Blog? Send me an email and we'll talk! clea at intuitivegardening dot net.

Hope for the Healing of the Earth

Ecologists are discovering that when wetland areas are restored, having been used for nearly 100 years for agricultural purposes, that the land bounces back amazingly quickly. While some native species are reintroduced, many spring back to life on their own, having waited all this time in the soil seed banks.

This shows us the wisdom of the planet. She can bounce back - if (a big if) we can follow her ways and let a wetland be a wetland, she can gracefully and fairly quickly restore balance. The question, of course, is how to let a wetland be a wetland when we need to grow food, build houses, and pave streets. We - and she - have to share.

Providing habitat for native species in yards is key. Get rid of lawns, plant native plants, provide water features and shelter. Building paths for wildlife where there are freeways helps, too. Urban permaculture offers exciting opportunities for integrating food with everyday life and reducing our impact. Of course green building, habitat restoration, and simple things like riding bikes all helps.

Finally, for those of us who honor the earth as sacred and alive, prayer, ritual, and attunement with non-humans also helps heal our relationship with the planet. In conversation with the earth we can be given ideas and tools for sharing and balance. Right now, as you read this, look out the window. Rest your eyes on a tree or another natural being. Let your mind relax. Let your energy and attention reach out to the tree. Sit with that feeling for as long as you like. What happens in your body? What might happen in the world were we all to relate to non-humans this way?


For further reading:

Sustainable Indulgence: Chocolate, Coffee, and Wine to Save the World

I was semi-guiltily munching on Sunspire chips and reading the label to make me feel better about my sweet indulgence. The chocolate chips have unrefined sugars and natural colorings. And they're so good! Then I read that Sunspire directly contributes in a positive way to the lives of their cocoa farmers. I went online to research; you can read more about their "Caring for Cocoa Communities" on their website.

That got me thinking about other indulgences that can make a difference through practices and policies promoting sustainability and social justice (which are closely related). Here's some of what I found out:

California wineries, producing 90% of U.S. wine, are moving toward organic and sustainable practices like more appropriate irrigation, the Organic Consumers Association reports.

Many wineries are offering biodynamic wines, which Jack Everitt of Fork & Bottle has listed.

Shade grown and organic coffees make a big impact, from improving the lives of the farm workers to providing or protecting habitat for migrating birds.

Tea makers are also moving towards sustainable practices, as reported on TreeHugger.com.

Here is another nice blog about sustainable tea.


So - there you have it. We can have our cake, eat it, save birds, make agricultural worker's lives better, and reforest the land. Ask your local natural grocer to carry these products, buy them, and enjoy!