Weekly sermons from UUCTC

Sermon offered by Denise Wilson.  This service shines a light on the modern-day prophets, spiritual ecologists, creative souls, and everyday people who are speaking and acting for the Earth. The service included spoken word, poetry, and music from Traveler’s Dream (Denise Wilson and Michael Lewis).

TRANSCRIPT:

Good morning. It feels good to be here with you and to have the opportunity to share some of what's been rumbling in my mind and in my heart these past months, past couple of years pertaining to the declining health of our planet and what that will mean for future generations. This isn't an easy topic to talk about and certainly not in church on a Sunday morning, but as people of faith who are committed to peace and justice in our global community, and who hold a deep respect for the web of life that connects us with all living beings, this is something that calls for our attention and for our action. The earth is a living being in distress and her suffering will increasingly become our own. Leading environmental scientists predict that as many as a hundred and eighty five million people in Africa alone will die this century as the direct result of climate change. On many continents famine is increasing, flooding and wildfires are increasing, as our disease and insecurity caused by water scarcity around the world. Our planet is in peril and it needs us to help heal its body. To bring it back to wholeness so that all of Earth's creatures, including our children and grandchildren, will enjoy the beauty and the blessings she provides.

Like many of you I spent much of my childhood playing outdoors in my neighborhood and enjoying the time my family spent camping at state parks and campgrounds. I learned to love the woods and meadows, the sound of running water, the living creatures, the clouds in the night sky. As an adult I continue to seek out the beauty, peace, and sense of awe I feel in my gardens and anywhere in nature. I'm not a scientist. I'm not an eco expert or environmental activist. I'm just an average person who recognizes and is grateful for the gifts I receive from the natural world. Also like many of you I've grown increasingly concerned and fearful for the fate of our planet. About a year ago I made an intentional decision to dig deeper for an understanding of the environmental challenges we face, and to explore ways that my voice and my life might help in the healing and restoration of our world. However the more I learned, the more anxious I became. It's kind of like listening to the morning news. Many days it was hard to fight back despair, but as I continued exploring, reading books, listening to podcasts seeking out wisdom from spiritual leaders and ecologists, those who are on the front lines of the fight to save our earth, I've grown less afraid. The main purpose I'm here with you today is not simply to ring a bell of alarm for the earth who needs us all as protectors, but also to share with you some of the spiritual wisdom, the poems and