Website of the Week
18th September
Listening to the Cry of the Earth
18th September
Listening to the Cry of the Earth
Image courtesy of Dreamtime.
The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world from 1 September to 4 October. In this Season of Creation, we are called upon to listen to the voice of creation, to the voices of those who suffer the impacts of climate change, to the voices of those who hold generational wisdom about how to live gratefully within the limits of the land. These are voices of the Earth. The global Christian family is called to awaken to the urgent need to heal our relationships with creation and with each other and to encourage our parish communities to do the same, “for we know that things can change!” (Laudato Si’, 13).
Below are some resources to help us listen more closely to the cry of the Earth.
Below are some resources to help us listen more closely to the cry of the Earth.
Protecting our Common Home
This glorious recording of Haydn's Creation by Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music is linked with amazing video footage from the natural world. In music, words and images, it highlights what we stand to lose if we do not take action - even small steps - to help save our planet and nature in all its glory.
Click on the image above to listen. Allow a few seconds for the sound to come on.
Click here to access the libretto.
Click on the image above to listen. Allow a few seconds for the sound to come on.
Click here to access the libretto.
This year, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference took place in Glasgow. Patrick van der Vorst of the superb Christian Art website has shared a video he has made, set to the music of John Denver's 'Windsong'. Through paintings by Van Gogh, Michelangelo and other artists, the video looks at the beauty of our world... a world that has been entrusted into our care. Click on the image above to view.
We ask that we may all grow deeper in our respect for God's Creation and take better care of it.
We ask that we may all grow deeper in our respect for God's Creation and take better care of it.
The 500-year old Ignatian Examen is a daily prayer of review, used across many Christian denominations. The purpose is to discern the ways in which God has been present to you, the times when the Holy Spirit was drawing you towards life. A special ‘Ecological Examen’ has been developed as a tool for reflection and action to help deepen our call to care for creation and the most vulnerable.
Click on the image to engage with the ecological examen.
Click on the image to engage with the ecological examen.
The ecumenical Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) movement encourages churches of all denominations to take an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, community outreach and contact with the developing world. It aims to help churches celebrate the gift of God’s creation, recognise the inter-dependence of all creation and care for it in their life and mission and through members’ personal lifestyles. The movement is also active in Scotland, at Eco-Congregation Scotland.