The Blessing of the Animals service was today–it is one of my favorite services of the year. I chose to do something a little different for this year’s sermon, and I wanted to share it. I hope you like it. “Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things. Every single creature is…… Continue reading The Feast of St. Francis
Category: Nature
Going Deeper with the Feast of Creation
For our opening worship this academic year, we commemorated a new liturgical festival: the Festival of Creation in Christ Sunday, or, more simply, the Feast of Creation. It is meant to be celebrated every year on the first Sunday in September, to praise God our creator, and to inspire care for God’s creation. This commemoration…… Continue reading Going Deeper with the Feast of Creation
Considering the Animals on Earth Day
Any day is a good day to lift up and celebrate God’s deep relationship with and providential care for the animal kingdom, which is valuable and precious to God in and of itself, not just through God’s relationship with humanity. At the same time, Earth Day is a particularly good day to do this, and…… Continue reading Considering the Animals on Earth Day
Thankful for one’s wild and precious life
Photo by Eusebiu Soica on Pexels.com Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Surely, you have heard this question before. Perhaps in a sermon, perhaps you read it in a book, or perhaps you came across it in a TED talk, or some other presentation. Or,…… Continue reading Thankful for one’s wild and precious life
The Legacy of the Celtic Church
There are many streams that make up the great coursing river of Christianity that ebbs and flows throughout the entire world. The streams all have their source in Jesus Christ, of course, but their shape, taste, depth, and breath all vary, flavored and colored by their different histories and geographies. But as they come together,…… Continue reading The Legacy of the Celtic Church
Fervor in the Face of Futility
I wanted to share some reflections from an article in the recent issue of The New Yorker. The title of the article was “Helicopter Parents” (by Nick Paumgarten), and from the title alone, I imagine the same topic jumped into your mind as it did into mine: those human parents who hover over their children,…… Continue reading Fervor in the Face of Futility
Seeing, and being Seen
“Something looks back from the trees, and knows me for who I am.” Jane Hirschfield I finally saw him. For months, I have heard the Great Horned Owls that live in the trees near my house. Almost every day, every evening and every early morning, I hear the pair of them [Great Horned Owls are…… Continue reading Seeing, and being Seen
Creation as our Prayer Shawl
Like many churches and other Christian organizations, Wartburg Seminary has a little prayer shawl ministry. People in our community knit or crochet beautiful, soft shawls that are then given to others who request them. What is unique about them, of course, is revealed in the name. What differentiates a prayer shawl from any other wrap…… Continue reading Creation as our Prayer Shawl
Expanding our Ideas of Beauty
In anticipation of Earth Day tomorrow, I want to share this great story from National Geographic, which is about animal conservation, a topic near and dear to my heart: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/conservation-cant-just-be-a-popularity-contest?loggedin=true The pictures in the article alone are “click-worthy”–they are from the Photo Ark Project by Joel Sartore. Some years ago, I was able to see…… Continue reading Expanding our Ideas of Beauty
A Love Letter to Mary Oliver, on her Birthday
Dear Mary Forgive the formality, but I feel as though we are old friends, because I know your words so well. Today is your birthday, and it seems to me to be a fine time to write you a love letter. And, I promise I will take your advice: consider this my few words patched…… Continue reading A Love Letter to Mary Oliver, on her Birthday
