Forming & Nurturing CS Communities

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Comment by Gail Ransom on October 20, 2009 at 7:29am

We had an amazing 'Celebration of the Universe' this past Friday as one of two culminating events on the first day of the Bioneers Conference that was held and beamed into Pittsburgh this weekend. It brought together the 'Green' community in Pittsburgh, which is very creative, active, and growing. We used the script of "Jump, Hoop Joy" from An Amazing Journey which was read by three acting student from the University of Pittsburgh. We chanted, drummed, danced, played and prayed in a circle around a large bowl (got it from a restaurant supply house. Its really for salad, about 28"" in diameter.) In it we put representations of the four elements plus streamers to pull out for the 'flaring forth'. We were a combined community of our United Methodist Worship Jammers, the green community, and our partners in creation "Dream of the Earth", a study group based on the work of Thomas Berry.

The memory of the circle of people, shoulder to shoulder, moving together , chanting, praising, mourning, and celebrating, drums riveting from the edges will be something I cherish for a long time. It was well worth all the effort. We made many friends for Creation Spirituality and we created a spiritual vessel for the earnest work of our 'green' community.
It is so much work, but worth it to partner with another group for our Worship Parties, our version of these second generation Cosmic Masses. I highly reccommend it for building up participation.
There is a new store front in Pittsburgh called "The Imaginarium". I think we may have our next "Worship Party" there. We prepare each Wednesday with a four path ritual and creative improvisation on a theme. Then once a month we offer a "Worship Party" to the wider community. I use these words because people can (almost!) relate to them.

Comment by Peter LeBlanc on October 20, 2009 at 1:05am

Matt I forgot our main prayer for our Ritual is' COME HOLY SPIRIT AND RENEW THE FACE OF THE EARTH' Our response is "YES WE CAN" From "earthrise" the rainforest album. Thanks, Peter.

Comment by Peter LeBlanc on October 20, 2009 at 1:00am

Hi Matt, we just had our 2nd "WE ARE THE EARTH RITUAL" Here in Montreal. It an interfaith ritual to honor the earth. We celebrate its Beauty acknowledge its Pain. We Dance, Chant and Pray. We gather in a circle and create a sacred space in the center using these symbols. The Blue Earth Baloon on a table over a blue cloth, the color of Compassion, "Hildegaard". On the table we also have "The Green Bible", by Stephen B. Scharper and Huilary Cunningham . Earth Prayers, from around the World. 365 Prayers, Poems and invocations for Honoring the Earth. by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon. We have another small table with 3 candles symolizing the "Fire of Love for the Earth. Another small table with a small bonzai "Tree of Life".

The ritual is an hour in length and we are supporting Jamdown 350 in Montreal several of us will be attending On October 24th. We are very hopefull we will have ongoing rituals on the lst and 3rd Sundays of every month, at 1:00pm,. The rituals are designed to combine earth spirituality which is spoken about by all major religions and activisim, that will raise our awareness of the feeling of togetherness to work towards healing our earth.

Wer'e off to a good start. Blessings

Comment by Molly Edelen on October 15, 2009 at 10:15am

Thanks Matt this looks good!

Comment by Matt Henry on October 14, 2009 at 6:55am

Molly,
I have one of Donald Schmidt's other books, which is excellent, so I imagine this one would be good, too:
In the Beginning: Creation Spirituality for the Days of Advent

Comment by Molly Edelen on October 14, 2009 at 12:33am

I'm really glad to find this community! I'm wondering what resources anyone can suggest for an advent study that would be CS focused and especially highlights the 4 paths...We've started talking about doing something and if possible we'd rather not reinvent the wheel.
Molly

Comment by Netti Garner, D. Min, MSN, RN on August 5, 2009 at 7:45am

NYE 2008 plan.doc
Here's my outline for a NYE quasi-cosmic ritual I led at a Unity church in Eugene, OR.

050609.doc
Here's a bulletin from a recent Taize service at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Cottage Grove, OR.
060709 c hants.doc
Here's a list of chants from a Taize service at a Unity church in Eugene, OR.

Comment by Matt Henry on June 16, 2009 at 8:00am

Peter, that's good. I hope you'll share some of how it unfolds with us :)

Comment by Peter LeBlanc on June 16, 2009 at 5:08am

Hi Matt as an RC Deacon I recently met with my Bishop in respect to having an interfaith ritual that does dance, chant, poetry and art responding to the evergrowing consciousness of our ecology. He said in a positive way that sounds like Creation Spirituality and he gave me the green light to try.

Comment by Peter LeBlanc on May 11, 2009 at 11:47pm

Hi Matt, I have a prophetic vision of ecology that sees it needs to be ritualised.
CS. has great rituals I would like to use in a deeply ecunemical setting.
If all goes well I have an R.C Church that will allow me to gather on Sundays at Noon, once a month. I am aiming for September. Keep you posted.

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