Barnes in Common

the magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
July/August 2007

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Healing of the planet

by Jane Sherwin

The United Nations Inter-govermental panel on climate change (IPCC) has spoken out in the strongest terms, despite political pressure from certain world powers.

An expected temperature rise of 1.5° - 2.5°C means that 20% - 30% of plant and animal species are at risk from extinction as floods, heat waves, storms and droughts are expected to increase, with people in poorer countries suffering the worst effects. But no country will be immune.

We all have our part to play in decreasing our own carbon footprint and the Church, as a steward of God's creation, has an example to set and a tradition to redeem. The Celtic branch of the church, to which we in Britain have a link of heritage, has always had a closer contact with nature than the Mediterranean tradition.

In the preface to "Celtic Benediction", J. Phillip Newell states: "Celtic Spirituality is marked by the belief that what is deepest in us is the image of god. Sin has distorted and obscured that image but not erased it. The Mediterranean tradition, on the other hand, in its doctrine of original sin has taught us that what is deepest within us is our sinfulness. This has given rise to a tendency to define ourselves in terms of the ugliness of our failings instead of the beauty of our origins."

In an attempt to connect with these origins and with the spirituality of Gaia, the self-healing bio-sphere, that is our own beleaguered world, we at St Michaels intend to devote the last Sunday evening of each month to a "Healing of the Planet".

Each service will have a theme. Using selected readings, Celtic prayers, meditation, and the handling of objects (such as stones), we will attempt to deepen our connectedness.

The services will begin on September 30, which is the evening of St Michaels and All Angels patronal festival. The service will start at 6.0 p.m. and last for some 50 minutes. The first theme will be "creation". Future themes will probably explore water, stone, wood, angels, wisdom etc.
There will be no doctrinal or denominational slant and all are welcome.

God, Bless the World and that is therein,
God, Bless my spouse and my children,
God, Bless the eye that is in my head,
and Bless Oh God the handling of my hand......

From Carmina Gaedelica, part of the oral tradition of the Outer Hebrides, collected and edited at the end of the 19th century.

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