The following meditation and reflection were shared at the November 10th TIPL Climate Vigil in Knoxville, Tennessee:
Meditation shared by Rev. Laura Bogle, Foothills Unitarian Universalist Church in Maryville, TN.
“Though I have no faith that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” -Henry David Thoreau
Spirit of Creative Love, Energy of Life that flows through us and between us, God that is in all and holds all—
We gather in Thanksgiving
for this day
for this community of challenge and hope
for this season of autumn that teaches us the wisdom of letting go.
In the falling of the leaves is the nurturing of future growth.
In the dropping of seeds is the beginning of new life to come.
We confess that we sometimes cling too tightly to what we think is ours…
…
Today we open our hands
What can we release?
What good can we return to the earth that sustains us?
What might we give so that the earth and future generations may thrive?
Each one of us is a seed bearer – carrying the small things that may grow and transform into wonders.
Wonders of love and justice and sustainability.
We open our hands to scatter the seeds.
In the opening of our hands we are transformed, and become part of a greater transformation.
Blessed be, and Amen.
Relection shared by Gene Burr of the TN Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, TN.
We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.
from The Great Turning by David Korten.
