Mardi Tindal
COP15 Day 3: Another way
Posted on: 12/10/2009 15:18
Last evening I was at Hillhurst United Church in Calgary. It was wonderful to be with these good folks, to speak to them, and to engage in some back-and-forth with other speakers. I did it all from the small apartment I call home in Toronto. And another speaker joined in from Copenhagen! It was another way to meet—a way that I expect and hope will become more common.
I’ve used Skype before as part of my work with the global network of ecumenical centres and lay movements, but last night felt more intimate than ever, talking with members of my own far-flung faith community about our shared passion for finding faithful ways through the dilemmas posed by climate change. One of the questions was about how we as church in Canada, and around the world, respond to the challenges—as church. I found myself drawing on the wisdom of poet Wendell Berry, and his emphasis on the need to choose, love, and commit to a particular place. If anyone’s poetry can move us to love God and God’s creation with all our heart, soul, and mind, it’s his.
As The United Church of Canada we choose to commit to and love over 3,000 particular places in Canada, and many more around the world, as we partner with others. So last night I spoke about choosing to love our own places—within a loving network of particular places globally, following Jesus’ directives to love and reflect God’s love all. A love rooted in commitments made in—and to—the places where we are planted to do God’s loving work.
At Five Oaks Education and Retreat Centre, we greet guests with an invitation to appreciate that sacred place. Following my election as Moderator, Elizabeth Bustard—a poet herself—wrote to me, saying: “I am sure that you will bring the message of Sacred Place to the church in general. It is this message of the sacredness of all life that each of us in our churches needs to embrace with utmost commitment.”
Let’s embrace this message with utmost commitment, as Elizabeth says. We will have more gatherings like last night’s, requiring no high cost of the precious gift of time and no high cost to the precious gift of air quality and climate health, joining together to love the community that surrounds Hillhurst United, and in so doing, to love God’s whole good planet.
What are some of the ways in which you embrace “the sacredness of all life” in your particular place and your particular congregational life?
P.S. One of the highlights of last evening was touching base with the Very Rev. Bill Phipps, who is in the midst of his week-long fast (see earlier blog). Bill is doing well, and you can follow his daily travels on his website.
Want to stay up to date on this blog? Subscribe by e-mail or RSS.
Search
Comments
pupil
Posted on: 12/11/2009 14:01
We are fortunate to have a minister who loves the natural world, a love that is often a part of his sermon. We take the occassional walk through local nature conservations and he acts as a tour guide giving us information about the place and its ecology. Although I missed it, there was a Saturday seminar earlier in the year about the environment given by his son who is involved in a special ministry that concerns itself with these issues. Sorry I can't remember the name of the group but there were several choices to chose from including a trip to the local creek and a talk about eating local food.
And there is an annual blessing of the animals.
Robin Wardlaw
Posted on: 12/14/2009 21:21
A small, determined bunch of people carried signs and a banner and rang church bells and hand bells down Newmarket's Main Street on Sunday afternoon as our act of solidarity. The beautiful (white) piece of coral reminded us of reef dwellers, and human residents of atolls jeopardized by rising seas and increasing UV rays. The Pete Seeger song about the bells of freedom called us to action. The play from KAIROS set up the stern realities of life and death. The old-fashioned bell at the Baptist Church with its long rope was new technology to most of us, and we took turns pealing it one hundred times, enjoying every one.
No press, no crowds. A few passing motorists honked in response to our signs--very gratifying. We thought of how foolish we must look on a wet, dreary Sunday afternoon, and the size of the challenge facing those who know and care, and re-committed ourselves to action. I trust that Moderator Mardi will catch an even deeper vision of a world transformed in Copenhagen to share with us all upon her return, and throughout her term.
Robin Wardlaw
Newmarket, Ontario
Mardi Tindal
Posted on: 12/17/2009 05:15
Robin, it was wonderful to read your vivid description of your Main St. witness on Sunday. This bears similarity to the witness that's happening here in Copenhagen... and while we may appear foolish in the face of the challenge, there is something magnificent happening in our evolving understanding of our relationships with one another as human beings world-wide, within the context of relationships with the fullness of God's created and creative order. It's been extraordinarily busy here but today I've carved out a few hours for writing - in order to do the work of framing that vision of a world transformed. Thank you for framing the challenge so well, and for being so connected to what's happening here - both personally and congregationally. We are not alone!