common components in our worship
Our "liturgy" varies from week to week, but the following might give you an idea of some of the components which are usually there.
Body prayer- shaking off/preparation
people are invited to join in some guided movement to help clear the mind and settle the spirit (and warm uin winter!)
Calling together
We continue to focus ourselves by acknowledging the Kaurna and their ancestors, who were here long before Jesus was born; the animals that preceded humans and contine to surround us; and the God who loved them and loves us.
Body Prayer 2
We usually have a prayer which acknowledges that:
God is beyond anything we can imagine (trditionally the symbol of God the Father)
God is with us (and many believe became one of us- the "Son")
God is within us (The Spirit)
and amongst us (The Spirit)
We usually have a Reading, often from the Christian scriptures and/or from other sources which help us think about the link between the ecos and faith.
There is usually me kind of input by a group member or visiting guest.
We often turn to the four directions as we pray. One framework is:
EAST: New things/people coming into our lives, or just over the horizon
NORTH: What is going on now
WEST: Things/people leaving or fading away
SOUTH: things that have gone, or reflecting on what e will leave behind when we go.
We spend about ten minutes in wandering prayer and contemplation (some people prefer to stay in the circle and talk)
There is a time for
Sharing thoughts/feelings, or responses to the input.
Blessing and then morning tea for those who can stay.
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some of the themes covered at ecofaith
Over the years we have covered a wide range of topics, wih most exploring in some way the connections between evolution, ecology, or environmentalism and faith.
For the first couple of years most input was provided by Jason John. Weve kept a couple of examples here, and more can be found at the main ecofaith.org web site.
Other weeks, and each week since March 2008, different group members have at times taken turns to lead worship and provide input, or we have invited guest speakers to share their expertise.
A sample of some of the topics we have covered:
Life, not just humans, as the "image of God," or the "neighbour," "other" which Jesus spoke about.
Rethinking domnion and stewardship
We are not fallen. Original Need as a better framework than Original Sin.
Forgivess. Does/Can Earth forgive us? (Chris)
My life as a Yoga teaching Christian (Beverley)
When "eco" meets "feminist" (Terella)
Worship led by Finn (age 5)
Waiting for the stll small voice (Louise)
Property and Environment Paul Babie (AU law lecturer, Ukranian Catholic priest)
Interfaith environmentalism (and circus!)(Elizabeth Young)
Worry, possessions, good stuff
We usually follow the "Season of Creation," but from an evolution affirming, progessive starting point.
Worship led by Joy and the Seymour College year 5 students (photos).
Why are we here (life, humans, Jesus)?
Easter and the idea of sacrifice, from the perspective of animals and the God who loves them.
The salvations offered in the scriptures, and how they differ from Jesus' version
Sex, relationships and kids from an evolutionary Christian perspective.
What is baptism in "green", "progressive" faith?
A month with Rev Samson Devasagayam and Rev Gethzi Chella Kamala sharing their insights on ecotheology and human justice in the Indian context.
Water as a metaphor for spirituality: scriptural and modern Australian resources.
The ecological footprint and ecological discipleship
The community first started as a result of a self contained six week program, which might be of interest if you live far away and cannot visit us:
1. the cosmology/evolution story.
2. Life, not humans, is the image of God.
3.
Dominion or Servanthood or..?
4. On being kicked out of the garden- revisiting(rejecting) the "Fall"
5. An alternative to Original Sin.
6. So who is Jesus then?
Comments by the original particiants of that program can be read here.
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