I wrote not too long ago about Anathoth Community Garden in North Carolina and celebrated the concept of dedicating an empty plot of land to God so that it might be a flourishing garden: http://www.anathothgarden.org/
I hope this concept catches on in more communities, but I am overjoyed to report that my hometown of Jackson, TN has started such a project: http://jacksonfumc.org/home/communitygardens.php In a few weeks, I will be moving back to Jackson to serve as associate pastor at the church helping to initiate Jackson Community Gardens (First United Methodist Church). I cannot wait to see this take off, and I promise to write more about it. But for now, here's a wonderful article written by one of the church members who has been instrumental in this mission: http://memphissite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?pkvalue=355
Weekly Green Thought
"There is nothing that has been created without some reason, even if human nature is incapable of knowing precisely the reason for them all." John Chrysostom (ca. 354-407), Homilies on Genesis 7.14
31 May 2009
25 May 2009
Weekly Green Thought
"The world has been created for everyone's use, but you few rich are trying to keep it for yourselves. For not merely the possession of the earth, but the very sky, the air, and the sea are claimed for the use of the rich few...The earth belongs to all, not just to the rich." Ambrose of Milan (340-97), De Nabuthe 3.
If people in industrialized nations (the rich - speaking generally as the world is concerned) lived like people in non-industrialized nations, imagine the lack of pollution in the seas, air, and earth. And yet rich nations continue to make life even worse for the poor who live more closely in dependence on the land. Many rich nations build large, mass-polluting factories in poor nations where they can obfuscate environmental laws and employ cheaper labor. These are central issues of justice about which the Church cannot remain silent.
If people in industrialized nations (the rich - speaking generally as the world is concerned) lived like people in non-industrialized nations, imagine the lack of pollution in the seas, air, and earth. And yet rich nations continue to make life even worse for the poor who live more closely in dependence on the land. Many rich nations build large, mass-polluting factories in poor nations where they can obfuscate environmental laws and employ cheaper labor. These are central issues of justice about which the Church cannot remain silent.
16 May 2009
Weekly Green Thought
"I want creation to penetrate you with so much admiration that wherever you go, the least plant may bring you the clear remembrance of the Creator...One blade of grass or one speck of dust is enough to occupy your entire mind in beholding the art with which it has been made." Basil the Great (329-79), Hexameron, Homily V, "The Germination of the Earth"
As I've mentioned before, a couple of the churches I serve have been going through the Green Bible Trail Guide as a Bible study. At the end of each study there is a practice to re-connect someone with creation. The practice last week involved planting something - a tree, a flower, perhaps a garden. Most of the church members chuckled as this is a rural area with farms all around, and many of them are indeed farmers. However, it did occur to me that there are places in the world in which people have essentially no positive connection with plants and animals on a regular basis. I think one of the worst realities I can imagine is that of a child in a huge city who is kept indoors all the time and even when outdoors enjoys no connection with creation. I recognize the ways camping and hiking when I was a child shaped me to love and enjoy creation, and I pray that churches will pursue initiatives to connect people in all places with the marvels of the world around us.
As I've mentioned before, a couple of the churches I serve have been going through the Green Bible Trail Guide as a Bible study. At the end of each study there is a practice to re-connect someone with creation. The practice last week involved planting something - a tree, a flower, perhaps a garden. Most of the church members chuckled as this is a rural area with farms all around, and many of them are indeed farmers. However, it did occur to me that there are places in the world in which people have essentially no positive connection with plants and animals on a regular basis. I think one of the worst realities I can imagine is that of a child in a huge city who is kept indoors all the time and even when outdoors enjoys no connection with creation. I recognize the ways camping and hiking when I was a child shaped me to love and enjoy creation, and I pray that churches will pursue initiatives to connect people in all places with the marvels of the world around us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)