Ephemeral
Noun: Something that lasts for a very short time. Something ephemeral. Specifically, a plant that grows, flowers, and dies in a few days. Psalm 103:15-17 As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. April Ephemerals My eyes scan the dead brown forest floor, searching for early emerging ephemerals, joyous sentinals of spring. Something about these fleeting flowers calls me back each year to witness their being. I recite their names like a seasonal litany or an annual reunion with old friends: Hepatica Cut-Leaved Toothwort Dutchman's Breeches Trout Lily Bloodroot Virginia Waterleaf Blue Cohosh Rue Anemone Spring Beauty Trillium Thanks be to God! Yes, I see you, and I see myself. Our lives, too, are short. You show us how to live with abandon and to to let our beauty shine, trusting the Eternal One, Beginning and Ending, to provide purpose and grounding, whatever the length of our days. - Wendy Janzen
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Bless us today, God of the Universe, as we look for you as our Shining Light and Holy Darkness. Bless us as we look up to the heavens, inspired by the wonder and mystery of the moon eclipsing the sun. As we look up with awe, may we also look within: Let this occasion when the sun is obscured make us aware of the things that obscure our view of your shining presence in the world and in our soul. Let it prompt us to wonder how we contribute to obscuring the light of life, justice, and wholeness for others, locally and globally. In this sacred moment, burn your imprint on our hearts, and may your brilliance fill us and shine out for all to see. Amen. - Wendy Janzen A prayer, poem, and benediction for Easter sunrise.
Out of the darkness the grace of God rises like the sun hope rises like the dawn. Into all that is cold and shadowed in our lives the Light and Love of God shines. Come to us, and renew us, O God of life. - by Dirt Church Liturgy “spring song” the green of Jesus is breaking the ground and the sweet smell of delicious Jesus is opening the house and the dance of Jesus music has hold of the air and the world is turning in the body of Jesus and the future is possible - by Lucille Clifton Benediction May Creator’s love ground you, may Christ’s love rise to guide you like the sun, may Spirit’s love be a constant presence within you and around you. Christ is risen! Amen - by Wendy Janzen I (Wendy) recently started a course called Earth and Climate Chaplaincy. In our first session together, we talked about “trepidatious joy,” that mixed feeling of dread or despair that mingles with wonder and joy.
When we open ourselves to the world, to the beauty and goodness around us, it also breaks open our hearts to the brokenness we find. Whether it be wars and genocide, weirding weather, or dying species, there is plenty to lament. And still, we also experience joy in life. During our wandering time at our March worship gathering, this was the invitation we offered before the wander: take note of what emotions you are carrying with you - are you bringing grief you need to express, or are you leaning toward wonder and gratitude, or something else? Whichever it is, take time to feel it, and as you wander notice anything here that is echoing or mirroring your mood or feelings. Where (or how) does the outer landscape reflect your inner landscape? Spend time there, and release what you need to release: silently, verbally, or symbolically with an action or gesture. March Eco-Spiritual Practice:
Spring Equinox Reflections This month, the Spring Equinox falls on March 19th, a day of equal daylight and darkness, after which we move into the season of spring and the lighter half of the year. Here are some reflection questions inspired by the equinox seasonal transition. Take these questions out onto the land with you and observe what you notice. Use them as journaling prompts or as inspiration for some creative art (a nature mandala is a wonderful way to reflect on the season and what is in balance). Examine the balance in your life - where is there balance (or tension) between perceived opposites? What do you want/need more of in your life? What do you need/want less of? What is awakening in you? What is ready to sprout? Our February worship gathering was led by Lisa and Leah; and the theme was love - not romantic love, but love for the world, and in particular love of place, this place where we gather for worship. Our readings for reflection include these two:
My help is in the mountain Where I take myself to heal The earthly wounds That people give to me I find a rock with sun on it And a stream where the water runs gentle And the trees which one by one give me company. So must I stay for a long time Until I have grown from the rock And the stream is running through me And I cannot tell myself from one tall tree. Then I know that nothing touches me Nor makes me run away. My help is in the mountain That I take away with me. - Mary Wood Psalm 96: 11-12 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. What you love about a particular place or the wild world in general. What are the things that you love most about being in nature, about being outside amongst the more-than-humans? What does it do for your spirit? How does it change you? What gifts does it offer you? Where do you feel loved by the wild world? This month, let's celebrate our love for the earth.
Choose a particular place, being, or element and pour your heart out to them on paper. Express your feelings for the and your desires for their flourishing. Reflect on the bond between you and them and how they love you back. Consider how much God loves and cherishes them as well. If you wish, deliver your letter (if you used plain paper) by burying it in your compost pile or garden. Or, carry it with you, tuck it in your journal, or turn it into art and hang it somewhere you can see it and be reminded of your love. I am a girl made of stars. Of water cycled through creeks and rivers, great lakes, snow, and mud. Of air exchanged with maples and spruce, crocuses and goldenrod. Of soil molecules, microbles, bacteria and trillions of cells; a community. Of sun light and wind, energizing and animating my every move and thought. Companion of family and friends, clouds, cats, crows, and cedars. Receiving and giving renewing and aging. Who are you? - Wendy Janzen Our January worship gathering focused on the theme of Refuge/Refugia. Winter is a season when we, and the creatures and plants around us, seek refuge from the harsh elements. It is also a metaphor for challenging and stressful times, like the times we live in with climate disasters, wars, and polarization. Our winter book study is on the book Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth by Debra Rienstra. Refugia is a biological term that describes little pockets of safety, hidden shelters in harsh conditions or times of disaster and crisis, where life persists and out of which new life emerges. Author Debra Rienstra writes: “... even amid destruction, the forces of life yearn for renewal. A refugia faith, similarly, regards our dire conditions honestly but immerses fear and despair in longing for God's promised new life.” (p 31) Refugia are places to find shelter, but only for a time - they are not an escape or a place to stick our heads in the snow and ignore the realities of life. More importantly, refugia are places to begin, places where the tender and harrowing work of restoration and renewal takes root. Winter doesn’t last forever; trees don’t stay in dormancy forever; animals don’t stay in hibernation or in their burrows forever; birds don’t stay in their winter nesting grounds forever. We can create places of refuge to protect us and renew us through the hardest times, and then launch from there into the next season or stage of regrowth. Psalm 46 says “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change…” Where do you see places of refugia in the world around you? Where do you go to seek refuge? |
AuthorReflections, poetry, prayers, photos, and resources written by Wendy Janzen unless otherwise noted. Archives
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