Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 824)
The Rev. Peter Rood, keynote speaker at Diocesan Convention, spoke of his book on how to cultivate lasting change in your local community. Click the title to view invormation on the book:
The Episcopal Ecological Network
For Resources on Rogationtide & Earth Day & other environmental days,
Rogationtide & Earth Day & other environmental days
World Water Day - March 22
March 22 has been designated World Water Day by the United Nations. In Episcopal Life Weekly bulletin inserts for that Sunday, Mary Getz of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations writes that "water is central to our understanding of God's relationship to the world, carrying the image of renewal, promise, and hope," and that the conservation and wise use of water is, therefore, a duty of all Christians. She describes steps that can be taken to improve access to clean water for people all over the world.
Bulletin inserts are available here.
Earth Day - April 22
Since the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, Earth Day has been an annual event for people around the world to celebrate the earth and renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world for all of us. It is a wonderful opportunity to embrace all of God's creation, raise awareness and pray for "this fragile earth, our island home." (Eucharistic Prayer C)
Resources from the National Council of Churches http://www.ncccusa.org/
Protecting the Earth
The following resources are from Sharon Ely Pearson, Christian Formation Specialist from Church Publishing. are many resources and websites to assist in the planning of your education offerings and worship celebrations on this day:
Rogationtide
From the Latin word rogare, meaning “to ask,” the three days before Ascension Day was the traditional time for farmers to pray for their crops as a new season of growing had begun. We no longer live in a society dominated by agriculture and fishing. Rogation represented the dependence upon God from the very beginning of the production cycles-on the farm, on the boat. Even though our societal focus has shifted, the dependence has not. In our industrialized, service-oriented world, we continue to be dependent upon the Lord for all that we have and all that we are.
