EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Thirteen, Number Two Spring 2004 WORSHIP & ECOLOGY Source: www.geocities.com An ecological outlook can be introduced into your worship in several ways: ENVIRONMENT To better enable a connection between people and the creation (of which they are a part), consider adding natural elements to the décor of your sanctuary. Below are ideas to start you thinking. USE FLOWERS Consider using plants, which not only last longer than cut flowers, but are renewable resources. Although they may not present quite a “polished look,” they do introduce a living aspect into the accoutrements of the worship. ADD GREENERY Potted palms, creeping vines, and even thorny cacti have deep symbolic religious meaning that can bring the worship space into alignment with the rest of the natural world. INSTANT ECOLOGY Just add water! Some Lutheran churches have added “living water” fonts, some built for immersion baptisms. Landscaping with water can also make use of this element as can simple ritual actions such as “asparages,” or sprinkling participants with water from the font using an evergreen branch (especially at the beginning of a funeral). USE EARTH LITURGIES Adaptations of your denominational liturgy (if permitted) or creation of earth centered services of worship is a way to focus on creation and stewardship. A Lutheran adaption “Of Land and Seasons” uses folk music from the Appalachians and wording adapted to make use of seasonal natural imagery to provide a beautiful worship experience that is especially suited to rural areas. Yet urban dwellers can also benefit from the reconnection with the soil, perhaps with a window on a garden or a carefully planned patio. Home     Table of Contents