"This world's not going to change unless we're willing to change ourselves." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

Good Evening Beloved Community!

Welcome to our first weekend retreat during Earth Month! In two weeks from tomorrow it will be Holy Saturday and Earth Day.Today I decided that we would ponder the words of Chief Seattle, Black Elk, and Sir David Attenborough. I call this weekend "Blue Planet Weekend!" We need to learn more about the planet we live on and meditate and ask God's help how we can be better stewards of what is remaining on Gaia. We need to really become intentional about this. Our prayers come from the Book of Common Prayer and each prayer is designed to make us think and take time to Pause, Pray, and Reflect. Instead of all the major resources this weekend we will have a list of suggested scripture readings from which to choose. There will also be a set of links to videos from "The Blue Planet" and others from which to meditate upon.So dear ones let us ready ourselves for this weekend retreat by preparing our sacred space and by doing our Worry Free Sabbath Work.When we have completed these tasks we will return and come together as one family in heart, mind, soul, as a loving family at worship.

"The earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." ~ Chief Seattle

"The first peace, which is the most important,
is that which comes within the souls of people
when they realize their relationship,
their oneness with the universe and all its powers,
and when they realize that at the center of the universe
dwells the Great Spirit,
and that this center is really everywhere,
it is within each of us." ~ Black Elk

"No one will protect what they don't care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced." ~ David Attenborough

"Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realise that we can not eat money." ~ Chief Seattle

"All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All is really One." ~ Black Elk

"What humans do over the next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on the planet." ~ David Attenborough

"All things are bound together. All things connect." ~ Chief Seattle

"I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being. And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy." ~ Black Elk
"All creation is one. What we do to one, we do to the entire web of life." ~ Chief Seattle

"How could I look my grandchildren in the eye and say I knew what was happening to the world and did nothing." ~ David Attenborough

"All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth, befalls the children of the Earth." ~ Chief Seattle

"The Universe is circles within circles, and everything is one circle, and all the circles are connected to each other. Each family is a circle, and those family circles connect together and make a community, and the community makes its circle where it lives on the Earth. It (the community) cares for that part (of the Earth) but cares for it as a circle - which is to say in a cooperative and egalitarian way, where everybody is cared for, and everybody is respected." ~ Black Elk

"We really need to kick the carbon habit and stop making our energy from burning things. Climate change is also really important. You can wreck one rainforest then move, drain one area of resources and move onto another, but climate change is global." ~ David Attenborough

"To harm the earth is to heap contempt on its creator." ~ Chief Seattle

"Let every step you take upon the earth be as a prayer." ~ Black Elk

"People are not going to care about animal conservation unless they think that animals are worthwhile." ~ David Attenborough

"We are a part of the earth and it is part of us." ~ Chief Seattle

"We should understand well that all things are the work of the Great Spirit. We should know the Great Spirit is within all things: the trees, the grasses, the rivers, the mountains, and the four-legged and winged peoples; and even more important, we should understand that the Great Spirit is also above all these things and peoples. When we do understand all this deeply in our hearts, then we will fear, and love, and know the Great Spirit, and then we will be and act and live as the Spirit intends." ~ Black Elk

"If I can bicycle, I bicycle." ~ David Attenborough

"We are all children of the Great Spirit, we all belong to Mother Earth. Our planet is in great trouble and if we keep carrying old grudges and do not work together, we will all die." ~ Chief Seattle

"Any man who is attached to things of this world is one who lives in ignorance and is being consumed by the snakes of his own passions" ~ Black Elk

"It is curiosity, quite right-a divine curiosity. A characteristic of the gods is curiosity." ~ David Attenborough

Bonus quotes

"Know the Power that is Peace." ~ Black Elk

"Take care how you place your moccasins upon the Earth, step with care, for the faces of the future generations are looking up from the Earth waiting their turn for life." ~ Wilma Mankiller

"The Holy Land is everywhere." ~ Black Elk

"Whoever controls the education of our children controls the future." ~ Wilma Mankiller

"Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

"It should be remembered that hundreds of people of African ancestry also walked the Trail of Tears with the Cherokee during the forced removal of 1838-1839. Although we know about the terrible human suffering of our native people and the members of other tribes during the removal, we rarely hear of those black people who also suffered." ~ Wilma Mankiller

"We say no to the peace that keeps us on our knees, no to the peace that keeps us in chains, no to the false peace that denies the values and contributions of our peoples." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

"We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

"To be a light to others you will need a good dose of the spiritual life. Because as my mother used to say, if you are in a good place, then you can help others; but if you're not well, then go look for somebody who is in a good place who can help you." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

"I wish that a conscious sense of peace and a feeling of human solidarity would develop in all peoples." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

"... together we can build the people's Church, a true Church. Not just a hierarchy, or a building, but a real change inside people." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

"... our reality teaches us that, as Christians, we must create a Church of the poor, that we don't need a Church imposed from outside which knows nothing of hunger." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

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Come Let us Worship.

Plains Indian Prayer

GREAT GOD, WE SUMMON YOU

Great Spirit, who dwells in every object, every person and every place: we summon You from the far places into our present awareness.

God of the North, Who gives wings to the waters of the air and rolls out the snow-storm covering the earth with silver carpet: temper us with toughness to withstand the biting blizzard.

God of the East and of the red sun’s rising, brace us that we neither neglect our gifts nor lose in laziness the hopes each day affords.

God of the South Whose warm breath of compassion dissolves our fears and meets our hatreds: teach us that they who are truly strong are also kind.

God of the West and of the sunset, bless us with knowledge of the freedom which follows the well-disciplined life.

God of the earth beneath our feet, storer of unreckoned resources: we would give thanks unceasingly for Your great bounty.

Great God within, may we be aware of the goodness of the gift of life and be worthy of its priceless privilege.

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Douglas Steere: Into the Center

O God, draw us from the circumference of life, where we have been living, into the Center. Draw us from preoccupation with ourselves into Your presence. Draw us from our claimful selves, and give us Yourself. In Your presence, we find simplicity amidst complexity; and compulsive activities yield to a willingness to live with singleness of heart.
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The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh: A Litany for Peace

As we are together praying for Peace, let us be truly with each other.
Silence
Let us pay attention to our breathing.
Silence
Let us be relaxed in our bodies and our minds.
Silence
Let us return to ourselves and become wholly ourselves.
Silence
Let us be aware of the Source of Being common to us all and to all that is.
Silence
Evoking the presence of the Great Companion, let us fill our hearts with our own compassion—towards ourselves and toward all living beings.
Silence
Let us pray that all living beings realize that they are all nourished from the same Source of Life.
Silence
Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be the cause of needless suffering.
Silence
Let us pray that we may live in a way which will not needlessly deprive other living beings of air, water, food, shelter, or the chance to live in health.
Silence
With reverence for Life and with awareness of the sufferings that are going on around us, let us pray for the establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth.

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It is the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:6-10

Because in every age you have called brave souls to proclaim righteousness for the transformation of the world, that all may welcome the coming of your holy reign.

Because you inspire us to seek your face in the wonders of your creation, and you reveal your work, so that your people may rejoice in your many gifts.

For you cleanse and renew your Church by the witness of your saints, calling people in every age to holiness of life through the indwelling of your Holy Spirit.

Prayer to The Four Directions. Chief Seattle

Great Spirit of Light, come to me out of the East (red) with the power of the rising sun. Let there be light in my words, let there be light on my path that I walk. Let me remember always that you give the gift of a new day. And never let me be burdened with sorrow by not starting over again.

Great Spirit of Creation, send me the warm and soothing winds from the South (yellow). Comfort me and caress me when I am tired and cold. Unfold me like the gentle breezes that unfold the leaves on the trees. As you give to all the earth your warm, moving wind, give to me, so that I may grow close to you in warmth. Man did not create the web of life, he is but a strand in it. Whatever man does to the web, he does to himself.

Great Life-Giving Spirit, I face the West (black), the direction of sundown. Let me remember everyday that the moment will come when my sun will go down. Never let me forget that I must fade into you. Give me a beautiful color, give me a great sky for setting, so that when it is my time to meet you, I can come with glory.

Great Spirit of Love, come to me with the power of the North (white). Make me courageous when the cold wind falls upon me. Give me strength and endurance for everything that is harsh, everything that hurts, everything that makes me squint. Let me move through life ready to take what comes from the north.

Light of the World Phos hilaron

Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.

Anselm: We Bring Our Troubles

We bring before You, O God:
The troubles and perils of people and nations,
The sighings of the sick,
The sorrows of the bereaved,
The necessities of strangers,
The helplessness of the weak,
The despondency of the weary,
The failing powers of any age.
May each of us draw as near to You
As You are near to each of us.

THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES (Anonymous)

Lest we forget the great traditions of freedom and faith which are the heritage of humanity; lest we forget the pioneers, the statesmen, the bridge builders, the artists; and lest we forget You, the God of our fore bears who is our God also:

We light this candle of remembrance.

For the hope of a better world, in which righteousness and peace shall prevail among the people of the earth, and to create which is the task of the generations in which we stand, as well as for the courage and faith we shall need if we are to carry on this unfinished work:

We light this candle of consecration.

May the flame upon the altar of free faith shine in our hearts al ways, reminding us of the dark places to which we may carry light and strengthening us in every moment of doubt and discouragement with unwavering faith in You whom we serve and whose we are.

Let us light our candles and be at prayer for the peace of our minds, hearts, and world. We pray for peace among all of our family members and that fear and hate may be vanquished and that we may learn to be compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful to all. We pray for all leaders and that they may in the words of the prophet Micah "Do Justly, Love Mercy, and walk humbly with God" We pray that they may seek to know what being a true servant leader is all about and not just for power grabs and and agendas that are designed to divide and not unite. We pray that we all may know that we are called to serve and care for the least of these and love our neighbors who are our family members and that when God means we love our neighbors he means all of them not some. We pray these prayers this night and always. Amen.

IN LAK’ECH

Tú eres mi otro yo.

You are my other me.

Si te hago daño a ti,

If I do harm to you,

Me hago daño a mi mismo.

I do harm to myself.

Si te amo y respeto,

If I love and respect you,

Me amo y respeto yo.

I love and respect myself.

Luis Valdez

"We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust. We must dissent from a nation that has buried its head in the sand, waiting in vain for the needs of its poor, its elderly, and its sick to disappear and just blow away. We must dissent from a government that has left its young without jobs, education or hope. We must dissent from the poverty of vision and the absence of moral leadership. We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better." ~ Thurgood Marshall

"Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love?' These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will be many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." - Henri Nouwen

A Smudging Prayer

Creator,
our Father in heaven,
we come to you as your children.
We confess that we are weak and broken images of you.
We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ.
May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies.
We pray that your Holy Spirit
will help us to worship in spirit and truth.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you.

Amen.

Confession of Need

Let us confess our need for God’s healing grace.

Silence

Compassionate God,
we confess our weaknesses and our need for your
strengthening touch.
We confess that some illnesses stem from our own fault,
while others are beyond our control.
We turn to you, source of life,
and ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ
for the gifts of true healing and life in you. Amen.

May the God of love visit us in our times of trial and weakness,
and raise us to newness of life, through Jesus Christ, in the
power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Psalm 8

Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

1 O Lord, our Sovereign,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants

you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,

to silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars that you have established;

4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,

mortals[a] that you care for them?

5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God,[b]

and crowned them with glory and honor.

6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;

you have put all things under their feet,

7 all sheep and oxen,

and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,

whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Sovereign,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Earth Prayer

Earth teach me freedom

as the eagle which soars in the sky.

Earth teach me regeneration

as the seed which rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself

as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness

as dry fields weep with rain.

- Ute Prayer

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 1:1–10

In Praise of Wisdom

1 All wisdom is from the Lord,

and with him it remains forever.

2 The sand of the sea, the drops of rain,

and the days of eternity—who can count them?

3 The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,

the abyss, and wisdom—who can search them out?

4 Wisdom was created before all other things,

and prudent understanding from eternity.

6 The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?

Her subtleties—who knows them?

8 There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,

seated upon his throne—the Lord.

9 It is he who created her;

he saw her and took her measure;

he poured her out upon all his works,

10 upon all the living according to his gift;

he lavished her upon those who love him.

Apache Blessing

May the sun bring you new energy by day,

may the moon softly restore you by night,

may the rain wash away your worries,

may the breeze blow new strength into your being,

may you walk gently through the world and

know it's beauty all the days of your life.

- Apache Blessing

Ephesians 1:17-23 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God[a] put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Prayer For Peace

Oh Great Spirit who dwells in the sky,

lead us to the path of peace and understanding,

let all of us live together as brothers and sisters.

Our lives are so short here, walking upon Mother Earth's surface,

let our eyes be opened to all the blessings you have given us.

Please hear our prayers, Oh Great Spirit.

- Native American Prayer

John 15:1-8 The Message (MSG)

The Vine and the Branches

15 1-3 “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.

4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

O God, you have given us the Good News of your abounding love in your Son Jesus Christ: So fill our hearts with thankfulness that we may rejoice to proclaim the good tidings we have received; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Native American Prayer

O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.

I come before you, one of your children. I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made, my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise, so that I may know the things you have taught my people, the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be superior to my brothers, but to be able to fight my greatest enemy: myself.

Make me ever ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so that when life fades as a fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.

- Chief Yellow Hawk

Prayer for World Peace

We pray that we may grow

in our understanding of the nature of all living beings

and our connectedness with the natural world;

that we may become ever more filled with

generosity of spirit and true compassion and love for all life;

that we may value each and every human being

for who he is, for who she is,

reaching to the spirit that is within,

knowing the power of each individual to change the world.

We pray for these things with humility;

We pray because of the hope that is within us,

and because of a faith in the ultimate triumph of the human spirit;

We pray because of our love for Creation, and because of our trust in God.

We pray, above all, for peace throughout the world.

- Dr. Jane Goodall, excerpt from Prayer for World Peace

Space Exploration

Creator of the universe, your dominion extends through the immensity of space: guide and guard those who seek to fathom its mysteries [especially N.N.]. Save us from arrogance lest we forget that our achievements are grounded in you, and, by the grace of your Holy Spirit, protect our travels beyond the reaches of earth, that we may glory ever more in the wonder of your creation: through Jesus Christ, your Word, by whom all things came to be, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer for Healing