Season of creation
Introduction
In my research I have found few 'progressive' resources for congregational church services on the theme of 'Season of Creation'. I try to correct this situation by offering alternative liturgies. I have read about 20 or more liturgies that are presented on the internet, many of which are endorsed by the Uniting Church of Australia, for the Season of Creation. Access can be gained to all of these with a Google search using ‘Season of Creation’.
I make some general comments on the content of these liturgies.
I think the whole idea of setting apart specific Sundays to reflect on nature and our human responsibilities regarding it, is very appropriate and necessary today.
Repetition in these liturgies is good because, I believe, it can present a familiarity which many congregational members enjoy. I think many suggestions, particularly those which involve congregational members are excellent. Dramatizing readings can make them more interesting and engaging for those gathered. The activities for the children are achievable and, I think, could give the children fun and a sense of belonging.
The continued emphasis of God’s presence in everything, at all times, I think, is very helpful. There is also a significant emphasis on our human responsibility to care for our Earth home, and our human neglect and irresponsible lifestyle are stated very effectively and necessarily in the prayers of confession and elsewhere.
Maybe a bit judgemental, partly because I believe that to add to our confession, the questioning and doubting regarding earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, etc., is to discourage any serious and thoughtful appraisal of nature. Practically no explanation for these horrific events is offered, except that they are demonstrations of God's power. There is encouragement not to doubt the goodness of God, and that Jesus knows and shares suffering, because of his cross. While important, this comment about doubting God’s goodness, for someone who has actually experienced the devastation, and maybe the loss of a loved one due to such natural disasters, I believe communicates a lack of empathy.
I believe these services present an excellent opportunity to learn more about the universe, Earth’s nature and humanity itself, thus giving us more reason to celebrate them and stand in awe of them. I believe this opportunity has been largely missed. There seems little effort to take those gathered in church services, beyond the images and ideas presented in the Bible readings recommended. While these ideas may not be unimportant, they take us back 2-3000 years in human imaginations. Our more modern imaginations need a voice. This voice is hardly heard.
The Genesis 1 readings introduce us to the idea of the ‘goodness’ of all creation/nature. If we are going to continue to use the category of ‘goodness’ when talking of nature/creation, we cannot ignore that which is not ‘good’. Why do so many animals, that are not farmed nor domesticated, live in terror most, if not all their lives? Kill and eat or be killed and be eaten. Cannibalism is not uncommon in the animal world. It has been recorded for more than 1500 species of animal life. For a certain species of mice, mothers eat about 1/3 of their offspring. I do not believe this is all ‘very good’, if we continue to use these words.
In all the 20 liturgies I have read, this ‘down-side’ of nature on the Earth, is not given any real attention. This is either an unfortunate oversight or a serious, intentional omission. Why is the essential life-death-life-death cycle of nature given no attention? ‘Food chains’ are a universally accepted essential aspect of Earth’s nature. Specific ‘food chains’ are defined by ‘Who eats who?’.
Genesis 1:30 should be questioned? It is not! Many species of animal life are carnivorous, meat-eating, and have been for millions of years, ever since they evolved. The only source of food for these carnivorous animals is other animals, including humans.
These issues have more detailed comment made in the Background Reading for the Animal Sunday.
Some people say that the church promotes half-truths about nature. I think the liturgies presented on the internet for the Season of Creation could be accused of doing this. In some of these more 'orthodox' presentations there is, I think, helpful/useful material, however, in what follows, I have offered some alternatives to these 'orthodox' literugies with their concentration on an anthropomorphic God, a Creator, and the worshipping/glorifying of 'him' and 'his' wonderful work. I find these emphases unhelpful and they surplant the rightful emphasis, that should be present, on the wonder and awesomeness of humanity, the Earth's nature and the universe. I find some of the poetical phaseology used in the internet services somewhat bizarre!
I also find it diffiuclt to have presented to me, an 'Affirmation of faith'. I found one such 'Affirmation' in the church services dealing with this creation theme, that as an ordinary church service attendee, I am expected to say and thus affirm. This 'Affirmation' is repeated in a number of the different internet liturgies. I would go so far as to say that it is inappropriate these days, with such a variety of beliefs that church people hold, to present any 'Affirmation of faith' for assent by all members of a gathered congregation. I have not suggested any ‘Affirmation of Faith’. These affirmations are meant to unite people, but I believe they are divisive, like the creeds. I cannot say, with any conviction, much of the ‘Affirmation’ which is offered in the internet presented liturgies. Some of my church friends, regular churchgoers, share my feelings and have said to me that they would refuse to say it.
So, because of my concern, I offer alternative liturgies.
I have not assumed a sacrament would follow my liturgies.