Until the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field (Isaiah 32:15)
On Thursday 6 November, the Diocese of London gathered for its bi-annual Study Day, a powerful and hope-filled moment of collective reflection under the theme “Hope for Advent.” Clergy, licensed ministers, and lay leaders came together to explore a shared vision for the new liturgical year and to seek fresh courage amid the challenges facing the Church today. A highlight of the diocesan calendar, the Study Day featured two keynote addresses from Archbishop Rowan Williams and Chine McDonald and seminars on a range of themes from; shared silence, racial justice, children and young people’s ministry, music, deepening prayer, and care for creation.
Archbishop Rowan reflected on the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Drawing on his well known passion for creation he reflected on the power of the incarnation as we head in to the season of Advent. The incarnation of the Word of God in the person of Jesus radically changes our relationship with the created world. He argued that Jesus’ taking on flesh affirms and transforms the material world, making human mortality and the created earth themselves the foundation of Christian hope. God so loved the world that he became a creature in creation to redeem it.
This theme was taken deeper in a seminar led by the Diocesan Environment Officer, Jack Edwards. Using the principles of lectio divina in a meditative reading of Isaiah 32 14-18, the clergy who attended were invited to go deeper, looking at human relationship with creation, the role of The Spirit in sustaining creation, and were asked this question: “How can we in London collaborate with The Spirit to renew the face of the earth?”
The hundred or so clergy who came to each session heard case studies from the churches in the Diocese now pursuing an Eco Church award, now over 250 churches. Examples of hosting community fairs with local conservation groups; designing a new extension with creation in mind; going deeper in prayer using the diocesan Lent study course 2024; and caring for the biodiversity in our churchyards.
The session ended with an extended prayer time adapting the Ignatian spiritual practice known as the Examen. All were invited to enter into prayer. To spend time in gratitude with God for the creation we enjoy. To reflect on where we have noticed God working through creation, in moments of beauty or wonder. To ask for the grace to see where we are failing in our duty of care for the gift of creation. Lastly we asked for the grace to do better.
You can find out more about the work of the 5th Mark of Mission – To sustain and renew the face of the earth – on our website, by emailing the Diocesan Environment Officer (details below) or by signing up for our newsletter.
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