"If your Church has an outside space, what does it say about Creation’s call to worship? Is it a place that inspires thoughtfulness and peace or is it neglected? What might you do to help to change that?"
I've struggled a lot with how to answer and reflect on this practical aspect.
We have two churches in our parish, one of which has a church yard with old gravestones. The other church has gardens which are well kept with plants that bloom in the spring and the summer. They provide a pleasant space for reflection throughout all seasons of the year.
The church with the gravestones is local to me and is the church where I worship regularly. The entrance through winter has been less inspiring. I wouldn't call it neglected and I suppose it inspires thoughtfulness but thoughts that may not be particularly positive with a drab appearance and moss appearing on the metal fences...
In addition to that, the question about what I might do to help bring changes, initially left me feeling inadequate and guilty due to living with physical limitations and disability. I cannot plant plants and dig over the soil or scrub the fences to practically make it more visually appealing. I think this is why it has taken me so long to post about session 2.
Recently however, I was reminded of part of the pages on creation we had to read in the book 'This is our Calling'. There is a line that says we may not be called 'to do' but 'to be'. I have the gift of encouragement and used this gift with the lady who helps with the gardening after we had seen some new shoots and new bedding plants. To make a difference, I am encouraging her in what she does and supporting her and her husband by praying for them.
As part of my calling I can use the gifts God put in me at creation to support others as they work practically.
Nice thought Tracey when you say "part of my calling" - I think Phillip reflected that when he talks about "... my vocation (one of them anyway)." I find it very freeing to consider that we maybe have multiple vocations... and perhaps these may change as we progress through life, as well as being expressed in different ways.
Hi Tracey,
As I go through this course, I'm realizing that a calling from God to me has been to help care for his creation...I've been doing it for years, but now slowly realizing it is his calling and my vocation (one of them anyway!).
Churchyards are amazing habitats for wildlife, and increasingly act as safe havens as well with loss of habitats elsewhere plus also places for contemplation, prayer and peace for all who visit. Increasingly as we think about the role of the church in today's world - one of leadership in caring for the environment is a way we can engage others who may not have previously thought of themselves as Christians.
I think despite the concerns you've raised, you've got the solution with how you can help - you make a great point about your gifts of encouragement - getting others involved who's calling is maybe more about hands on and getting involved in planting etc - how do you get more involved from your church in getting involved as well..you may be surprised.
On a practical point and maybe some food for thought, we've been using the Eco church scheme to focus our congregation on what we are doing, I also work with local nature groups for volunteers and school to get kids involved as well - would that be an option? and don't be too concerned about making it look too tidy - areas of long grass harbour wildlife, and moss / lichen is a good sign of a healthy churchyard.
This also links well into the later conversation on stewardship and caring for God's creation is something that God asked all of us to do.
Hi Tracey, thank you for that reminder that 'we may not be called 'to do' but 'to be'. As a 'doer' I often rush in too fast to try and fix things, and that's not necessarily the right thing to do. Sometimes it is definitely enough to just 'be'. With God's grace, perhaps your encouragement and prayers will not just support your current volunteer, but attract more volunteers to help look after the churchyard.