St. Peter’s had a table this year at Charter Day and provided activities in relation to St. Francis day also on October 4 as well as selling ECW gifts. Most people did not obviously have their pets. So Catherine provided “pet blessings to go” for both dogs and cats which included a St. Francis blessing, some pet treats and information about the church. She gave out 30 dog packets and 26 cat packets, only 10 calories flavored with pumpkin and sweet potatoes to fit the season. She did bless at least 8 dogs that were at Charter Day.
Season of Creation
Blessing of the Animals
Under a beautiful crisp October day, we blessed 6 dogs and 1 cat (“church kitty”). (Oct. 8, 2011).
Blessing of the Animals, Oct. 4, 2012
A wonderful day of celebrating our animals on a relaxful Oct. afternoon. We had 8 dogs and had the time to enjoy them, get to know them. Each received a blessing. Thanks to Cookie, Barbara, Mike and Marilyn, Nancy and Dewey and Boyd for participating along with their animals
Richard Rohr on St. Francis
Rohr is a Roman Catholic priest and writer. He is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation which brings together action and contemplation .
He recently created a video on St. Francis.
Rohr discusses St. Francis and his connection with nature which he refers to as “The First Bible”. Some points
1 The early Franciscans taught that the whole natural universe is the first Bible
2 if we murder and mangle and manipulate and destroy, how would we possibly have the skills to reverence and use, correctly, the written Bible?
3 You grant respect and reverence to nature and you let the animals talk back to you. Once you’re inside the enchanted universe where everything is granted subjectivity, you’re never lonely
Connecting our Stewardship Campaign to the Season of Creation
Language from the Bible supports both the Season of Creation and our pledge campaign using the language of – planting, growth, production of fruit, and feeding.
Here’s some of our language and imagery, linking these practices, both ancient and continuing, with our common life at St. Peter’s:
- Plant: We begin with the seeds: Worship and prayer, baptism, evangelism, welcoming, pastoral care
- And the seeds soon grow: Education, communications, upkeep of buildings and grounds
- And produce fruit: Fellowship, belonging, new members, confirmation, marriages
- To feed people who are hungry in body and spirit: Village Harvest, Christma
- And our roots are deep: Tradition, reconciliation…
- Settled into the ground of our being: Jesus Christ
- Watered by the vows of the Baptismal Covenant – to continue in worship, repent and return, respect the dignity of others.
- Jesus said, “I am the vine, You are the branches…bear much fruit.”
- All of this depends on your gifts, regular income that provides the rector and staff; that lights, heats, and cools our buildings, that provides materials for worship, for service, for outreach.
Recent Articles, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Sept 29, 2024
Ninetenth Sunday after Pentecost, Season of Creation 5, Sept. 29
Season of Creation 5, Sept. 29
Episcopal Lingo, Part 6, Baptism
Diocesan ECW 134th Fall Meeting, Oct. 12, 2024
Lectionary, Sept. 29
Lectionary Commentary, Sept 29, 2024
Tough Words from Jesus, Sept 29
Visual Lectionary, Sept 29, 2024
St. Michael and the Angels, Sept. 30
St. Francis, Oct. 4, 2024
Richard Rohr on St. Francis, Oct. 4, 2024
From Week 5, Sept. 29 – Deforestation
Deforestation introduction
Deforestation contributing to drought
Deforestation in the Amazon
Focus on 5 areas of the Environment during the Season of Creation – Deforestation this week
From Week 4, Sept. 22 – Food
Focus on 5 areas of the Environment during the Season of Creation – Food this week
Food waste introduction
Focus on Food Waste
Food Waste tackled by 9 states. Only Mass. was able to make reductions
Season of Creation Lectionary IV, Sept 22
Prayers for the Earth
From Week 3, Sept. 15 – Native Plants
Focus on 5 areas of the Environment during the Season of Creation
Native Plants on the Rappahannock
Boosting Pollinators during the Season of Creation
From Week 2, Sept 8 – Climate Change
Focus on 5 areas of the Environment during the Season of Creation
The tipping points of climate change — and where we stand
Summing end of 2023 progress on climate change
Assessing Climate – What’s NOT Working?
From Week 1, Sept 1 – Introduction
Why a Season of Creation ?
What is the Season of Creation ?
The Season of Creation, 2024
Connecting to the Season of Creation
Keys to the Season of Creation
Spritual Reflections on Nature and Humankind
Lectionary Season of Creation V
Collect – “Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure;”
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 takes us through the problems of leading a badly-informed, traumatised people, the virtues of delegation and the liberation of letting others get on with what we cannot manage!
These verses stand near the beginning of part II of Israel’s time of wandering in the wilderness, having just departed from Mt. Sina. A lively exchange between God and Moses follows. God replies to Moses’ complaint in two respects: (1) God will share the spirit given to Moses with others, who will help to bear the burden (see verses 16-17, 24-30); (2) God will provide the meat for which the people have asked (see verses 18-23, 31-35). God works in and through the natural world to provide for his people
The entire book of Numbers is set in a journey through the wilderness. For us is may be a wilderness due to climate change. We are taken from the securities of life to the unknowns