From Marcia Holroyd:
For the past 10 years, St. John's in Waterbury, CT has celebrated Earth Sunday. Themes have covered: Wind Energy, Endangered Species, The Living Oceans, Green Products and this year, Eco-Justice. The sermon asked, “Who is our neighbor?” It stressed the "earth-human relationship and our responsibility to care for all of God's creation. The vision of environmental justice lifts up and affirms the church's longstanding commitment to justice for humankind."
Banners, flags and kites were used in procession and a bulletin board displayed photos and clippings of children at risk and other environmental racism concerns. I wrote the litany we used for the Prayers of the People.
Litany:
Leader: Lord God of all creation, who breathed life in all things, make our hearts open to your love.
People: Hear our prayer
Leader: Creator God, give us wisdom so all children may grow up healthy and strong, breathing clean air free of pollutants and poisons, drinking clean water and eating uncontaminated foods.
People: Hear our prayer
Leader: God of all power, guide us with your wisdom to challenge laws, city ordinances, regulations and policies which promote unjust use of land and hazardous environments.
People: Hear our prayer
Leader: O God, give wisdom to those in power and authority, that by the decisions they make, life may be cherished and all persons may continue to show your glory and sing your praises.
People: Hear our prayer
Leader: Forgive us, O God for the suffering we have caused others, for forgetting who we are, for not loving our neighbors as ourselves, for not treating all persons, races, cultures and incomes fairly in providing a healthy environment.
People: Show us how you would have us live to the glory of your name. Amen.
