Seasons of the Spirit ~ SeasonsFUSION
Lectionary resources for worship, faith formation, and service
Hear the land
In 1865, after carefully listening to, watching, and observing the land and its flora George Goyder, Surveyor General for the South Australian Government, drew a line defining, accurately, the boundary between land in inland South Australia that would and could sustain crop farming, and land which would not. Goyder then set about discouraging farmers, new to the country, from planting crops north of the line. However, few listened, and believing that “rain would follow the plough,” they built houses, fenced their properties and ploughed the land. Just a few years later many had to abandoned their farms, the land was indeed unsuitable to crop. Farmhouse ruins now dot the landscape along “Goyder’s line.”
Approximately six years ago, a farmer in the region of Goyder’s line also listened to the land. Having listened and observed he chose to destock his property. Plants and bushes unknown to pastoralists since European settlement began to re-emerge and flourish. The land, in essence, when left alone began to rejuvenate.
“When we listen to the land with deep respect, we know more of God’s wisdom and ways. God’s good land, with all its sacredness and scars, still loves and cares for us.” (p. 28, SeasonsFUSION, Season of Creation, Pentecost 2)
On Land Sunday, we are encouraged to welcome land into our spaces with photographs of landscapes, soil samples, rocks, and other gifts from the land. How will you set your space? We encourage you to send photographs, or tell your story here.
In the Bible story for this week (p. 34), Psalm 139: 7–12 is imagined as the voice of the land. A recording of this story is available in MP3 format on the Season of Creation, Pentecost 2 data CD. You might take the recording with you to a place or piece of land that is prominent in your life, play it, and imagine this land speaking it to you. You might also use ideas from the spiritual reflection on p. 33, “Connecting with Creation: Feeling at Home.”
What psalm or song might the landscape near your home sing?
Listen to it’s voice and maybe share it’s poem here.
Be Still and Feel the Presence
Be still and feel the presence of God, The presence pulsing, pulsing through Earth, Be still and feel the pulse of God.
Be still and hear the Spirit of God, The Spirit breathing, breathing through Earth, Be still and hear the breath of God.
Be still, behold the glory of God, The glory filling, filling this Earth.
Be still, behold the face of God.
© Norman Habel 2004, http://www.seasonofcreation.com. Used by permission. Can be sung to the tune: “Be Still and Know That I Am God” (composer unknown).
