GreenWorship Tips and Resources for Creating Worship that Relates to the Earth 7/10/12

Overview – GreenWorship Why is it important? 5 GreenWorship Tips Overview of GreenWorship The GreenWorship Planning Tool Questions

Worship & Creation – Why is it important? Americans worship Once marginal – now growing Constitutes identity, creates reality Provides a landing place for personal experiences Engages fears

5 GreenWorship Tips Increase nature’s presence in sacred space Integrate nature into prayers, readings, music Speak/teach/preach green Pray and worship outdoors Use religious holidays and festivals

Tip #1: Increasing Nature’s Presence in Sacred Space “Raw” nature Water, plants, branches, rocks, soil, natural light “Refined” nature Beeswax candles, handmade bread Carbon offsets Nature through technology PowerPoint images Sound recordings Collective Silence

Tip #2: Integrating Nature into Prayers, Readings and Music Calls to worship Sacred Texts Prayers of confession Litanies Prayers of intercession Prayers of adoration and gratitude Hymns/Music

Tip #3: Speak, Teach, Preach Green Stories of outdoor experiences Teach/affirm sound science Link pollution with health impacts, impacts on vulnerable communities Material restraint Connect with your tradition Call to action/commitment

Tip #4: Pray & Worship Outdoors Ensure safety Use silence Different hours of the day – different cycles of prayer Encourage movement Socialize after praying

Tip #5: Observe Environmental Holy Days; Innovative Rituals St. Francis’ Day Sukkot, Tu b’shvat Wudu & “dry” wudu “Green” diwali Bless hybrid cars Ordaining trees

Overview of GreenWorship center/spirit/greenworship-resourcehttp://greenfaith.org/resource- center/spirit/greenworship-resource Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Christian sections Compilation approach 5-7 tips from leaders in each tradition Web-based, journals, books Web-based resources include: Prayers, holidays, hymns, sermons, worship services Invitation to submit GreenFaith “Top Picks”

GreenWorship Example – Jewish Section Tips – Rabbi Lawrence Troster Web-based resources Top 10 websites, with descriptions – denomination, content Books Title, author, publisher, 2-sentence synopsis Spiritual Practices 5 US, 3 Israeli organizations Submitted Materials Organized by holiday Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Hanukah, Tu B’shvat, Pesach, Shavuot

GreenWorship Example – Christian Section Tips – Rev. Fletcher Harper Web-based resources – abbreviated and full listings, with GreenFaith “Top Picks” Scripture & Lectionary Preaching Prayers and liturgies Music Denomination-specific Books & Journal articles

GreenWorship Planning Tool Help worship planners 12 Questions Goals, location, décor, increasing nature’s presence Music Prayers, readings, sermon Ritual acts, religious traditions, holy days, innovation

Conclusion GreenWorship matters Remember the 5 tips Increase nature’s presence in worship Integrate nature into conventional worship Speak/teach/preach green Worship outdoors Use religious holidays and festivals Use GreenWorship & the Tool