Caring for Creation Rogation Sunday, 2018

What is Rogation Day? Pagan Roman festival of Robigalia offered sacrifices of animals to Robigus to ensure a bountiful harvest and protect the wheat crop. Held every April 25 on the outskirts of Rome.

Mamertus, Bishop of Vienne France, 462-475 Feared natural disasters and implemented a series of days of prayer and repentance circa 470. The dates he chose were 1) April 25 and 2) the 3 days leading up to Ascension Day. By the 7th c., Rogation Day had spread to many areas of the Western Church, including England. Rogation comes from Latin rogare, meaning “to ask”.

Early Rogation Practices Fasting, repentance, and prayer (similar to Roman practices to appease the gods) Blessing of crops by clergy (similar to Roman prayers for a good and bountiful harvest) The Great Litany Walking the Parish Bounds (similar to the Roman procession for the Robigalia)

By 1500… English celebrations included costumed characters (lions and dragons, representing Christ and Pilate) and “concerns about the lack of piety” and “drunken revelry” led to the banning of Rogation Processions for a brief period during the reformation (c. 1550). They were reintroduced during the reign of Elizabeth 1 (1558-1603) as public processions intended to reinforce boundaries and social order.

In the United States Rogation Day is associated with agriculture, fishing, commerce/industry, and care of creation BCP prayers are found on pp. 207-8/258-9; readings etc. on p. 931. The Episcopal Church’s understanding of Rogation includes history, scriptures, and an awareness of the context and needs today.

TEC and Rogation Today History: our liturgical practices stem from earlier Anglican traditions Scriptures: there are many bible stories about creation, our call to care for the earth, the role of land in the social order, and environmental justice. Can you think of any stories in the Old or New Testament that challenge us to stewardship of creation? Today’s Context: many urban communities and individuals are disconnected from the land, from agriculture, fisheries, and industry. For St. Philip’s, our connections come through a commitment to stewardship of creation, community efforts to protect our environment and the world around, and eco-justice practices in our homes, congregation, and state.

For stewardship of creation BCP, page 259 O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Rogation Days at St. Philip’s An opportunity to remember our call to care for creation. Where do we see this at St. Philip’s? Buildings Grounds Hospitality ministries Administration Community connections

What more can we do? At St. Philip’s, we have opportunities to practice environmental justice in many areas of our common life: Buildings Grounds Hospitality ministries Administration Community connections Are there other areas where we as a community can practice good stewardship of God’s creation?

Care of creation at home and in the world: RESOURCES Diocesan Resources: There are many wonderful resources on the Diocese of North Carolina website: http://www.dionc.org/Ministries%20&%20Mission/environmental-ministry.html They can be found under the “resources for congregations/environmental resources” tab

What Other Churches Are Doing: Zero-Waste Church is a ministry sponsored by the Church of the Nativity, Raleigh. They provide resources for congregations seeking to diminish waste and become more attentive to issues of stewardship of creation. www.zerowastechurch.org The wider church (TEC, dioceses, parishes, and individuals) have responded with resources and action. Some can be found on the Episcopal Church website under the Ministries tab, listed as Eco-Justice: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/stewardship-creation

For Discussion: What would you like to see St. Philip’s do to care for God’s creation? What practices do you already do? What would you like to share with others about your stewardship of the earth? What practices are you going to take on?