God Connections; the Spiritual, the Mystical and the Glory of Creation

 

By Diane Waddell

 

God has shared amazing goodness with God’s creatures from micro to macro, Yet in all the swirling of Creation, even holding God’s Creation in our physical grasp, there is such mystery that we are often left in awe. Even science is often left wondering as we continue to ‘discover’ many new wonders… from the bottom of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the Cosmos.

 

I am called to seek ‘Presence’ in Mystery/the Mystical’ to seek ‘Home’ in the Spiritual; to seek Fulness through Earth/Creation connectedness. I have appreciated hearing about many paths to God, from indigenous wisdom, through Celtic connections, to senses of the Cosmic…as we follow the Christ path on our journey.

 

Our New Worshiping Community, JOY — Justice, Outreach and Yoga — has worked and worshiped together in gathered community for about four years. As we gather, we express gratitude to those indigenous tribes who walked the land before us. As we seek to connect with Spirit, we have enjoyed appreciating God’s gifts to us through music and visual and literary arts. Last year we grew deeply by studying several of the ancient mystics, such as Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen, and St. Thomas Aquinas.

 

This year, we are embarking on Pilgrimage, including sharing stories of pilgrimages taken; some were through the PCUSA related to social and environmental justice. Our pilgrimage journeys will include walking the Labyrinth as well as absorbing the vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls…as we pray and send prayers of healing and strength through those vibrations to Earth, and our neighbors on Earth, both near and far.

 

Of course, there are many resources which we use as we share, but some which have been particularly helpful are the following;

 

Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation, by Sam Hamilton-Poore

Life Prayers from Around the World, Ed. Elizabeth Roberts & Elias Amidon

Praying with the Earth. A Prayerbook for Peace, by John Philip Newell

Seven songs of Creation: Liturgies for Celebrating and Healing Earth by Normal C.Habel

 

We have also been grateful for The Inclusive Bible, the First Egalitarian Translation.

 

We are so grateful for the opportunity to grow and BE together, and to share God’s glorious Creation…day by day.

 We send peace, wisdom, and JOY to our PEC community!! Our JOY NWC is a part of the 1001 New Worshiping Communities of the PCUSA. We are located in St. Joseph, Missouri; Heartland Presbytery.

 

Diane Waddell is a leader of JOY NWC and a member of Earthkeepers of Heartland Presbytery.