…I drink a long time. It tastes like stone, leaves, fire… From “At Blackwater Pond” by Mary Oliver, which inspired the following poem. A significant part of the Earth Jam 2021 Opening Ceremony was a deep dive into the four elements: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. We did this by resting in four poems — one … CONTINUE READING
If you stand at the edge of the forestAnd stare into iitEvery tree at the edge will blow a little extra oxygen toward you… From “Ancient Language” by Hannah Stevenson, which inspired the following poem. A significant part of the Earth Jam 2021 Opening Ceremony was a deep dive into the four elements: Earth, Air, … CONTINUE READING
… And we pray, notfor new earth or heaven, but to bequiet in heart, and in eye,clear. What we need is here. From “What We Need is Here” by Wendell Berry, which inspired the following poem. A significant part of the Earth Jam 2021 Opening Ceremony was a deep dive into the four elements: Earth, … CONTINUE READING
It was wonderful to enjoy the presence and participation of Bill Phipps, Former Moderator of the United Church at the Opening Ceremony of Earth Jam 2021. Here, in point form, is how Bill described our current Ecological/Climate Crisis. These provocative statements open the space for generative questions. I have listed a few here – I … CONTINUE READING
We have had a summer marked by heat, smoke and fire. Also by the most dire findings yet from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “Major climate changes inevitable and irreversible – IPCC’s starkest warning yet” “Report warns temperatures likely to rise by more than 1.5C bringing widespread extreme weather” The Guardian online, Aug. … CONTINUE READING
Seven of us met on Monday, June 14, as part of a planning circle for the Season of Creation (Sept. 1 – Oct. 11). There were introductions and “ecotroductions,” a new word for me meaning an introduction where you reference your embeddedness in the land and in your community. It became clear in our conversation that we wanted to begin our journey together with a ceremony/ritual/ liturgy. This blog offers some thoughts about why that is important.
Green Exodus meditation leader and participant Ken Madden, writing on the site The Tattooed Buddha, shared this meditation for developing four core Buddhist virtues: compassion, empathic joy, loving-kindness and equanimity. In the presence of our pets, we can deepen our capacity to receive reality just as it is – with love. “I offer this as … CONTINUE READING
In our Green Exodus Gatherings we have been considering our personal land stories and land acknowledgements. Suzanne V. took that challenge (Thank you, Suzanne!) and responded with the following words and artifacts (pictured): The red basket, for fire, has a lava rock in it.It represents the earth’s core of molten lava, flowing and erupting.We have a … CONTINUE READING
My own experience of a new heaven and earth are coming from an app. Yes! Believe it or not ! The award-winning Deep Time Walk App is a tool that “enables anyone, anywhere, to experience a walking audio history of the living Earth.” One of the originators of the app is Stephan Harding. In a … CONTINUE READING
Green Exodus is interested in the long story of the lands we call home. We were honoured to have as our first guest for the Green Exodus, John Snow, Traditional Land, Cultural and Environmental Specialist, Member of the Stoney Tribe, Treaty 7, and an ordained United Church Minister. John gifted us with more of the … CONTINUE READING