April Spiritual Practice

As many of you know, we here at SUMC are striving to participate in a spiritual practice monthly.  Since Easter marks the end of Lent, during which we were supposed to participate in a spiritual practice for 40 days, from April 10-30th, we need a new practice to focus on.

One suggestion is Care of the Environment.  I am fascinated by the dump!  I typically take my trash to the dump, and  I like how it is organized: tires in one bin; cardboard in another; glass, plastic, magazines, books, etc., in another: household items like furniture: lawn debris, and food waste!

In the Bible, there are multiple areas where scripture tells us that we are supposed to be good stewards of the environment.  Psalm 95:5 "The sea is his, for he made it:  for his hands formed the dry land."  Genesis 1:28 "And replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every thing that moveth upon the earth." 2:15 "The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it."

Spiritual exercises suggested by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun:

Plan a way to make the earth more beautiful.

Plant flowers in the inner city or around a school.

Sponsor or take care of a stretch of road.

Work to remove billboards.

Share your motivation with others.

Plant a garden.  Share the produce or plants with others.

Walk or ride a bike.

Recycle.

Take a resource walk. Thank God for the sheep who gives you wool, for the cows who give you milk, for the trees that give you furniture, etc.

Take a walk through God's beautiful world.  What characteristics of God are revealed in earthly beauty?  Journal your discoveries.

Become conscious of the litter in the places you live and work.  Organize an hour or morning with volunteers to pick up litter.

Blessings,

Pastor Meredith Dark