Earth Week

Earth Sabbath Worship Sunday ~ April 20, 2008 Each year on the Sunday closest to Earth Day, we dedicate a worship service to honoring Mother Earth and the Creator Spirit who formed the seas and the dry land. Earth Sabbath this year explores the sacredness of water throughout the Bible and calls us all to renew our baptismal vows. The 10:30am Earth Sabbath service began outside in the South Court Yard-Memorial Garden. The majordomo of the village acequias managed to get the water flowing by the end of the service, despite the fact that the spring runoff had not yet fully started.
The focus for the morning was Water. The acequia was set up to send water down just for our service, but it didn't arrive until later in the service which was held in the sanctuary. Pastor Elizabeth left the pulpit to go outside to retrieve the acequia water in a pitcher. Her sermon was titled Water From The Rock. Photo right: Vivian D described the history of the acequias and their importance to the village of Placitas as a former member of the acequia board as mayordomo . Don’t miss her article in the May 2008 Signpost. Photo below & above: After Vivian spoke, Pastor Elizabeth filled the pitcher from the Memorial Garden pond and poured it into a bowl. She reminded us of our baptism as she sprinkled us all with life giving water.
Pastor wore a dream catcher layer over her robe.
In case you missed the glorious Earth Sabbath worship centered on the blessings of water, you might want to ask Leland B for a CD of the service.
EARTH DAY SABBATH 2007 Ken Cuthbertson conducted The EARTH DAY SABBATH which was highly enjoyed, and featured a “throat-singing” chant of Psalm 104, readings from the authors above, and ending with a procession to the Jubilee Garden.
EARTH DAY SABBATH 2006 An Earth Day service was held on April 23, 2006 at both the 8:15 and 10:30am services. Many folks took part in an Energy Fast-car pooling, walking, biking and one person rode their horse to church. Judie H. sang a solo written by Mark Heard, “The Pain That Plagues Creation” - words are as follows: As this planet falls around the sun, trapping us in its orbit; creation groans in unison like a race of frightened orphans. The darkens of this raging storm, covering up our portals; a yearning for the light is born in the heart of every mortal. Heaven knows our foolish ways, heaven knows our sorrows: heaven knows things we don’t know—the joy of eternal tomorrows. And day to day we ache with the pain that plagues creation night to night we lie awake and await its restoration. But through this glass we dimly see the world as it was made and the good we know must surely flow from the heart of a kind creator. So bold on in this restless age, do not fear your shadow; your alternating tears and praise are prayers that surely matter. And day to day we ache with the pain that plagues creation night to night we lie awake and await its restoration. The service was concluded with “Let There Be Life on Earth” which is sung to the tune of “Let There Be Peace on Earth” Let there be life an earth and let it begin anew Let there be life on earth not only for me and you. >With God, Our Creator, connected all are we, Let us honor creation each creature, pond and tree. Let us respond in faith to needs of our crying earth. We claim the gospel we live the future, That earth, our home, must grow. Let there be life on earth and God said “Let it be so.”
Communities and Watersheds in Highland Ethiopia Monday, May 9, 2005 ~ 7:30 to 9 pm. Many joined us for a presentation by Kent R. on his experience of living and working in Ethiopia for 2 ½ years. This event was sponsored by the Earth Care Committee of this church. Kent has been a member of this church since 1997. He is a consulting forester who has remained in international development since he went to Nicaragua in the Peace Corps in 1978. Kent worked on the AMAREW Project dealing with watershed management and rehabilitation. An offering was taken for rural Ethiopian charitable organizations. The AMAREW (Amhara Micro-enterprise development, Agricultural Research and Extension, and Watershed management) Project began in the northern highlands of Ethiopia in July 2002. The purpose of this project, funded by the US Agency for International Development, is to facilitate program implementation of Amhara National Regional State line agencies. Major objectives are integrating research and extension, improving household food security, and watershed rehabilitation. Dr. Reid was Integrated Watershed Management Advisor to AMAREW from its beginning until December 2004. He focused on the watershed rehabilitation component, which organized local communities and technical people to set goals and implement practices to reverse catchment degradation. In addition, he offered glimpses into daily life in rural Ethiopia, a brief overview of historical sites, and his viewpoint on international development.
EARTH DAY SABBATH 2005 An Earth Day service was held on April 24, 2005 at 10:00 am. The service was lead by Rev. Ken Cuthbertson, PhD, Parish Associate. We celebrated Earth Day with song and reflection on our connection to the earth. The message was entitled "Reflections of a Farmer's Son." Because of the rain, we could not plant the five white lilacs from starts saved from the great lilac that was removed to make way for the new addition to the church. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment is coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme. This report is very important but has received almost no news coverage in the US. An article on it is available from the BBC at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4391835.stm. The article begins with the statement: "The most comprehensive survey ever into the state of the planet concludes that human activities threaten the Earth's ability to sustain future generations."
Folksinger John Pitney at Las Placitas 2004 Earth Week Celebration
John Pitney, the nationally known folk-singer and composer, made two appearances in Placitas during Earth Week, a time of celebrating the natural environment and reaffirming the need for stewardship. The tradition began in 1970 when Gaylord Nelson, former Wisconsin senator and governor, organized the first Earth Day which was observed throughout the U.S. This year, in Placitas, Pitney led an ecumenical Earth Sabbath Service at Las Placitas Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 18. On the following Wednesday, April 21, an Earth Songfest was held. The Sunday service will began at 10:00 am in the church's Memorial Garden. The Songfest began at 7:00 pm in the church's fellowship hall.
With songs titles like "Beneficial Bug Song," "The Leaves of the Tree," and "Keeping the Garden," one might think that this is the agenda for the local garden club meeting. Yet the music ministry of John Pitney spans subjects ranging from organic agriculture to human rights to global environmental stewardship. Pitney’s message offers a unique combination of theology, ecology, philosophy, and a healthy dose of humor and humility. It is, in Pitney’s own words, his "contribution to the development of a Godly production ethic, a Godly consumption ethic, and an ecological spirituality that might uphold both." Pitney's hymn to the Sandias, "Sandia Holy Day," composed especially for Las Placitas, was featured along with other selections from his latest CD. Pitney, an ordained United Methodist minister from Eugene, Oregon, has traveled the country with his musical message of caring for the Earth and the creatures (human and otherwise) who inhabit it. Several years ago, one of his stops along the way was at the Las Placitas Presbyterian Church. "It was truly an uplifting event," said church member Judith, who organized a back-up ensemble of Placitas musicians and singers. "He really gets you thinking about what we’re doing to the planet with our lavish lifestyles."