The Wheel of Life

The Wheel of Life
"Cosmic Tree"/ Wheel of Life" illustration from "Scivias"

Description

Good Shepherd Jericho's "Listening Table" is an informal "Spirituality in Nature Group" that gathers weekly to listen to poems about nature, to the natural environment surrounding us, and to journal, sketch, and compose any artistic rendering one might wish. Our goal is to help participants listen more mindfully to creation and to one another. This blog is a resource space for our time together and a safe space for participants to extend conversations and to share works in progress. This gathering table is not an explicitly religious activity, and anyone in the extended community, whoever and whereever they might be in life's journey is welcomed to participate, the only requirement being kindness and mutual respect. No prior spiritual or artistic training is expected, but people of all traditions are welcome

Friday, June 20, 2025

Good Shepherd Land Acknowledgement and Creation Care Covenant Prayer

 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Jericho, Vermont Land Acknowledgement

As we gather today we acknowledge our presence on the traditional lands of the Abenaki people, who stewarded this beautiful part of creation for countless generations and are still living here today. We also celebrate the rich cultures of indigenous peoples throughout the Americas. 

GSLC Covenant Prayer for the Care of Creation


Infinite Spirit, Our Creator, Protector, and Sustaining Breath of Life, it is with awe that we accept responsibility for this land which you have created and entrusted into the care of those living here before us. Now is our time to protect, nourish, heal and sustain it for future generations. Help us learn, live, and teach balance, conservation, right relationship, and conscious care for the future of all living things.

We are grateful for your invitation to love as you love, we are blessed to become your blessing. Teach us to think beyond ourselves, living for the good of the earth and all living things. Help us to be as gentle with the land and with one another as you have been so gentle and generous with us.

You have shaped us to be one with nature, to be One with you,  and to be One with all beings in the Body of Christ. As you continually feed us with your presence, help us learn moderation of our needs and wants, sharing with others what you continually provide, replacing what we consume, repairing what we have broken. May we understand that our responsibility for this world and all beings is our authentic response to you, our response to your command to love with all our heart, mind and strength, the way that you have given your love to us.

    We offer this prayer of Thanksgiving in the name of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.


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