PRAYING WITH EARTH back

“The blowing wind, the mild, moist air, the exquisite greening of trees and grasses – in their beginning, they give God their praise.”

~ Hildegard of Bingen

Especially in turbulent times, the invitation comes to deepen our connection to the sacred by praying with Earth. Might joining our voices with hers create even more glorious songs of thanksgiving? Could joy be compounded when we move with the wind in the grasses and embrace the vitality of trees? The invitation to awe and wonder is all around us - just a few deeper breaths, a little slower step, seeing with the eyes of the heart - as we pray with Earth.

Our love of and gratitude for all we’ve received from Earth necessitates that we also pray for Earth. Perhaps we’ll be called to sit with a dying tree or bear witness to the loss of vibrant beauty and the void left in the aftermath. Realizing that we cannot save everything, we pray to save what we can. When we open to the Spirit’s guidance and heed Earth’s call, the actions of our daily lives become our prayers for Earth.

We pray within Earth – for we cannot separate ourselves from her except in our minds. Like the massive Pando aspen grove in southern Utah that is a forest of branches from one tree, we are both many and one. Reminded that we are stardust, we pray to live more fully into Holy oneness with all.

On this retreat, we’ll listen for the Spirit’s prompting to pray with, for, and within Earth, more fully responsive to the sacred in which we are enveloped.

Leader: Leah Rampy is a retreat and pilgrimage leader, founder of and guide for Church of the Wild ~ Two Rivers, and serves as adjunct faculty with Shalem Institute.

• Date: Saturday, March 13, 2021
• Time: 10am-4pm Eastern Time
• Location: Zoom (a link will be sent out after we receive your registration and payment)
• Fee: $50 suggested, pay what you are able
• Registration: email Nat Reid at office@dayspringretreat.org to register and get payment information.  Space is limited so register soon.