We will gather, as is our custom, at 2pm outside the Crichton chapel in Dumfries.
The theme to think on is “which master do we serve?”
We meet in Christ’s name and make peace as we meet in peace. Whether you consider yourself a close friend of Jesus or are simply curious, all are welcome.
Collect
Collaborative God
by whose Word
the Heavens and the Earth are formed,
that Earth may bring forth such fragile diversity of life and the seas teem with such vulnerable abundance.In Christ, your Word made Flesh
preserve and heal in us
your collaborative image and likeness
that in partnership with fellow creatures
both great and small
we may serve the Earth, and live to your glory God.in every habitat and generation. AMEN
Green Collect 4 Eco Congregation Scotland – Download resources
The reading from the book (Luke 16 1-13)
1 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.
Luke 16:1-13 NRSV
10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
Reading from creation.
At a basic level this will simply involve taking time to be mindful of where we are, and of all the entities present with us. Some of us prefer quiet contemplation and a stroll.
Others may enjoy a more active approach where we learn to imagine breathing like a tree, or spinning like a sycamore leaf.
Time to reflect and discuss
- Thinking about the reading from Luke, and looking at the grounds around us, how can the legacy Elizabeth has left us be inspiring? Console us!
- Are there any less positive reminders or examples that leave us feeling desolate?
- In what ways may we serve the Earth, and live to the glory of God? Bring healing and restoration.
Prayer
Grant, God of wisdom and compassion
Green Collect 5 (Eco Congregation Scotland)
that your Church be awake and united
with all people of faith and goodwill
to the urgency of change at every level of human life
that, made resilient by faith to what yet may come
we perceive and proclaim
Christ’s Great Commission
of Good News to every creature
whom you have called into being
and gifted with breath to praise you
One God: One Creative Community. Amen.
We will probably head to the central, or another nearby place to continue the discussions and enjoy some refreshment together.
