Being the Still Centre on the Radical Edge
At the end of September Green Christian held a reflective weekend on the topic Being the Still Centre on the Radical Edge. It was a first hybrid retreat for us, being held in person at the Othona community at Bradwell-on-Sea and also on Zoom, to allow as many people as possible to take part.
To remind us what the radical edge means in some parts of the world, our first speaker on the Friday evening, Juliana Morillo, was Zoomed in from the Lausanne Congress in Seoul. She presented personal stories from activists in her home country, Columbia, who are literally putting their lives on the line to protect their land from deforestation, mining and pollution.
Bishop Laurie Green, Revd Helen Burnett and Revd Vanessa Elston led the rest of the weekend, with talks interwoven with personal silent reflection, group discussions, felting, weaving, walks, prayer, and of course, delicious food.
Prayers were held in the beautiful, tiny St Peter’s chapel built by Bishop Cedd in 654 and also on Zoom. Here are the Zoom prayers for the end of the Saturday afternoon session, including Cat Jenkin’s beautiful art work based on photos of Othona.
Scroll down for a collage of images and quotes from people who came…
“What I appreciated most was: The time spent away from our busy and demanding lives. The company of people with the same aims and beliefs in life. The wonderful people running Othona and most of all the services in the beautiful chapel. We have returned home having had our batteries recharged’ and with energy to carry on the struggle towards a greener future.” — Carol
“… so much community, teaching and services indoors and outdoors, great hospitality! And Green Christian is more radical than I thought it would be.” — Howard
“Due to circumstances I attended Friday evening and Saturday online and Sunday in person. I was struck by how much equal time had been given to both the online programme and experience and the in person ones. Both were excellent; thanks so much to the organisers for these gifts. Othona is a lovely, peaceful setting and the staff help provide its wonderful atmosphere. And then there’s the Chapel and seaside. Micky, my trainee one year old Yellow Labrador trainee Guide Dogs pup, thoroughly enjoyed it all too and was popular; it was another great training experience for him. The understanding and passion for green Christianity was renewed.” — Peter
“My favourite quote of the weekend has to be Laurie’s challenge to us on the Friday evening: ‘to live in the hyphen between the world and the Word, with meaning, determination and courage for a sustainable future‘” — Catherine
“I was really blessed and impacted by this wonderful weekend. The speakers, reflections, Service, prayers and activities were all divinely woven together. Inspiring, encouraging, challenging, fun and friendly too. Thank you so very much.” — Mary
“Being amongst fellow brothers & sisters who really get the crisis and also lean on the Lord for guidance and hope.” — Liz
“Meeting so many environmentally engaged people , talks and insights from Bishop Laurie and support from Helen and Vanessa . Opening on line from Juliana was the needed jolt to set us out from any complacently.
Off grid tech tour of Othona site was inspirational” — Stephen
“The way in which the team had worked to present a narrative that wove together by the end into a coherent whole. The pattern wasn’t obvious at the outset but it became so.” — Cat
“I was online but I enjoyed being with everyone and feeling part of a group of people who really care about the environmental catastrophe we are in” — Jill
And, as she was packing her tent into her bicycle paniers, Green Christian editor, Clare Redfern remarked, “This has been the best retreat I have ever been to.”
A Zoom-attendee, Sylvia, was inspired to write this poem:
God in Creation – The Warp and Weft of Life
God, Creator. Us, Guardians. In the World – Woven together.
Beauty, Ugliness – Woven together.
Restoring, Desecration – Woven together.
Greed, and Giving – Woven together.
Serving self; Serving the World – Woven together.
Despoiling; Tending – Woven together.
Courage, and Running Away – Woven together.
Forgetfulness, and Remembering – Woven together.
Giving Up; Persevering – Woven together.
Speaking out; Staying Silent – Woven together.
Caring, and Heartlessness – Woven together.
Action; Apathy – Woven together.
Anger, and Peace – Woven together.
Despair, and Hope – Woven together.
Spirit Action; `Powers and Principalities` – Woven together.
God, Creator. Us, Guardians. In the World – Woven together.
Next: Jesus Died to Save the Planet
Previous: Join online 27-29 Sept – reflective weekend with Green Christian
Comments on "Being the Still Centre on the Radical Edge"
No comments found.Add your own comment to "Being the Still Centre on the Radical Edge"
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Reply