Thanksgiving Day Gratitude & Liturgies

Dear Union Family,                                  11/25/20

Every time we think of you and the privilege to BE God’s people together, our hearts are full even as we grieve not being physically together and the challenges facing us.

 As we all spend Thanksgiving Day in this unusual way of being alone or in very small gatherings while in solidarity of Spirit in our commitment to protect the well-being of others, James B and I are taking time on Thursday to pray in GRATITUDE and HOPE for YOU, our beloved Union family.  Please let us know how we can specifically lift you up in prayer to our Lord God who cares about our daily needs. You may respond to this email.

Here are some prayers and liturgies of Thanksgiving that we find expand our prayer time and our hearts.

Prayers for Thanksgiving
(you may enjoy reading these out loud)

From George Herbert, 1593-1633

Thou that hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more–a grateful heart:
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose Pulse may be
Thy Praise.

Kaitlin Curtice, helps articulate an honest prayer of the soul, as she writes:

Creator,
Sometimes we don’t know what to pray,
or how to talk to you about fixing what’s broken.
We pray in generalities, that you’ll
“be with us, guide us, restore us”
but sometimes, that’s not the tangible need
we really want to name.    Read rest here.

Christine Sine provides a plethora of prayers and resources through her rich website.

Or, listen to Pray-as-You-Go while you walk or cook or sit.

In deep gratitude,
James B & Renee

Eco-act 030: Advent hope for climate change

Advent begins this coming Sunday, and we mark the day by lighting the Hope candle. But perhaps we also ask ourselves, what does hope look like in the context of climate change? Is there still time, or any reason, to hope? Experts tell us that it’s not a matter of if or even when: climate change is happening now. Those with eyes to see know this, even though others still refuse to acknowledge reality. So how do we find a way to hope for the care and healing of our physical world? Here are three thoughts for consideration.

waiting + hope

for climate healing

At the macro level, a broad range of factors offer hope, including:

• Transition to new national leadership that acknowledges climate change and includes people committed to addressing it—not just the President-elect, but John Kerry and others (with organizations like the Sunset Movement holding the gov’t accountable).

• The imminent return of our nation to the Paris Climate Accord.

• The announcement this week that General Motors will withdraw from the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to stop California from setting its own (aggressive) clean-air standards.

• The UN climate chief's comments about major industrial nations’ renewed commitments to curb pollution.

• A USA Today article from earlier this year noting five reasons for hope: (1) global economic growth is outpacing emissions growth, meaning that a healthy economy AND a healthier environment can coexist; (2) energy-efficient solutions like LED lights have reached a tipping point and are becoming commonplace; (3) wind and solar energy prices are dropping, making them smart choices; (4) clean energy availability is growing too, even as prices decline; and (5) state/local governments control zoning, land-use, building and energy use regulations, and are often more agile than the federal government in taking climate-friendly steps.

• The World Wildlife Fund notes that when the US withdrew from the Paris Accord, literally thousands of leaders representing corporations, universities, states, counties, cities, tribes, faith communities, and others joined the We Are Still In movement. Concern for our environment is indeed broad-based.

• WWF also notes that “More than 3.3 million Americans are employed in the clean energy economy. There are more American jobs in renewable energy than in traditional fossil fuels.” When environmental concerns and economic interests coincide, there is reason for hope.

At the individual level, we can find hope in the knowledge that we have agency to ACT. Perhaps our private actions feel small, even futile, in the face of the environmental challenges confronting us. But collectively, our actions have the potential to deliver a mighty contribution. Throughout our Eco-Faith posts, we’ve identified intentional steps each of us can take to make a difference—reducing food waste and e-waste, properly recycling, mindfully disposing of things we no longer need, thoughtfully shopping, growing a garden, planting trees, and so on. Writer Christiana Figueres, referenced in The Hill, adds three more “tangible things we can do in 2020 and before we hit 2030: find out what our carbon footprint is using one of many online calculators, determine what are the low hanging fruit and commit to reducing our personal carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030.” Here’s a link to a calculator provided by the EPA.

At a deeper level, we might also find hope by pausing, taking a deep breath, and then reflecting on our roles in the climate change battle. We’re not asked to win it by ourselves. We’re asked to support and collaborate with each other … to do what we can, consistently and faithfully … and then to wait, in the space and time between what’s now broken and the better environmental future we long for. We don’t know the outcome—but we know Who does, so we can wait in hope. And hope does not disappoint.

Gratitude

Gratitude…you are my kind, healing companion, if I choose to invite you into my affairs, both arduous and easy.

When you rest on my lips, my heart opens wider to see the light of your goodness.

When my mouth allows your words to flow forth, my eyes also turn with compassion toward my other sojourners of life.

My posture shifts in a direction of humility toward the One who gave me breath and invited me to reside on this land for the measure of my days.

Gratitude, held honestly, swings the gate open for my feet to follow the path ahead, and ask the daily life question:

How then shall I live this day? How then?

Reflecting on Luke 17:11-17 and Psalm 89 & 8

Gracious God, I thank you for the witness of the one man who turned back to you when he discovered your living word healed him. He knelt at your feet and “couldn’t thank” you enough; he praised you with a loud voice. And, he was the outsider of the religious and political spheres of his time!

God of the Universe, I join with the people of faith who learned that only YOU hold the words to REAL LIFE. I, too, want your love, O God, to the be song I sing.

May my gratitude tell the story of how faithful YOU are; how you built the cosmos and everything in it.

As I look to the stars in awe, I join again with the Psalmist,

“I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?”

You not only look our way, YOU look upon us with your creative LOVE. You give us your Spirit to guide our steps and you emptied yourself, through Jesus, of all glory, to walk in our messy world to be our hope, to be our life.

May the notes of gratitude within me be amplified into the song of my heart enabling me to live graciously and openly in all my encounters that no one I meet feels outside of your grace.

In Jesus’ healing name. Amen.

Gratitude Scripture to Read

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he passed the bread to the people, and he did the same with the fish, until everyone had plenty to eat. John 6:11

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

Eco-act 029: support local

This week, we’ve been reading this excerpt of Wendell Berry’s article “The Idea of a Local Economy” — and we highly encourage you to read it. Berry articulates so well how and why local economies matter in the big and small scheme of things. We invite you to consider a few quotes, as big corporations and multinational companies continue shaping our world (inequitably for the poor and people of color…and inevitably for all of us who share the land and its resources):

One begins to ask, What is here, what is in me, that can lead to something better?

…So far as I can see, the idea of a local economy rests upon only two principles: neighborhood and subsistence. In a viable neighborhood, neighbors ask themselves what they can do or provide for one another, and they find answers that they and their place can afford. This, and nothing else, is the practice of neighborhood. This practice must be, in part, charitable, but it must also be economic, and the economic part must be equitable; there is a significant charity in just prices.

…The “free trade” which from the standpoint of the corporate economy brings “unprecedented economic growth,” from the standpoint of the land and its local populations, and ultimately from the standpoint of the cities, is destruction and slavery. Without prosperous local economies, the people have no power and the land no voice.

This example of the practice of neighborhood has us wondering in what ways are we operating out of equitable subsistence…out of providing for and receiving from our community (burritos - food security and care, our garden box - hands in the dirt and free food, tutoring - education and connection). The ending of this excerpt highlights the colonial economy that we all find ourselves in, which is poignant (especially as we try to decolonize our lives…see our recent post on accounting truthfully for Thanksgiving). How does this show up in your life and other spheres? What hits you from this article? Let us know in the comments.

shop local

keeping here vibrant✨

So, here’s where our holiday series gets practical. What better way to stand up to climate change than by supporting the hardworking businesses and people in our community?! Reduce shipping and transportation emissions and pick up your items in person (maybe even walk or bike there?). As Black Friday approaches next week, we encourage you to opt-out of the fanatical deals/consumerism that really only benefits “big box” corporations — many of whom have gotten a whole lot richer in this pandemic. And for you online shoppers, we were displeased to find out that many online shopping returns do not in fact get restocked…they often end up in the landfill in the tune of 5 billion pounds!

Anyway, as we head back into greater covid restrictions, our small businesses need our help (and if the federal gov’t won’t help…we will show up for our beloved small biz community!). So, we invite you to shop small and shop local on #SmallBusinessSaturday, 11/28 instead of Black Friday, and in addition to REI’s call to #optoutside (which by the way, they have great ideas about safe outdoor activities to get you reconnected with Creation!).

We especially recommend the Seattle-based company, Intentionalist, whose search tool you can use to find BIPOC-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, disability-owned, family-owned, and women-owned businesses. You can sign up for some of their games and play bingo by frequenting certain stores — they even have a curated gift list to help your impact go further this holiday season. In the ways of food, may we suggest supporting Seattle Restaurant Week (errr, month), happening until 11/21. Finally, here’s an updated list with covid-updated eateries. You can also refer to previous Eco-faith posts for more local farmers, book stores, etc!

So. Vote with your wallet by re-circulating your money in your local economies and let us know how you are practicing neighborhood in the comments below!

Eco-act 028: thankfulness, and thoughts about two traditions

With mid-November and colder weather, we anticipate Native American Heritage Month & also Thanksgiving. But in 2020, is this just “muscle memory?” After all, this month falls at a dark moment in a dark year. Holiday travel will be curtailed. Family gatherings will be smaller or relegated to zoom—or even canceled. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be a TV-only event, featuring no high school or college marching bands, no live spectators.

In all of this, we must also acknowledge the truth about Thanksgiving — that Native people showed generosity to settlers yet their treaty rights, land, and ways of being have not been honored — they have been decimated. Still, some 400+ years later, we hope that you might learn more about Native American Heritage Month and find ways to practice gratitude to the Indigenous tribes whose land we occupy. (As Kitchen Table Conversations discussed this week, often good meaning “woke” people get things wrong — it is messy. Check out this poignant, satirical play by Larissa FastHorse for more: The Thanksgiving Play).

While our present moment is one of complexity, there are still many reasons to be thankful: our health, for most of us. Our veterans. Our friends and family, resilience, the promise of vaccines, warm memories of better times. Jojo’s release. Our community’s care for food security.

living grateful

decolonizing Thanksgiving, celebrating climate wins

We can also find reasons for gratitude regarding our environment and climate change. Consider …

• Young people everywhere who are setting aside panic, indifference or despair and acting to support climate justice. And not just Greta Thunberg. How about high schooler Tseng I-Ching and her discovery of a Styrofoam-eating bacterium? How about Julia Bennett and Isabella Schaak and their efforts to remove single-use plastic from their Minnesota high school? And how about so many more young people, known and unknown to us, in school and after graduation, working to make the world a better place even before they inherit it?

• Walmart's on-track project with its partners to remove 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from its supply chain by 2030 — hopefully not just a move of corporate green-washing but of genuine commitment to our collective future.

• Apple's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030; and since the company’s own electricity requirements are already being met 100% through renewable sources, further progress will be accomplished through its suppliers.

• The growing role of wind and solar in meeting global electricity requirements

• Lyft's plan to operate a 100% electric vehicle fleet by 2030

• The efforts of Seattle/King County and other government bodies to tackle recycling and climate change more broadly

By themselves, of course, these and similar efforts will not be enough to stop or reverse climate change. Much more needs to be done — especially at the policy/institutional levels. But these developments point to a broader understanding of and response to climate change. They do give us reason to hope and call us to gratitude this month (and always).

As we plan our Thanksgiving dinners, perhaps we can also take a moment to reflect on the story of the first Thanksgiving—specifically, the fact that two groups attended. Our traditions are likely built around grandma’s cranberry sauce or Aunt Jane’s pumpkin pie, or …. But does any part of the feast honor the Native people whose food and traditions were shared — might we decolonize our Thanksgiving meals? In addition to the tips listed, note that Three Sisters Salad uses ingredients demonstrating companion planting, an earth-wise technique employed by Native American planters for perhaps 10,000 years. Food, land, history, sustenance. Something to think about as we plan our gardens for next growing season!

And here’s one final thought as we approach Thanksgiving: the following day is Black Friday, the unofficial “tradition” that kicks off the Christmas shopping season. Before we jump into it, perhaps we can take a deep breath and think about how to tailor our gift-giving (and gift requests!) with climate change in mind. How can we reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated by our own shopping trips, and by the UPS/FedEx/Amazon vehicles that will deliver our gifts—and handle our returns? Can we reduce the wrapping materials that would normally clutter landfills in the holiday aftermath? Can we repair/repurpose/re-gift a piece of furniture or clothing to avoid recycling or disposing of it? Can we think of recycling as the last resort? (The best case is having nothing to recycle in the first place!)

We have reasons for gratitude this Thanksgiving, personally, and with respect to climate change. Governments and corporations have begun to act in, larger, more responsible ways. A host of individuals are rising to the occasion, and each of us can contribute in a variety of ways. In fact, maybe this is the biggest thing we can be thankful for: our ability to act. What a blessing! The game isn’t over … it’s still on. Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayers of the People: November 8th, 2020

Prayer written and prayed by Dave Machemer, based on "the Lord's prayer”, his prayer outline for almost 10 years.

Our heavenly Father, you created the entire cosmos—
it is the work of your hands, and its immensity and exquisite beauty and genius display your glory. 
And yet, from within the limitless breadth of that creation, you take special notice of human beings,
calling us your sons and daughters and inviting us to call you Abba! 
May all your handiwork reflect your glory and conform with your purposes,
even the dark spaces of this world, still living defiantly outside your will,
especially humankind, whom you had designated as the crucial link between you and the world you established! 

In this season of elections, we acknowledge that as important as it is to be informed and vote from our faith and convictions,
ultimately we must not anchor our trust in human beings at all;
parties, platforms and candidates in this world are neither our greatest hope nor our greatest dread;
nor do we presume that you are on in league with any of them. 
Rather, we pray for your rule to come to fruition—
that rule that was forecasted by John the Baptist and then proclaimed by Jesus at the inauguration of his ministry—
the divine rule that was demonstrated in Jesus’ teachings and signs,
and powerfully vindicated by his resurrection from the dead! 
Your kingdom that will ultimately break forth in a transformed heaven and earth. 
That’s the anchor of our hopes.
It’s also our certain inheritance and our blueprint and inspiration as we seek to align our lives and the gifts you’ve given us with your will. 
May that divine will take deep root in our lives and be put into action
as a foretaste in the world around us here and now according to your heavenly plans.

Father, we ask that you send laborers into your harvest field. 
As our brother Chris suggested some months ago,
we ask that you give us eyes to see the true nature and breadth of that harvest and how you want each of us to contribute. 
For as our brother Darrel also pointed out, we are your witnesses,
and we need your Spirit in that endeavor in order to be, to do and to speak of the hope of resurrection—
of Jesus as the first fruits, and next, of all of us
together with the transformation of creation. 

But Father, we feel so unequal to this awesome calling and so ill-equipped. 
So we ask you to equip us now with the gifts, the skills and the wisdom we need, day by day. 

We also ask for your mercy because we find it so easy to lose the plot and fall short of your plans for us. 
Forgive us
and let our own frailties make us a contrite church, enhancing our ability to show mercy on those who injure us—
even those whom we are tempted to feel “do not deserve” our forgiveness,
because you have never been one to give us what we deserve! 
Instead, make us merciful as our Father is merciful. 
And make us, your church, into agents of your mercy. 

Dear Father, these days our land is divided, and many relationships have been strained or broken. 
But we are your church. 
Empower us to be the people who step forward and lead the way by example,
in repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation in our society and culture. 
To this end, we pray fervently for our president—
for his good health, for a calm heart, for a sense of your peace that frankly he has not demonstrated to date. 
We pray for him, Lord, because he has evidently not experienced the kind of unconditional love and acceptance that you have lavished on most of us. 
Raise up around him right now real friends,
the type who stand out when the chips are down, and the world turns away. 
The type of friends to talk him off the ledge. 
We pray for your grace, your peace and your acceptance to envelop President Trump. 

And I for one repent of any gratuitous sentiments I felt or shared in my extreme relief yesterday. 
Especially at this time, when the stakes for a peaceful transition are so high,
we as your people need to do better than that. 
Forgive us and empower us to be your agents of mercy.

We also pray, Father for our president-elect Joe Biden and vice-president-elect Kamala Harris. 
As they begin the transition to governing, we pray for their protection and good health,
and also for peace, for wisdom, for prudence and for humility
that they may govern this nation justly and help facilitate our healing as a unified society. 
May our leaders be strengthened and blessed in every just endeavor
and may your people, your church, uphold them in our prayers and hold them accountable to their charge
that the body of Christ might be the conduit of your peace for our divided society—
sowing in peace and raising a harvest in righteousness.

Finally, holy Father, protect us, deliver us and continue to restore us into your divine plan
for living into the fullness of our calling and all that you designed us to be in your everlasting kingdom
in a renewed heaven and earth!

Amen

Eco-Act 027: Gifts that Ripple

It’s the day after the election, with many of the results still pending. What is clear, is that regardless of the outcome, we need to continue acting with hope, purpose, and solidarity to care for the most vulnerable parts of Creation — human and non-human. Chances are high that thinking about eco-faith holiday gifts is probably low on your list of priorities, or even what you have the attention for right now. So let’s keep this short!

Green Gifts

of the Spirit

As we continue with our segment on planet/people-conscious gift-giving this holiday season, we invite you to think creatively about what kind of gifts you might give. Specifically, could you support organizations or creatives stewarding right relations with our (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, poor) communities, God, and all of Creation on behalf of your loved ones? As a reminder, climate change most and first impacts Black, Indigenous people of color, LGBTQ+, poor, and other underserved communities. Supporting individuals and orgs that seek to center these groups is part of practicing eco-faith and ensuring that all human and non-human relations flourish.

Beyond limiting consumerism, how cool to think that our generosity and giving to our loved ones could go farther and positively ripple out to other parts of our communities this season. Consider planning with your gift receiver (or make it a surprise!) and support some hardworking orgs or folks with a one-time or ongoing gift. Here are a few ideas to get your creativity moving:

• Sunrise Movement: “Sunrise is a youth movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process. [They’re] building an army of young people to make climate change an urgent priority across America, end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on our politics, and elect leaders who stand up for the health and wellbeing of all people.”

• Community Alliance for Global Justice: This Seattle-based education and advocacy group focuses on food justice, agriculture justice, and trade justice, in order to “support…the movements for healthy local food economies here and everywhere.” Their program specifically works with many BIPOC farmworkers to ensure better working, living, and market conditions for the communities who grow so much of our food.

• Black Farmers Collective/Yes Farm: We’ve already covered this Seattle-based, Black-led farm collective (and other Black farmers!). Support their efforts toward a more “sustainable, equitable future for communities of color [by] eliminating food scarcity and undoing the commoditization of the food industry.”

• Art: Creative expression through various art mediums is a critical, imaginative part of our collective liberation! Consider donating to cultivate the arts in our region. Read more about Acts on Stage’s upcoming screening of 12 Angry Men. Also, check out the important work that Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery is doing in Burien to center Latinx artists and community events. Finally, consider supporting the Wing Luke Museum for Asian American Pacific Islander histories, especially in the Seattle area.

And remember, support doesn’t always have to look like pure donations. You can purchase produce, craft goods, services, and other experiences from these communities to sustain their businesses and creatively liberative offerings.

Do you have any particular artisans or companies that you like to donate to or purchase from? Share your favorites in the comments!