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#greenanglicans #carbonfastforlent Hildegard of Bingen, was one of the “great creation-centered mystics of the West.” This multitalented and prolific abbess of a Benedictine abbey was an influential preacher, healer, scientist, composer, theologian, artist, and poet. She coined the term “viriditas”, or greening power, connecting it closely with creativity. Here is a selection of her sayings  for you to reflect on today: “The Word is living, being, spirit, all verdant greening, all creativity. This Word manifests itself in every creature.” “God is the good and all things which proceed from him are good.” ” The earth is at the same time mother, She is mother of all that is natural, mother of all that is human. She is the mother of all, for contained in her are the seeds of all.” “The truly holy person welcomes all that is earthly.” “Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings. Now, think. What delight God gives to humankind with all these things. . . . All nature is at the disposal of humankind. We are to work with it. For without we cannot survive.” “Trust shows the way.” “God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God.” “Good People, most royal greening verdancy, rooted in the sun, you shine with radiant light.” “Now in the people that were meant to be green there is no more life of any kind. There is only shriveled barrenness. The winds are burdened by the utterly awful stink of evil, selfish goings-on. Thunderstorms menace. The air belches out the filthy uncleanliness of the peoples. The earth should not be injured! The earth must not be destroyed!” ” ‘With my mouth,’ God says, ‘I kiss my own chosen creation. I uniquely, lovingly, embrace every image I have made out of the earth’s clay. With a fiery spirit I transform it into a body to serve all the world.’” “Humankind, full of all creative possibilities, is God’s work. Humankind alone is called to assist God. Humankind is called to co-create. With nature’s help, humankind can set into creation all that is necessary and life-sustaining.” “All of creation God gives to humankind to use. If this privilege is misused, God’s justice permits creation to punish humanity.” As we reflect on these beautiful words of Hildegarde, let us also be challenged – how do we bring elements of creation into our spiritual practice and worship space? Quotes from Matthew Fox’s Original Blessing.

#greenanglicans #carbonfastforlent He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; its leaf will not wither, and whatever he does will prosper. (Psalm 1:3) All great spiritual wisdom, all true soul wisdom, can be found in nature. I do believe that’s true. St. Francis didn’t learn by only reading Bibles and books, but by observing the natural world, which we call “the first Bible” (see Romans 1:20). There are certain plants which are indigenous to an area and grow well, needing less water and existing in a balanced eco-system. But when plants are imported from other eco-systems they can become invasive and cause problems. They are also water guzzlers.! Studies show that the amount of water in South Africa lost to invasive plants could fill 400 million Olympic size swimming pools!! That is why the alien plant clearing programme in South Africa is called “working for water”. Alien clearing also reduces the impact of floods and wildfires and their associated risks, improves water quality, reduces further loss of productive land thereby contributing to food security, restores biodiversity, can create  jobs and improves resilience to climate change. What you can do: Make sure you know which are the invasive species in your area (google!) and firstly make sure you have none on your property or church property.  When you go for a hike, get into the habit of pulling up a few along the way (as you would pick up litter). How about organizing an invasive attack with your youth group. Lots of fun and gets you out into nature. Make sure you have someone knowledgeable to show you which plants to pull up! http://www.ipw.co.za/content/guidelines/Biodiversity%20Guidelines.pdf

#greenanglicans #carbonfastforlent “And the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations” Rev 22:2 We are very quick to reach for the aspirin bottle but there are some wonderful herbs in our gardens that can be safely and cheaply used. Do some research and find out more, but here are a few suggestions THYME it is mostly known for its strong antiseptic nature. It is wonderful when it comes to the treatment of stomach gas, coughs and colds. Preparation and doses: Tea: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 Tbsp fresh or 1 tsp dried leaves. Steep for 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten, if desired. Drink ⅓ cup 3 times per day. ALOE VERA It can be gown under normal conditions because it just needs moist soil and sun exposure. The big leaves contain sap, which works amazingly against burns and abrasions. Rub a little onto a non sensitive are of skin first. It is good for burns (wonderful for sun burn)  and abrasions. BASIL You must have used basil lot many times in food but have you ever tried it to heal flatulence? It has the power to treat: abrasions, lack of appetite , stomach gas and Steam Away Headaches or congestion: Add a tablespoon of dried basil leaf or  a handful of fresh leaves  to three cups of water and bring to a boil. Transfer immediately to a large, heat proof bowl. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, positioning the towel to keep in as much steam as possible. Breathe in the vapors for up to ten minutes. Basil tea is great for soothing an upset stomach or helping digestion. Steep three basil leaves in a cup of boiling water and drink three or four times a day, between meals. Stings: Chop or chew up a basil leaf and apply it to the bite for quick relief. SAGE You must have had used sage in your food – interestingly, it has the capacity to treat: skin infections and mouth infections, you can use it to gargle: Put a large pinch of dried sage leaves into about a half cup (100 mL) of water. Bring to a boil and infuse for 15 minutes. Strain, sweeten with honey and use as a gargle twice a day. Try it as a hair rinse to treat dandruff.   PEPPERMINT Peppermint is known as the world most powerful and oldest herb that can treat human health effectively. It is enriched with Vitamins like A and C – contains manganese and iron. The leaves can be used to treat: an upset stomach or  flatulence, colds. Make a tea by pouring boiling water over dried or fresh leaves and add sugar if required. 15 Most Effective Medicinal Plants To Grow In Your Garden http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/natural-remedies/25-healing-herbs-you-can-use-every-day/slide/26   More from Prevention: The 100 Best Supplements For Women

#carbonfastforlent Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things. Every single creature is full of God and is a book about God. Every creature is a word of God. If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature—even a caterpillar— I would never have to prepare a sermon. So full of God is every creature. —Meister Eckhart How about considering a worm farm for your church or home garden? Worms eat kitchen scraps and create worm castings, which are a valuable soil amendment and plant tonic. Though castings are often called fertilizer, they’re actually not very high in nitrogen, but they are full of plant-supporting nutrients. Unlike nitrogen-rich artificial fertilizers, worm castings won’t burn the plant’s roots. A worm bin is a supplement to a compost pile, not a replacement for one. Worms don’t consume indiscriminately the way a compost pile does, and they can only eat so much at a time. That said, a worm bin makes a fine green-waste disposal system for an apartment dweller. If you don’t have yard trimmings to worry about, worms can handle a good deal of your day-to-day food waste — such as coffee grounds, wilted lettuce, stale bread and so on — and give you castings in return that you can apply to container plants. Worm bins are best kept indoors such as in your garage  or in the house. During hot summers, worms dig down deep to keep cool. They can’t do that in a worm bin, which will heat up to ambient summer temperatures. In winter, freezing cold will kill them, too. Of course, it all depends on your climate and situation. If you have cold winters and mild summers, the worms could spend the summer outdoors and the winter indoors. Or in the opposite situation, they could come in for hot summers and stay out for mild winters. You can also take steps to keep the bin’s temperatures reasonable, such as insulating it. Just remember that when temperatures are extreme, worms are unhappy. Here is how to make your own worm bin http://www.wwf.org.za/act_now/green_living/at_home/make_your_own_wormbin/

#carbonfastforlent Nature itself is the primary Bible. As Paul says in Romans 1:20, “What can be known about God is perfectly plain, for God has made it plain. Ever since God created the world, God’s everlasting power and deity is there for the mind to see in all the things that God has created.” God was the first gardener! Technically, the laws that God has put in place in creation for the most productive ecosystems in the world include little or no soil disturbance, no destruction or incorporation of surface organic residues and a significant biodiversity of species. Opting for organic foods is an effectual choice for personal and planetary health. Buying organically grown food—free of harmful chemicals, bursting with more nutrition, taste, and sustainable sustenance—is a direct vote for immediate health and the hopeful future of generations to come. Here are some  reasons to  grow and purchasechoose organic foods today: Avoid chemicals Eating organically grown foods is the only way to avoid the cocktail of chemical poisons present in commercially grown food. Benefit from more nutrients Organically grown foods have more nutrients—vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and micronutrients—than commercially grown foods because the soil is managed and nourished with sustainable practices by responsible standards. Enjoy better taste Try it! Organically grown foods generally taste better because nourished, well balanced soil produces healthy, strong plants. This is especially true with heirloom varieties, which are cultivated for taste over appearance. Avoid GMO Genetically engineered (GE) food and genetically modified organisms (GMO) are contaminating our food supply at an alarming rate, with repercussions beyond understanding. In many countries GMO foods do not have to be labelled Avoid hormones, antibiotics and drugs in animal products Conventional meat and dairy are the highest risk foods for contamination by harmful substances. More than 90% of the pesticides we consume are found in the fat and tissue of meat and dairy products. The EPA reports that a majority of pesticide intake comes from meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products because these foods are all high on the food chain. Cows, chickens, and pigs are fed animal parts, by-products, fish meal, and grains that are heavily and collectively laden with toxins and chemicals. Lower-fat animal products are less dangerous, as toxins and chemicals are accumulated and concentrated in fatty tissue. Preserve our ecosystems Organic farming supports eco-sustenance, or farming in harmony with nature.  Preservation of soil and crop rotation keep farmland healthy, and chemical abstinence preserves the ecosystem. Wildlife, insects, frogs, birds, and soil organisms are able to play their roles in the tapestry of ecology, and we are able to play ours, without interference or compromise. Reduce pollution and protect water and soil Agricultural chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers are contaminating our environment, poisoning our precious water supplies, and destroying the value of fertile farmland. Certified organic standards do not permit the use of toxic chemicals in farming and require responsible management of healthy soil and biodiversity. Preserve agricultural diversity The rampant loss of species occurring today is a major environmental concern. It is estimated that 75% of the genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost in the last century. Leaning heavily on one or two varieties of a given food is a formula for devastation. For instance, consider that only a handful of varieties of potatoes dominate the current marketplace, whereas thousands of varieties were once available. Now, dig back to recent history’s potato famine in Ireland, where a blight knocked out the whole crop, which consisted of just a few varieties, and millions of people died of starvation. Today, most industrial farms also grow just one crop rather than an array of crops on one piece of land. Crop rotation is a simple and effective technique used in organic agriculture to reduce the need for pesticides and improve soil fertility. Support farming directly Buying organic food is an investment in a cost-effective future. By buying from local farmers you are helping them to keep going  and supporting jobs directly Keep our children and future safe Putting our money where our mouths are is a powerful position to take. Spending our money  in the organic sector is a direct vote for a sustainable future for the many generations to come. . “God looked at everything God had made, and found it very good” (Genesis 1:31). http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/top-reasons-choose-organic-foods