"Church Architecture"...continued
St. Gabriel's narthex also has a wall of green vegetation which helps purify the air and is a strong reminder of eco-theology. Indeed, this church intentionally expresses the ideas of the late eco-theologian, The Rev. Fr. Thomas Berry (1914-2009), who spoke of need to enhance the human-earth relationship. For more on St. Gabriel's, which earned a Gold LEED Award, and relevant ideas of Thomas Berry, check out: St. Gabriel's.
Undoubtedly the least costly of the projects shown is the Yancey Chapel of Sawyerville, Al, designed as an undergraduate thesis project by students at the Rural Studio of Auburn University. This outdoor worship space has a roof of old barn rafters which is partly open to the sky. The walls with grey rounded shapes consist of 1,000 donated used tires, filled with dirt from the site, and then covered with plaster. My own response is that it suggest a ruin, which, indeed, can stir the soul. Unlike the fashionable 19th Century constructed "ruins" for manor houses, this structure is designed to express a humble relationship with nature. For a rousing U-Tube video, Google: "Yancey Chapel, Sawyerville, Alabama."
Many find the medieval cathedral the most moving architectural expression, but when building anew, one's ideas should not be prisoner to the past. The ecological expressions in this new architecture speak to present concerns and to the future. For more, check out the journal Faith and Form.
John Fuller
"Follensby Pond"...continued
I am nothing: I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or parcel of God."
Such ideas transcend--to use a word associated with his philosophy--rational activities such as dissecting and categorizing. We might think of standing on the shore at sunset when sky, water, sand all seem to merge into one color field of reddish-purple hues. Lacking such a sunset, material culture offers substitutes such as John Kensett's painting "Sunset on the Sea" of 1872, showing Long Island Sound, or for modernists, there are Mark Rothko's abstractions that defy measurable time and space.
Future generations may not read the "transparent eyeball," essay, but they will have the opportunity to stand in the blithe (joyous) air of Folllensby Pond and see essentially what those Boston poets and scientists experienced at what was dubbed "The Philosopher's Camp." Today such a representation of disciplines might be called an eco-spirituality conference.
"Green Sabbath"... continued
community, in the town of Madison, and beyond. One tremendous source of inspiration in our backyard is the Forum for Religion and the Environment. Hoping to pick up some good information to share with all of you at St. Andrew’s, Audrey Scotti and myself attended the Fall Forum on Religion and the Environment aptly entitled this year, “A Sacred Trust” at Church of Christ, Congregational in West Hartford. While I spent some of the evening learning tactics and about resources for greening churches and homes, much of the forum offered opportunities for rich reflection. John Grim, a scientist from Yale’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, opened the forum with a passionate keynote speech suggesting how a deeper understanding of Native American Indian spirituality might inspire us to live more lightly on the planet. (The recent Shumann lecture by our own Don Rankin echoes Grim’s sentiments so be sure to grab Don at coffee hour and ask him about this if you missed his talk.)
The highlight of the evening though was an unsuspecting workshop called “Green Sabbath” where we considered what God really wants for us. We were assured that God wants us to slow down to appreciate and connect with nature. As we revere the great abundance in nature with which we have been gifted, we become more thankful. From that place of reverence and renewal, it is easier to step out and take action.
As I drove home that evening, reflecting on the concept of Green Sabbath and pledging to revisit my commitment to live more lightly, I had a personally and deeply embarrassing moment as I recalled my state of mind when the conference began earlier that afternoon. Arriving in West Hartford fifteen minutes early and not one to squander opportunity, I did not go straight to the church. You see, my favorite clothing store was right around the corner. An experienced “speed shopper” (there never seems to be enough time to do the things we love these days) I quickly rummaged through the racks and purchased a new skirt and top and yes, still arrived at the conference on time.
Typically, this random shopping act would not render me embarrassed but tonight a heavy guilt enveloped me as I made my way home to Madison. I realized that I had no need for what I purchased. Not really. I do have clothes in my closet but I really wanted something new for fall. While I had received a small discount, I had overspent on the purchase because of my ‘got to have it now’ mentality. Although I had justified the need and the cost, I had not even considered that the fabric was made from non-renewable fossil fuels and treated with various toxic chemicals. Further, it was probably not made in accordance with Fair Labor laws and I’m certain that it travelled thousands of miles to get to me. For most of us, this wouldn’t be a big deal. We make these routine purchases every day. However, my job involves telling people how to make environmentally preferable purchasing choices at Yale. (I hope that you are seeing the irony here!)
We all get our wake up calls in different ways, and that day, I got mine. What I’m happy to report is that the conference peeled back yet another layer from the onion to reveal a few simple truths. It’s all gift. It’s ours to be thankful for. It’s ours to take care of.
In this spirit, I invite you to join me in pledging with your hearts to step out in gratitude and pledge to live more gently in this world. This pledge is not about money. It’s about grace. Think about it. Pray about it. Then log in here to make a prayerful, confidential commitment.
More links...continued
Biomass Energy Research Association