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Some thoughts for Earth Hour
Earth Hour, Saturday 28th March, 8.30-9.30 pm reminds us about stewardship and how we, the human race, are entrusted with the care of the planet and the life it supports.
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Last Sunday, Mothering Sunday, Dr Ruth Valerio looked to the cosmos, reflecting on how we care for the environment and nurture the natural world. She reflected on this in the context of the current global crisis with the Revd Prebendary Dr Isabelle Hamley who is chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury (Link to the BBC Radio 4 recording here. Producer Andrew Earis).
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I think Julian of Norwich wonderfully captures this idea of stewardship and the preciousness of the natural world: -
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“And in this he showed me a little thing, the quantity of a hazel nut, lying in the palm of my hand, as it seemed. And it was as round as any ball. I looked upon it with the eye of my understanding, and thought, ‘What may this be?’ And it was answered generally thus, ‘It is all that is made.’ I marveled how it might last, for I thought it might suddenly have fallen to nothing for littleness. And I was answered in my understanding: It lasts and ever shall, for God loves it. And so have all things their beginning by the love of God. In this little thing I saw three properties. The first is that God made it. The second that God loves it. And the third, that God keeps it.” Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love
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I have gathered for you some thoughts, poems and music for Earth Hour. (Scroll down)
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At this time of uncertainty, isolation and fear for many in different parts of the world, I would like to end with two further quotations by Julian of Norwich, which offer hope and bring light: -
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“If there is anywhere on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it was not shown to me. But this was shown: that in falling and rising again we are always kept in that same precious love.” “And all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.”
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Psalm 119:105
‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’
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Poems
It felt love – Hafiz, trans by Daniel Ladinsky
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Primary Wonder – Denise Levertov
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How surely gravity’s law – Rainer Maria Rilke
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For Loneliness – John I’Donohue
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Genesia 1:1-4
‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
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And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
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And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
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And God saw the light, and it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.’
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Music
1. Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 in E minor Ralph Vaughan Williams
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The New Queen's Hall Orchestra
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CD: Vaughan Williams - Orchestral Works (Decca)
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2. Seek him that maketh the seven stars Jonathan Dove
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CD: Mother and Child (Signum)
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Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields
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CD: Adagio! Classics for Relaxation (Decca)
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CD: I saw eternity - Paul Mealor (Decca)
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CD: The very best of Cat Stevens (Universal)
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6. Gabriel's Oboe (from 'The Mission') Ennio Morricone
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CD: Yo-Yo Ma plays Ennio Morricone (Sony
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Mackeson Road NW
The Plague had come to town
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The leaves, the birds, the rising sap,
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Sun between bursts of rain.
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And in this short curving London street
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The trees astonish – pink cloudy sprays,
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There’s a sour wind brewing though,
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To scatter and bring down
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In our small part of town.
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But hold on tight, my friends – seasons come round.
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[Piers Plowright 21st March 2020 – the lockdown]
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Reproduced with permission of the author.
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In light of the latest developments, the Earth Hour global organizing team is recommending all individuals to take part in Earth Hour digitally this year. Click the "Earth Hour Take part Digitally" and find ideas for you and your family.
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