Celebrating the Earth!: An Earth-Centered Theology of Worship with Blessings, Prayers, and Rituals

“We celebrate the Earth—for she is our Mother, we are her sons and daughters, and this Earth is our only home.” Father Scott’s pastoral mission is to bring diverse groups of people together as a spiritual community. Over the years he has compiled this most useful handbook for inter-faith worship to honor and celebrate our Earth, while merging a variety of cross-cultural traditions in ecumenical settings. Celebrating the Earth! provides sample ceremonies for spring renewal, a summer mid-day worship, an autumn harvest, and a winter liturgy of forgiveness. There are numerous blessings, prayers, and rituals for special occasions—for example, the blessing of animals on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and the Ecological Stations of the Cross (in English and Spanish)—together with a collection of services and readings which focus on “giving thanks” and reminding us that “We are All One.” The extensive Appendices include spiritual guidance and statements by indigenous leaders on the proper relationship to “all that lives,” as well as suggested Resources for pastors and leaders who can use these various ceremonies in their own communities as a way of bringing people together to pray—and to be grateful, joyful, and mindful—all through the year.