On this day traditionally known as “Columbus Day,” this day increasingly celebrated as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” I offer these words of prayer, inspired by the words of Chief Seattle (a 19th-century Native American leader after whom the city of Seattle was named). May these words bless each one of us, that we in turn may bless and care for all of God’s creation.
Every part of this earth is sacred.
Ever shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy.
The rocky crest, the meadow, the beasts and all the people, all belong to the same family.
Teach your children that the earth is our mother.
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
We are part of the earth, and the earth is a part of us.
The rivers are our brothers, they quench our thirst.
The perfumed flowers are our sisters, the air is precious, for all of us share the same breath.
The wind that gave our grandparents breath also receives their last sigh.
The wind gave our children the spirit of life.
This we know: the earth does not belong to us.
We belong to the earth.
This we know: all things are connected.
Like the blood which unites one family, all things are connected.
Our God is the same God, whose compassion is equal for all.
For we did not weave the web of life.
We are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.
Let us give thanks for the web and the circle that connects us.
Thanks be to God, the God of all.
(from The United Methodist Book of Worship, 425)
Blessings,
Pastor Candy
Get into the Sunday School spirit by joining us for our “Rally in the Gallery” — a virtual Rally Day pancake breakfast — on Saturday October 17 at 10:00 AM.. It’ll be a great way to connect with your church family!
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/gTbiVqtmfj2FJs7o7
As you give thanks to the God of all creation, may you remember:
Our God is bigger than coronavirus.
Our vision is bigger than coronavirus, too.
We are people blessing people.
We are Wesley Church.
Want to know more?
- Learn about our church and its ministries: https://wesleychurch.com/
- Make a gift to support our mission: https://wesleychurch.com/giving-2/
- View our recent messages: https://wesleychurch.com/sermon-message-on-video/
- View previous devotionals: https://wesleychurch.com/pastor-candys-devotionals-2/
