An Intergenerational Interfaith Gathering in the Garden

Last Saturday, a group of all ages gathered in the garden at Holy Comforter in Ormewood Park to eat, create, fellowship, and celebrate the Solstice through blessings, liturgy, and song. It was a event filled with light and love for the good green Earth!GIPL's Executive Director Kate McGregor Mosley gave a warm welcome, and Rebecca Parker, Executive Director of Mary & Martha's Place -- the co-hosts of the event -- told us the history of the Solstice. Dr. Rob McDowell, geologist, read from St. Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Sun (full text below).Kurt Ebersbach, Senior Attorney with Southern Environmental Law Center in Atlanta, delivered a hopeful word about solar in Georgia, encouraging us to let the Public Service Commission know that we want clean energy now.Music from Vivian Slade and her daughter Hanna, and Caroline Herring provided a soulful soundtrack to the evening. We read Wendell Berry poems, shared a litany for the Earth, and had a Solstice blessing around the fire before lighting our luminaries and taking our light into the wide world. Be sure to check out our photo gallery below! Canticle of the SunSt. Francis of AssisiMost high, all powerful, all good Lord!All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures,especially through my lord Brother Sun,who brings the day; and You give light through him.And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,and clouds and storms, and all the weather,through which You give Your creatures sustenance.Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,through whom You brighten the night.He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,who feeds us and rules us,and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You;through those who endure sickness and trial.Happy those who endure in peace,for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death,from whose embrace no living person can escape.Woe to those who die in mortal sin!Happy those she finds doing Your most holy will.The second death can do no harm to them.Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,and serve Him with great humility.