24th June 2022
There is a growing awareness of the importance of both silence and green spaces as contributors to our physical and mental well being. Nearby Ham House has a lovely lavender garden which is just coming into flower providing a multi sensory experience. At various times during the week it is available as a quiet space, part of the Silent Space network – https://silentspace.org.uk/what-we-do/
Friday 17th June 2022
I will listen to you, LORD God, because you promise peace to those who are faithful and no longer foolish. Psalm 85:8
You Lord, are the source of all good things:
We praise you.
You call us to tend and care for your creation:
May we strive to do your will.
You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives:
May we live together in peace.
Reading: Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. 1 Kings 19: 11b – 13a
The day is quiet.
It catches my attention.
No murmur of cars, nor drone of airplanes.
No crash or thump of builders.
Silence –
Silence? Are you sure?
I can hear a bird –
no not one but two, maybe three –
singing.
The buzz of a passing insect.
The wind rustling a leaf.
The slight crunch of my shoes on the ground.
The soprano voice of a child –
Mummy, why do ….?
God, creator and companion,
Stay my attention on the sounds of ‘silence’,
on the sounds of life.
Attune my heart to hear
the unabated sound of creation,
to sift out the raucous noise
of the unimportant sounds.
Open my ears just enough to know your presence.
Ever mindful God, be present
with those surrounded with the noise
of guns and bombs.
Bring compassion
into the hearts of those who wage war.
Remove greed and pride from those
who might otherwise make peace.
Ever mindful God, be present
with those surrounded with the noise
of traffic and engines.
Bless the work of those who create green spaces,
those who bring calm to frenzied lives.
Lend strength to those who protect the environment
and those who seek a quieter way of life.
Ever mindful God, be present
with those who seek to tell the truth –
however inconvenient.
Open hearts and minds to hear your word,
to discern your wisdom.
Give grace to all who question,
to all who seek to understand
and to all who are willing to learn –
for you the way, the truth and the life.
Amen.
The Green Tau 