(A variant of the prayer used in Iona Abbey in 2022 when Pentecost was also the start of Wildlife Week AND St Columba’s Day )

Prayer of Approach and Confession
Irrepressible God, incarnate in the Earth
Made Flesh, through love,
and sharing thus, in Christ
all we, too, share
with birds and beasts and green things.
On this Day of Celebration
when Church is born to rejoice
in diversity;
On this Day of Wonder, building with gratitude
on the customs and wisdom of many peoples;
On this Day of Sabbath,
when Earth needs rest and healing;
On this Day
We praise you, with all that breathes:
The Earth and all whose home Earth is.
And yet this day,
our way of life pays wayward court to other gods:
to profit, domination, endless growth,
disrupting cycles you built in
to the World you gave your Son for;
By choice,
We are addicted to injustice,
and even when we see the need for change
we spout delay in place of wisdom,
and blame the poor, or sow despair
when hope and rapid change bring healing.
Ever and again we build on sand
knowing that the flood is on the way.
So, on this Day
may we breathe a liberating Air
fearless of how it might look
to live as those forgiven, healed, set free
from what we need carry no longer.
God, Christ and Spirit;
eager to welcome all who are lost;
where damage is done
by choice or neglect
repurpose your compassion
Silence
Kyrie ( where customary sung)
Declaration of Forgiveness
God of Good Earth,
who, in Christ, forgives
before we get things right:
Show us our place and purpose
through the friendship of Christ
sharing flesh with all life.
And getting on with it!
Amen,