A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth's Ecology

A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth's Ecology

This book begins with the classic, ecumenically held patterns of Christian worship and explores them for their deep connections to ecological wisdom, for their sacramental approaches to creation, and for a renewed relationship to the earth now itself in need of God's healing. The Worship Matters Studies Series examines key worship issues through studies by pastors, musicians, and lay people from throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Features include: Informal and insightful writing for all readers Study questions at the end of every chapter Examines vital issues in weekly worship Helps leaders and congregants understand and experience worship more richly "this book is too rich to be hoarded by Lutherans and too relevant to wait for a class to convene." - The Christian Century With elegance and delightful clarity, Benjamin Stewart has drawn many strands together to reveal the ways in which Christian worship shapes Christian care for this earth. Ancient images gently collide with contemporary science, medieval mystics converse with the cosmic symbols, the rituals of earthbound death illuminate Christian baptism. Here we recognize that our center in the gracious gifts of word and sacrament lead us to ethical responsibility for earth's well-being and service among all her creatures. - Samuel Torvend, University Professor of Lutheran Studies, Pacific Lutheran University Stewart balances a sense of urgency to care for the earth with a steady reminder of God's promise of renewal made known to us in Christ's resurrection. We are invited to draw from deep liturgical roots to care for the holy ground on which God has planted us--local community and global home. -Callista Isabelle, Associate University Chaplain, Yale University This instructive little volume does just what is needed for Christianity's ecological phase; namely, make the vital connections between classic elements of worship and care for creation as holy ground. To do so with water, but also food and our bodies themselves, brings power and connection to both liturgy and daily practice. -Larry Rasmussen, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor Emeritus, Union Theological Seminary Author Benjamin M. Stewart is the Gordon A. Braatz Assistant Professor of Worship and Dean of Augustana Chapel at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Dr. Stewart is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgy and contributes to its Liturgy and Ecology Seminar. He is a co-author of Worship Guidebook for Lent and the Three Days. He received his Ph.D. from Emory University's Graduate Division of Religion, where he served as a Piedmont Fellow in Teaching and the Environment.