Earth Hope

Earth Hope Raises a Global Voice

by Valerie Cummings, Friend of Earth Hope

Sister Marya Grathwohl, OSF, founder of Earth Hope, was among spiritual leaders invited to attend a prayer summit in Aspen Colorado. Religious leaders from around the country and from across faith traditions met from November 5-10, to create a plan of action in support of President-Elect Barack Obama and his new administration as they seek to address the nation’s challenges.

The 100-plus faith leaders who gathered expressed determination to support the Obama administration by mobilizing a new spiritual voice for the country, one based on inclusion, compassion, and a vision of unity. In a ground breaking move, there was an extensive outreach to those voices not often heard at such gatherings – Buddhist and Hindu religious leaders, as well as Sufis and Native American spiritual leaders. Included were those steeped in deep contemplative practice, as these leaders bring a much needed perspective.

Among the moral issues deemed the most critical for the nation are helping Americans move beyond fear, working to develop a more inclusive and caring economy and the re-establishment of respect and deep regard for our environment and natural resources.

A commitment to defend the web of life and to promote mutually enhancing human~Earth relationships made Earth Hope a perfect fit for inclusion in this initiative. Marya facilitated two group discussions, led a prayer using the Women’s Creed from the UN Beijing Women’s Conference **, and gave a presentation to the Assembly entitled: The Contemplative Voice of America Rises from the Continent, from the Land.

Summit participants agreed that a Council of American Contemplative Elders would be formed as the guiding voice and face for a new spiritual movement in the country, a process that would parallel the political changes now underway. This Council revitalizes a tradition of most societies to hold spiritual leaders in a place of honor, and to seek their guidance and vision for their communities.

A key factor of this initiative is that it is being organized and led by women religious and spiritual leaders. It is the women who feel called now to assume a leadership role in mobilizing this new voice for the nation. The gathering in Aspen was organized by the Global Peace Initiative of Women, which is based on the belief that a shift in consciousness is needed, a change in heart and mind, if we are as a global community to meet the challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, poverty and hunger, violence and conflict. Central to the Global Peace Initiative of Women is the conviction that the feminine qualities of wholeness, inclusion, and integration have a vital role to play in facilitating this shift and bringing greater balance to our world.

The voice of Earth Hope, sounded by Marya at this critical summit, brings to the fore our commitment to stand in solidarity with all of creation, offering support for those who have a desire to

· Find links between the inclusive compassion of Jesus and care for creation

· Discover how care for creation promotes justice and builds peace

· Contemplate and celebrate the sacred story of the Universe

· Expand knowledge and deepen feelings of connection with Earth

· Explore spirituality and faith that enliven and sustain that connection

· Create lifestyles that benefit our families, the local community and Earth

· Generate more hope about the future of the planet and all life

 **Pray with Marya, as she prayed at the Faith Summit

      (Excerpted from The Women’s Creed)

Bread. For this we pray

A clean sky. For this we pray

Active peace. For this we pray

A woman's voice singing somewhere,

       melody drifting like smoke from the cook fires. For this we pray

The army disbanded. For this we pray

The harvest abundant. For this we pray

The wound healed. For this we pray

The child wanted. For this we pray

The prisoner freed. For this we pray

The body's integrity honored. For this we pray

The lover returned. For this we pray

The magical skill that reads marks into meaning. For this we pray

The labour equal, fair, and valued. For this we pray

Delight in the challenge for consensus to solve problems. For this we pray

No hand raised in any gesture but greeting. For this we pray

Secure interiors - of heart, home, land - so firm as to make secure borders irrelevant at last. For this we pray and say AMEN

See The Women’s Creed in its entirety at

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/41685_73857_ENG_HTM.htm