Service of Lament and Hope

Have you ever really thought about how dependent we are on oil?  We use it to power our cars, it is used to make products - especially plastics, as well as many other things.  Have you thought about how oil gets from one place to another once it gets taken out of the ground?  You probably don't think too much about these things until they hit a little close to home.

The Hermitage is a small retreat center in southern Michigan that I have been going to for the last three years or so.  I started out going on 1-2-day personal retreatd about every 6 months, then started seeing a spiritual director every other month, and have now been asked to join the board.  The Hermitage has about 60 acres of land, part of which is wooded with established walking trails.  The current woods are essentially cut in half by an easement for a buried pipeline that pumps oil and natural gas from Canada through the US.  Late last year The Hermitage was notified that the oil company was going to be expanding their easement so they could lay another pipeline beside the current one, which was installed sometime in the 1960s.  For The Hermitage this means a major disruption to operations, and the loss of about 4 acres of additional woods.  The board at the time originally thought about fighting to try to stop the pipeline expansion, but decided to abandon this plan after realizing they couldn't afford an attorney, and that their fighting wouldn't really make a difference in the end.

Instead they decided to plan a service of lament - lamenting our country's dependence on oil, our complicity to change, the loss of trees, the destruction of natural habitat for animals, and the destruction of peace and quiet that is an important part of people's retreat experience.   The service was held on Holy Saturday - the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  About 50 people attended a very meaningful service. I found it a very meaningful, thought provoking time. 

After some readings and prayer in the worship space, we gathered outside to walk to the area where trees will be cut and the new pipeline will be laid starting in June.  A painting that was painted for the event had been cut in strips.  These strips were passed out to participants, and we then chose a tree to tie the strip around. 

Passing out strips of cloth/painting. 

David explaining the walk to the cut area. 

Beginning the walk. 

Gathering along the way for prayer

The tree I chose to tie my strip of cloth to.  

People in the woods choosing their tree to lament.  All these trees will come down as a result of the pipeline expansion. 

Tying a tree.  

We ended with a dance of hope on top of the existing pipeline. 

If you are interested in some of the material that was spoken at the service, go here.