I grew up not liking Eucharistic Prayer C, colloquially known as the “Star Wars Prayer” (I think it would be better known as the “Star Trek Prayer” given its focus on the wonder of space rather than conflict in space, but that’s another Epistle). Prayer C has grown on me over the years of my priesthood. I now appreciate much more its intent: set God’s reign in the context not just of our planet and culture, but within our expanded knowledge of the immensity of the cosmos. And if it sounds like it was written in the 1970s… well, it was, so that is honest. Perhaps a future Eucharistic prayer will more timelessly incorporate these ideas, but for now, it is what we have.
Prayer C contains the memorable line: “At your command all things came to be: the vast expanses of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile Earth, our island home.” The final phrase is the theme of the Province VIII and VI Deacons Conference, which is taking place Thursday and Friday of this week. Originally planned to take place in Phoenix, it has — along with all things these days — moved online. Deacons and others from around the country will be gathering to hear from Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist and Christian, and other leaders about how to better care for our earth; and how to better understand the theological relationships between creator and created; and between humans and the rest of creation.
I am so grateful to the Planning Committee, especially the Arizona members, who have put their heart and soul into planning this conference.
Keep our deacons and all those participating in the Conference this week in your prayers. And while you pray for them, say a prayer for our Earth. Pray for seasonable weather — especially, here in our Diocese, for rain. Pray for those places suffering from fires and their aftermath. And pray that we may find ways of living more gently and lovingly upon the planet our God placed us upon.