Foreword, by Ruth Harvey

Living Faithfully in the Time of Creation

Foreword

How do we begin to live faithfully in the time of creation? This collection offers inspiration, ideas and resources to set and sustain us on that path. More than that, we are offered here a synthesis of prayer and action for the sake of all that lives, and for our own life’s journey. Each essay offers rich stimulus for considered conversation and action. The liturgical material opens up routes to reflection, contemplation and prayer.

This action/contemplation dynamic is one affirmed at every level within the Iona Community, most recently by a group of young volunteers at our Abbey Centre on Iona, who reminded me that what drew them to work with the Iona Community is the inextricable link they find between prayerful expressions of the Christian faith and action for social justice, world peace and the integrity of creation. This volume leads us deeply, wisely and with care on that journey. I commend Kathy Galloway, Katharine Preston and the whole team of writers – members, associates and friends of the Iona Community from across the world – for their courage and vision as they lead us on this path.

In the book you will meet lament, grief and rage. You will also encounter hope. In the crucible of this volume, lament, anger and rage are welcomed, finding transformation through courageous actions for justice and a fairer world. 2021 is the year that world leaders gather in Glasgow for the 26th ‘Conference of the Parties’ focusing on collective actions for climate justice. This gathering focuses our hearts and minds on what matters most deeply in our world, and galvanises us to action.

To live faithfully in the time of creation in 2021 and beyond means recognising that the grip of the global pandemic, while releasing levels of compassion and care across the world, is also revealing a deep greed and sense of entitlement as vaccines are locked into wealth and power. It means recognising the inextricable link between the drought, flood and fire that ravage crops, displacing millions of people and species, and the wars and conflict that breed terror in those very same nations. To live faithfully in the time of creation means ordinary citizens being supported and encouraged to continue to welcome our deepest longings, fears and rage and to ask: what am I, what are we now being called to do? How are we now being called to be in this one unique world, as individuals, and in community with the whole of creation?

Ruth Harvey, Leader of the Iona Community