Tower and Town, June 2015

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Clergy Letter: Awakening The Dreamer

Last month I attended a symposium held in Marlborough entitled Awakening the Dreamer. It made a deep impression on us all. We were shown many video clips from around the world of our fellow human beings. The simple message of the symposium was given by some Amazonians talking to some Canadians who were asking if they needed their help. The Amazonians replied that they wanted the Canadians to go back to their country and tell their citizens how their “northern” lifestyle was impacting on their lives. Thousands of acres of rainforest have been plundered to fulfil the need of the north.

Before the industrial revolution we were all living more in harmony with nature. From then on the population and demands of the industrial revolution and people took off exponentially; at the same rate at which the population began to rise so did the use of energy, natural resources, food etc. and instead of living in harmony with the natural world, we in the industrialised regions began to plunder its resources and lose the crucial balance.

In the past we have taken the wealth of mineral and food resources for granted and we are now threatened with the very real situation that they will run out. We have kidded ourselves that that technology will develop at a rate that will solve the problem. It can’t.

Having shared our very large concerns and anxieties we were encouraged to think about ways in which we can contribute to creating a fairer and more collaborative world. It's we world citizens, you and me, who must address the changes required and not leave it to others. We need to be less acquisitive, less greedy, slow down and find alternative paradigms to the continued growth economies we currently have.

As thinking species surely the time has come for us to accept our responsibilities and each of us needs to find a way of changing our life style, in however small a way, to be the change. To save the planet, if not for ourselves, then for future generations. The earth is not ours to consume. We must be custodians of it and put back what we take out.

As Quakers we are advised to reflect as follows:

We do not own the world, and its riches are not ours to dispose of at will. Show a loving consideration for all creatures, and seek to maintain the beauty and variety of the world. Work to ensure that our increasing power over nature is used responsibly, with reverence for life. Rejoice in the splendour of God’s continuing creation. (Advices and Queries No 42)

Rachel Rosedale