Creation Spirituality is a movement mainly within the Christian tradition but which also honours other religious traditions where there exists a strong wisdom or mystical element, for example in many native cultures. It emphasizes "original blessing" rather than original sin (a doctrine which has had a negative impact in the Christian faith) and in today's world it acts, for example, as a focus for dealing with the excitement of new scientific discoveries and problems of the environment. CS provides an immense agenda for activity, meditation and study. We are able to explore and expand upon areas that were denied us in our often narrow Christian upbringings. Some of us have found a need to share life stories and unburden guilt instilled in us by early home, school or church teaching. CS provides a means of discovering the richness of our past Christian and Judaic mystical tradition, largely forgotten over recent centuries; it also helps us to develop an ecumenical outlook and an appreciation of the rich traditions to be found in other faiths.

Above all we are finding a heightened awareness of the beauty of God's creation all around us - this forms not only a way forward for action against damage to the environment in all its forms, but also a way towards meditation and prayer, (this awareness of the omnipresence of God in creation provides a way into "praying without ceasing").

We have used Matthew Fox's books 'Original Blessing' and 'The Coming of the Cosmic Christ' to give us orientation by exploring the four paths of CS. It has also led us to explore a number of neglected traditions eg. the wisdom literature of the Bible especially the New Testament. We avoid any 'fundamentalist' tendency to accept the literal version of biblical translations and seek to understand the meanings and the language that were used in context of the first century AD.

Our evenings have commenced with a form of centering activity including readings, meditation or possibly dance. A theme is usually selected for each evening led by one of us (we are endeavouring to rotate the leadership to involve all members) this may include a cassette tape or video. Themes used have included Hildegard of Bingen, the Goddess Tradition, Julian of Norwich, St.John of the Cross, Cosmic Christ, Mysticism and Celtic Christianity etc. We have found an inspiration in the books written by David Adam (Vicar of Holy Island) and who has written prayers and recorded meditations in the Celtic tradition. The video recording of the last lectures by Dom Bede Griffith, recorded in Winchester some months before his death (A New Vision of Reality) have proved a real hit with our group as has "The Universe Story" by Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry. We have gone for walks and held 'agape' meals. The informal sharing of each others spiritual journeys usually form an essential part of any evening.

We have in recent years planned a Creation Centred Mass in the Parish on the first Sunday of July. This has brought together much of what we have explored over the year, allowing us to share with the parish as a whole. CS we believe provides a way for the parish (and others) to grow outward, to evolve and to develop in the spiritual dimension.

Please contact Mike Edmunds for further details.
A national CS network also exists which can be reached at www.karoo.net/creation. Also worth visiting is Alan Shepherds Book Service at www.karoo.net/csbooks