{"id":2616,"date":"2023-09-29T15:18:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T15:18:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.turveyabbey.org.uk\/pilgrimage\/?page_id=2616"},"modified":"2023-09-30T11:50:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T11:50:50","slug":"in-the-beginninga-creation-retreat","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.turveyabbey.org.uk\/pilgrimage\/in-the-beginninga-creation-retreat\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Beginning\u2026A creation retreat."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to our Creation retreat. You are welcome to use these resources in whichever way is most helpful to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Jeremy Thomas<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The retreat is divided into sections. You can use them over a day, over several days or weeks, by yourself or with others. This section has some useful tools to help you start your retreat. Here are some ideas for creating sacred space and for praying with scripture. They can be used individually or with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sacred Space<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Praying with Scripture<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the Beginning.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genesis chapter 1 unfolds the beginnings of the universe through the action of God who calls the whole of creation out of chaos and nothingness. Over six \u201cdays\u201d the action of a loving God creates a universe that is arranged and balanced so that a huge variety of life forms can flourish and multiply, filling the earth with life and beauty, richness and diversity. At each stage of the process God pauses and reflects that what has been created is \u201cvery good\u201d. At certain stages God blesses the creation. All God\u2019s creatures have their source in the goodness and love of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These origins have particular significance for us. When, on the the sixth day, God creates humankind in God\u2019s own image, we are both blessed and given responsibility. We are made co-creators with God. We are called to imitate God\u2019s care and love for all of creation. We are called to live in ways that ensure we are a blessing for one another and for the whole universe. This has implications for how we conduct our lives, how we treat one another and how we use, maintain and protect the world\u2019s resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are too painfully aware today of the devastating effect of misusing those resources on the whole universe. In the face of all this it is easy to despair and to give up. Yet, God, in whose image we are made, has not given up on us. So, imitating that loving God who doesn\u2019t give up, we are called to visit once again what it means to be made in God\u2019s image. We are called to look again at what it means to have been entrusted with the stewardship of this beautiful and blessed universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening Prayer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In the Beginning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first part of the retreat is a reflection on the seven days of creation. It’s divided into sections to allow for reflection on each part of the creation. Begin the meditation by reading Genesis 1:1 – 2:4 straight through, then return to the sections as listed below leaving a pause for reflection after each section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Begin your retreat by reading Genesis 1: 1-5. Reflect on God calling creation into being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Genesis 1: 6-10. Reflect on the waters dividing to allow sea and land to be created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Genesis 1: 11-13. Reflect on the detail and precision that marks the creation of the trees and plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Genesis 1: 14-19. Reflect on the creation of sun, moon and stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Genesis 1: 20-23. Reflect on the wonder and beauty found in the world’s oceans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Genesis 1: 24-25. Reflect on the beauty and variety of the animal world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Genesis 1:24-28. Reflect on what it means to be made in the image of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Genesis 1: 29-32. Reflect on the richness of the plant life that God has given to sustain all God’s creatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Genesis 2: 1-4. Reflect on the image of God resting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now reread Genesis 1: 1-2:4. You may find the following questions helpful as you reflect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet there be\u2026\u201d<\/strong> with these words God call us into being, gives us the permission to become. What feelings and thoughts does this phrase raise in you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness\u201d<\/strong> What deepens your awareness of the divine image within you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cAnd God saw that it was good\u201d <\/strong>Think of your life, of the network of responsibilities and relationships that form its framework, of the things that please you, and the things that disappoint or anger you. As you think of each one allow yourself to hear God speak a word of blessing to each situation. What is the word of blessing that God speaks to you now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You may want to end your reflection by watching this video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n