For the Fallen of Creation: A Remembrance Litany
An ecological take on the well-known Litany of Remembrance by Rabbis Sylvan Kamens and Jack Reimer, in light of some shocking data on biodiversity loss shared by Andy Lester of A Rocha UK in April 2020:
- In 2019, the global extinction rate of plant, insect, bird and mammals was 200 species in every 24 hours. This is the highest rate in 65 million years, and accelerating.
- In the UK, since 1970 there has been a recorded loss of:
- 97% of wildflowers
- 57% of butterflies
- 50% of birds
- 41% of insects*
***
In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember them.
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.
In the burning of our fuels, we remember them.
In the clearing of our forests, we remember them.
In the discarding of our waste, we remember them.
Because of the lives we live, they no longer live.
They are a lost part of us, so we remember them.
In our homes and habits, we remember them.
In our worship and witness, we remember them.
In our politics and protests, we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them.
And when we are enthused and full of joy, we remember them.
So long as we live, they too shall live;
The Spirit of Life, in whom we have our being, is irrepressible.
In trust and in active hope then,
We remember them.
***
*For more info see the 'State of Nature Report 2019' at https://nbn.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/State-of-Nature-2019-UK-full-report.pdf
