second ECoPEACE / FRIENDS OF THE EARTH MIDDLE EAST (FoEME) CHRISTIAN TRADITION RIVER INTHE AND THEJORDAN WATER, ECOLOGY, RIVER OUTOFEDEN: EDITION, June 2014

© Jos Van Wunnik COVENANT FOR THE JORDAN RIVER

We recognize that the Jordan River Valley is a based on tourism, and that exacerbates the landscape of outstanding ecological and cultural political conflicts that divide this region. It importance. It connects the eco-systems of also exemplifies a wider failure to serve as Africa and Asia, forms a sanctuary for wild custodians of the planet: if we cannot protect a plants and animals, and has witnessed some of place of such exceptional value, what part of the the most significant advances in human history. earth will we hand on intact to our children? The first people ever to leave Africa walked through this valley and drank from its springs. We have a different vision of this valley: a vision Farming developed on these plains, and in in which a clean, living river flows from the Sea Jericho we see the origins of urban civilization of Galilee to the Dead Sea; in which the valley’s itself. Not least, the river runs through the heart plants and animals are afforded the water they of our spiritual traditions: some of the founding need to flourish; in which the springs flow as stories of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are they have for millennia; and in which the water set along its banks and the valley contains sites extracted for human use is divided equitably sacred to half of humanity. By any measure, between the nations that share the valley and this landscape must be counted as part of the the people who live here. heritage of humankind. Realizing this vision will not be easy. But But over the past 50 years, the Lower Jordan difficulty cannot be an excuse for inaction. We River has been destroyed. 96% of its historic therefore call upon the governments of the flow has been diverted. What little water countries that share this watershed to make a remains is polluted with saline and effluent, serious commitment of resources and political including untreated sewage. The valley’s capital to the rehabilitation of the Jordan River. wetlands have dried up, its springs are failing, As individuals and organizations, as members and half its biodiversity has been lost. This is of civil society, and as religious or community not just a tragedy for wildlife: families have leaders, we also affirm that this is a landscape seen their fields turn to dust, not from a lack of of universal ecological, cultural, and spiritual water but from the injustice of its distribution. importance, and commit to work towards the The demise of the Jordan and the collapse of the vision expressed in this covenant. valley’s eco-system represents a failure of our most basic responsibility towards the species whose habitats have been destroyed and the ecological systems that sustain life on earth. It is a neglect that leaves us impoverished, that cripples the growth of an economy Dear Friends,

This is a toolkit of information to help Christian communities around the world learn about the condition of the Jordan River and join in efforts to rehabilitate the once mighty Jordan.

The first section describes the demise of the Jordan River, what went wrong, and why it matters. The second section provides a compilation of writings about the place of the Jordan River in the Christian tradition, the sacredness of water, and the connection between spiritual faith and care for the natural world. Two essays about the state of the river and the role of the Christian community in its rehabilitation have been commissioned for the sourcebook. You will also find sacred texts, prayers, songs, poems, and essays. You are welcome to use these works as the basis for your own presentations or sermons or to adapt them to suit your audience.

Section three includes sample lesson plans and questions to assist educators in designing programs for a wide range of age groups. The final pages contain suggestions for how your community can support regional efforts to rehabilitate the Jordan River. We hope that you will urge decision makers to join in the revitalization of the Jordan. Additional resources to support awareness campaigns and plan visits to the river are available at www.SavetheJordan.com.

Please treat this as a working document: annotate it, select what is most illuminating, and enrich it through your own knowledge and insight. We hope that these materials inspire your congregation or class to join in the campaign to revive the Jordan River.

Thank you for participating in the campaign to revive the Jordan River.

With gratitude, EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East June 2014 T I. BACKGROUND II. SOURCESOFINSPIRATION able The Jordan River andtheNatural World intheOldTestament of the Ecumenical Throne Rev. Archdeacon Dr. John Chryssavgis, Care On Creation Reflection Christian Orthodox An The Sacredness OfWater Jerusalem in Abbey Dormition of the Abbot Collins Father Gregory The Blessing ofWater: ASermonontheJordan River Reviving theJordan Justice, Peace, Prosperity A Measure ofProgress A New VisionoftheValley A Failure ofWisdom The Destruction oftheJordan Some Facts andFigures An Ecosystem Destroyed The Garden oftheLord Covenant for theJordan River Of Contents 11 32 29 26 23 22 21 20 18 17 16 13 25 3

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 7 The Jordan River in the Gospels 34

Prayers, Poems, and Other Writings 35

Hymns & Songs 38

Times and Seasons 42

Other Reflections & Insights 44 Non-Ecclesiastical Writings Urging Care for Creation

Christian Declarations and Essays on Ecology 47 The Christian Declaration on Nature Father Lanfranco Serrini

To Commit a Crime Against the Natural World Is a Sin 50 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople

Other Christian Statements on Ecology 53

Troubling Waters: The Jordan River Between 54 Religious Imagination and Environmental Degradation

III. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES 55

Saving the Jordan, Saving Ourselves 56

IV. IDEAS FOR COMMUNITY ACTION 63

V. CREDITS 67 I. Background

The Jordan River has suffered an ecological collapse. What went wrong and why does it matter. Jordan Valley. to join usincalling for areturn of water to this river, andareturn oflife to the It’s nottoo late. EcoPeace /Friends oftheEarthMiddle East (FoEME) asksyou of God’s earth. ral world, for ourChristian heritage, andfor ourresponsibility ascustodians This isaman-madedisaster –onethatshows anutter disregard for thenatu- has beenlost. valley’s wetlands have driedup,itsspringsare failing, andhalfitsbiodiversity What little water remains ispolluted withsalineanduntreated sewage. The Today, theriver hasbeenallbutdestroyed. 96%ofitsflow hasbeendiverted. earth. Thisisariver thatflows through theheartofourspiritualtradition. marks Hisrevelation astheSonofGodandbeginningHisministry on For Christians, theJordan isasymbolofpurity. Christ’s baptismintheriver The Garden of the Lord

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 13 A source renewal. Thisiswhat hasmadetheJordan’s Baptism isprimarily aritual ofcleansing and Even more importantly, theriver isclean. 3:15).(Joshua the all timebanks harvest” of all his “overfloweth river that,according to thebookofJoshua, in theChristian imagination,amightyriver – a The river inwhichthisbaptismtakes place is, Him. AsMatthew tells us– while Johnpours thewater ofbaptismover standing inthewater, hisheadbowed inprayer, that hasbeenpainted athousandtimes:Jesus For Christians, thenamecalls upanimage Imagine theRiver Jordan. pleased” Matthew 3:16-17 Matthew pleased” him Iam Ilove; well with whom Son, is my “This said, heaven avoice from him. And like and alightingdescending adove on of God the Spirit andsaw he opened, was ofout the water. that At moment heaven baptized, went he up was Jesus as soon As of life

emergence ofurban civilization. it allowed theflourishing ofhumanlife andthe some 500millionmigratory birds eachyear. And and Western Asiaandforming aflywayusedby connecting theeco-systems ofEastern Africa It greened acorridor through thedesert, in whichwildplantsandanimalsflourished. life to thevalley. Itcreated wetland habitats All along theway, theJordan River brought the earth. Dead Sea–thelowest pointonthesurface of disappeared into theintensely salinelake ofthe along thelength oftheJordan Valley untilit of Galilee, andthen meandered more slowly Al- SheikhtheJordan rushedsouthinto theSea source inthefoothills ofMountHermon/Jabel as itdidinthetimeofJohnandJesus.From its Until about50years ago,theriver looked much A Blessed miracles. Ariver oflife. In ourmythandmemory, then,thisisariver of water into thevery symbolofpurity. Land

emerge. TheJordan becomes akindofdivine river asaplace oftranscendence begins to Later, inthebookofJoshua, animageofthe as thegarden oftheLord…” (Genesis13:10). is describedas“well watered everywhere…even comes inthebookof Genesis, where theplain The earliest mentionoftheJordan Valley Christian spiritualtradition. The river alsorunsthrough theheartof River the world. the world. oldest continuously inhabited cityanywhere in 10,000 years ago,anditcan claimto bethe among them.Jericho’s wallswere builtsome develop into theworld’s first towns, Jericho was thebreakthrough thatallowed villagesto alluvial mudnorthoftheDeadSea.Agriculture farmers beganto plantandharvest grain inthe springs. Anditwashere, too, thatthefirst walked across thisplainanddrank from its Some ofthefirst people ever to leave Africa of Miracles

© Jonathan Kalan / FoEME exceptional importance to Christians. the heritage ofallhumankind,andasaplace of spiritual -thisriver must becounted aspartof By anymeasure, then–ecological, cultural, of halftheworld. carried over into thepainting,poetry, andsong story ofChrist’s baptism,itisanimagethathas place between heaven andearth.Through the draws onthisimageoftheJordan asameeting have beenfamiliar to Him.TheGospeltradition Jesus knew, andallofthesestories would The Jordan waspartofthelandscape that waters oftheJordan. Naaman theLeperishealed bybathinginthe been seenasapre-figuration oftheBaptism, Elisha. Andhere, too, inastory thathaslong mantle ofprophethood passes to hissuccessor, ascends to heaven inawhirlwind, andthatthe the banksofJordan thattheProphet Elias them to pass over into freedom. Itishere on across theriver, itswaters dryupto allow paradise beyond. WhenJoshualeads hispeople threshold thatseparates thisworld from the importance to Christians” as aplace ofexceptional heritage ofallhumankind,and must becounted aspartofthe cultural, spiritual-thisriver “By anymeasure –ecological,

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 15 An generations have rundry. Refusedaccess to have started to falter andfail. Wells usedfor that irrigated farmland for thousandsofyears This isnotjust atragedy for wildlife. Springs year. Jordan, issinkingbymore thanameter every Sea, sustained only byinflowing water from the valley’s biodiversity hasbeenlost. TheDead has suffered anecological collapse. Halfthe As theriver hasdriedup,theJordan Valley not muchmore thanastagnant canal ofeffluent. site atwhichJohnbaptized Jesus -theriver is and agricultural run-off. Inplaces -includingthe water remains ispolluted withsaline,sewage, than 96%oftheriver’s historic flow. Whatlittle this watershed have dammedanddiverted more In just over 50years, thecountries thatshare save theriver from beingdegraded. significance oftheJordan hasbeenenough to Neither thenatural beautynorthespiritual ecos ystem destroyed beginning to count. economic, ecological, human–we are only now an ecological collapse whoseseverity andcost – political conflicts thatdividethe region. Thisis be supported bytourism andexacerbating the crippling thegrowth ofaneconomy thatcould price from thenationsthatshare thevalley, custodians ofGod’s earth.Italsoexacts aheavy failure to meetourmoral responsibilities as for ourown spiritualheritage, aswell asa The neglect ofthis river shows adisregard livelihoods lost, andfamilies forced to migrate. communities have seen fieldsturn to dust, pumped from beneaththeland,Palestinian the river anddeniedafair share ofthewater by tourism and exacerbates the political the political and exacerbates tourism by of that an economy supported could be the growth cripples of this river neglect “The

© Jonathan Kalan / FoEME SOME FACTS AND FIGURES THE JORDAN THE DESTRUCTI ON OF conflicts that divide the region” the that divide conflicts • Untreated orpoorly treated sewage • 96%ofthatflow hasbeendiverted. • Untilabout1950,some1.3billioncubic • TheLower Jordan Valley isdividedbetween • TheLower Jordan River beginsattheSea into theriver for over 50years from has beendumpedorallowed to leak every year. meters ofwater flowed through the valley river. and donotreceive water directly from the Palestinians have noaccess to theJordan Jordanians, Israelis, andPalestinians. Sea. 120km before reaching itsendattheDead Lake Kinneret) andflows south for about of Galilee (alsoknown asLake Tiberiusor

• FoEME estimates that Israel diverts about • ThedyingoftheJordan isalsocausing •Thediversion andpollutionofthis while SyriaandJordan take therest. half oftheriver’s average annualflow, meter peryear. sinking attherate ofapproximately one the DeadSeato disappear–itisnow biodiversity hasbeenlost. collapse -more than50%ofthevalley’s water hascaused anecological communities. Israeli, Jordanian, andPalestinian

© Daniel Adamson / FoEME

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 17 borders drawn on ourmaps,anditsrain and flow ofits streams doesnot correspond to the all concerned. This isasingle watershed: the approach thatwillunderminetheinterests of seem inevitable. But itis,inthelong term, an zero-sum struggle for thevalley’s water might Given theintensity ofconflict inthe region, this denied access to theriver, take almost nothing. Jordan take aboutaquarter each.Palestinians, river’s average annualflow, while Syriaand estimates thatIsrael diverts abouthalfofthe possible share oftheJordan’s water. FoEME these nations have raced to capture the greatest valley asasingle, trans-boundary watershed, Israelis, andPalestinians. Instead ofseeingthe between Lebanese,Syrians,Jordanians, that drains into theJordan River isdivided At theroot oftheproblem isconflict. Thebasin beauty andvalue? this to happento aplace ofsuchexceptional Why hasthishappened?How have we allowed A fail ure of wisdom

nature, haswritten - friars atthetimeofAssisi declarations on Lanfranco Serrini,theleader oftheFranciscan gave mandominionover theearth.AsFather This issurely notwhatwasmeantwhenGod resources to be minedfor human use. is seenasnothingmore thanacollection of including itswater andallitsforms oflife, world. Itexemplifies anattitudeinwhichnature, lack ofrespect for thenatural andnon-human The demiseofthisvalley alsoreveals aprofound process ofcompetition. rivers cannot besustainably managedthrough a On thecontrary, ourspecialplace inGod’s treasures.” God’sor, bountiful destroy still, worse to notman may reduce disorder, or chaos himself, of destroying the risk creatures…At all with in symbiosis than astewardship other anything be cannot dominion That to his made glory. has manifest God what destroy or squander spoil, to abuse, license “…man’s as dominion understood be cannot the creation thatGod has entrusted to us. in policy, buta renewed spiritual effort to honor revival oftheriver, then,requires notjust ashift contributed to the demiseoftheJordan. The responsibility ascustodians –all this has reverence for life, theabandonment ofour The lackofasensewonder, theloss of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I- to cherishthisearth.Inthewords ofthe creation carries withitaresponsibility these are sins.” are these air, substances— poisonous with life and its its land, its waters, Earth’s contaminate the for humans to disease, humans with for humans to injure wetlands, other its destroying or forests natural of its Earth the climate, stripping in its by changes causing by of Earth the integrity degrade of God’s for humans creation, to diversity the biological and to destroy extinct become to species humansabound…For to cause His continuingwill lifethat and reflecting theall life, entire being creation God’s of the sanctity proclaim we Therefore, God’sof by example. reflections love and to stewards, We be called are

© Jonathan Kalan / FoEME Father Lanfranco Serrini God’s bountifultreasures.” disorder, or, worse still, destroy man maynotreduce to chaosor At theriskofdestroying himself, in symbiosiswithallcreatures… anything otherthanastewardship glory. Thatdominioncannot be God hasmadeto manifest his spoil, squanderordestroy what understood aslicense to abuse, “…man’s dominioncannot be

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 19 neglect. a landscape irreparably damagedbyourown an excuse for inaction.To donothing isto leave vision willnotbeeasy. Butdifficulty cannot be countries thatshare thevalley, realizing this region andthestate ofrelations between the Given thescarcity ofwater inpartsofthis reverence for God’s creation. that honors ourheritage andthatexpresses valley thatwe seeintheGospels.Avision This isavisionthatreflects the imageofthe people wholive here. nations thatshare thisvalley andamongst the human useisdividedequitably between the millennia; andinwhich water extracted for in whichthespringsflow asthey have for are afforded thewater they needto flourish; in whichthevalley’s plants,birds andanimals runs from theSeaofGalilee to theDeadSea; Valley -avisioninwhichclean, livingriver FoEME hasadifferent visionfor theJordan A New Vision of the V alley through cross-border cooperation. we have nochoice butto manageitsustainably to sustain farms andfamilies andeconomies – Jordan to survive –ifwe wantto usethiswater interconnected ecosystem. Ifwe want the to seethisriver anditstributaries asasingle, The starting pointofanynew approach must be through cooperation.” through choicetono but sustainably manage it have we to the Jordan survive, want “If we

© Daniel Adamson / FoEME rehabilitate theJordan. be returned aspartofaninternational effort to recommendation thatathird ofthehistoric flow allocations, butitfalls far shortofFoEME’s This setsanimportant precedent for future from theSeaofGalilee to help revive theriver. (million cubicmeters) offresh water every year Water Authorityhas agreed to allocate 30mcm into theJordan River in49years. TheIsraeli 2013 alsosawthefirst release ofclean water could sooncome to anend. century ofusingtheJordan asasewage canal Jordan Valley. FoEME isconfident thathalfa and Palestinian communities throughout the plants are indevelopment inJordanian, Israeli, untreated sewage into theriver. New treatment working to prevent thedumpingorleaking of governments andmunicipalitiesare now Responding to years ofadvocacy, national signs ofprogress inthe effort to revive theriver. In thelast three years we have seenthefirst A Measure of Progress revival oftheriver. master plancan become theblueprintfor the With thesupportofnationalgovernments, this valley’s water. mechanisms for thejointmanagementof the establishment offunctioninginternational saline, andothereffluentsinto the stream; and the dumpingofraw orpoorly-treated sewage, meters) offresh water to theriver; anendto the return of400-600mcm(million cubic for theJordan. Key recommendations include policy recommendations behindourvision scientifically soundandeconomically realistic draw onitswater resources.The planputs as recognizing thelegitimate humanneedto account ofthevalley’s fragile ecology aswell the Jordan River Valley –aplanthattakes border master planfor themanagementof FoEME isalsodeveloping thefirst cross-

© Ofer Stein

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 21 of itslength, remains aclosed military zone. needed pointofaccess to ariver that,for much from bothsidesofthevalley, providing amuch- and Jordan. Thepeace parkwillwelcome visitors crossing points,ontheborder between Israel park centered ononeoftheriver’s historic creation ofatrans-boundary ecological peace of theJordan. We are now working towards the – idealplaces to stay andlearn -onbothsides In thepast decade FoEME hasopened eco-parks and to save theDeadSea. Palestinians, to revive theLower Jordan River, and usedto restore basicwater rightsto the that could besaved (seethefact box page18) identified over abillioncubicmeters ofwater the countries thatshare thevalley, FoEME has causing ashortage ofwater for humanuse.In weakening thevalley’s agricultural economy or We believe theJordan can berevived without Justice , peace , prosperity and peace.”and of justice advancement the and cooperation for regional opportunity apractical provides water valley’s of the management the that and to valley, this health ecological as well as prosperity economic bring can River Jordan that aliving “FoEME believes

© Francesco Zizzola Reviving the • • • • FoEME recommends therelease of400- and to restore Palestinian water rights. management) andused to revive theriver and grey-water recycling, anddemand to irrigation efficiency, water harvesting through reduction ofleaks, improvements be saved bythesecountries (primarily billion cubicmeters ofwater thatcould FoEME’s analysis hasidentified over a share oftheJordan’s water. a riparianto theriver, hasarightto afair FoEME alsorecognizes that Palestine, as year, Syria100mcm,andJordan 90mcm. 220mcm ofwater into theriver each FoEME recommends thatIsrael release 24 hours). river’s ecosystem healthy(100m3/sec for least once eachyear inorder to keep the In addition,theJordan needsto floodat water into theriver every year. 600 millioncubicmeters (mcm) offresh Jordan

• Implementation ofamaster planrequires • Thismaster planshould determine levels • Therevival oftheriver requires that cooperation. and strengthen themechanismsof valley’s water resources, resolve disputes, boundary commission to manage the the establishment ofafunctioningtrans- eco-tourism intheJordan Valley. and advance plansfor thedevelopment of environmental rehabilitation programs, define ecological corridors, support identify waysto eliminate pollution, of water flow, setwater quality standards, trans-boundary master planfor theriver. the implementation ofacomprehensive demand for water, andto cooperate in policy strategies to managetheirown decision-makers implement national Jordanian, Israeli, andPalestinian

© Francesco Zizzola

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 23 II. Sources of Inspiration

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 25 This signifies Jesus’ anointing, the actbywhich descending dove, representing theHoly Spirit. A furtherlevel ofsymbolismisaddedin the heard declaring thatJesusishisbeloved Son. opened andthevoice ofGodtheFather is a dramatic manifestation. Theheavens are and suffering humankind.Suddenly there is profound gesture ofdivinesolidaritywithsinful administered bytheBaptist’s hand.Itisa and consents to receive thepurifyingwaters voluntarily joinstherow ofrepentant sinners Suddenly Jesusappears. Althoughsinless, he drawing near. of theirsinsbecause thekingdomofGodis lives andaccept baptismfor theforgiveness conversion, calling onpeople to changetheir has beenpreaching anaustere message of a wildman,desertdweller, aprophet, who strange, outlandishfigure ofJohntheBaptist, of theJordan. Hecomes into contact withthe Nazareth. Suddenly heappears atthebanks life, asacarpenter intheobscure villageof been livinganordinary life, indeedahidden understanding ofsalvation history. Jesushad It isoneofthegreat momentsintheChristian his baptismintheriver Jordan. Luke), withwhichtheministry ofJesusbegan: three “SynopticGospels”,Matthew, Markand celebrated thedramatic event, (recorded inthe Church, Christians inbotheast andwest have Every year since theearliest centuries ofthe Jerusalem in Abbey Dormition of the Abbot Collins Father Gregory The blessing of O n Jordan’s the B bank water : a aptist’s cry announces that the Lord is nigh is that the Lord announces aptist’s cry (Hymn for Advent) for (Hymn sermon Christian tradition. After all,water is,as the None ofthatisentirely uniqueto the Judeo- the Holy land,givingthem new life andfertility. and flowing down towards thedesertplaces of issuing from the restored Temple inJerusalem the great river whichEzekielinhisvisionsaw God’s Spirithovered atthedawnofcreation, or it wastheoriginalwaters over theface ofwhich symbol intheJudeo-Christian tradition, whether water hasalways beena massively important ark withtheleaf oftheolive tree initsbeak.But the endofgreat flood,appearing atNoah’s Spirit’s form recalls thedove whichsignaled heard, bearingwitness to hisonly Son;theHoly prophesied byIsaiah;thevoice oftheFather is a servant -theuniquesuffering servant ofGod three are identifiedassuch.TheSonappears as Spirit. Inahymnfrom theByzantineliturgy, the be theMost Holy Trinity: Father, SonandHoly of God,who,for Christians, isunderstood to more precisely a theophany -amanifestation The whole scene isatremendous epiphany, or received theHoly Spiritwhile hewasatprayer. with hisheavenly Father –hetell usthatJesus intimate, private aspectsofJesus’ relationship detail, typical ofhisinterest inthemore account addsasmallbuthighly significant bring inthekingdomofGod.St.Luke inhis Messiah, Christos inGreek, theOnewhowill eternal Son-made-fleshbutasthe long-awaited he ismanifested notonly asGod’s uniqueand on the Jordan River

Christians, isbutapoorshadow of itsself: so richinsymbolicassociations for Jews and ghost anddiedlong ago!For thisgreat river, river once flowed hasnotsimply given up the trickle ofwater, oozingalong where thismighty miracle isthatthesad,depressing, depleted from thegreat revelation atJesus’ baptism.The that oneiswitnessing avery different miracle weeping hard andlong. Itisdifficultnot to feel Baptist: rather, nature herself iscrying!She does indeedhearacry, butitisnot thatofthe Yet ifonestands today onJordan’s banksone royal babies. is still brought to Englandfor thebaptismof the sameriver asJesusandsomeofitswater Many people still travel there to bebaptizedin associated withthesacrament ofbaptism. land. To thisday, thewaters oftheJordan are to bringthepeople ofGodinto thepromised the Jordan, theriver thatJoshua hadcrossed thirst –shouldhave begunonthebanksof his followers awater thatwould quenchevery the ministry ofJesus–whopromised to give metaphor for God’s savingpresence, orthat commodity) shouldfrequently employ itasa with thepreservation ofwater asaprecious (so associated initsgeographical location It issmallwonder thenthattheJewish tradition every religion andinevery majorbeliefsystem. rebirth andrejuvenation. Itfunctionsassuchin basic archetypal symbolfor new life, fertility, Swiss psychologist C.GJungsooften noted, a exorcism. Ratheritiswe ourselves! Itiswe, we feeling: itisnotthewaters whichneed But nowadays itishard to avoid apowerful of theresurrection. by hisdeathbefore risinginglory to thenew life Holy Saturday, where hegoesto destroy death of hisfuture descent into theUnderworld on to bless andpurifyit.Itisapowerful prophecy fire ofChrist’s divinitygoingdown into thewater them. Syrianliturgical texts alsospeakofthe of exorcism whichexpels thepower ofevil from The blessing ofthewaters istherefore akind source oflife, has become theabodeofdemons. echo ancientbeliefsthatwater, theprimal rivers, lakes orstreams. Thetexts usedoften are present inthevicinityofcelebration – includes agreat blessing ofwhatever waters feast ofthebaptismJesuson6January In theliturgies oftheeastern churches, the sense ofcosmic vision. pragmatism -anduninspired by anylarger are inspired largely bypolitical andeconomic God’s beautifulcreation, whenouractions we grasping humansare capable ofdoingto it hasbecome astanding testimony to what vision” of cosmic sense any larger uninspired by to are God’s our actions when creation of doing capable are to we testimony what river…has great astanding become “This

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 27 obscure God’s manifestation inand through his still ofactive exploitation, whichdamagenature, impulses ofnegligence andlaziness, orworse on ourselves –to root outofourheartsallthose life-giving water once again.Andwe needto act flows, actionenablingit to become asource of the governments through whose territories it again, concerted actionisneeded–by the mystery ofJesus’ baptism.For itto dothat for itto remind usofthe grace thatflowed in for itto beasacrament ofcosmic beauty, hard But itishard for today’s Jordan to dothat,hard stressed, to God’s even better beauty–grace! Jesuit andnature poetGerard Manley Hopkins Source, theCreator God;andastheEnglish things of the earth all point to their even lovelier remind us,asSt.Augustine saw, thatthelovely to thepresence ofthedivine.Itismeantto the overwhelming beauty, itismeantto awaken us rhythm oflightanddarkness andabove allinits structures, initsorder andharmony, inits first great self-manifestation to us.Inits cosmic Nature itselfisGod’s primalsacrament, his from thedemonicpowers ofevil, sinanddeath! we are theoneswhoneedto askfor cleansing out ofourselves andonto theworld ofnature – who sodisastrously project ourown negativity us to the presence of the to divine”us the presence ismeant it to beauty, awaken overwhelming allin its and above of light and darkness, rhythm and harmony, in order its in its isGod’s sacrament… “Nature itself primal Amen. sacrament ofGod’s overflowing life andgrace. become againwhatitismeantto be:acosmic the earthandliberate this once great river to resurrection, purifyus,sothatwe too can purify the earthinChrist’s incarnation deathand Christian belief,saved andre-consecrated through thebeautyofhisworks andwhoin who wishesto make hispresence known May theCreator God,theSource ofallbeings, cherish andprotect theenvironment. Earth Middle East andothers, whowork to such assupportinggroups like Friends ofthe vitality. Butwe alsoneedto take practical action beings ofthisinestimable source oflife and beautiful world anddeprive ourfellow human to Godfor thebeautyandharmony ofcreation: The Great Blessing beginswitha hymn ofpraise the baptismofevery Orthodox Christian. contains thesameprayers andhymnsusedin Baptism intheJordan River. Theservice Orthodox Christians commemorate Christ’s January 6th,theFeast ofTheophany, when Waters, performed intheOrthodox Church on in theceremony oftheGreat Blessing ofthe world andtheworld oftheSpiritisindicated The striking connection between thenatural marks thesacred source ofthespirituallife. a Christian, where thesacrament ofBaptism life, water isalsotheprimaryelement inthelife 1.1-2). (Gen. the water” over deep, and God’s hovered spirit the over darkness was there void, a formless was earth the Now earth. the and heavens the Genesis says:“In created the beginning, God as itisinthespiritualworld. AstheBookof Water isasfundamental inthenatural life i of the Ecumenical Throne Rev. Archdeacon Dr. John Chryssavgis, Care Creation on Reflection Christian Orthodox An The and religious significance oftheJordan River. Muslims, allofwhomvenerate thehistorical dialogue andpeace amongJews, Christians and an admirable initiative to foster inter-religious people inthesurrounding region aswell as to promote thehealthandwelfare ofthe Jordan River valley isaninvaluable enterprise – perspective. Therehabilitation ofthelower but alsofrom areligious –indeed,aninterfaith River isacritical project from anecological, The cleansing andconservation ofthe Jordan . W ater Sacredness Just aswater istheessence ofall , Nat ure , and of Spirit W ater

that day, on Januarythe6th,proclaim: celebration of the Resurrection. Thehymnsof significant feast oftheliturgical cycle after the the Jordan River constitutes thesecond most of theBaptismourLord inthe waters of In theOrthodox Church, the commemoration ii arteries oftheearth. of thewatery subterranean orsupraterranean communication, like communicating vessels, ecosystem, whichreceives itslife from unceasing the destruction isprocured oftheplanet’s entire pollution orcontamination oftheworld’s waters, and acrimeagainst humanity. Through the constitutes bothablasphemyto GodtheCreator interest. Indifference towards thevitality ofwater or become themeansandendofindividual be regarded ortreated asprivate property calling to cosmic transfiguration. It can never Water, then,signifiesthedepthoflife andthe . . . so that the elements. so of by and creation, enlightened are and the heavens is blessed, earth the issanctified, nature of waters The that living things breathe. may that living the air sand; You with forth sea poured have You the waters; upon the about walled have the earth Youlike acurtain; established have You the heavens stretched out have servants; at Yourafraid the fountains presence; Your are You;before You; the light obeys theare deeps supplicate glorifies You;the moon stars the sun sings YourYour .The praises; wonders. of to sing praise the suffice words no works: Your are You, and marvelous art OLord, Great . T he Blessing of the Jordan

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 29 7 of whatSt.MaximustheConfessor inthe interconnected andinterdependent piece is apartofthismagnificent epiphany, an Orthodox cosmic visionimpliesthathumanity The breadth anddepth,therefore, ofthe offices andspaces, gardens andanimals. return andbless theirhomesandfamilies, the blessed water, withwhich they subsequently Christians willreserve andbottle aportionof This iswhy, onthatdayeachyear, Orthodox and culminationofGodbecoming human. Jordan River, whichisinfact theconsequence manifestation ofthiswashisbaptism inthe every aspectanddetail ofthisworld. Thedirect human fleshinorder to redeem andsanctify The implication is thatJesusChrist assumed planet –andespecially the contamination of Until we can perceive inthepollutionofour personal andintimate wayto Christ himself. pollution ofwater orover-fishing relatesa in intimately andintegrally identifiedwithfish.Any soteriological statement offaith. Christ hasbeen Christ, SonofGod,Savior.”a Thefish,then,is – theGreek word beinganacronym for “Jesus Christians recognized oneanother, wasthefish One oftheearly symbolsofChrist, whereby importance for thekingdomofheaven. the future ofthisplanetassumes critical th holy name may be glorified. be holy name may things God’s and invisible, both visible most humanby and by beings, the angels, by century called “acosmic liturgy”. Thus, of ouractions. not comprehend theirreversible consequences of ourplanettheface ofourchildren, we will world. Indeed,untilwe discern inthepollution cannot hopeto resolve theinequalitiesofour the portrait ofourbrother andsister, thenwe a critical partofour bodiesandofourworld – its waters, whichconstitutes andcovers such both humilityandgenerosity, inaperspective honor ourneighborand preserve ourworld with – sovery precious andsovery delicate. We must connected. Theweb oflife isasacred giftofGod Conservation andcompassion are intimately corrupt far too muchoftheearth’s resources. in more affluentnationseither consume or and theecology of theplanet.Thoseofusliving the livingconditions of thepoororvulnerable opening address, there isaclose linkbetween economic justice. Aswe mentionedinour It alsoconstitutes amatter ofsocialand only folly. Itisasinagainst Godandcreation. current pathofecological destruction isnot the prioritiesthatwe pursue. To persist inthe live andfor thevalues thatwe treasure and personal responsibility for thewaythatwe environmental crisisisfor eachofusto bear of us.Theinitialandcrucialresponse to the moral andspiritualproblem thatconcerns all environmental protection isaprofoundly waters, we are proclaiming ourbeliefthat In acknowledging thesacredness ofthe iii . The Spiritual Web of Life indeed, it was very good” (Genesis 1.31). good” very was it indeed, and, created good that was everything “God saw state, intheopeningbookofPentateuch: and invisible.” TheJudeo-Christian Scriptures and of allthings visible and earth, of heaven symbol offaith intheearly Church –“maker is –according to theforemost andtraditional This world wascreated byaloving God,who common responsibility, withusasitscaretakers. trade, andaclear senseofthisworld asour be acode ofethicsto determine behaviorand the welfare offuture generations. There would our generation willproperly consider anddignify to resolve issues ofecology andeconomy. Then things inthe“cosmic liturgy,” thenwe can begin and inter-dependence ofallpersons andall When we understand theintimate connection lighter. leave onourworld must become lighter, much of frugalityandsolidarity. Thefootprint thatwe this magnificent river. safekeeping andsanctification ofthewaters of May we alllong celebrate thesacredness, long to beimmersed initssanctifyingwaters. those whowork for itspreservation andwho May Godcontinue to bless thisriver andall incarnate Word, JesusChrist? himself asHoly Trinity andof plunginghis himself once deemedworthy ofrevealing conservation ofthissacred river, whichGod How can we notrejoice atthecleansing and River withoutrecalling thisoriginalplanofGod? significance andawesome beautyoftheJordan How can we possibly stand before theunique

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 31 THE G The the G his tent Sodom. and as moved far as valley of the the cities among Lot settled while of Canaan, in the land settled 12 Abram other. each from separated they Thus Valley, east. and Lot journeyed 11 for allthe himself Jordan Lot chose So Gomorrah.) and Sodom the LORD before destroyed was (This of Zoar. in the direction of Egypt, the land like of the garden the LORD, like everywhere watered well that Valley was the Jordan and saw up his eyes 10 Lot lifted And to go then hand, the left.” Iwill right take to go you if or the then the right, Iwill hand, take me. you If the left from yourself you? before land Separate 9 Isnot the whole kinsmen. are for we herdsmen, and my herdsmen your and me, and between you between strife to “Letno said Lot, be there Abram 8 Then enesis 13enesis Jordan Old ARDEN OF THE L Testament River and ORD… the natural THE FULLNESS THEREOF… THE EARTH IS THE L Psalm 24 Psalm Selah. of glory. isthe he King hosts, of Lord The of glory? isthis King 9 Who in battle. mighty and mighty, the Lord strong Lord The of glory? isthis King 8 Who in. come shall glory of and the King doors; up, everlasting ye lift gates; Oye up heads, your ye and be 7 Lift OJacob.him, Selah. thatthy face, seek of them is the that generation seek 6 This salvation. of his the God from and righteousness Lord, the from the blessing 5 He shall receive deceitfully. sworn nor vanity, up unto his soul hath not lifted who heart; 4 He that hath and apure clean hands, in his holy place? shall stand who Or into shall ascend the3 Who hill of the Lord? the floods. upon it established and hath2 Forhe the seas, upon founded it therein. thereof; that and they dwell the world, isthe Lord’s, and the fullness earth 1 The w orld in

ORD’S AND THE W Psalm 8 Psalm earth! the all in name excellent how 9 OLORD our Lord, isthy of the seas. paths the through passeth whatsoever and of the air, fowl 8 The sea, and the fish of the the field; of and sheep oxen, and the7 All beasts yea, things under his feet: of all thy hands; put thouhast the works him to dominion have madest over 6 Thou and honour. glory him with crowned and hast the angels, than lower him made alittle 5 Forthouhast him? of thatand man, the son thouvisitest of mindful him? that is man, thou art 4 What ordained;thou hast which stars, and the moon the thy fingers, of the work Iconsider thy heavens, 3 When avenger. the and enemy the still mightest thou that enemies, thine of because strength thouordained hast and sucklings of of2 Out the mouth babes heavens. the above setthy glory hast who in all the earth! excellent1 LORD, how our Lord, isthy name ORK OF THY FINGERS… INT Deuteronomy 8 Deuteronomy this you day.am giving that I and his decrees his laws commands, his to failing observe LORD God, your 11 that not do the forget you careful Be you. given has he land for the good the LORD God your praise eaten10 have satisfied, you and are When hills. of dig out the copper can and you iron are the rocks nothing; lack where will aland you and not scarce be will bread where 9 aland oil and honey; olive pomegranates, trees, and fig and barley, vines wheat with 8 aland hills; and valleys gushing into out and springs deep the streams, brooks, with land land—a a good into you isbringing 7 Forthe LORD God your O A GOOD LAND

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 33 THE BAPTISMOF JESUS The Matthew 3:16-17 Matthew pleased.” him Iam Ilove;well with whom Son, is my “This said, heaven avoice from him. And like and alightingdescending adove on of God the Spirit andsaw he opened, was ofout the water. that At moment heaven baptized, went he up was Jesus as soon As 1:23John, Lord.’” for the ‘Make the way straight wilderness, in “I the am the voice ofprophet, calling one the of Isaiah in the words John replied Jordan River in the Gospels Luke 3:21-22 Luke pleased. Son; in Iam thee well beloved my art Thou said, which heaven, from a voice came likehim,a bodilyshape upon and adove in descended the Holy Ghost And opened, was the heaven baptized, and praying, being also that Jesus to came pass, it baptized, were people the all when Now Blessed are thosewho endure inpeace, for love ofYou andbearsickness andtrial. pardon Praise beYou myLord through thosewhogrant and herbs. producing varied fruitswithcoloured flowers who sustains andgoverns us, Mother Earth Praised beYou myLord through ourSister, strong. and heisbeautifulplayfulrobust and through whomYou lightthenight Praised beYou myLord through Brother Fire, So useful,humble, precious andpure. Praised beYou myLord through Sister Water, by whichYou cherishallthatYou have made. And fair andstormy, all weather’s moods, and Air, Praised beYou, myLord, through Brothers Wind precious andfair. In theheavens you have madethembright, and thestars, Praised beYou, myLord, through Sister Moon Of You Most High,hebears thelikeness. splendour, And heisbeautifulandradiant withgreat Who isthedaythrough whomYou give uslight. especially SirBrother Sun, Praised beYou myLord withallYour creatures, Name. and nomortal lipsare worthy to pronounce Your To you alone, Most High,dothey belong, blessings. All praise isYours, allglory, allhonourand Most High,all-powerful, all-goodLord, THROUGH SISTER WATER… PRAISED BEYOU Pra yers , poems MY , and L ORD, o ther writings because ofoursins,OLover ofMan. servant atthehandsofForerunner (John), hasten OGoodOne,to receive thebaptismofa come to thatriver, OChrist ourKing,anddost Master beingbaptized.AsamanThoudidst back thestream ofitswaters, beholdingthe sanctified. Jordan isdividedintwo, andturns made manifest. Today thenature ofwater is Spirit ofthefear ofGod,even Christ whois wisdom, theSpiritofunderstanding, the saying: Comeallye, receive theSpiritof The voice oftheLord criesover thewaters, OF EPIPHANY THE WATER (PART OF THE FEAST FROM THE GREAT BLESSING Canticle oftheSun Saint Francis ofAssisi (1181–1226), And serve Himwithgreat humility. Praise andbless myLord andgive Himthanks, No second deathcan dothemharm. Blessed are they Shefindsdoing Your Will. Woe to thosewhodieinmortal sin! from whomno-onelivingcan escape. Praised beYou, myLord through Sister Death, By You Most High,they willbecrowned. / THEOPHANY ) OF

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 35 Meister Eckhart (1260–1327) So fullofGodisevery creature. I would never have to prepare asermon – even acaterpillar – If Ispentenoughtimewiththetiniest creature Every creature isaword ofGod. God. Every creature isfullofGodandabookabout things. Apprehend Godinallthings,for Godisinall Dante Alighieri(1265–1321) By theaustere andtender handofGod. Gathered andboundinto asingle book The scattered chapters oftheUniverse I raised myeyes aloft, andIbeheld NATURAL W ON THE HAND OF GOD IN THE Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I these are sins.” air, anditslife withpoisonoussubstances-- contaminating theearth’s waters, itsland, beings to injure otherhumanbeingsby forests, ordestroying itswetlands; for human its climate, stripping theEarthofitsnatural integrity oftheEarthbycausing changesin of God’s creation, for humansto degrade the extinct andto destroy thebiological diversity a sin.For humansto cause speciesto become To commit acrimeagainst thenatural world is ASIN… IS T O INJURE THE NATURAL W ORLD… ORLD

is inexhaustible, inyour willisour peace... glory iswithoutblemish, whosecompassion History, whosedesignsare inscrutable, whose Creator andRuler oftheUniverse, Lord of Almighty andmerciful God,Father ofall, ABYSS… A PRA Significance Elena Lloyd-Sidle -Water: ItsSpiritual about us? What are ourpolluted rivers andstreams saying community’s values are reflected initswater. mirror makes methinkthateven today, a responded, “Thenotionofwater asthefirst mirror…one memberofthecommunity water served astheoriginal, primordial that before thefirst mirror was ever fashioned, In planningourFestival ofFaiths, we learned SPIRIT… WATER - MIRROR OF THE H UMAN the Franciscan Order Father Lanfranco Serrini,Minister General of destroy God’s bountifultreasures. reduce to chaosordisorder, or, worse still, At theriskofdestroying himself,manmaynot stewardship insymbiosiswithall creatures… dominion cannot be anythingotherthana what Godhasmadeto manifest hisglory. That license to abuse,spoil,squanderordestroy …man’s dominioncannot beunderstood as ONMAN’S ‘DOMININ’… YER FROM THE EDGE OF THE Thomas Merton –Passion for Peace confusions, teach usto understand ourselves. from ourobsessions! Openoureyes, dissipate step across therimofchaos.Save usthen (and sustainability) we mayalsotake thelast might beginthepatientarchitecture ofpeace In thisfatal momentofchoice inwhichwe to wadeinanearby creek, themomentswhen the evening skyorwandered across ameadow lives were thosemomentswhen we watched As children thetruly great momentsinour I look forward to arenewal ofaworld ofwonder. Thomas Thomas Merton perspective. that hehaslost hiswisdomandcosmic gaining hispower andtechnical know-how, works ofGod.Itisinthinkingthathesees, about aimlessly inthemidst ofthewonderful But manhaslost his“sight”andisblundering Thomas Wendell Berry-TheArtoftheCommonplace survival. foster itsrenewal isouronly legitimate hopeof To cherishwhatremains of theEarthandto urgenc Wendell w wisdom onder … Berry on Mert y of … Berry on this on on w the ork… the the sense

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Thomas Berry, Wonder anxiety thathasdescended uponus. to quiet ourrestless soulsinthisnew ageof wonder we experienced inchildhoodwillreturn moment inourlives. Sonow myhopeisthatthe those we love orwhenwe describeanexciting is wonderful, theword we usewhenwe speakof most exquisite words inthehumanvocabulary the loss ofourvisionthestars. Oneofthe our inabilityto respond to thedawnorsunset, of thesacred, oursenseofplay and laughter, to betheloss ofoursensewonder, oursense opening years ofthetwenty-first century seems The maindifficultyinhumanaffairs inthese we could findhere. into anabidingandserene world beyond what turmoil andstruggle ofthisearthly existence and intheendbrought ussafely through the nourished, educated us,guidedandhealed us, It wastheworld thatbrought usinto being, bought orsold,could notbemadebyhumans. was asacred world, aworld that could notbe taking from therichandgivingto thepoor. It slipper andthePrince, ofRobinHood—his world ofheroic tales, ofCinderella, ofher of musicanddance andfreedom. Itwasthe laughter, theworld ofpoetryandstory ­ This wastheworld ofplayanddelight in ourmythicstories ofspiritpresences. explanation, theworld thatwe can express only natural surroundings, theworld beyond human numinous world present throughout our In thiswaywe learned somethingofthe the insects,butterflies. languages oftheflowers andtrees, thebirds, we were outsideplayinggamesorlearning the telling,

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 37 campground. Deep river, Lord, I’mgonnacross over into Deep river, myhomeisover Jordan, I ain’tgotlong to stay here. The trumpetsoundswithinmysoul: He calls mebythethunder. My Lord, hecalls me ground. Deep river, Lord, Iwantto cross over into camp Deep river, myhomeisover Jordan, Deep Coming for to carry mehome Tell allmyfriendsI’mcoming to Coming for to carry mehome If you getthere before Ido Coming for to carry mehome A bandofangelscoming after me Coming for to carry mehome I looked over Jordan andwhatdidIsee Coming for to carry mehome Swing low, sweet chariot Swing Lo Hymns slavery in Egypt and wandering in the wilderness. in the wilderness. wandering and in Egypt slavery of years long after land the promised gained and the river crossed had the Israelites as just dom, ‘going songs, these sang into free Jordan’another, over had meaning:escaping subversive more oflife’s the at end peace and ofhome-coming journey. B asymbol as used is it again, and Again beyond. the paradise heavenly from thislife that divides the threshold over passing for the Jordan’ ametaphor is ‘Crossing South. ofthe American music gospel and in the spiritual especially and songbook, in the Christian place aparticular has River Jordan The River &Songs w Sweet

Chario t

Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Chills thebodybutwarmssoul,hallelujah Jordan’s river ischilly andcold, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Milk andhoney ontheotherside,hallelujah hallelujah The river isdeepandtheriver iswide, Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah hallelujah My brothers andsisters are allaboard, hallelujah My brothers andsisters are allaboard, Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah names theJordan River. States in1867.Thisisoneoftheversions that was first publishedinSlave Songsofthe United There are manyversions ofthissong,which Michael , Ro w ut for the slaves who first first who the slaves for ut the Bo at Ashore - To hear ol’ Jordan roll A-sittin’ intheKingdom Yes myLord Oh, sinneryou oughter beendere Sing itover To hearol’ Jordan roll A-sittin’ intheKingdom Yes myLord Oh, brothers you oughter beendere To hearol’ Jordan roll I wanter goto heav’nwhenIdie Roll Jordan, roll Roll Jordan, roll O brethern To hearol’ Jordan roll I wanter goto heav’nwhenIdie Roll Jordan, roll Roll Michael row theboatashore, halleluja Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Chills thebodybutwarmssoul,hallelujah Jordan’s river ischilly andcold, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Milk andhoney ontheotherside,hallelujah hallelujah The river isdeepandtheriver iswide, Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah Michael row theboatashore, hallelujah hallelujah My brothers andsisters are allaboard, hallelujah My brothers andsisters are allaboard, Jordan Roll

Refrain All thehappygoldenday. We willtalk andworship ever, Washing upitssilver spray, On themargin oftheriver, That flows bythethrone ofGod. Gather withthesaintsatriver The beautiful,thebeautifulriver; Yes, we’ll gatherattheriver, Refrain Flowing bythethrone ofGod? With itscrystal tideforever Where brightangelfeet have trod, Shall we gatherattheriver, Shall To meetHimover there He saidwanted you people They sayit’s builtfour square Have you heard of-athatcity Gonna washoursinsaway to theriver Jordan Oh well we’re goin’ondown Where are you goin’now? Where are you goin’mysisters? Hallelujah You gotta march down to Jordan You gotta march down, march down Hallelujah You gotta march down to Jordan You gotta march down, march down March We do Gather wn t o Jordan at the

River ?

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 39 From thedawn ofcreation, we are one,we are We are thefather, mother, daughter and son We are allonespirit,we are allonename same There is only onepeople, we are one andthe me And itflows through you, anditflows through There isonly oneriver, there isonly one sea And they told meagainand In thesilence Ilistened to voices insideme And whatitallmeansintheend I wanted to know iflife hadapurpose And Isawwaslooking atme I looked intheeyes ofthecold andthehungry To findwhere itflows tothesea I traveled thebanksofRiver ofJordan By Peter, Paul andMary River Refrain With themelody ofpeace. Soon ourhappyheartswillquiver Soon ourpilgrimagewillcease; Soon we’ll reach thesilver river, Refrain Lift theirsongsofsavinggrace. Saints, whomdeathwillnever sever, Mirror oftheSavior’s face, At thesmilingofriver, Refrain And provide arobe andcrown. Grace ourspiritswilldeliver, Lay we every burden down; Ere we reach theshiningriver, of Jordan We are one,we are one one From thedawnofcreation, we are one,we are We are thefather, mother, daughter andson We are allonespirit,we are allonename same We are only onepeople, we are oneandthe me And itflows through you, anditflows through We are only oneriver, we are only onesea We are one,we are one one From thedawnofcreation, we are one,we are We are thefather, mother, daughter andson We are allonespirit,we are allonename same We are only onepeople, we are oneandthe me And itflows through you, anditflows through We are only oneriver, we are only onesea And thatmeanseveryone Is apartofthefamily ofwoman andman Every songever sung Every hopeattheendofarainbow Every prayer to befree Oh, every cryofanewborn baby Every drop inthesea Well, every bladeofgrass onthemountain one, we are one If you getthere before Ido How grand We’ll meetinthat beautifulland Away far over Jordan Oh, won’t thatbegrand We’ll meetinthatland Away far over Jordan A wa y F ar Over Jordan My river ofJordan thatwillbe. church. But I’llfindmyselfanaltar inanold fashioned This mightyriver Imay never see, The River ofJordan ismanymiles away, And thecool waters madehimwhole. Jordan) He dippedhimself(Heinriver of He went rightin(intherushingwater) So hewent rightdown (to theriver ofJordan), And let thecool water washyour spotsaway. Jordan, But Elijahsaidto Naimen,godipyourself in And hesentfor themanofGodto pray, King Naimenwasstricken withdreaded leprosy, And let thecool waters cleanse mysoul. Jordan) I’m gointhere, (I’mgoindown to theriver of Gonna walkrightin,(intherushingwaters) I’m onmyway, (to theriver ofJordan,) The mightypower ofGodfilled theair water, When JohnbaptisedJesusinJordan’s rushing there. And we read thatJohntheBaptist methim To theriver ofJordan ourSaviorwent oneday, by HazelHouser River We’ll meetinthatbeautifulland,how grand! Away far over Jordan For I’mcoming too Just waitfor me of Jordan I’m just a-goingover home I’m just a-goingover Jordan To singhispraise forever more I’m goingthere to meetmySaviour In concert withtheblood-washed band I wantto shoutsalvation’s story When Igethometo thatgoodland I wantto wear acrown ofglory I’m only goingover home I’m only goingover Jordan S/he saidhe’d/she’dmeetmewhenIcome I’m goingthere to seemyfather/mother Where God’s redeemed theirvigilskeep Yet goldenfieldsliejust before me I know mywayisrough andsteep I know darkclouds will gather‘round me I’m only goingover home I’m only goingover Jordan I’m goingthere nomore to roam I’m goingthere to seemymother/father In thatbrightlandto whichIgo Yet there’s nosickness, toil nordanger I’m traveling through thisworld ofwoe I’m just apoorwayfaring stranger W a yfaringtranger S

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 41 the world: glory to Thee. who didst manifest Thyselfand dost enlighten steadfastness of thatword. OChrist ourGod, Spirit, intheform ofaDove, confirmed the Thee, calling TheeHisbeloved Son,andthe For thevoice oftheFather bare witness unto the worship oftheTrinity wasmademanifest. When intheJordan Thouwast baptised,OLord, feast From including theprayers for theblessing ofwater. following excerpts from theOrthodox service, Lay menandwomen maybeinterested inthe with thesignificance andliturgy ofthis feast. Christian leaders will,ofcourse, be familiar state oftheriver today. to reflect onthe story ofthebaptismandon There isnomore appropriate seasoninwhich on thefirst Sundayafter Epiphany. the baptismofJesusonaseparate day-usually of theMagi,andRomanCatholicsnow celebrate came to beprimarily acelebration ofthecoming the waters. IntheWestern church, Epiphany Jordan, anditsliturgy includestheblessing of a celebration ofthebaptismJesusin the In theEastern churches, thisfeast isprimarily the feast ofEpiphany(alsoknown asTheophany). At theclose ofthegreat Christmas liturgy comes ofthe B the Feast and (Theophany) ofEpiphany Feast -The January Times the – and Tropari on Seasons of the

because ofThytender hearted mercy, to behold men. For Thoucouldst notendure, OMaster, a servant andbeingmade inthelikeness of come down uponearth, taking ontheform of who artfrom everlasting andineffable, didst Thou, theGodwhichcannot becircumscribed, awe before Thineunapproachable glory. For round aboutanddofly, veil their faces with and thesix-wingedSeraphim, asthey stand hosts adore Thee.Themany-eyed Cherubim Angelic powers serve Thee.TheArchangelic hast shedabroad theairfor breathing. The With sandhast Thouwalled inthesea.Thou hast established theearthuponwaters. spread outtheheavens like acurtain. Thou water-springs doThybidding.Thouhast deeps shudderwithawe before Thee;the Thy presence. Thelightobeyeth Thee.The glorifieth Thee;the stars, also, stand before The sunsingethThypraises, andthemoon reason-endowed powers tremble before Thee. the circle oftheyear withfour seasons.Allthe universe outoffour elements, Thoudidst crown direct theworld. WhenThouhadst framed the all creation, andbyThyprovidence Thoudost into being;byThymajesty Thoudost uphold will, from nothingness hast brought allthings the praises ofThywonders. For Thou,by Thy Thy works, andspeech sufficeth not to sing Great artThou,OLord, andmarvellous are the From Blessingf o the Priest aptism of the Lord. ofthe Lord. aptism the ’ s Pra W yer aters at -

because ofoursins,OLover ofMan. servant atthehandsofForerunner (John), hasten OGoodOne,to receive thebaptismofa come to thatriver, OChrist ourKing,anddost Master beingbaptized.AsamanThoudidst back thestream ofitswaters, beholdingthe sanctified. Jordan isdividedintwo, andturns made manifest. Today thenature ofwater is Spirit ofthefear ofGod,even Christ whois wisdom, theSpiritofunderstanding, the saying: Comeallye, receive theSpiritof The voice oftheLord criesover thewaters, Thy Holy Spirit,andsanctifythiswater. come down now also through thedescent of Wherefore doThou,OKingwholovest mankind, heads oftheserpentswhichlurked there. heaven ThyHoly Spirit,anddidst crushthe Jordan, inthatThoudidst send down from men. Thoudidst hallow, also,thestreams of Thyself uponearth,anddidst dwell among Thyself; for Thou,ourGod,didst manifest singeth praises unto Thee, whodidst reveal hast sanctifiedaVirgin’s womb. Allcreation the generations ofourrace; byThybirthThou not Thygracious deeds.Thouhast setatliberty Thy grace; we proclaim Thy mercy; we conceal Thou didst come, anddidst save us.We confess the children ofmentormented bythedevil; but

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 43 And thehumansare despairing. And thecreatures are disappearing, Now theforests are dying, We have forgotten whowe are. And theairispolluted. And thewaters are poisoned. Now thelandisbarren. We have forgotten whowe are. We have abusedourpower. We have distorted ourknowledge. We have exploited simply for ourown ends. We have soughtonly ourown security. We have forgotten whowe are. We have turnedourbacksonthecycles oflife. movements oftheearth. We have become estranged from the of thecosmos. We have alienated ourselves from theunfolding We have forgotten whowe are. We have forgotten whowe are. Environmental SabbathProgram Two recitals from theUnited Nations ‘No Nelson Mandela years ago.” from now, just asIknew themasachild,many my grandchildren›s grandchildren, manyyears “Our clean flowing rivers must beknown by beyond Nelson creation for care urging writings Non-ecclesiastical Other w the reflections our Mandela waters o wn lifetime are on seeing poisned & insights …

’ UN Environmental SabbathProgram We have forgotten whowe are. We askfor thestrength to change. We askfor thegiftofremembering. We askfor forgiveness. We have forgotten whowe are. UN Environmental SabbathProgram Earth andtherenewal ofalllife. Of oneloving mystery: for thehealing ofthe expressions We jointogether as manyanddiverse We joinwiththeearthandeachother. To remember ourchildren. To promote justice andpeace To recreate thehumancommunity We joinwiththeearthandeachother. To singthesongofstars. To rejoice inthesunlight To celebrate theseas We joinwiththeearthandeachother. To protect thecreatures. To care for theplants To renew theforests We joinwiththeearthandeachother. To refresh theair. To restore thewaters To bringnew life to theland We joinwiththeearthandeachother. To Rest ore the W aters … Steven CRockefeller, SpiritandNature fosters respect and moral responsibility. awareness ofthesacred values innature to comprehend itbetter every day.” Afresh Once you beginto perceive it,you willbegin you willperceive thedivinemystery inthings. plants, love everything. Ifyou love everything, ray ifGod’s light.Love theanimals,love the every grain ofsandinit.Love every leaf, every “Love allGod’s creation, thewhole earthand speaks aboutareligious appreciation ofnature: sacredness. Dostoevsky’s Father Zossima generate akeen senseofthenatural world’s as awhole must become sointense asto in thebeingofanimals,plants,andearth miracle oflife andofthebeautymystery of anew moral faith. Anappreciation ofthe attitudes towards nature andtheawakening importance inthetransformation ofhuman The experience ofthesacred isofcritical and wondrous mystery inthepower ofbeing. with thesacred, anintuitionoftheawesome Religious experience involves anencounter On environmental spiritual insight action and …

Suzuki Foundation The Declaration ofInter-dependence, David err onthesideofcaution. remember allthosewhowillwalk after us,and So where knowledge islimited, we will of time;thefuture isnotours to erase. We are onebriefgeneration inthelong march cost must enter allequationsofdevelopment. biological capital forever, fullecological andsocial And since environmental degradation erodes wrong. few while shrinkingtheinheritance ofmanyare We seethateconomic activitiesthatbenefitthe clean air, water andsoil. We respect andupholdtheabsolute needfor new politicsofhope. mourning ourvanished kin,andwe now builda We are learning from ourmistakes, we are comfort ispaidfor bythesuffering ofmillions. Our science hasbrought painaswell asjoy; our earth, rain andwind,rippedholes inthesky. rivers, torn down ancientforests, poisonedthe creatures to extinction, dammedthegreat tools sopowerful thatwe have driven fellow Humans have become sonumerous andour the On our natural inter w - dependence orld … with

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 45 John Ruskin a world ofspiritualbeautyandholiness. materiality; andwhichopens to ourimagination breaks, linkafter link,thechainthatbindsusto the shadows ofourplace ofprobation; which within usuntilitisstrong enoughto overlook poetry ofnature; itisthiswhichupliftsthespirit the broad face oftheunsleeping ocean; itisthe it isspread out,like alegible language,upon strong windwithitsdarkwaves ofgreen foliage; or where themightyforest fluctuates before the pierces thethinatmosphere ofeternal winter, of theearth,where theshrubless mountain-top invisible wind;itisamong thehillsandvalleys every star; itisonthesailingcloud andinthe is written onthearched sky;itlooks outfrom Great Spirit,whichpervades and quickens it;it glowing from theimmediate presence ofthe of man;itisfresh from thehandsofitsAuthor, creeds, andunshadowed bythe superstitions, up thepassions; itisuntrammelled bythe no gloom, initsapproaches; itdoesnotrouse quietly, andwithoutexcitement; ithasnoterror, as itwere, unawares upontheheart;itcomes It isameekandblessed influence, stealing in, of nature, whichmanwould dowell to imitate. calm andholy religion intheunbreathing things There isreligion ineverything around us—a nature John Ruskin in the on natural the sacred w orld sig … - Văclav Havel -Politics andConscience such thingscannot gounpunished. disrupting thenatural order of things,andthat they destroy somethingimportant, arbitrarily that, init,humansare guiltyofsomething,that I certainly knew nothing ofit.Itseemedto me science ofecology inthosedays;ifthere was, no ideawhetherthere wassomethinglike a wrong, ofhumanssoilingtheheavens. Ihave had anintense senseofsomethingprofoundly scattered itacross thesky. EachtimeIsawit, of war. Itspewed densebrown smoke and the way, seeonthehorizonahugesmokestack along acart track through thefieldsand,on days: Iusedto walkschoolinanearbyvillage clearly remember anexperience from those As aboy, Ilived for atimeinthecountry andI tuition Vă clav Havel and ecol on spiritual ogy… in - The Christian have received theirmodeofexistence by the a divinely willed harmonybecause creatures various elements oftheuniverse, there exists Thus, even inthemutual oppositionofthe and hasomitted nothingthatisnecessary. very good.Hecreated nothingunnecessarily God declared everything to begood,indeed, glory andpower. beauty, love andgoodness, wisdomandmajesty, the universe manifest God’s infinite truthand and alltogether intheharmonious unityof created origin, eachaccording to itsspecies or a“spark”ofhisBeing;but,byreason ofits No creature can claimto bepartofhisnature wholly dependentonhimfor theirexistence. all creatures are contingent, mutable and other, transcendent andimmutable, whereas his word, andoutofnothing.Healone istotally God created everything thatexists, freely, by bestows onallhischildren. invisible; itisto thankhimfor themanygiftshe that GodtheFather madeallthingsvisible and To praise theLord for hiscreation isto confess faiths could help save the natural world. the natural save help could faiths their how to discuss comeand invited –were Judaism and Islam Hinduism, Christianity, dhism, –B religions world major five of the leaders five which at in Assisi 1986, held ameeting at in created were which Nature on Declarations Assisi ofthe original part forms declaration This commands!” 148) (Psalm his fulfilling wind stormy and frost, snow hail, and fire and alldeeps, monsters sea you the earth, from the Lord Praise created... were and they commanded he For shining him, allyou stars! praise moon, him, sun and LORD ... THE Praise “PRAISE Christian Declarations Declaration and on Essa midway between greatness and lowliness”. greatness between midway both to and to the visible the intelligible order; belonging immortal; yet transient, heavenly; and earthly to heaven; subject but earth, of nature...of blended aking allupon He was worshipper a of angel, kind another microcosm; a world, of akind as second earth man upon set words ofStGregory ofNazianzen,“God responsibilities itplaced uponhim.Inthe the marvel ofman’s dualcitizenshipandthe The Fathers oftheChurch understood well of your hands.”dominion the over works and honour. glory him with You him given have crown and you than God, less himmade little for him? of man thatson care you Yet, have you of mindful is manhim, that are and the what you established; have you which and the stars moon the of fingers, your the work at the heavens, Psalmist singsofman’s Ilook nobility:“When providence are to bemanifested. Thisishow the visible creatures, thattheLord’s goodness and entrusted withauniquedominion over all made intheimageandlikeness ofGodand But itisespecially through manandwoman, inconvenience, thatgives glory to theCreator. itself, withoutregard to man’s convenience or It isthevery nature ofthingsconsidered in bring to perfection thebeautyofuniverse. through theirinterdependence they should will oftheirCreator, whosepurposeisthat Nature ys on Father Lanfranco Serrini Father Lanfranco Ecol ogy

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RIVER OUT OF EDEN 47 women to their sinful ways but has sent the Savior the sent Savior has but to theirwomen sinful ways the Fatherand men that God not abandoned has believe Christians of his hands. toand the works to himself of God’s fidelity proclamation merciful in its resides faith of Christian theBut heart creation. of the rest another one with and with in concord to live women and men for impossible it making injustice, dominationpersonal and exploitation, and of social forms in various in history itself perpetuated has this and rebellion creatures, and God into with disharmony his relationship introduced wisdom according to divine to live man’s that the first believe refusal Christians of universe. the harmony interdependent to the purpose gives and sustains which wisdom that divine against an is offence it gravity, its to an is abomination. According creatures towards of irresponsibility human act Every bountiful treasures. disorder, or chaos God’s or, destroy still, worse himself, to not reduce may man destroying of the risk At his stewardship. over and man over everything, dominion over absolute and the Lord’s manifest exclusive must creation the with other, in symbiosis his self-mastery God; on with partnership aviceregal on verges man’s hand, the one On creatures. position all with in symbiosis other than astewardship dominion That anything be cannot his glory. to made manifest has God what destroy or squander licence as to spoil, abuse, understood citizenship, man’s be dominion cannot his dual from flow which responsibilities of the certainly,because then, Most practical skills. skills. practical and theoretical between and effort, physical and intellectual between work, and prayer between union harmonious a advocated resources, of natural of the stewardship sense evangelical their by founder’s inspired especially monks, Benedictine institutions. monastic through toof the women environment and men relationship influenced the Gospel This punish and the evil. just the reward will he of the world, transformation in the future but, created, has he what destroy not will of the living God done. The has he what for everyone to repay his recompense bring shall he when the and dead, thejudge living coming denyChrist’s to would future of which both renewal, and disintegration periodic its in believe nor of the world, the future about pessimistic be cannot therefore Christians things. good all bestows and life,blesses gives Father sanctifies, and creates the Spirit, his life-giving through and Christ Through pain. or sadness mourning, death, be longer no will there earth, the and new heavens of God’s in the new when, children, liberty of the glorious revelation the future him, towards through in and orientated, purposefully therefore that and is creation invisible, and all things visible all reconciles humanity,he in his glorified heaven into ascended and the dead from that, risen maintain They of behalf on creation. all Noah with and of peoples all the for salvation Abraham with of his that the is fulfillment he Father’s covenant man, made of God the is Son of Nazareth Jesus that confess firmly they toand Indeed, things. all to healing and everyone redemption to bring of cultures and environments during war; during environments and of cultures destruction peoples; among relations peaceful and just for disregard renewal; their possible and the for planet’sconsideration resources no or little with immediate growth, economic for of technology singled out: use uncontrolled be should to complete, be the following today. pretending faces mankind Without which disaster of the ecological the causes Many are creatures. and of to man lead amutualenrichment therefore must in the world human effort subordinate. All be must consideration temporal every to which devotion and of faith in exercised thatbe spirit to grace aGod-given was work For Francis, St. them. through and in,with but of creatures, not only in the name praise, and love with love divine to reciprocate his duty recognized Francis St creatures, all with relationship personalized our sister, Mother Inname Earth, his us. feeds in and his to alikeness, himbelong, bear they To love. reconciling and they do alone God signsof and his providential God’s are they gifts because sisters and his brothers creatures all In his ‘Canticle of BrotherSun’ called the saint voices. mysterious attentively, creation to listening scanned its and to creatures all submissive was Francis of all his through works, his will express can Since God the environment. with relations of harmonious todedicated the establishment are who of and those of ecologists the patron invoked and admired as of Assisi, St Francis of man’s in creatures all with reconciliation aunique example produced News Good This • Truth, of coexistence justice the and peaceful technological over values of moral priority • The of dialoguethe on • Ecumenical goals culturefaith; and between • Asynthesis to pursue: women and men all upon call Christians works, good for everyone repay will who In of the name Christ, of which nature exploitation ill considered • All -wars, of human activity forms • All repudiate: Christians the and dead, to the judge living come will who in of the name Christ, Therefore, of life. quality the for future regard any without the present with preoccupation exclusive the and urbanization; unregulated and unmastered societies; consumer-orientated by resources ill-considered of exploitation natural all peoples. all advances; findings; of of its the use consequences on and environmental the research scientific of degradation. theman victim to make in and, turn, it threatens to destroy of the universe; the harmony within their vocation fulfill total and pursue to of society members as and individuals as not do men and enable design, and will God’s in accordanceof with the human race, the authentic interests not do respect which - cultures of destruction and discrimination,

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 49 mental awareness. awareness. mental tians around the world and has earned the title “ earned has and the world around tians direct effect uponthe future oftheenvironment. perceive ourevery action intheworld ashaving a Ultimately, itisfor ourchildren that we must most usetheresources andgiftsoftheplanet. task isto raise theconsciousness ofadultswho of amystical nature. We believe thatourfirst philosophical posturing, butatangible experience We envisionanew awareness thatisnotmere constant communion withGodonaglobal scale. sacrament ofthanksgiving,andasagift in ourrefusal to view life andtheworld asa or thespiritualroot ofallourpollution,lies our worship. Andoursintoward theworld, death. TheEucharist isatthevery center of concerning salvation from corruptibility and tangible answers to theultimate questions We believe thatOrthodox liturgy andlife hold disregard for thesurvival ofGod’s creation. the dangerous consequences ofhumanity’s upon thenatural world. We view withalarm effects thathumanbeingshave wrought concern theefforts to curbthedestructive We have followed withgreat interest andsincere standing commitment to healingtheenvironment. of theOrthodox Church, today renews itslong- tradition andoftherichliturgical experience preserver andherald oftheancientPatristic The Ecumenical Throne ofOrthodoxy, asa of the O B Patriarch Ecumenical Holiness All His of Constantinople I Bartholomew Patriarch Ecumenical To Commit rthodox Christian World in 1991. He is the spiritual leader of 300 million O in 1991. million World of300 Christian leader rthodox the spiritual is He a Crime Ag ainst artholomew ascended to the Apostolic and first throne throne first and to the Apostolic ascended artholomew the G reen Patriarch” for his efforts to raise environ to raise efforts Patriarch” his for reen anticipation thefinal state of the cosmos inthe Indeed, inourliturgical life, we realize by to Him andto eachother. the Creation backto theCreator inrelationship standing before thealtar oftheworld, we offer bread andthewineofEucharist, aspriests between ourenvironment andourselves. In the are called to recognize thisinterdependence image andlikeness ofGod”(Genesis1:26),we cosmos. Ashumanbeings, created “inthe humanity’s self-conscious awareness ofthe relationships draw attention to themselves in rich biological complexities. Thesecomplex see thiscosmic liturgy inthesymbiosisoflife’s Confessor describedasa“cosmic liturgy.” We in acelebration oflife, whichSt.Maximosthe to thecosmos. Theentire universe participates for they seekto understand theirrelationship People ofallfaith traditions praise theDivine, fashioned byGod. existence, acomplex fabric thatwe believe is the environment form aseamless garmentof and thematerial world. Humanbeingsand extend throughout ourlives, ourcultures, also inacomplex web ofrelationships that horizontal relationships to oneanother, but only invertical relationships to Godand human beings.Asindividuals,we live not and environment istherelationship between At theheartofrelationship between man Natural World Is rthodox Chris rthodox a Sin - - provides an example whereby we may live simply. in arrogant supremacy against it.Asceticism work inhumble harmony withcreation andnot the natural world around us.We are called to for others. We dothisoutofapersonal love for centered neediness, thatwe maydogoodworks public policy. Encratia frees usofourself- personal, spiritualattitudesincontinuity with We must challenge ourselves to seeour equitable concern for others. will beextended to includeanabundance of developing nations.Ourabundance ofresources demonstrate aconcern for the Third World and for others intheworld. Aswe shiftourwill,we we come to ensure thatresources are alsoleft Orthodox theology, Encratia, orself-control— conservation. Byreducing ourconsumption—in Asceticism offers practical examples of live inharmonywithourenvironment. from usavoluntary restraint inorder for usto toward God’s creation. Thisasceticism requires is alsoanascetic element inourresponsibility as thelivingpresence ofGod.Moreover, there the Eucharist, andreceive itbackasablessing, Thus itisthatwe offer thefullness ofcreation at with theDivine. the world injoy asalivingmystical communion world, returning itto Godwiththanks.We share beauty ofcreation, andconsecrate thelife ofthe with theDivine.Thusitisthatwe celebrate the world injoy asalivingmystical communion returning itto Godwiththanks.We share the of creation andconsecrate thelife oftheworld, Kingdom ofHeaven. We celebrate thebeauty recourse where possible, inmatters ofecological therefore appropriate for usto seekethical, legal wrongly appropriated personal possessions. Itis the judicialmeasures necessary to restore view thatbehaviorasantisocial.We would impose the waythey treat theirenvironment, we would beings treated oneanother’s personal property experience inrelation to creation. Ifhuman begin to repair thedislocation manypeople Earth andto oneanother. Inthisway, we may the myriadwaysinwhichwe are related to the that they seekto helponeanotherto understand We lovingly suggest, to allthepeople oftheEarth, judgment ofoursuccess to ourCreator. know thatitbelongs to God.We must leave the We must love life sothatothers mayseeand and reflecting His continuing willthatlife abound. sanctity ofalllife, theentire creation beingGod’s God’s love byexample. Therefore, we proclaim the We are called to bestewards, andreflections of as take from creation. the return to aworld inwhichwe give to aswell a visionwilllead us from repentance to return, corrective practice, avision ofrepentance. Such of touch withourdeepest self. Asceticism isa Excessive consumption leaves usemptied,out consumed ourselves, byavarice andgreed. fruits oftheEarthunrestrained, we become land, from life, andfrom God.Consumingthe a worldview ofestrangement from self,from consumption maybeunderstood to issue from not theabuse,ofmaterial goods.Excessive way oflife that leads to therespectful use,and world, butacommunal attitudeofmindand Asceticism isnotaflightfrom societyandthe

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 51 God. Itisalsoabarometer ofhow we view one defines the relationship thateach ofushaswith How we treat theEarthandallofcreation stewardship role inrelationship to theEarth. (Genesisit” 2:15) of Eden tothe Garden and to it cultivate guard where Heplaced thenewly created human “in All ofusholdtheEarthto be God’s creation, is shared withmanyofthereligious traditions. more satisfactory ecological ethic.Thisethic We are urging adifferent and,we believe, a whole ofcreation andwithinourown souls. making informed choices, bothintheintegrated begin to participate responsibly, aspersons beauty andcreated byGod.Thenwe mayalso worldly environment, whichwasblessed with Thus we begintheprocess ofhealing our must ask,for causing harmto Hisown creation. And itiscertainly God’s forgiveness whichwe sins committed bothwillingly andunwillingly. are sins.Inprayer, we askfor theforgiveness of and itslife withpoisonoussubstances—these contaminate theEarth’s waters, itsland,air, other humanswithdisease,for humansto destroying itswetlands, for humansto injure stripping theEarthofitsnatural forests or of Earthbycausing changesinitsclimate, by creation, for humansto degrade theintegrity and to destroy thebiological diversity ofGod’s For humansto cause speciesto become extinct the natural world isasin. crimes. Itfollows thatto commit acrimeagainst . Heimposedonhumanitya Amen. Name. and for theglorification ofGod’s most holy people, for thesanctification ofGod’s creation, from oneanother, for theedification ofGod’s life. Letuslove oneanother, andlovingly learn and transfigure every detail, every particle of renew the harmonybetween heaven andEarth substance ofatoms to theMindofGod.Letus presence inonecontinuous legato from the The Lord suffusesallofcreation withHisdivine love byprotecting itandallthatisinit. God’s giftoflove to us,andwe must return His is notours to usefor ourown convenience. Itis ecological ethicthatreminds theworld thatit relationships. We must bespokespeople for an over theEarthdoesnotextend to human The dominionthatGodhasgiven humankind careful asto ourbehaviortoward thatperson. another. For ifwe truly value aperson, we are F Available at:www.abc-usa.org An Ecological SituationalAnalysis STATEMENT ON ECOL THE AMERICAN BAPTIST POLIC Available at:www.creationcare.org By theEvangelical Environmental Network on An ON THE CARE OF CREATION Available at:www.goarch.org September 1989 Dimitrios His All-Holiness theEcumenical Patriarch MESSA Available at:www.vatican.va World DayofPeace, 1January1990 Message ofHisHoliness Pope JohnPaul II PEACE WITH ALL OF CREATION PEACE WITH GOD THE CREAT groups. church engaging for useful thatbe might environmentalism and faith between the relationship and crisis the ecological about declarations Christian powerful many are There Other OR CREATI ON Evangelical Ecol GE ON THE DA Christian ogy Declaration Statements Y OGY OF PRA OR, YER Y

on Denominational-Statements.pdf. org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ creation care see:http://www.blessedearth. denominational statements andresource on For amore comprehensive list ofChristian Available at:www.creationjustice.org From theNationalCouncilofChurches An OpenLetter to Church andSocietyin the US GOD’S EARTH IS SACRED Available at:www.creationjustice.org By theFriends United Meeting(Quakers) MINUTE OF CARE F CREATION Ecol ogy OR GOD’S

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 53 degraded status. stature oftheJordan River anditsmaterially on thedisjuncture between thesymbolic ethical. Thisessay orientsethical reflection quandaries thatare epistemic aswell as the Jordan’s polysemic eddies,we find and religious perspectives. Hovering in shape from sociopolitical, environmental, waters oftheJordan River andchartsits meanings. Thisessay wadesinto themurky repositories for religious andcultural circulatory systems. They are alsopolyvalent Rivers are essential, environmental Abstract with thepermission ofSpringerpublishers. (2013) 3:109–119andisbeingreprinted here Journal ofEnvironmental StudiesandScience This article wasoriginally publishedinthe U Fordham at Policy Environmental / Studies /American Ethics and Science ofTheology, Professor Assistant is ZPeppard Christiana Troubling W ima gination and aters environmental : The niversity in New Y in New niversity Jordan contact [email protected]. To receive acopy ofthisimportant essay please River ork. ork. degradation between

religious

III. Educational Resources

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 55 Lutheran Church oftheRedeemer, Jerusalem Rev. Dr. MartinO tto Zimmann those whotake partinit.Iwelcome your feedback andconversation [email protected]. Thank you for taking thetimeto lead thisstudy. Ipray itwilllead to healthyparadigm shiftsfor “syncopation” withthePowerpoint presentation ifsodesired. Slide numbers are shown inbrackets[ ]throughout thisdocumentsoasto keep thestudy in on theSavetheJordan.com website whichyou can adjust to fittheparticularneedsof your group. version geared towards youth groups andaccompanying Powerpoint presentations are available This Bible Studycan beadapted for aonedayseminar, ortwo to three separate sessions. A such asthisone. lifestyle choices are connected to theexploitation ofresources resulting inecological tragedies sacred river valley, butalsoto evoke introspection intheparticipantsasto how their consumer and The purposeofthisBible Studyisto notonly raise awareness ofthedegradation occurring inthis waste water makes religious pilgrimsthinktwice before entering theriver to perform baptisms. Jordan. Securityfences, landmines,guard towers, andarmored vehicles are thenorm.Untreated sewage-laden stream thattrickles through ademilitarized zonebetween Israel, Palestine and the reeds andbulrushes.Thisidyllicpicture isasadcontrast to thecurrent reality ofthemuddy, tranquil, clear poolsandbreezes stirring adjacent palmtrees asexotic birds search for food among preconceived notionofadesertoasisflowing from theSeaofGalilee to theDeadSea.They imagine The River Jordan ispresent inthethoughtandimaginationofmillionspeople whohave a To the B East Middle ofthe Earth ofFriends the auspices under prepared Study A Christian Savin gthe y Rev. O Martin Bible tto Zimmann, Lutheran Church ofthe Redeemer, Church Lutheran Zimmann, tto Jerusalem Jordan Stud y Leader , Savin gOurselves wish to write theanswers where allcan seethem. To stimulate initialdiscussion, askpeople whatfacts they know abouttheJordan River. You may helpful suggestion orplaceholder. “Shall We GatherattheRiver” isshared onthePowerpoint [slides2-9],butisonly present asa you can chooseanappropriate hymnfrom thesongbooksofyour particulartradition. Thehymn A songcan besungatthistime.Songscan befound beginningonpage37oftheSourcebook, or The leader can openthestudy withthisorasimilarprayer: the signofcross oneachother’s foreheads would beanappropriate activity. within your church tradition, invitingpeople forward to remember theirbaptismthrough marking Having alivingbodyofwater present could helppeople to thinkaboutthegiftofwater. Ifitisfitting Suggested Scripture Reading:Joshua3:1;14-17[slide16] handout withthesamedata. familiarized withtheecological status oftheriver basin.IfPowerpoint isnotavailable, prepare a org/www/?module=projects&record_id=23); move through thedata sothatpeople can become Using thePowerpoint slides10-15(adapted from Friends ofEarthMiddle East athttp://foeme. Also note thepresence ofpolitical boundariesandtreaty linesthatconform to theriver itself. industrialized agriculture sites, fish“ponds,”anddriedup oxbows where theriver once flowed. 20,000 feet, andthenscroll southalong theJordan River to theDeadSea.Note thepresence of Suggested activity:usingGoogle earth,project theSeaofGalilee onascreen at approximately D pro Opening pens Your Amen.” and breathe. holy namethat live we You as forisin it desire, of that might creation, we serve time to stewards as examine our roles You, toward and love other, each faith in fervent grow will and all of God’s in us Help this creation. in this study take thattoo part all anoint who of Spirit, your this time together the presence with so of the Jordan, in the waters the Holy Spirit anointed of you with as life, God “Gracious Son your ata jection Reg and arding the no materials s tebooks ystem , f Jordan . ont : Bibles or presence , Flipchart of / living water whitebo ard , ,

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 57 natural resources disappear forever. Jerusalem, we are boundbyvirtueofourbaptism to renew andrestore theEarth before our of replenishing thisnon-renewable resource. AsGodhaspromised ariver oflife inthenew case, humanshave notbeencaretakers. They have simply beentakers, without anymeans We are called to becaretakers ofthe planet,stewards ofthegifts God. Inthisparticular The Jordan River Basinisinastate ofecological crisis.Thiscrisisis the fault of badstewardship. Scripture Reading:Revelation 22:1-5[slide18] Jerusalem—a river Jordan renewed andrestored beyond imagination. an eternal promise. InthebookofRevelation, we are told thatthere willbe ariver oflife inthenew Joshua aPromised Land.It’s where GodpointsJesusto thecross, andwhere Jesusconnects us remember thattheJordan River iswhere God meetsusandsetsfree. It’s where Godshows Rivers are important to usfor manyreasons inthematerial sense.Butwe should always Scripture Reading:Mark1:4-11[slide17] sure to turnupyour speakers): http://youtu.be/82_bhD0_Trw Where ArtThou?Themovie version wassungbyAlisonKraus. You can access thecliphere (be One ofmyfavorite river songs“Down to theRiver to Pray” wasfeatured inamovie called OBrother Question away…” (kindofamore melancholy holidaytune). river andthrough thewoods to Grandmother’s housewe go!”or“IwishIhadariver, Iwould skate sing songsaboutthem—Americans singriver songsduringtheHolidaySeasonsuchas“Over the the cycle oflife going.Andashumans,we are drawn to them.We buildcitiesaround them.We Rivers are important. They are thepulsinglife blood ofthisplanet—thearteries andveins thatkeep altogether. really. Ifitweren’t for thesewage andrun-off beingemptiedinto it,theriver would cease to flow Palestine. Callingita‘river’ maybeanexaggeration inthiscurrent context. It’s more ofacreek Today theJordan River isademilitarized zone—abuffer between thenationofJordan, Israel, and descended like adove andrested onJesusduringhisbaptismintheriver. of theriver allows theancientIsraelites to cross ondryland.Andmost importantly, theSpiritofGod is cured ofhisleprosy. Inthescripture we just read, theArkofCovenant’s presence inthemidst A lot ofimportant stuff happensattheJordan—Naaman theSyriankingwashesinJordan and The River Jordan isarguably themost famous river intheBible withtheriver Nile asadistant second. down, doyou ever findabenchinfront ofaflowing river andjust sit,think,or pray? Do you ever find yourself drawn to rivers? Whentheslings and arrows ofthislife are getting you (Feel Meditation pa ge 37 in free : What this t

o adapt sourcebook) o ther this river according t song can o your you think o f group ’ s ? (R efer needs ) t o Elena Lloyd-Sidle, p. 34 Rev. Dr. JohnChryssavgis, p.26 James Edemeston (1791-1867) From “TheRiver” byFlanneryO’Connor(1925-1964) Rev. Dr. JohnChryssavgis, p.25 Chief Seattle (1780-1866) Fr. Gregory Collins,p.20 solicit comments. Quotes from the Sourcebook are marked withapagenumber. The leader can have thegroup read through themonthePowerpoint orcreate ahandoutandthen Quo are reflected in its water. What are our polluted rivers and streams saying about us?” about saying water.streams and its in rivers reflected are pollutedour What are makes me think thateven mirror today, notion ofvalues water the a first as community’s “The and creation.”God isnot only folly. To isasin It against pursue. destruction path of inecological the current persist that we and priorities that treasure we and for the values that live we for the way responsibility isfor of each to us personal to crisis bear the environmental response initial and crucial “The take can away. none which peace And take can away, none which peace And to meet the day, strength Full pardon, I, that need isnot in thee?What and free. full Fountain rich, of grace, feet.’” my round water river red old here away,this as slow, slow people, to you washed be of Christ, the Kingdom toward moving itself, sin. It’s of pain pain itself, full aRiver that’s to made of because carry it that was rid the River and get pain in your that River lay can you believe, andyou if sea the toocean back like it was it and go that River one from come ‘All and musical. preacher’s soft the rivers voice grew “The humanity.” against crime to the Creator God and a both of ablasphemy water constitutes the vitality towards Indifference interest. and end of the means individual become or property treated or private as regarded be never can It transfiguration. cosmic to calling the and life depth “Water,of the signifies then, is to contempt heap Creator.”[God], the earth its on and to harm to is precious of and [God’s] man, earth man and the white. This isequal for the red compassion [God] cannot. our you land; but [God] to isthe God own thinkwish may that you own as now you “One discover, day one man themay white thing know, which we You God. isthe same our God major belief system.” and in every religion such in as every functions It and rejuvenation. rebirth, life,fertility, new for symbol “…water C.G. noted, archetypal often Jung psychologist abasic so the Swiss as is, tes about W ater , Ecol ogy, and Creation [ slides 19-25]

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 59 • Whatifbeing partofacommunity notonly provided for ourmaterial needs, but alsohelpedto heal • How can people dealwiththeabdication ofpersonal freedom for thegreater goodofcreation, • How could your church community adaptto become afully co-operative Christian community? • Whatkindofqualities does your church community have thatare similarto baseChristian questions: The leader can utilizeawhiteboard orflipchart to record ideas generated from thesediscussion better stewards ofcreation aswell asbetter neighbors to thoseinneed. It’s allconnected. social justice andeco-justice are closely linked, your group can discuss ideasabouthow they can be justice oriented from ofChristianity especially popularamongthethird world andthepoor. Since community isagroup ofpeople whojointogether to study theBible, andthenactaccording to social to “cell groups” whichare features oftheEmergent Church movement intheWest, aBaseChristian Consider theconcept ofaBaseChristian Communityasapossible modelfor your actionplan.Similar From become astarting pointfor anew understanding ofourplace intheworld andourspiritualcalling. is to keep theearthoutofgratitude, humility, awe andwonder. Restoring theJordan River can Since we are atthetop ofthefood chainandnature would flourishwithout us,ourmainpurpose habits andconsumption ofgoods. living upto thestewardship standards thatare implicitinourbaptism,andthenwork to changeour making changesinourown lifestyle soasto bebetter servants. We have to confess thatwe are not advocacy efforts viagroups like Friends ofEarthMiddle East (http://www.foeme.org/), butthrough Perhaps thebest waywe can advocate for therenewal oftheJordanRiver isnotonly through our youtu.be/9GorqroigqM. Note to leader: consider (approximately viewing “TheStory ofStuff” 20min.)atthislink:http:// global shifts.Inshort,we’re usinguptheplanet,andthere’s notenoughleft to “goaround.” dioxide andmethaneintheatmosphere, global populationgrowth, ocean acidification, andother species isalready feeling theeffects ofnon-renewable resource exploitation, increased carbon the entire planet.Regardless ofsocio-economic status ornationality, every memberofthehuman The ecological crisisfacing theJordan River isemblematic ofamuchlarger, systemic crisisfacing The [ slide especially for critical issues like theJordan River? communities? for worse. or better us, defines pursue we accumulate, we and the work our spend time, we the stuff How creation. of the parts for God’sall ofcaring God’s and to love reflect and charged creation We part are Jordan Realization 26] River as t o A Sympt ction om [ slides of Humanity’ 27-28] s Broken - ness

• Whatare somepractical steps your group can suggest to thegoverning bodyofyour church to • www.interfaithsustain.com • www.foeme.org Websites such asthisone: accompanied bysoftambientmusicorsilence aspreferred. Offer aclosing prayer andbenediction Lead thegroup into atimeofprayer, invitingparticipantsto offer uppetitions.Thistimecan be St. Francis’ Canticle oftheSun,found onpage33oftheSourcebook. Ask participantsto gatheraround thesource oflivingwater, andperhaps aresponsive reading of Cl • We willlive outourlives intension between wantingfor ourselves andlonging for God,butthe • We have thegiftsandcalling to renew thiscovenant, andreplenish theJordan. • Ourmissing themarkhassetinprocess theinevitable ecological/economic changesoccurring • We have notkept thecovenant– sometimeswe come close, butultimately we have “missed the • We are called to live inacovenant relationship withtheworld andChrist. Final mobilize for actionto helptheJordan River andyour own communities? the planet,andgave usabundantlife inChrist? Whatwould we bewillingto sacrifice for this? In the name of the Father, Amen.” and Holy Spirit. +Son, ambition selfish of betterment to all. the from And to example, From theory to compassion, ambivalence From to action, complacency from Until moved are we inside us, the waters trouble God May usand keep us. bless “May God only life thatcan adaptto ournew planetisalife basedonGod’s calling for us. around us. mark,” resulting inecological crisessuchastheJordan River. osing Pra Thoughts yer [ slide 29] • Last CallattheOasis Documentaries

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 61 IV. Ideas • SigntheCovenant for theJordan River. The Ho survive, we cannot remain silent. Christians everywhere. Ifwe wantto theriver to it isalsoamoral andspiritualchallenge for revival isanotsimply aquestion ofpolitics– the Christian tradition, andfor thatreason its The Jordan River flows through theheartof them to act. that we care aboutthisriver andthatwe expect Israeli, andPalestinian decision-makers know agenda –to raise ourvoices andlet Jordanian, We needto pushthisissue upthepolitical that’s comein. And you where valley. commitment from leaders onallsidesofthe It isachallenge that requires real political Reviving theJordan River willnotbeeasy. w t o join f or the Community A campaign ction • • fact sheetsto helpyou tell this story. FoEME can provide films,presentations, and why itmatters, andwhatthey can doaboutit. need to tell themwhathappened to theriver, Get inspired. Whenyou’ve gotagroup, you can make adifference. three hundred. It doesn’tmatter. Together, you community. You mightbeagroup ofthree or classmates, orco-workers from your Get together. Establish acircle offriends, document. of theCovenant ontheinsidebackcover ofthis an individualorcommunity. You’ll findthe text endorsing theCovenant for theJordan River as congregations andleaders around theworld by vis atheworld’s decisionmakers. Join of theJordan inone’s communities and commitment to championtherehabilitation Endorsing thecovenant demonstrates Jordan River’s outstanding value to humanity. Covenant isavisionstatement articulatingthe

© Jonathan Kalan / FoEME

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 63 • • than email,and personal, hand-written letters Old-fashioned papermail ismore effective WRITE IDEAS F need to decidehow to getthemessage across. you wantto sayandwhoyou wantto sayitto, you Get themessage across. Whenyou know what society leaders you are goingto approach. addresses ofthepolitical, religious, orcivil your group, andcome upwiththenamesand best positionto make thiscall. Discuss itwith countries thatshare theriver. You are inthe or thenationalambassadors from the need to address your elected representatives, you’re outsidetheMiddle East, you might senior representative ofyour community. If a religious congregation, itmightbethemost might beamayor orminister. Ifyou’re partof one ofthecountries thatborder theriver, this this message to therightperson. Ifyou’re in and wantthemto act.Itiscrucialto address makers know thatyou care abouttheriver Identify your target. You needto let decision- OR ACTION and stories to helpyou make thecase. website you’ll findsample letters, fact sheets, can allhelpyour letter to stand out.Onour campaign blurb.Pictures, poemsandpostcards tend to have more impactthatmass-printed raise awareness aboutthe state oftheJordan. songs, films, orphotos that you can exhibit to the river. Thiscould produce paintings,poems, may wantto designaneducational project about If you are aschoolteacher orfaith leader, you LEARN, CREATE, EXHIBIT are welcome to contact usfor ideasandadvice. strategy to great effect intheMiddle East –you as clear aspossible. FoEME hasusedthis invite thelocal media,andto getyour message attention ofpolitical leaders. Rememberto grabbing stunt to bring the Jordan River to the Organize acreative, peaceful, attention- GETNO and start to work withyou onthecampaign? meeting, sos/hecan learn more abouttheissue Why notinvite your representative orleader to a MEET TICED • O as anobstacle. join you inthiseffort, rather thantreating them political leaders aspartners, andaskthemto positive -you’ll bemore effective ifyou address imagination. Make somenoise.Andkeep it about thestate oftheJordan River. Useyour These are nottheonly waysto raise awareness USE YOUR IMA participation inthedemocratic process. global citizenship,grassroots activism,and it can alsooffer young people aneducation in not only raises environmental consciousness; invite to suchanevent. Amodule ofthiskindis – aswell aswhichmediaoutlets -you could Think aboutwhichreligious orpolitical leaders voice is the most powerful. Please tell uswhat posts to helpget theword out–butyour own you’ll findvideos,photos, and even sample and whatyou’re doingto help.On our website people know what the problem is,whyyou care, to call for therevival oftheJordan River. Let Spread theword. Useyour socialnetworks THER WA YS T GINATION O HELP • Donate to FoEME. WithoutFoEME, therevival • • your local campaign to raise funds. directly atwww.foeme.org or, better still, use to continue ourcampaign. You can donate the agenda.We need your financialsupport of theJordan River would not even beon make your tripsafe andsuccessful. environmental andfaith groups) that’llhelp tour operators andlocal partners (including community. We can alsoputyou intouch with can useto advocate for theriver inyour home equip you withfirst-hand knowledge that you both sidesofthevalley. Ajourney like thiswill parks –idealplaces to stay andto learn -on Jordan River for yourself. FoEME runseco- deeply involved, organize ajourney to seethe Come to theriver. Ifyou wantto getmore Jordan River. FoEME to speakto your community aboutthe Get intouch ifyou would like someonefrom Invite FoEME to speakto your community. us buildmomentumbehindthecampaign. you’re doingviaTwitter andFacebook -ithelps

© Jonathan Kalan / FoEME

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 65 advisors or reviewers. advisors project team, contributors, of our expert views the represent FoEME not do and necessarily of EcoPeace those are / expressed views The contributions. thoughtful their by greatly enriched are toolkits Our Zimmann. Rev. and Shreeve Dr.David Otto Martin Roberts, Rabia Elizabeth Peppard, Christiana Prof. Assistant Parliament, of Jordanian the Member Former Ghazi Msharbash, Collins, Gregory Abbott Group, Dr. John Chryssavgis, Todd and Campolo of the Telos Deathrage Bart Barrow, to including this Carol publication references and commentaries, time, essays, to volunteered contribute who leaders faith and experts and local international, regional, due to are the many thanks Additional Project. Rehabilitation River of the Jordan their support Foundation for the and Osprey (SIDA) Agency InternationalSwedish Cooperation Development likeFoEME would to recognizethank and the NO version. Standard the English from comes quote (Ezekiel cover 47:6) the on front which the exception Bible, with James of the King the taken Testaments,from are New and Old of the Bible, translations English-language All BILICAL TRANSLATIONS CREDITS TE OFGRATITUDE Rand Aljammal Graphic to this campaign. of contribution work generous their for photographers toMany these thanks Stein. ©Ofer FoEME, / ©Daniel Adamson /Pixmedia, /FoEME,©Eddie Gerald Blatutis ©Jos Wunnik,©Jesse van Zizzola, ©Francesco FoEME, / ©Jonathan Kalan Photography: PHO Intern Haskell Inbal and International Affairs for Projects Y Coordinator Projects Koch- Elizabeth Coordinator RehabilitationRiver Project K Abdel Officer Relations Hamour Abu Anwar FoEME Pro Adamson Daniel Author AND PRODUCEDBY THIS PUBLICATION WAS WRITTEN Jordanian Assistant Director Director Talab, Abu ana Assistant Jordanian T OGRAPHY areem Shreiteh, areem Design , Israeli Jordan River Project Project River Jordan Israeli , ject Y , Exterior Consultant Consultant , Exterior a’ari, , Jordanian Government Government Jordanian ,

Israeli Jordan River River Jordan Israeli Team Palestinian Jordan Jordan Palestinian

RIVER OUT OF EDEN 67 For more information on FoEME or to download any of our publications please visit: www.foeme.org visit: please anypublications ofour FoEME on to or download information For more Bethlehem, and Amman, in FoEME offices Tel-Aviv. has our region. in peace lasting conditions for of the and creation necessary development regional both sustainable to advance seek we doing, In so heritage. environmental our shared to protect efforts cooperative of the is promotion objective our primary environmentalists, Israeli and Palestinian, Jordanian, together that brings organization atri-lateral As movement. peacemaking of the environmental (FoEME) at aunique the is forefront organization East Middle ofthe Earth Friends EcoPeace/ OF THEEARTHMIDDLEEAST ABOUT ECOPEACE /FRIENDS Email: [email protected] Email: Fax: +962 65866604 Tel: +962 65866602/3 11181 Jordan, -Amman, Box 840252 PO Office Amman Email: [email protected] Email: Fax: +972 22745968 Tel: +972 22747948 Palestine Box –Bethlehem, 421 PO Office Bethlehem Email: [email protected] Email: Fax: +972 35604693 Tel: +972 35605383 Israel Road–Tel Begin 90 Aviv, 67183 Tel Office Aviv

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RIVER OUT OF EDEN 69 CONTACT US the Earth Middle East. the Earth of to Friends accreditation EcoPeace/ full with purposes research and educational for used be can text The Middle East. of the Earth Friends EcoPeace/ by permission prior without commercial use for otherwise, or recording, photocopying, mechanical, any means, by or in any form transmitted or system in retrieval stored reproduced, be may of this publication Nopart Reserved. Rights © All #SaveTheJordan Hashtag: Twitter: @FoEMidEast the Jordan Facebook: Save Web: www.SaveTheJordan.com [email protected] Email: You - this FoEME campaign about to welcome contact are

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RIVER OUT OF EDEN 71 SUPPORTED BY

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Osprey Foundation