February 2009
Motivation
This was our first service for 2009. (I’m not sure why I didn’t post the last few services from 2008. My apologies)
The week prior to this event, Victoria experienced the worst bushfires in Australia’s history. Almost 200 dead. A week later still over 100 missing. 2000 homes destroyed. Several towns (of decent size) wiped off the map entirely. All in one day. The hottest day in our history. It’s probably the worst day we’ve ever had in this state, and definitely one that none of us have ever experienced to this magnitude. It threw the entire population into disarray, and we felt it was important to take the opportunity to give people a chance to group, grieve, and sit with God in their confusion and despair.
As such, we decided to keep it very simple. Anything too fancy would be a bit of an insult to the gravity of the situation.
The event was advertised both to the church and the local community.
Environment 
We didn’t go too dark or too fancy. Simple. One candle lit on the altar, and a projector of images shown on the wall from the bushfires themselves (People were given the freedom not to watch them if they so wanted – We’d been bombarded with thousands of painful images throughout the week.
Welcome
Just over a week ago, we were all in a very different place – so tonight we come together to reflect and pray. To take some time to sit and kneel before 
God and let our thoughts, our grief, our anger, and our despair sit and kneel before him too. We don’t come here for answers, but to lay our questions and our lack of comprehension at this tragedy before God.
Tonight is a simple service, with some readings, rituals, and a time of prayer and silence.
We will have some images running on the wall – I know that for many of us we have seen enough and to have images of this tragedy before us again would be too much – But for some of us, it might help us to be reminded of the enormity of what has happened, and use these images are prompts to prayer.
So if you feel it might disturb you, or no longer wish to see them, feel free to come and sit on this side with your backs towards the screen.
We also have a collection plate here for the Bushfire Appeal. Again, only make use of that if it is helpful for your prayer and reflection. I appreciate that many of you have given separately already with great generosity.
First reading
At a moment like this, the first engagement of the Body of Christ is to engage in the ministry of grieving—grieving for the yet-uncounted individuals and families whose lives have been crushed or crumbled by this catastrophe. We weep with those who weep.
Holy grief, the practice of lament, is not a form of self-centered pity but the willingness to crouch with those forced to their knees in the face of devastation. The billowing grief rising from this trauma is very real and will not be disposed of with the power of positive thinking. We have no quick answers or explanations—or even plans of action.
Among other things, the ministry of grieving is important because it implies that the community of faith has not lost touch with the pulse of God’s intent in creation, an intent confirmed in the rainbow promise of Genesis 6 (following the flood), ratified in the crucified career of Jesus and dramatically broadcast in Revelation promising the new heaven and the new earth, when all tears will be dried and death itself shall be defeated
Furthermore, the ministry of grieving reminds us that we are not engineers of the coming Reign of Peace, but witnesses, pointing to where this Promise is breaking out even in our midst, even in this last week.
Story 
A story was then read which had appeared in a national newspaper in the past week.
It is currently available here.
Prayer/Silence
God of our hearts,
We are heavy with sadness at the tragedy that has befallen so many people….….
Our minds struggle to come to terms with the horror of these past few days……
Our hearts are like stones in our chests,
as we mourn the dead and stand in solidarity with the survivors…..……….
Lord, where is the joy, peace, hope and safety that you promised?
Have you forgotten us, Lord?
Let us know pause in silent prayer before God.
(Silence)
Responsive reading
For those who have lost loved ones. Families, friends, colleagues, neighbours.
Lord have Mercy
For those who have lost someone they depended on, for comfort, companionship, security and livelihood
Lord have Mercy
For those who have been forced to experience or witness the loss of children
Lord have Mercy
For those who have lost property, belongings, and the objects which created meaning for them and a sense of home and place
Lord have Mercy
For those who have survived unscathed or with little injury, and the guilt they may experience in regards to their neighbours who have lost everything
Lord have Mercy
For those who now have to live with memories and experiences that no one should ever have.
Lord have Mercy
For those who have experienced loss while having to continue working through their suffering – CFA members, nurses, doctors, police, and rescue workers.
Lord have Mercy
For those who still don’t know what has become of their loved ones or their homes.
Lord have Mercy
For those who are now struggling to put pieces of their lives back together through the chaos, living in tents or sleeping on couches, waiting for normality to return, one day.
Lord have Mercy
For those who are already suffering another disadvantage – illness, infirmity, disability, poverty.
Lord have Mercy
For those who live in fear, having lost the safety and security that they experienced just over a week ago.
Lord have Mercy
For the children who have survived this experience, and for how it will play out as they develop and mature.
Lord have Mercy
For those who face exhaustion from days of vigilance as they protect and prepare their properties in nearby areas.
Lord have Mercy
For the emergency personnel who continue to fight, not letting themselves stop from grief or despair.
Lord have Mercy
For those who have responsibility for the coordination of the rescue efforts, and the massive, unexpected job that has been placed upon their shoulders.
Lord have Mercy
For the land, and the years it will take to recover.
Lord have Mercy
For those who have lost jobs, farms, and future income and purpose.
Lord have Mercy
For the towns that are no more, and will never be able to be the same.
Lord have Mercy
For all of us who despair at the loss, and our inability to do enough to help.
Lord have Mercy
Lighting of candles/ritual action
We know invite you to come and light a candle, as an act of prayer and petition. For those who have died, for those who have lost much, and for all of us who survive in a changed world.
(Music)
(Change image/slideshow)
Closing prayer
Lord of the Resurrection.
Lord of new birth
Lord of growth and regrowth.
As hard as it seems now, as we look at the pictures of destruction shown to us, we know that very soon, life will return to the bush. Green shoots will emerge from the trees, and the blending of black trunks with green leaves will remind us that life cannot be entirely destroyed.
As the forests recover, so too Lord give those who have suffered much the support, strength and nourishment to grow again, in their own time. For those who cannot or will not return, give them new places to call home. Make them part of new communities and find solace and strength in the new lives you grant to them.
Amen.
