By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

Canberra does autumn well—the leaves on the trees, the stunning skies and warm sun in the middle of the day. We know what’s coming, but it is so nice to be in this moment.

Last year, I attended a workshop led by Ngunawal custodian Tyronne Bell on the six Ngunawal seasons. Tyronne introduced me to other ways of seeing the changes in the plants and animals that can mark this time of year.

Autumn can be viewed as a time of change, transformation, paring back and preparation. Here are some prayers that capture Autumn’s essence and invitation. I wonder what a particularly Canberran ode or prayer might sound like.

God of all seasons by Ruth Flatman

God of all seasons,
we thank you that you are with us in times of joyful abundance
as well as in the cold, hard difficult times.
We thank you for the gift of autumn, for its
berry bounty, vibrant colours, crisp leaves and first frosts.
In the cycles of the earth’s seasons,
as autumn’s elegant beauty preludes the stripping away of winter,
help us to let go of all that we cling to
and free us from all that ensnares us.
Give us the courage to acknowledge our pain and weakness
and trust that fruitfulness can emerge from our vulnerability.

Amen.

The stars are singing by Richard Sharples

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1, NRSV)

Heavenly God, we praise and adore you.
We lift our hearts to you, for you are our all.
We see your fingerprints in clouds, in the hills and trees,
on glossy apples and dewy grass.
We see your image in the face of the child looking up in trust;
in the stillness of someone listening intently to another.
We look for you now, Lord.
We listen for your voice.
We seek your wisdom.
May She come and be with us as we worship together today.

Amen.