Canada

"For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face."  - Psalm 11:7

My favorite duty at our annual June church retreat, high in the Colorado mountains, is waking up early to start the fire in the grand meeting space fireplace. Sipping coffee and waiting for the fire to warm the lodge, I would meditate on the day’s schedule of devotions, studies and prayers which lead to sharing, testimonies, tears and healing.

Participants at the retreat would slowly be drawn to the warm hearth. The warm and dancing flames radiate out the raw power of fire reflected inside of us, which was recognized by our ancients’ ones. 

New York Passes Climate Legislation, Invests in Nation’s Largest Wind Farm

Last week, New York passed legislation — the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act — to pursue the nation's most ambitious set of climate challenges and goals, including cutting emissions 85 percent by 2050 and requiring utilities to get 70 percent of their energy from renewables by 2030. It will also pursue new wind energy projects, which aim to generate 9,000 megawatts with new turbines off the coast by 2035.

Last month at the annual Synod of the CRCNA, an overture was advanced concerning a decision made at Synod 2012 about climate change. In 2012, Synod adopted the CRCNA’s Creation Stewardship Task Force’s recommendations on the issue which in-part concluded a “near-consensus … that climate change is occurring and is very likely due to human activity and that human-made climate change poses a threat to the world” (Acts of Synod 2012, p. 803).

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." - Romans 12:10-11

German Ship Captain Threatened with Prison for Rescuing Migrants

The German captain of a ship that rescued 53 refugees at sea was arrested Saturday after she attempted to dock at a port in Lampedusa, Sicily.

“Will you give me a drink?” asked Jesus of the Samaritan woman. This story found in John 4:7-26 illustrates Jesus’ deep love for all women even those rejected by mainstream society. In this story, a Samaritan woman is at the well with Jesus, about to draw water for herself. Jesus asks her to get him a drink. Shocked at his request because Samaritans  and Jews didn’t mix, a conversation ensues.

Happy National Indigenous People’s Day!  With summer upon us we wanted to contribute to your summer book clubs and reading lists with Justice and Reconciliation Mobilizer - Shannon Perez’s Top 5 thought provoking reads.  Covering the spectrum from U.S. to Canada and fiction to non-fiction, this reading list is guaranteed to get you thinking.

"God, we pray for correction and justice"

Canada to Ban Single-Use Plastics by 2021

In my work as a business professor over the past four years, I have been researching what happens to our brains when watching online lectures.