Introduction to water week
This week, Climate Action Month wraps up on the theme of water. Over the next couple of days, we’ll celebrate rivers, explore how taking a watershed approach can help us build resilience to address the climate crisis, and learn about climate impacts on Canadian watersheds.
Ched Myers, theologian and watershed disciple, says, “We can’t easily fathom a plan to care for the entire planet, but we can envision our watershed.” So when the burden of climate action seems insurmountable, let us consider what we can do in our own local watershed.
Today is also World Rivers Day, a celebration of the world’s waterways. The day highlights the values of rivers and aims to increase awareness and encourage improved protection and stewardship of rivers around the word. Today’s actions and resource mark World Rivers Day with prayer, thanksgiving and celebration.
As Climate Action Month ends on Wednesday, we ask you to share with us what you learned this month, what actions you were able to complete, and what you pledge to do in the year ahead for climate justice. Share your learnings and actions with Beth by email at blorimer@kairoscanada.org or share your completed Climate Action Card on social media, using #KAIROSClimateAction and #30DayKAIROSChallenge for your chance to win a copy of Jen Gobby’s More Powerful Together: Conversations with Climate Activists and Indigenous Land Defenders or a print by French/Indigenous artist, Alanah Jewell of Morning Star Designs.
TODAY’S RESOURCE
Read this prayer from the River Sunday liturgy for the Fourth Sunday in the Season of Creation developed by St Hilda’s By the Sea Anglican Church:
God, our Creator, whose glory fills our planet, help us to discern your vibrant presence among us, especially in the wonders of the rivers, the streams and waterways of Earth. Help us to be in solidarity with your wilderness creatures who are suffering. Lift our spirits to rejoice with the vibrant world of the rivers. In the name of Christ, who reconciles and restores all things in creation. Amen.
Learn the Nibi Song, an Anishinabemowin song by Doreen Day, and sing it in gratitude for the water today.
TODAY’S ACTION
Each Sunday this month, we have offered actions for contemplation as a way to step back, center our thoughts and acknowledge our feelings as we work towards climate justice. Today’s action is to celebrate! In recognition of World Rivers Day, take a moment today to celebrate creation through your local waterway. Here are some ways you can celebrate today: take a walk by the water, visit a local park, perform a blessing or offer tobacco to the waters, or give thanks for your local water body in prayer. You could also celebrate by preparing a meal with local harvest that was able to grow and thrive because of your local waterway. Share your celebration on social media with #KAIROSClimateAction and #30DayKAIROSChallenge.
We carry heavy burdens this year and in our ongoing work for climate justice – may we lay them down by the riverside and let streams of living justice flow!
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