Saturday

1

National Water Month

2025 theme: “Water for Climate Action.”

This theme focuses on the connections between climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss. The goal is to enhance resilience and address these emergencies through both adaptation and mitigation.  If we don’t address water issues, we won’t be able to tackle the climate crisis on water-related climate challenges.  The international goal is to offer opportunities and solutions that can make a difference for impactful climate action at the forefront.

The South African National Water Week campaign is aimed at educating the public about their responsibility in water conservation initiatives, raising awareness around the need to protect and conserve the country’s water resources. 

In the summer of 2023-2024, water outages became a regular occurrence, especially for those living at higher elevations or in older suburbs in the city.  These characteristics fit all the criteria for water insecurity, such as an excess of demand over supply.

We have no control over weather patterns, but the effects of climate change as beginning to have a drastic effect as far as water security is concerned.

• Effects of the water shortage include: 
• Threats to public health
• Social and economic instability 
• Lack of access to clean water for millions 
• Difficulties with health, education, gender equity, and economic development.

Water is precious! Don’t waste a single drop!

Sunday

2

The water that God called into being is at the heart of all that lives.
Let us be mindful of the many ways water affects our lives,
During this Lent and month of water awareness, we pray for our waters and for the life of the world around us.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the leaders of nations, corporations, and communities of the world, that they may exercise wise stewardship over the waters of their lands,
so that all people may have clean water to drink and live free from waterborne diseases.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the wisdom to shape creative solutions to conflicts over water
in the dry places of our planet, and for justice and peace in desert lands.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, watersheds, streams, ponds, deltas, marshes, and swamps of our planet, for the waters beneath the ground, and for all creatures that live in the waters of the earth.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who travel or work at sea or on inland waterways.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who suffer from too much water in the destruction of flood, storm, tsunami, and ice; and for those people and creatures who suffer as the glaciers and ice floes vanish.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We ask your prayers for all who thirst for water, for health, for love, for wisdom, for God, that their cups may be filled to overflowing.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Blessed God, in your wisdom you uphold creation and renew it again and again.
Help us to see all water as holy water, and all our concerns as bathed in the living water Christ gives us,
in whose name we pray. Amen.

From The Episcopal Ecological Network website.

Monday

3

World Wildlife Day

2025 Theme: “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”.

The critical theme of “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet aims to raise awareness of the potential solutions and successes for financing the long-term conservation of wild animals and plants. The year 2025 will also coincide with the 50^th anniversary of the entry into force of CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

From the highland steppe to the coral reefs, wild animals and plants hold intrinsic value. As essential parts of Earth’s intricate web of life, they sustain ecosystems, regulate natural processes, and support biodiversity. 

With more than 1 million species now estimated to be threatened with extinction amid the intensifying triple planetary crisis, innovative finance for wildlife conservation has never been more urgent. Over half of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) is dependent on nature, making biodiversity loss an increasing threat to financial stability and livelihoods.

CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said: “We have a responsibility to unlock the power and agility of the finance sector and mainstream nature-positive considerations in the spheres of investment. Wildlife conservation finance is about conserving plant and animal species in the wild and contributing to the conservation of our planet’s biodiversity that sustains all ecosystems and communities worldwide.”

Innovative Finance for Wildlife Conservation Investing in wildlife is not an aspiration, it is a necessity! It is everyone’s collective responsibility towards a resilient future for both people and the planet.  Wildlife provides essential services that support human livelihoods and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Forests alone contain 60,000 different tree species, 80 per cent of the world’s amphibian species, and 75 per cent of the world’s bird species, while providing over 1.6 billion people with natural capital in the form of food (SDG 2: Zero Hunger), medicine (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being), income (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth) and more.

Current financial flows have proven insufficient for governments to meet their national biodiversity targets, especially in low-to-middle-income countries where the world’s biodiversity hotspots are located. Though USD 143 billion is currently invested annually in biodiversity conservation, of which 80-85 per cent comes from the public sector, this amount falls significantly short of the estimated USD 824 billion needed each year to adequately protect and restore nature.

On the path to achieving the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an SDG Stimulus of at least USD 500 billion to significantly increase affordable, long-term financing for development, including for nature.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) has revitalized the global effort  to take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, calling for stimulating innovative financial schemes to mobilize at least USD 200 billion of financial flows for biodiversity (Target 19) and aiming to eliminate, phase out, or reform harmful subsidies by at least USD 500 billion annually by 2030 (Target 18).

Today, innovative wildlife finance solutions are emerging to unlock the power and agility of the finance sector and mainstream nature-positive considerations in the spheres of investment and policy making.

No single financial mechanism will fill all conservation funding gaps. Therefore, mobilising financial resources for wildlife at the scale required demands creating enabling conditions, building trust, and applying a collaborative, multi-pronged approach that involves governments, financial institutions, businesses, and civil society, and that considers of the needs and expertise of indigenous peoples, local communities, women and youth.

Tuesday

4

“Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.”

Pope Francis

Wednesday

5

Ash Wednesday

Creator of all, we stand at this in-between place, recalling the advent wonder yet standing on the road that leads to the passion and cross.  Your Word reminds us that we are ash, dust, earth.  May we pause and find afresh the meaning of those words – a meaning that links us, earth, ash and dust, to that all-that-was-and-is-and-ever-will be.  … words that place us neither over of under all of our good works – simply pieces of your great whole.

O Creator God, You saved us by taking on flesh and walking this long, muddy road to Calvary with us. Inspire us to walk a little longer and not forsake the road for more pleasant pieties so that we make of our fasting a more complete offering to you.  Amen.

Thursday

6

A Lenten prayer guide for protectors of Mother Earth

All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
And in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
That we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace,
That we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,
Help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
So precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
That we may protect the world and not prey on it,
That we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.|
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain
At the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
To be filled with awe and contemplation,
To recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature
As we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray,
In our struggle for justice, love and peace.

Friday

7

Saturday

8

Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti of Pope Francis
on the Fraternity and Social Friendship

Chapter Four

A heart open to the whole world

128.        If the conviction that all human beings are brothers and sisters is not to remain an abstract idea but to find concrete embodiment, then numerous related issues emerge, forcing us to see things in a new light and to develop new responses.

Borders and their limits

129.       Complex challenges arise when our neighbour happens to be an immigrant.[109] Ideally, unnecessary migration ought to be avoided; this entails creating in countries of origin the conditions needed for a dignified life and integral development. Yet until substantial progress is made in achieving this goal, we are obliged to respect the right of all individuals to find a place that meets their basic needs and those of their families, and where they can find personal fulfilment. Our response to the arrival of migrating persons can be summarized by four words: welcome, protect, promote and integrate. For “it is not a case of implementing welfare programmes from the top down, but rather of undertaking a journey together, through these four actions, in order to build cities and countries that, while preserving their respective cultural and religious identity, are open to differences and know how to promote them in the spirit of human fraternity”.[110]

This implies taking certain indispensable steps, especially in response to those who are fleeing grave humanitarian crises. As examples, we may cite: increasing and simplifying the granting of visas; adopting programmes of individual and community sponsorship; opening humanitarian corridors for the most vulnerable refugees; providing suitable and dignified housing; guaranteeing personal security and access to basic services; ensuring adequate consular assistance and the right to retain personal identity documents; equitable access to the justice system; the possibility of opening bank accounts and the guarantee of the minimum needed to survive; freedom of movement and the possibility of employment; protecting minors and ensuring their regular access to education; providing for programmes of temporary guardianship or shelter; guaranteeing religious freedom; promoting integration into society; supporting the reuniting of families; and preparing local communities for the process of integration.[111]

Prayerfully consider how this affects our Country.

Sunday

9

The First Sunday of Lent

Lord God,
you who breathed the spirit of life within me.
Draw out of me the light and life you created.
Help me to find my way back to you.
Help me to use my life to reflect your glory
and to serve others
as your son Jesus did.

Monday

10

It was very good

¹In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ²Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. ³¹God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. — Genesis 1: 1-2, and 1: 31

What are the opening words of the Bible? In the beginning God…. It all begins with God. The source of all life starts with God. In the beginning God created….. God is the foundation. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God brought into being this incredible universe, the vastness of which we can’t even begin to comprehend.

What is described as a day in Genesis 1 in God’s terms could be a few billion years. The universe is 14 billion years old and our planet 4.5 billion. Life on planet Earth came about with “the Spirit of God hovering over the waters”.

Our planet has evolved into this incredible state of beauty and abundance we are privileged to experience. Just stop and think of the wonder of life around us, the beauty of the mountains, the oceans, the birds and animals, that spectacular sunrise, all of which has enabled us to flourish.

At the end of Genesis chapter 1 we read “God saw everything he had made, and indeed it was very good”. Everything was good, not just humans. And God charged us to look after, care for and protect God’s magnificent creation.

But we have been seriously disobedient to God. We have selfishly exploited and abused God’s creation, to such an extent.

that we are now seriously threatening the future of life on our only home. We are bringing about biodiversity loss, causing the extinction of thousands of creatures and plants. Through our ongoing burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – we are warming the atmosphere bringing about weather extremes of droughts and floods, increased heat and cold and unpredictable weather patterns.

We have to change our ways. That means recognising we are part of nature. We are not separate. We must live in harmony with nature and all of life. We must care for all life, recognising that life is sacred.

Reflection:

Reflect on how your current lifestyle is damaging God’s Earth. What changes can you commit to, starting this Lent?

Prayer

We praise you Our Lord and God, for the variety of your creation and for the sanctity you have bestowed on all life through creation.
May we know the sanctity of life and foster the conservation and preservation of the variety of God-given life.
May we never – knowingly or otherwise – be responsible for the extinction of a plant or animal.
God, may new life fill us all, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, to know your wonder, your love and the abundant life you give.
Amen .

Bishop Geoff Davies

Tuesday

11

“I want creation to penetrate you with so much admiration that everywhere, wherever you may be, the least plant may bring to you the clear remembrance of the Creator. If you see the grass of the fields, think of human nature, and remember the comparison of the wise Isaiah. “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.”

Saint Basil of Caesarea (4^th century)

Wednesday

12

Thursday

13

“The human spirit has come to believe that compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind. …there now stands a new ethic — that of respect for life, whose validity is more and more widely acknowledged.”

Albert Schweitzer

Friday

14

International Day of Action for Rivers

The definition of a river “is a ribbon-like body of water that flows downhill from the force of gravity.”  A river can be wide and deep, or shallow enough for a person to wade across.

The state of rivers in South Africa varies enormously, with some rivers experiencing above-normal flow while others are barely a trickle or nothing at all. 

Challenges facing South Africa’s rivers today include:

• Pollution: Rivers and dams can no longer recover from pollution.  Pollution emanates from industrial waste as well as faecal pollution due to mismanagement – or total lack of – adequate sewerage plants.  About seven billion litres of sewage are released every day into rivers and dams.  Sewage does not only contain human waste but also pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, as well as partially metabolised medication. This includes high levels of oestrogen for birth control purposes and partially metabolised anti-retroviral medication partially metabolised antibiotics.  It’s not inconceivable that multidrug-resistant pathogens will come out of these places
• Cyanobacteria: New species of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are producing potent toxins. 
• Acid mine drainage: The neutralization of acid mine drainage can change the alkalinity of the water. 
• Eutrophication: run-off from excessive use of fertilizers are wreaking havoc with many of our rivers.
• Alien Invasive Plants: Water hyacinth, water lettuce and parrot feather – to name a few – these reduce water flow and dilution as well as reducing the oxygen levels in the water which negatively impacts the aquatic ecosystem.

In Gauteng, we are dependent on the Vaal River.  The River’s flow is usually minimal, but the winter months can cause it to become a muddy torrent. The Vaal Dam regulates the river’s flow and is located 23 miles upstream of Vereeniging.  The river has its source near Breyten in Mpumalanga province, east of Johannesburg and about 30 kilometres north of Ermelo and only about 240 kilometres from the Indian Ocean. It then flows westwards to its confluence with the Orange River southwest of Kimberley in the Northern Cape.  Most rainfall in the greater Johannesburg area (especially south of the Witwatersrand range) does not flow into the Vaal Dam but below it.

The Vaal River faces numerous threats.  In the lower catchment irrigation return flows are the major contributor to river salinity. Potential long-term pollution threats to the important Vaal Dam catchment are atmospheric pollution from heavy industry, diffuse agricultural sources and further industrial development. Eutrophication is already a problem in the Vaal River.

Everyone can take action in relieving even a little pressure on our precious river by reducing our water consumption; using biodegradable toiletries and cleaning products and being extra carefully about what we flush down the toilet and dump in the drain. 

Saturday

15

 Psalm 65:9-13 (The Message)

You care for the land and water it;
    you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
    to provide the people with grain,
    for so you have ordained it.
¹⁰ You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
    you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
¹¹ You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
¹² The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
    the hills are clothed with gladness.
¹³ The meadows are covered with flocks
    and the valleys are mantled with grain;
    they shout for joy and sing.

Sunday

16

The Second Sunday of Lent

Loving God,
there is so much darkness in my life
and I hide from you.
Take my hand
and lead me out of the shadows of my fear.
Help me to change my heart.
Bring me to your truth
and help me to respond to your generous love.
Let me recognize the fullness of your love
which will fill my life.
Free me from the darkness in my heart.

Monday

17

Tuesday

18

Global Recycling Day

Every year, the Earth yields billions of tons of natural resources and at some point, in the not too distant future, it will run out.

That’s why we must think again about what we throw away – seeing not waste, but opportunity.

 The last decade has been the hottest on record, and we are now facing a climate emergency of unparalleled proportions. If we don’t make significant and rapid changes, we will see continued rising global temperatures, the melting of icecaps, continents on fire and rapid deforestation.

This directly affects humanity with increased poverty, immigration from displaced communities, job losses, waste mountains and natural habitats disappearing. We have the power to make lasting changes to combat this, and with recycling being recognized in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda, we are already seeing many individuals, governments and organisations taking direct action to support the global green agenda.

Recycling is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect our natural resources. Each year the ‘Seventh Resource’ (recyclables) saves over 700 million tonnes in CO₂ emissions and this is projected to increase to 1 billion tons by 2030. There is no doubt recycling is on the front line in the war to save the future of our planet and humanity.

The African Reclaimers Organisation – the informal recyclers who work in streets and landfills – are doing an incredible service to us all.  The Reclaimers are responsible for collecting over 90% of all materials that are recycled in South Africa.

African Reclaimers Organisation was formed by Luyanda Hlatshwayo after reclaimers demanded to be included in the waste management system.  Everyone can assist the Reclaimers by chatting to these people and asking them what items they collect.  Separate these items (make sure the items are clean as the Reclaimers earn far more for this) and leave these bags to be collected by them.

For more information, contact Luyanda – luyandahlatshwayo@gmail.com – or leave a message for him on their FaceBook page – https://www.facebook.com/africanreclaimers/

Wednesday

19

We have a planet that is at risk, where resources don’t have a permanent life. We are going to have to make the decision: are we going to survive or are we waiting for our extinction? One day we will wake up and find people are fighting not for oil but water.”

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Thursday

20

International Day of Happiness

The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness recognising the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition.

We are spending more time indoors and online, however, recent scientific studies suggest that nature can help our brains and bodies to stay healthy.  Spending time in nature can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and boost feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

Plan to spend some time in nature this week – your own quiet time with our Creator.

Friday

21

International Day of Forests and Trees

2025 theme: “Celebrating forests and foods”

In 2025, forests and foods is the theme for the day, celebrating the crucial roles of forests in food security, nutrition and livelihoods.

In addition to providing food, fuel, income and employment, forests support soil fertility, protect water resources, and offer habitats for biodiversity, including vital pollinators.

World-wide, forests are essential for the survival of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, and contribute to climate-change mitigation by storing carbon.

Here in South Africa, Together, our natural forests and savannah woodland systems contribute to the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, the protection of our soil and the purification of watercourses.  We, in the city, may not rely on the forests for our daily food, but there are many, many species that totally rely on them! – this is part of biodiversity!

Even sitting in our comfortable living rooms, we can protect forests in South Africa:

• Plant trees: Participate in tree-planting initiatives in your community or through global organizations. 
• Support sustainable practices: Limit logging, use renewable energy sources, and minimize the use of pesticides. 
• Encourage sustainable forestry: Support sustainable forest management and encourage the use of sustainable forestry methods. 
• Establish protected areas: Add your voice to protect vulnerable forested areas and support laws that ban poaching and hunting to help protect endangered species. 
• Educate others: Spread the word about the importance of protecting forests. 

Saturday

22

Earth Hour

Uniting for people and our planet

Since, Earth Hour began in 2007, it has been known for the “lights off” moment, with individuals from around the globe switching off their lights to show symbolic support for the planet and to raise awareness of the environmental issues affecting it.

More than 15 years later, our Planet is at a tipping point with climate and nature crises, putting at risk the fate of our one home – Earth – and all our futures. We are on course to breach by 2030 the 1.5°C global temperature increase limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement, and nature – the source of our very livelihoods and one of our biggest allies against the climate crisis – is also under severe threat,  facing alarming and unprecedented rates of loss globally.

The next 7 years are therefore crucial to all our futures – we have to stay under the 1.5°C climate threshold to avoid irreversible damage to our planet, and we need to reverse nature loss by 2030, ending the decade with more nature than we started, not less.  To make this happen, individuals, communities, businesses, and governments must all urgently step up their efforts to protect and restore our one shared home. 

With this 2030 goal in mind, we too must step things up.  Amidst our increasingly divided and polarized societies, the Biggest Hour for Earth becomes a precious moment of unity, reminding the world that our one shared home needs our help and that we all can – and must – play a part in protecting it.

Will you participate? Saturday, 22 March from 20:30-21:00 – TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS!

Sunday

23

The Third Sunday of Lent

Loving Father,
So many times I turn away from you
and always you welcome me back.
Your mercy and love gives me confidence
Thank you for the invitation to share, fast and pray
so that you can form a new heart within me.
Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses
leads me to ask for mercy
and await with great hope the Easter joy you share with us.

Monday

24

World Water Day (22 March)

The 2023–2024 El Niño weather pattern caused below-average rainfall and higher temperatures across Southern Africa in 2024.  Many parts of Southern Africa have endured the worst mid-season dry spell in over 100 years, marred by the lowest mid-season rainfall in 40 years and a deepening and widespread hunger crisis looms. 

The expected La Niña (opposite of El Niño) which typically brings drenching rains, remains elusive and it increasingly looks like it may not emerge at all this summer.  Initially, farmers in southern Africa were optimistic that La Niña would bring heavy rains to reverse the drought’s impact. However, recent forecasts predict either weak or neutral conditions, raising fears of another difficult agricultural season from October 2024 to March 2025.  These erratic weather patterns are largely due to climate change.  Rainfall delays caused by climate change have led to decreased dam levels and droughts. 

We are all too aware that South Africa is facing a water crisis of immense proportions!  A combination of factors has led to this critical situation, including climate change, over-consumption, a lack of investment in infrastructure, theft and vandalism as well as the ever present corruption especially the water mafia.

South Africa’s water infrastructure is dilapidated, with leaky pipes and poorly maintained distribution systems.  Compounding the problem is that water consumption in South Africa is high, especially in Johannesburg, where it’s more than 60% higher than the global average. 

As of 1 December 2024, the Vaal Dam was a mere 29% – contrasting severely with the 120% in January 2024.  Johannesburg Water has tightened water restrictions and is throttling water at high-consumption reservoirs. The utility has also revealed that half of its reservoirs are leaking, but it can only fix 20 of them.  There have been Level 1 restrictions in place for some years, which prohibit consumers from irrigating their gardens and using municipal water to clean paved areas at their residences between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.  However, few people actually adhere to them. 

Stricter water restrictions and water supply throttling are sure to be enforced in the coming months.

In October 2024, Rand Water, bulk-water supplier to the greater Johannesburg and Pretoria areas, warned that we may run out of water unless the cities didn’t immediately curb consumption.  Crumbling water, transport and other infrastructure poses a significant threat to the country’s financial system as well.  The collapse in water infrastructure is intensifying just as we recover from a yearslong energy crisis.

To address this water crisis, we all need to work together to curb our water usage … unless we are wanting to face “Day Zero” as Cape Town did in 2018.

Water saving strategies:

• Do not leave taps dripping.
• Wash your car on the grass, this will water your lawn at the same time or better still – don’t wash it! It will run just as well with a bit of dust clinging to the paint!
• Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe.
• Shorten your showering time.  If you want to bath, limit the depth to no more than 80mm.
• Use a glass of water to rinse when brushing your teeth.
• Re-use water to flush toilets and water your garden or pot plants.
• Don’t rinse dishes under a running tap – put the plug in!
• Limit laundry as well.

Tuesday

25

World Meteorological Day (23 March)

2025 theme:  “Closing the early warning gap together“.

“Closing the early warning gap together” is an effort to improve early warning systems to protect lives and livelihoods from natural hazards.

This initiative is led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and aims to enhance collaboration and action to address gaps in order to provide end-to-end multi-hazard early warning systems to protect people, especially those vulnerable to devastating weather events. 

The WMO Executive Council approved a road map to speed up and scale up efforts to ensure that life-saving early warnings cover everyone on the planet. The road map aims to close critical gaps, including in the basic observing network, in satellite and data products, and in the WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System.  These early warning systems will help countries better anticipate disasters, protect vulnerable populations, build long-term resilience to a rapidly changing climate, and cut the ensuing damage by 30 per cent. 

From the World Meteorological Organization 

• No words, no numbers—just a powerful visual capturing our planet’s warming. The 175 stripes, representing each year since 1850, are coloured by global temperatures: blues for cooler years, reds for hotter ones. Its simplicity speaks volumes, requiring little explanation for anyone to grasp its meaning.
• These “warming stripes” have become a global symbol of climate awareness and #ClimateAction. The latest update adds a new dark red stripe for 2024—a colour first introduced last year when 2023 shattered all previous records.

Wednesday

26

Creator God, we thank and praise you for giving us the opportunity to be co-creators with you and to ensure the sustainability of “Mother Earth” our meeting place with God. God as a community of Father, Son and Holy Spirit teach us as the Anglican Community to work together for mutual respect with one another and your creation. We repent for our negligence leading the earth to be in peril from loss of habitats and species. Help us to be caretakers of your gifts, protecting the land from abuse, and ready to share with all in need.
Amen

The late Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya

Thursday

27

Created to Love

In the fourth century, St. Augustine (354-430), an official Doctor of the Church (meaning his teaching is considered reliable), said, “the church consists in the state of communion of the whole world.” Wherever we are connected, in right relationship—you might say “in love”—there is the Christ, there is the authentic “body of God” revealed. This body is more a living organism than any formal organization.

Non-human creation is invariably obedient to its destiny. Animals and plants seem to excitedly take their small place in the “circle of life,” in the balance of nature, in the dance of complete interdependence. It is only we humans who have resisted our place in “the one great act of giving birth” (see Romans 8:22), even though we had the most powerful role! Humans, in fact, have frequently chosen death for themselves and for so many other creatures besides. We are, by far, the most destructive of all species. As St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179, also a Doctor of the Church) writes:

Human beings alone are capable of disobeying God’s laws, because they try to be wiser than God. . . . Other creatures fulfil the commandments of God; they honour [God’s] laws. . . . But human beings rebel against those laws, defying them in word and action. And in doing so they inflict terrible cruelty on the rest of God’s creation.

Jesus clearly taught that if we seek first God’s kingdom and the universal law of love (“love God and love one another,” Matthew 22:37-40), all the rest would take care of itself (see Matthew 6:33). We would no longer blatantly defy the laws of nature but seek to live in harmony and sustainability with Earth and all her creatures. This radical lifestyle demands a sense of inherent dignity that is granted by God and not an off-and-on dignity determined by egocentric humans.

As Homo sapiens (“Wise Humans”), we should have taken our place as what Teilhard de Chardin called “the pinnacle of evolution” or “the rocks come to consciousness.” Then we could join with the rest of creation in obedience to our unique and full destiny. In poet Gerard Manley Hopkins’ words:

Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
. . . myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.

When we get the “who” right and realize that who I am is love, then we will do what we came to do: Love God and love all that this God has created. I firmly believe that grace is inherent to creation and not an occasional additive, and that God and goodness—not Armageddon—have both the first and final word, which we call divine creation and final resurrection.

Gateway to Silence:
Brother Sun, Sister Moon, help me see God in all things.

From Richard Rohr’s daily meditations
www.cac.org

Friday

28

Lord Jesus,
the earth is yours and you have commanded the winds and the sea;
help us to leave behind our consumer demand for plastics and move towards behaviours that are environmentally healthy;
help us to follow your lead in caring for the world you love.
Amen.

Rt Revd David Urquhart
Bishop of Birmingham

Saturday

29

Sunday

30

The Fourth Sunday of Lent

Loving Creator of mine,
I feel the pace quicken, the time draw near.
I am filled with joy as I move toward Easter
and the promised reconciliation with you.
Teach me to follow the example of your Son,
to be worthy of being called one of his people –
a Christian.
Help me to live each day as he did
turning hatred to love and conflict to peace.
I await the new life with eagerness, faith
and a deep gratitude.

Monday

31

International Day for Zero Waste (30 March)

The International Day of Zero Waste highlights both the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.   Advancing resource recovery and reuse strategies are key to protecting human and environmental health.  Humanity’s unsustainable production and consumption practices are driving the planet towards destruction.

Households, small businesses and public service providers generate huge amounts of solid waste every year – from packaging and electronics to plastics and food.  Waste management services are ill-equipped to handle this and local authorities must act urgently to address the waste crisis.  Improving collection, recycling and other forms of sound waste management remain an urgent priority. 

But to solve the waste crisis, humanity must treat waste as a resource. This entails reducing waste generation and following the lifecycle approach. Resources should be reused or recovered as much as possible, and products should be designed to be durable and require fewer and low-impact materials. Upstream solutions like these can minimize pollution of air, land, and water and decrease the extraction of precious and limited natural resources.

Achieving zero-waste societies requires action at all levels from all stakeholders.  Consumers can change consumption habits and reuse and repair products as much as possible before properly disposing of them. Governments, communities, industries and other stakeholders must improve financing and policymaking, especially as the waste crisis disproportionately impacts the marginalized, urban poor, women and youth.

We all need to assess our life-styles and minimise the waste that we produce.  Do this today!