Thoughts from The Vicarage with Creation Care, Butterflies and a question
Greetings!
Please find Pews News attached with dates, readings and prayer suggestions.
Thank you to those who have been in touch with regards to confirmation (November 29th 6.30pm) and to those who are still thinking about it or baptism there is plenty of time to pray and ask any questions.
Remember care for creation with the Big Butterfly Count is back! It is continuing until Sunday 6th August. Simply choose a place to spot butterflies. Watch for 15 minutes. Then record which species you see. The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey involving counting of butterflies we see. All you need is here https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/
Recently the media has been describing “the world’s hottest day since records began.” We’ve heard about wildfires in Canada, soaring, almost unbearable heatwaves across Southern Europe and suffocating smog in New York city. What we don’t hear so much about is the number of peoples who are being forced to migrate, to move home due to the change in the climate. In her book Climate Migrants photographed on Pews News this week Rebecca Hirsch writes that by 2050 25 million people will become involuntary migrants due to climate change because their homes will become uninhabitable … a statistic, yes but one which has prompted some of the suggestions for prayer this week.
And of course, it prompts the question of where is the church on these complicated questions about the care of creation? What does our Christian story contribute to the discussion? Next week, Sunday July 30th, Christine will be leading the Benefice service as it is St James Patronal Festival when care for creation will be her focus. Please do put that date in your diary as we all consider that big question – one of which Bishop Olivia works to bring to the fore both locally and nationally within the Church of England.
This week I have chosen another prayer card from the rack in each church. It is one which rejoices in creation, on the theme of Being Thankful it boasts vibrant cherry blossom with the words of the psalmist;
‘Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.’ Psalm 106:1 Please do help yourself to any of the cards!
And finally, a prayer which seems so apt for these times written by Canon Alan Deboo:
God of all peoples,
whose love is without limit,
enlarge our vision
of your redeeming love and care for all.
By the example of your Son
make us ready to welcome
those seeking refuge among us.
May neither selfishness nor hardness of heart
cause us to devalue any for whom Christ died
or mistreat any in whom he lives.
Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
God bless
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice