This morning, as is my practice on Monday morning I read over the lectionary passages for this coming Sunday and when I came to the second third of verse six of the Psalm for the day I stopped reading…
“O that we might see some good!”
I’d been reading the news headlines earlier and there was not much good to be seen, increasing number of variant cases, a rise in admissions to intensive care units… the only good news was that of Elsipogtog winning the Kraft Hockeyville contest – but even that fell in the shadow of terrible tragedy!
And so, I went back to the beginning of the Psalm and read it again:
Psalm 4:1-8
Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
You gave me room when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?
How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
There are many who say, "O that we might see some good!
Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!"
You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety. … and as I read, I took note of where my breathing calmed…
“You gave me room…”
“…ponder it on your beds, and be silent.”
“You have put gladness in my heart…” Friends, this coming Sunday marks the beginning of Earth Week! I encourage you to get outside, take in the beauty of crocuses and snow drops and other spring flowers that before long will be gone for another season! Breathe deeply of the fresh air, do a trash walk in your neighbourhood. And, consider taking in one of the many opportunities for engagement offered by For The Love of Creation listed below.
Faithfully, Lloyd
Looking Ahead
Today I am in the office until noon and then out doing pastoral visits. At 6:30PM I’ll gather with members of the SUC Executive as they meet to plan for their upcoming Visioning Session.
Tuesday morning will be spent working from home. At 10:30am the Preacher’s Help Group will gather after which I hope to pull together a liturgy for Sunday.
Wednesday will be a full day! Bea will be in the office in the morning. At 9:30 I’ll take part in what has become a monthly, hour and a half meeting with United Church colleagues from the Greater Moncton area, followed by a scheduled pastoral visit and a puppy transport run. In the afternoon I’ll make calls to the Sackville Memorial Hospital and the Drew Nursing Home. At 5PM I’ll host our regular Virtual Community Supper followed by a brief meeting with the Visioning Team as they gather for the first time.
On Thursday I’ll be working from home trying to craft a sermon based on one or more of the lectionary texts for Sunday, interrupted only (I hope) by a two hour webinar hosted by the Region on the topic of ablism. At 7pm Beer and (no) Hymns will begin for those who wish to connect for a few moments over a beverage of your choice.
Friday and Saturday will be days off and on Sunday I look forward to gathering with you in-person and via Facebook Live at 11am as we mark the beginning of Earth Week.
Opportunities for Engagement
Creation Care as Self Care Sunday April 18 (4:00 pm EDT)
Join us on Earth Sunday for a contemplative gathering with music, prayer and meditation hosted by Anna-Bigland Pritchard and Sabrina Di Matteo. Come nourish your spirit in community! This is a bilingual event. Register here.
Voices for Peace 2021 – Radical Hope, Radical Resistance Recovering our Roots in the Community of Creation with Sylvia Keesmaat
TUESDAY, APRIL 20 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
In advance of Earth Day, we will hear from organic farmer, biblical scholar, teacher, and author Sylvia Keesmaat. Sylvia will discuss Recovering our Roots in the Community of Creation. She asks, “What if radical hope and radical resistance meant recovering the deep relationality of Creator and creation? What if such resistance re-placed us in our true story – a story of healing that flows through God, creation, and ourselves?”
Karri Munn-Venn of Citizens for Public Justice will respond, linking us to events and actions from the Faith-in-Action campaign.
Tickets $16.95. Questions? Please email voicesforpeace2021@gmail.com.
Register Now!
Celebrate Earth Day Thursday April 22 (1:00 pm EDT)
Join us on Earth Day to celebrate the 1st anniversary of For the Love of Creation and discern our gifts for climate action in community.
In preparation, please take a moment to reflect on your place in Creation. Step outside and take a photograph of your hands or feet on the Earth (toes in the mud, feet in a river, hands on a tree, arms around an animal) in a place where you feel connected with Creation.
Post your photo to social media with this caption: “The path to climate justice begins with the places we love. #ForTheLoveOfCreation #EarthDay2021” (please be sure to include the hashtags and email your photo to flc.pac@gmail.com) Register here.
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