April 14th
Five Minutes on Friday #68

 

TO MEND THE WORLD

 

Earth Day is coming to Earth on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Mennonite Church Sask's CERT (Climate Emergency Response Team) invites you to experience God's creations, for discovery, for learning, for contemplation, for action and for prayer.

Here are some ideas of some things you might undertake:

  1. Commit to an Earth Week pledge, a new endeavour. There's always something more we can do to show love for God's creation. What can you commit to do each day of this special week? We offer a few suggestions. Every day is Earth Day this week!
    • Turn down any purchase packaged or served in plastic.
    • Replace old light bulbs with LED bulbs, one or two per day, at home/work.
    • Choose an environmental organization each day to which to send a donation, supporting work they do for the planet.
    • Spend intentional time outside each day, no matter what the weather offers. Take one picture each day to capture what has especially impressed you outdoors, for what you are grateful, where God is revealed
    • Turn down your home's thermostat, one degree each day. Turn up the number of sweaters!
    • Plan a car free day. Walk, ride a bus or cycle. Discourage needless vehicle idling.
    • Pursue one of the advocacy asks at
    • https://mcccanada.ca/advocacy-addressing-impacts-climate-change
      • Explore a new website each day, to learn more about what is being done, and what more you can do, to care for our planet. Examples:
    • https://www.youtube.com/@globalweirding (Katharine Hayhoe)
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PslL9WC-2cQ (Katharine Hayhoe for kids)
    • https://fortheloveofcreation.ca/ (faith based organization for climate justice)
    • https://arocha.ca/ (faith based organization for climate science)
    • Each day give thanks for one of God's gifts given in the natural world. Keep a record. 
  1. Earth Day Scavenger Hunt We invite you to step outside and look for the prescribed treasures listed below. Share with your companions where you have seen God's hand at work. Please take 1 picture of each of the 9 items and post it on social media #CERTEarthDay.
    • something yellow
    • a piece of sky
    • a photo taken from below, something new this spring
    • a photo taken from above, something new this spring
    • a spike, a spiral or a circle
    • the horizon
    • bark
    • a human design of something that addresses climate change
    • something that speaks to you of God's handiwork and sparks gratitude for a marvellous gift from God 
  1. Earth Day Walk. Take a walk in nature, alone, with a friend, or with your family. Reflect on moments of that experience. How did God reach you outside? Share a highlight, #CERTEarthDay.

(Thanks to Val R. for passing this along)

SUNDAY GOSPEL – Luke 24.13-35

I am feeling a prompt to use this story as a reminder that we are on a faith journey. We experience the discouragement of the disciples, the teachings of Jesus from the biblical text, and then the final recognition of the resurrected Jesus as he takes, gives thanks and breaks the bread. Our spiritual lives most resemble a pilgrimage as we seek for Jesus, only to discover that he is on the journey with us. And the journey is not complete until we share the energy and the excitement of Jesus with others. This text speaks to me of quest - of discovery - of mission. As someone has said, they want to use their retirement years as a time to become a saint. We are all on that journey.  [Claire]

https://youtu.be/8MNbHQLnawA - I want Jesus to walk with me