World Rivers Day
Spring... At this time of year I feel particularly blessed to live in Ōpāwa, to enjoy the stunning beauty of God’s creation - the blossoms, the cheerful daffodils, the particular shade of green of the emerging willow leaves beside the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River which runs through the very heart of the parish.
Today is World Rivers Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the protection of rivers, reservoirs and freshwater ecosystems, as well as the importance of sustainable use of water resources. I encourage you to take a look at the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Trust website (ohrn.nz) The parish is a member – we receive regular emails to keep us informed of river developments and planned events we can get involved with. The 5th Mark of Mission in the worldwide Anglican Communion emphasizes the church’s responsibility to care for the environment.
Our baptism service in A New Zealand Prayer Book includes this prayer: We thank you God for your love in all creation, especially for your gift of water to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.
As Shirley Murray writes: Our life has its seasons, and God has the reasons why spring follows winter, and new leaves grow, for there’s a connection with our resurrection that flowers will bud after frost and snow, so there’s never a time to stop believing, there’s never a time for hope to die, there’s never a time to stop loving, these three things go on.
Thanks be to God!
Anna
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