Climate change

This morning at the DRAE Assembly we are focused on Global Climate change. This is no mere theoretical discussion. Very mindful that in Chennai, India’s sixth largest city, millions of people are running out of water. The reservoirs that have traditionally supplied Chennai are nearly all dry, leaving the city suffering from an acute water shortage. Water is being brought in to Chennai neighborhoods in trucks. Every day, hundreds of thousands of residents have no choice but to stand in line for hours in soaring summer temperatures, filling dozens of cans and plastic containers.
With supplies strictly rationed, many wealthier families have taken to relying on expensive private water tankers. Although the municipal body has worked to prioritize low income households, residents who book government water tankers could still wait up to a month.
Droughts in India are an annual problem but this year’s water shortage has coincided with a fatal nationwide heatwave. Only a quarter of Indian households have drinking water at home, and about 200,000 people die each year from inadequate supply or water contamination.
We pray for our diaconal sisters in India - for their families, and the communities in which they serve.

Resilience:God's Mission in Difficult Times

"Missional Voices" national gathering was held 13th-15th June in New Orleans. The theme was 'Resilience: God's Mission in Difficult Times'. There are so many conferences addressing this kind of theme, and it's great for Deacons and Deaconesses to contribute to the conversation.
There were 5 Deacons attending this particular meeting from the Association for Episcopal Deacons: Elaine Gant Clements (Louisiana), Lois Rayner Maberry (Western Louisiana), Brenda Gilbert (Western NC) L Sue Von Rautenkranz (Washington), and Maureen Hagen (Oregon).

Downloads of some of the presentations can be found on this page (scroll down). 

DRAE Assembly

The DRAE (DIAKONIA Region Africa Europe) Assembly is to take place in Scotland, 19th to 24th June. The theme is 'For such a time as this' (Esther 4.14). The venue is the Queen Margaret University, Musselburg, Edinburgh. John Bell has been invited to present on the theme.
It is wonderful that 185 participants from 16 countries have registered.
Prayers for the DRAE ExCo, and the planners and hosts for the DRAE Assembly.

Edinburgh castle

A prayer by the Church of Scotland Diaconate in the last hours before the Assembly begins.
Let us pray for guidance & wisdom:
Lord Jesus, you came to serve,
not to be served,
form within us your generous spirit;
Fill us with your love,
that we may love the Father
as you love him.
Fill us with your compassion,
that we may see our brothers and sisters
as you see them.
Fill us with your courage,
that we may give our lives in service to the Church
as you gave your life for all your children.
Fill us with that Spirit
which will make us
preachers of your Word,
ministers of service ,
servants of your Bride,
friends of the poor,
and a voice of the forgotten.
Transform us through your Holy Spirit
so that we may transform the world into
your Kingdom of justice and faith.
Amen.
Fr. Benedict D. O'Cinnsealaigh
(Adapted)