Alydia Smith focuses on what work we can do together to build the world of God's dream.
I have already admitted that I personally struggle with remaining optimistic about the climate crisis; my hope is fledgling at best. There are many reasons for this, and perhaps the biggest one is my limited imagination for what is possible. I simply can’t imagine how our entire society can care for all of creation enough to fight for the rights of every living thing, when as a society we can’t even respect the rights of (let alone care for) each person.
I am churched enough to know that I am to turn to Jesus for help with my withering hope in us as a society. In the words and stories of Jesus I learn that a climate in crisis and a civilization at war is not God’s dream for us and for God’s good creation—we are destined for much more than this. I am heartened by Jesus’ words and teachings; it is my hope, but again my lived experiences challenge my ability to embrace Jesus’ dreams for what could be.
I am schooled enough in Christianity to know that this is where community comes in. Together we are stronger, because together we can imagine more possibilities than we could on our own. My tepid hope is placed beside someone else’s burning hot hope, and together we become a more palatable temperature that can nurture the hope of others. God’s dream can only be built in community. We must work together, otherwise we have missed the point.
The Season of Creation (Sunday, September 8th to Sunday, October 13th) is a time set apart in our liturgical calendar to intentionally involve the whole community, the flourishingly hopeful and those of withering faith, to purposefully dream together how we might live into our Christian calling to build the world of God’s dream. It is important, especially for the sake of folks like me, that we do this work together, and not just focus on those who are "already in the choir".
This Season of Creation, there are many excellent resources to help us all work towards the health and betterment of our shared home, Creation. Four excellent places to start are: 1) the Celebration Guide for the Season of Creation (this package includes worship resources, theological reflections, advocacy suggestions, and many ideas on how to celebrate the Season of Creation together); 2) Faithful Climate Conversations (join or facilitate a conversation about climate change within your community); 3) learn more about the United Church's work in fighting climate change; and 4) explore our various worship resources for the Season of Creation on the United Church website and on GatheringWorship.ca.
Further, there are particular days of action coming up to live out our hope:
- Support calls of Indigenous Water Protectors and Land Defenders, like the Grassy Narrows River Run being held on September 18, 2024 at noon in Toronto. Water Protectors are travelling more than 1,700 km from Grassy Narrows First Nation (near the Manitoba border) to Toronto to call for justice. Walk with Grassy Narrows youth and community members and support their calls for action.
- Learn more about the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Global Day of Action on September 21, 2024. Ahead of the UN Summit of the Future meeting in New York on September 23rd and 24th, there will be numerous climate strikes being held across the world, including many across Canada. Join one near you.
May the God of steadfastness, encouragement and love enlarge our dreams and expand our hope for what is possible, for the sake of all Creation, this fall and always.
—Alydia Smith is the Identity and Mission Network Coordinator for the United Church.
The views contained within these blogs are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of The United Church of Canada.