"Increasingly after my speaking events, I catch myself unexpectedly weeping in my hotel room or on flights home. Every now and then, the reality of what the science is saying manages to thaw the emotionally frozen part of myself I need to maintain to do my job. In those moments, what surfaces is pure grief. It’s the only feeling that comes close to the pain I felt processing the severity of my dad’s brain injury. Being willing to acknowledge the arrival of the point of no return is an act of bravery."
a lead author on the next IPCC report
Joëlle Gergis
Ocean Sunday
Joëlle's article is a must-read this Season of Creation.
In the following video Jason John, one of the Uniting Earth Advocates, adds some gospel dimensions to our context as the worlds wealthiest per capita nation, with the highest per capita carbon emissions. Our neighbours need us to act now!
Rev Dr Jason John, one of the Uniting Earth Advocates, summarises the climate crisis in a single graph.
No longer can rich nations pretend that all is well. Australia must stop being a prodigal, or the rich fool with his barns, and have a Zaccheaus moment leading to restorative justice.
There is a wonderful vision for Australia's future, but the window is closing fast.
What wouldn't we do to create that vision for future generations?
Torres Strait Islanders are bringing the first climate change case against the Australian federal government over human rights.
Find out more and sign the petition here
“We have a right to practice our culture in our traditional homeland, where we belong.
Our culture has a value that no money could ever compensate for.
Our culture starts here on the land. It is how we are connected with the land and the sea. You wash away the land and it is like a piece of us you are taking away.” – Kabay Tamu, Warraber
Oceans of Truth
Jason's written reflection on the need to listen to our ocean scientists.
Liturgy
A liturgy from Rex A E Hunt
Liturgy
A liturgy written to go with Tau'alofa's video reflection, below
More blogs
Our friends at Common Grace have produced another SoC blog series
Videos from previous years
The Ocean is not our home. It's a mystery, and a metaphor for God.
Isaac Newton as a child on the ocean shore: most of the depths are beyond him. God beyond understanding and control.
Jewish people feared oceans and chaos, Fear of God. Ocean also refreshing, calming, as is God. Oceans also exist in and of themselves, as a home to countless creatures. Neighbours in the ocean. How do we decide how to share the oceans resources? We tend to only think about the "economy" and human need.
Reconciliation and Renewal of the Whole Creation.
Ocean as metaphor for God/faith (4 mins) 2013
Lofa is a first generation Tongan-Australian, and a candidate to the minister of Deacon. Lofa speaks about the relationship of Pacific peoples to the ocean, and she challenges us to embrace the concept of tauhi Vā, or reciprocity, in our relationship with the rest of Creation. To see ourselves as part of the big family of life.
Interconnectedness of all creation- Tau’alofa Anga'aelangi 2016
A prayer by Archbishop Winston Halapua of the Diocese of Polynesia, Anglican Church of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
This prayer offers prayers for the creatures of our exploited oceans, for communities affected by rising seas, for the communities of the Pacific who are at the frontlines of climate change, and for a renewed relationship of love and care for the Earth.
A prayer for the pacific
ACT
Torres Strait Islanders are bringing the first climate change case against the Australian federal government over human rights.
Find out more and sign the petition here
“We have a right to practice our culture in our traditional homeland, where we belong.
Our culture has a value that no money could ever compensate for.
Our culture starts here on the land. It is how we are connected with the land and the sea. You wash away the land and it is like a piece of us you are taking away.”
– Kabay Tamu, Warraber
