LET JUSTICE AND PEACE FLOW

Let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5: 24

These words from the prophet Amos call to us as we begin the Season of Creation, a time when Christians around the world, from across denominations, commit the month of September as a season to celebrate God’s beautiful Earth and renew our shared commitment to preserving and restoring that beauty.

The season begins on 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

This year we come together for this season at a time of extreme temperatures, where we have witnessed flooding and blazing fires across the Northern Hemisphere and the month of July has been marked as the world's hottest month on record. These extreme records have coincided with Antarctic sea ice dropping to a record winter low, a record that has scientists deeply concerned and has led António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, to state that we are seeing the era of global warming ending and the era of global boiling arrive. For us in Australia, it is highly likely that we too may experience another black summer bushfire season which is both confronting and frightening.

As we hold the deep grief and lament of witnessing these climate ‘milestones’ we know our collective calls for urgent action are more important than ever. In his Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2023, Pope Francis reminds us that, We can and we must prevent the worst from happening. Truly, much can be done provided we come together like so many streams, brooks and rivulets, merging finally in a mighty river to irrigate the life of our marvellous planet and our human family for generations to come. So let us join hands and take bold steps to Let Justice and Peace Flow throughout our world.

During this Season of Creation we are invited to join the river of justice and peace on behalf of all Creation and to converge our individual identities in this greater movement for justice, just like tributaries come together to form a mighty river. As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice creating hope instead of despair. May we be people of action and of prayer.

This year R U Ok day will be held on Thursday the 14th of September. R U OK day is a day to encourage people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. It is about building motivation, confidence and skills of the help-giver to have meaningful conversations with someone who is struggling.

Growing Good Men: Father and Teenage Son Weekend Experience

20 - 22 October 2023, Cataract Scout Camp, Appin

One of the most important influences in the lives of men is the relationship they had with their father or significant father figure. The encouragement and affirmation that this relationship could, and should, provide is a key ingredient for how young men view themselves and embrace their gifts as they take their place in the world.

Don’t miss this life-changing father and son weekend! Spots are limited to just 25 fathers with their sons aged between 12 and 16 years. This is a unique opportunity for dads and their sons to embark on a quest of discovery with Robert Falzon and the team from menALIVE. Register here.