E-ssentials: Climate Motivators Youth Program Launches, A Prayer for Canadians Affected by Wildfires, and more

Climate Motivator Youth Program Launches  The United Church of Canada is launching its first-ever Climate Motivators program this summer, involving 15 youth from across the country. Each student is sponsored by a local community of faith and works together on local climate justice and environmental needs. The program is co-led by three young adult climate coordinators and supervised by the GO Project in partnership with the General Council Office. All coordinators and motivators are funded through the Canada Summer Jobs Program. The program is based on the United Church's four climate pillars: Getting Our House in Order, Connecting with the Earth, Raising our Spirited Voices, Responding to Climate Impact. The program provides youth with the opportunity to express their passions and act, deepen their relationship with their faith, build community with peers, and work with church leadership, including Moderator Carmen Lansdowne. Find out more, and read the full news story. [Image: Members of the Youth Council for the Pacific Mountain and Living Skies Region. credit: Chris Mah Poy] A Prayer from Global Partners in Costa Rica for Canadians Affected by Wildfires and Climate Change Intercession for Canada, and in particular for the churches and families of The United Church of Canada: Beloved divinity, receive our prayers, may your Holy Spirit accompany us in this cry. Today we humbly ask for your help for our brothers and sisters in Canada who are suffering from inclement weather due to climate change. We apologize because part of the destruction of the planet has been the product of our hand. As human beings in our eagerness for progress we have implemented industrialization without realizing that it would be a weapon against us, forgive us and fill us with your love and grace; help us with understanding, wisdom and discernment to innovate new ways of caring for this great house that you have entrusted to us in your infinite love. Today especially, our prayer is for the country of Canada; we join in prayer together with all the people of the Canadian churches for every creature: human, vegetable and animal, for the air, for the water and the climate in general. We know that climate change is global, but for now, we advocate for our Canadian siblings. Bless us with your answer, that the heat that this country is suffering becomes the human warmth shared by our siblings in raising prayers to You, and thus be able to say as Lamentations 3:22 "By the mercy of the LORD, we have not been consumed, for your mercies have never fallen." Thank you, Lord, for your wonderful answer that we already see, in the name that is above all name, Christ Jesus. Amen! —Rev. María Isabel Sánchez, IMWC (Wesleyan Costa Rican Methodist Church) former Mission and Service global partner in Costa Rica. [Image credit: Canva] Plan Ahead This Summer with Gathering Worship Summer is the perfect time for worship planning, and with Gathering Worship it just got easier! Gathering Worship gives you exclusive online access to the current issue of Gathering magazine, as well as over 40 years of inspiring worship resources and tools from the growing backlist catalogue—quality material, updated regularly, to inspire and simplify your weekly worship planning. Search for music, prayers, dramas, and liturgies (by title, theme, author, scripture, and more); download complete ready-to-use services; access our collection of inspiring blogs, columns, music files, and explorations on worship-related themes; and bookmark your favourite Gathering resources! Watch the video to see how GatheringWorship.ca can help you get ahead! Already subscribed to Gathering Worship? Fill out this short survey and let us know how we can continue to improve our services. [Video credit: The United Church of Canada]

Buying United Group Purchasing  Earlier in June, EDGE was thrilled to host an information webinar about the relaunched Buying United group purchasing program, with special guest David Rourke of Round Table Procurement Services (RTPS).  Buying United negotiates deals with suppliers that let communities of faith get the best value on goods and services that they need, such as video licences, computers, and office supplies, to name a few. But we aren't stopping there—RTPS is expanding its offerings to include elevators, personal protective equipment, towels/linens, and more. By negotiating better deals with suppliers, RTPS offers membership access to resources, expert advice, and beyond. Visit the Buying United website to learn more, or watch the recording of last month's webinar. [Image credit:Buying United] Your Generosity Matters: Working with Young Leaders—Amy Crawford’s Work Amy Crawford has been doing ministry with youth and young adults for almost 30 years, and she’s never been more excited about the future of youth leadership in the church. Mission and Service is providing opportunities for young people who will become the next generation of church leaders. [Video still: The United Church of Canada/Amy Crawford] United Church Bookstore: What We're Reading This Week! Lesser Evils: Daily Reflections on Seeking Wisdom explores everyday dilemmas of seeking the good while choosing the lesser evil from a Christian perspective. The diverse group of contributors reflect on how their faith informs their daily choices, from "Do I take this parking space?" to "Do I wear this mask?" to "Do I choose to forgive you?"   Edited by Alydia Smith, the book includes daily scripture, reflections, personal questions, and prayers for individual devotions or group study that explore how we attempt to seek wisdom and do good as followers of Jesus.  Available as an e-book, so you can take it anywhere this summer!   [Image credit:The United Church of Canada/Canva] Worship Resources  See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. Sixth after Pentecost - July 9, 2023 Seventh after Pentecost - July 16, 2023 Eighth after Pentecost - July 23, 2023 Ninth after Pentecost - July 30, 2023 Tenth after Pentecost - August 6, 2023 Eleventh after Pentecost – August 13, 2023 Twelfth after Pentecost – August 20, 2023 Thirteenth after Pentecost – August 27, 2023 For more inspiring worship ideas and resources subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Our gifts for Mission & Service bring healing, justice, and hope to life. Donate today.

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