Climate Emergency Declaration: Unanimous Motion Passes in the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI

Congratulations to the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for unanimously passing a resolution declaring a climate emergency at their 148th Synod this past weekend (May 23 - May 24, 2019). This is the first Anglican Diocese in Canada to do so.

Green Churches Forum 2019

Green Churches Forum 2019 will be held on the 19th and 20th of October at Notre Dame du Cap Sanctuary Trois-Rivières, Quebec. All are welcome, particularly anyone interested in the Green Churches Network, the environmental movement or water.

Speakers themes

o Water as a source of life
o Water for recreation
o Water as a source of energy
o Water for transport
o Water and conflict
o Purification
o Water as an element of Creation

Panels

Panels will highlight concrete actions taken in member churches including the experience of starting a Green Church and a review of the successes and difficulties.

Workshops

There will also be hands on workshops where participants can learn concrete skills that can then be used at home and in your church. The workshops will cover the following:

o Composting
o Reducing food waste
o Strategies to reduce plastic waste
o Energy efficiency

If you or someone you know would like to speak, present a workshop or be on a panel, please get in touch with us before the 22nd of May. Accommodations and meals will be available on site - reservations will open shortly after tickets go on sale May 25th, 2019. Tickets will be available through the Green Churches Network starting the 23rd of May for one or both days.

For tickets click here.

Prayers and Resources for People Impacted by Flooding

Image credit: Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers

Compassionate God, source of all comfort,
We pray for the people whose lives have been devastated by rain and flood.
Bring them comfort, we pray.
Protect the vulnerable.
Strengthen the weak.
Keep at bay the spread of disease.
Have mercy on all those working to rescue the stranded and to feed the hungry.
And may our response to their suffering be generous and bring you praise.
For we ask it in Jesus name,
Amen.

Quebec has experienced the worst flooding in the recorded history of the province.  More than 10,000 people have been forced from their homes. On the island of Montreal 94 residences were flooded, 49 were surrounded by water and 55 were evacuated. In nearby Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac more than 6,000 people were forced to evacuate after a dike was breached last weekend. The flooding left more than one third of the homes in the small town under water.

On April 25th, 50 people were forced from their homes downriver of the Bell Falls dam on the Rouge River due to concerns that the dam could collapse. At least 1,000 Quebercers are known to be in the care of the Red Cross. About 100 volunteers and more than 30 staff are providing support in 11 municipalities and are monitoring the needs of 22 other communities. Flooding has also impacted hundreds of people in New Brunswick and Ontario.

This is the second once in a hundred years flood Quebec has seen in the last three years. As reported by the Guardian, scientists say that climate change plays a role in these floods. More such flooding is expected as the climate continues to warm.

With more rain expected there are concerns that we will see even more flooding in the coming days.

BE PREPARED. If water is starting to flood your home, turn off all electricity to avoid electrocution. Do not drink the water if you are anywhere near flooded areas. For more information on the flooding in Quebec click here. Click here to learn how to prepare for a flood, here to create a home evacuation plan and here to assemble a basic emergency kit. For a detailed guide on floods click here.