“To be an incarnational follower of Christ, there must be a relinquishing of control, a reversal of social order. According to the natural perceptions of this world, it’s an upside-down kingdom. But it’s a kingdom of God-saturated imagination. It’s the way of the Cross.”

― Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus

Myanmar earthquake death toll tops 2,000, as health system ‘overwhelmed’

The fallout from Myanmar’s earthquake has overwhelmed parts of the healthcare system, the World Health Organization has said, as the official death toll rose to more than 2,000, with many more missing. Rescue operations faced “significant obstacles including damaged roads, collapsed bridges, unstable communications and the complexities related to civil conflict”, the WHO said in an update. “The earthquake’s devastation has overwhelmed healthcare facilities in the affected areas, which are struggling to manage the influx of injured individuals. There is an urgent need for trauma and surgical care, blood transfusion supplies, anesthetics, essential medicines, and mental health support,” the UN health agency added. Later on Monday, Myanmar’s junta announced Friday’s major earthquake had led to the deaths of 2,056 people. A spokesperson said that 270 more people were still missing, with 3,900 people injured.

Father, amidst an ongoing civil war, this earthquake is yet another devastation to those whose lives have already been made so difficult. We pray that recovery efforts may, amidst recovering bodies, work their hardest to find those who are still clinging to life: may they save as many as possible amidst such devastation. Lord, for all those lost, we pray.

Ice Storm

A devastating ice storm left hundreds of thousands without power across Ontario and parts of Eastern Canada, with Central Ontario bearing the brunt of the damage. Hydro One reported over 396,000 Ontario customers affected, with some facing outages until Friday. Municipalities like Orillia and Muskoka declared states of emergency due to widespread downed trees and power lines. The storm's eastward trajectory brought freezing rain and power outages to Quebec, impacting the Laurentians and Lanaudière regions, and warnings were issued for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The storm caused significant property damage, school and business closures, and prompted the opening of warming centers for displaced residents.

Loving God, in this storm's aftermath, we lift up those without power and shelter. Grant them warmth and safety. Strengthen the hands of those restoring aid. May your church be a beacon of hope, reflecting your justice and compassion. Guide us to serve, to share, and to rebuild, embodying your love. Amen.

Israel killed 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers one by one, says UN

Fifteen Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers, including at least one United Nations employee, were killed by Israeli forces “one by one” and buried in a mass grave eight days ago in southern Gaza, the UN has said. According to the UN humanitarian affairs office (Ocha), the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) and civil defense workers were on a mission to rescue colleagues who had been shot at earlier in the day, when their clearly marked vehicles came under heavy Israeli fire in Rafah city’s Tel al-Sultan district. A Red Crescent official in Gaza said that there was evidence of at least one person being detained and killed, as the body of one of the dead had been found with his hands tied. The shootings happened on 23 March, one day into the renewed Israeli offensive in the area close to the Egyptian border. Another Red Crescent worker on the mission is reported missing. “Seven days ago, civil defence and PRCS ambulances arrived at the scene,” the head of Ocha in Palestine, Jonathan Whittall, said in a video statement. “One by one, [the paramedics and civil defense workers] were hit, they were struck. Their bodies were gathered and buried in this mass grave. “We’re digging them out in their uniforms, with their gloves on. They were here to save lives. Instead, they ended up in a mass grave,” Whittall said. “These ambulances have been buried in the sand. There’s a UN vehicle here, buried in the sand.”

Lord remind evildoers that you have regard for all human life and that you never slumber nor sleep. God, we pray for those who have been killed, may they be received into your arms. May your justice reign down upon the wicked.

Faith Leaders Push Back After EPA Head Disparages Climate Action as ‘Religion’

When Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin made a defiant reference to “climate change religion” in order to justify a plan to roll back environmental protections, American faith leaders and scholars reacted with confusion, sadness and anger. On March 12, the agency announced 31 actions to reconsider restrictions on air and water pollution and end the agency’s mandate to respond to climate change under the Clean Air Act. “We are driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion and ushering in America’s Golden Age,” Zeldin wrote in a Wall Street Journal commentary promoting the plans. An EPA press release declared March 12 “the most consequential day of deregulation in American history” and claimed the actions would lead to savings of trillions of dollars in regulatory costs to businesses and “hidden taxes” on American families. Fossil fuel interests such as the American Petroleum Institute praised EPA’s new deregulatory agenda, saying it would “secure American energy leadership and protect consumer choice.” But some faith leaders have had different reactions, starting with confusion about what Zeldin meant when he described a “climate change religion.” In recent interviews, they told Inside Climate News that Zeldin had displayed an ignorance of a growing global movement across nearly all faith traditions to voice concerns on climate change. “When I saw what he said, it made my stomach turn,” said Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, founder and CEO of Dayenu, a New York-based group working to spur national action on climate from a foundation of Jewish tradition and faith. “He managed to denigrate religion, science and efforts to address the climate crisis all in one fell swoop.” Dayenu has called on Zeldin, who is Jewish, to take a “refresher course on Jewish values,” including, as Rosenn pointed out, that God warned Adam and Eve in Eden not to spoil the world and wants Jews to work to save lives. “As Jews, we are uniquely positioned to speak to Zeldin about our commitment to a just, livable world, drawing on our shared text and tradition,” Dayenu’s director of campaigns and partnership, Dahlia Rockowitz wrote on March 17.

Lord, we pray that you might prick the heart of Lee Zeldin so that his foolishness and ignorance might give way to insights and compassion. We continue to pray our local and state climate leaders have strength for the years ahead as work with less support, less money, but perhaps renewed vigor. Empower us, Lord.

Becoming (part of) the Answer to our Own Prayers

Application Open for L.E.A.D. Scholarship

Thrive’s L.E.A.D. (Leadership Equipping/Advocating Diversity) Scholarship continues to provide financial incentive for students of various ethnic minorities from around the world to continue their studies. Normally, applicants should be members of CRCNA congregations and plan to pursue training and a calling in ministry leadership. The primary criteria for a LEAD scholarship award is based on a student’s demonstrated potential for active leadership in the CRCNA. The application deadline is May 1.  Apply »

Safe Church Conference Encourages Action

Despite wintry conditions, the 28th annual inter-classis safe church conference brought together 50 safe church advocates, committee members, and others from across Ontario and Michigan interested in fostering safer church communities. The conference, organized and hosted each year by Classis Huron, took place at Waterloo (Ont.) Christian Reformed Church on Mar. 1. Read »