This past week, I attended our annual Diocesan Clergy Conference, this year held in Surrey, BC, and facilitated by A Rocha Canada. Some of you will have heard of their ministry, but for those who haven’t, they describe themselves as follows:
In an environmental context often characterized by fear and paralysis, A Rocha is bringing hope through care of both people and places. We are preserving sensitive habitats and threatened species, growing food sustainably and feeding people living on low income, inspiring school children and training young people. A Rocha is changing the way people treat the earth.
It was a pleasure to spend time with the passionate and dedicated folks who have given themselves to this important work. We learned about their conservation efforts, the joys and complications of their work and ministry, and even got to work tearing out blackberry bushes, building greenhouses, and weeding.
So what does all of this have to do with the Gospel? Our facilitator described it best: the community of A Rocha, and all of us Christian disciples, are called to be ‘refugia’ – place of refuge and hope and witness in a world so full of despair and doubt. However small our contribution – however little we think we are making a difference – we are called to keep showing up and trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit through all of our efforts – big and small.
In this regenerative season of Eastertide, may we all accept God’s invitation to commit anew to the work of refugia – in every place we reside.
Mother Amanda