I want to tell you about a book that I have just finished called, 'The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World" by Robin Wall Kimmer.

In it, she uses the Serviceberry, also known as the Saskatoon berry, as an example of an alternative economy for our world. One in which we seek the mutual flourishing of sharing and sustainability. It's a gentle book; not at all a hard read. It offers hope for a sustainable future together between us and the natural world and an invitation to consider how we might participate, from the sharing of food to resources and ways of creating common space. 

The picture that Kimmer paints reminds me of the teachings of our sacred text, and the lessons that you have heard me preach many times on themes of caring for each other and creation and sharing what we have with one another.

One of my favorite quotes is this:

In a traditional Anishinaabe economy, the land is the source of all goods and services, which are distributed in a kind of gift exchange: one life is given in support of another. The focus is on supporting the good of the people, not only an individual. Recieving a gift from the land is coupled to attached responsibilities of sharing, respect, reciprocity and gratitude - of which you will be reminded.

That sounds right to me, and in line with what I read from scripture about our responsibility to creation and community as members of God's people.

I would love to know what, if anything, you are reading this summer.

See you on Sunday.

Marnie

Readings for next Sunday include:

HOSEA 11:1-11; PSALM 107:1-9, 43; COLOSSIANS 3:1-11; LUKE 12:13-21

Here is the link to the readings for Sunday

Thank you to all who came to the BBQ on Sunday afternoon.

Thank you to Jonathan for playing for us, and a big thank you to Jim and Aman for their incredible hospitality again this year!

We had to do some structural repairs to the emergency exit stairs at the back of the church and now they need to be painted.

Marnie is looking for 2 or three people to help paint them, if you are interested and available on either Thursday, July 31 or Saturday August 2, please let Marnie know.