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Wednesday 22 April 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today is Earth Day when we are encouraged to think about the environment, the resources of our planet and how they can be shared more fairly. In fact today is the 50th anniverary since the first Earth Day in 1970. The Earth Day Network, which grew out of the first Earth Day and is now the world's largest recruiter to the environmental movement, calls businesses, governments and individuals to change the way we use our resources, invest our money and live our lives. At the moment the news is dominated by the coronavirus crisis, but this is not of course the only issue the world faces. The virus will come and go, but issues of poverty, injustice, environmental degradation and climate change will continue to confront our world and cause great suffering. It's good to be reminded of the bigger picture. It has been encouraging to see the way that the lockdown situation in many parts of the world has, inadvertently, had the positive side effect of reducing air pollution in a dramatic way. Let us hope and pray that this may lead to a new way of living and decision making after this pandemic is over, and let us use this time to consider afresh our own way of life. You may be interested in thinking about these issues in relation to our Christian faith by joining in Dr Clare Amos' Bible study on The Bible and Creation, this Saturday morning 25th April, via zoom. If you would like to participate, please register at admin@holytrinitygeneva.org by Friday 24th. This Thursday evening, at 6.30pm, our Thun church community will be meeting (via zoom) to share concerns, reflect on a Bible passage, pray and sing. If you would like to join us, please let me know. On a more lighthearted note, we have decided to go ahead with the Pub Quiz planned for Friday 8th May, 7.30-9.30pm. We will do it online via zoom. There will be 4 rounds and you can register as a ready made team or be put into a team. Bring your own drinks and snacks! This will be a fun community event, but there will also be opportunity to make a donation to church funds for those who would like to. If you would like to register please contact office@stursula.ch I am sure it will be a very entertaining evening. I have been struck in many recent conversations by how many people are keeping a thankful spirit despite all the challenges that they are facing. I am reminded of some wonderful words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians: 'Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord in near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 4 v4-7) All of us worry at times though perhaps some of us are more prone to anxiety than others. Of course, there is a communal sense of anxiety at the moment in the midst of this global crisis. When I worry about things I am often encouraged by these verses from Philippians. Paul here advises the Philippians that they should pray about everything, but always with a thankful heart. It's good to bring our anxieties and worries to God, but also, if we can, to be thankful for all that is good. Gratitude is a good antidote to worry. So let us make time to rejoice and be thankful - even in the midst of anxiety and worry - remembering that 'the Lord is near.' When we trust in God's presence with us we can rejoice and we can also then know his peace, the peace which is beyond all understanding. In the midst of the many challenges we face, may we know 'the Lord is near' and know his joy and his peace. With my love in Christ,
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