April 16 - 22, 2007

 SOLI/Update

    www.stewardshipoflife.org


Hug your friends, say your prayers, savor every moment

This week our hearts are broken. The shooting spree at Virginia Tech has left us numb with disbelief and shock. Thirty three dead. So many young lives wasted. We wonder what could have gone so wrong in one person's life. We wonder if anyone could have helped the troubled young man. We wonder if anyone could have prevented the shooting. 

In this tragedy, Americans are just reminded anew of the grim reality that faces every person on the planet -- that tomorrow is guaranteed to no one. Illness and tragedy can (and does) pluck anyone from the midst of a healthy, carefree life.

If life is tenuous and tomorrow is not assured, there is only one place to life: Now. Today. Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to reach out to a troubled friend. Now is the time to act charitably. Now is the time to say our prayers. Now is the time to hung our children. Now is the time to relax. Now is the time to laugh. Now is the time to sing. Now is the time to learn to play piano or to speak Arabic. Now is the time to write your senator. Now is the time to walk on the beach. Now is the time to get to work.

Stewardship of life becomes simpler when you remember that our days on earth are finite. And although we are assured eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ, God has given us work to do and a code of conduct to comply with. And we won't be able to finish God's work on earth when we are in heaven.

-Rob Blezard, webmaster and editor (Reprint rights cheerfully granted to congregations for local nonprofit use. Just include the following notice: "Copyright (c) 2007, the Rev. Robert Blezard, www.stewardshipoflife.org. Used by permission.")

New This Week:

ELCA Environmental Audit Guide
Since your church IS going to do something to highlight creation this month, you’re bound to have a core of folks at the church who will ask, “Gee, what can we do?” That’s when you give them this free, comprehensive resource that will guide them through the steps of looking at your church (or school or institution) and its environmental impact – everything from energy to chemical usage to recyclable materials – and them forming an action plan for doing better. Good stuff! Click here for ELCA Environmental Audit Guide, from the ELCA Environmental Education and Advocacy program.

Mandates for Going Green
Another comprehensive, responsible look at how and why Christians should lead the way when it comes to environmental stewardship. Check it out for inspiration and practical advice on how your congregation can get ahead of the curve on the issue. Click here for “Mandates for Going Green,” from United Methodist Church Global Mission.


HOT LINK:
GreenFaith - Interfaith Partners in Action for the Earth
Here is a one-stop-shopping site for all a Christian environmental education needs. GreenFaith is a New Jersey interfaith coalition dedicated to environmental issues. You can dig into all sorts of issues -- from water conservation to diesel fuel emissions. It's well organized and easy to navigate. Bookmark this one! Click here GreenFaith.

Stewardship at the Heart of the Lectionary
Here is a weekly feature that explores the stewardship implications for the assigned lectionary readings. Click here for “Stewardship at the Heart of the Lectionary,” from ELCA Stewardship Resources.