The accepted axiom is, as the climate changes so the world, too, will change in dramatic and sometimes undesirable ways. What does this often rapid change mean to Christians whose faith is intertwined with the glory and beauty of God’s creation?

Is the churches’ current theological reflection on stewardship and climate change ready for the rapid shifting of winds, weather, and life on earth as we know it and our grandparents knew it?

The biblical stories of women at wells speak of hope and conversion. Rebekah demonstrates her kindness and generosity to Abraham’s servant and becomes the wife of Isaac. The Samaritan woman discovers the source of living water when Jesus defies all social conventions of the time and approaches her. Yet these positive experiences stand in sharp contrast to the every-day reality of many women and girls around the world.

As churches worldwide prepare for the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in Jamaica in May, the latest edition of the World Council of Churches (WCC) quarterly journal, Ecumenical Review, will focus on challenges of peacemaking in places as varied as the Middle East and Africa.

In Psalm 24 we read: “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.” Despite this, we are used to “appropriating” the earth and its resources, including water. The privatization and commercialization of water takes on many forms. Water supply systems being taken over by private companies is but one manifestation.

Oil was discovered in the Niger Delta in the 1950s. Since then, Nigeria has become the largest oil producer in Africa and the 11th largest producer globally. Oil has generated billions of dollars in profits, but these revenues have barely touched the local population.

"This water should be source of unity for you. The project is yours. It is a symbol of your unity and development. You should refuse to be divided in religious lines because of this water," the Rev. Ishmael Noko, President of the Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) told the launch of the Mbegani Water Project in the Mazumalume village.

Today, many developed countries invest in land abroad to support their growing populations. Local communities get pushed off their lands without consultation. Control over the land often goes hand in hand with control over water resources.

“Water and Just Peace” will be the theme of this year's Lenten reflections provided by the Ecumenical Water Network. Starting on Monday 7 March the weekly reflections will explore the connection between access to water, struggles over this precious resource and building just peace.

Thursday, March 3, 2011 WASHINGTON--In testimony before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in Washington this morning, the head of international humanitarian agency Church World Service cited the "extraordinary meaning and power of water" and described by contrast the lack of safe water and sanitation for one-eighth of the world’s people as "repugnant to our sense of justice and fairness in human society.

Justice and peace provided a framework for planning and assessment of programmes as the WCC Central Committee met in Geneva from 16 to 22 February 2011.