The seventh reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri. She reflects on one of earliest conflicts over water recorded in the Bible, and draws our attention to today’s water conflicts, giving examples of transboundary water conflicts in her region in Africa. She highlights Isaac, who chose peace over conflict related to water, time after time—a fitting message for the World Water Day 2024 and its theme, “Water for Peace.”
The fourth reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2024 series of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Rev. Dr Anupama Hial. In this reflection, she recalls her struggles in the past as a Dalit woman in India to get access to clean water. She challenges churches to be a catalyst for fulfilling the promise of Isaiah to provide free water to all who are thirsty, especially to the Dalit women.
Thursdays in Black Bible Study "Solomon’s Wisdom in Judgment" on 1 Kings 3:16-28 by Bongie Moyo-Bango, communications director for the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.
The second reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2022 of the WCC’s Ecumenical Water Network is written by Nicole Ashwood (Nicqi).* In the following reflection , which was written around the International Women’s Day, she reflects how the women in the story of Exodus were deprived of water and how Moses came up to their defense and provided them and their flock with water. Then she highlights how developed countries in Europe, including Switzerland fares in getting access to clean water and how it affects the health, wellbeing and dignity of the people, particularly, women, everywhere.
Part of a series of Bible studies in preparation for the WCC 11th Assembly, this first text was written by Rev. Dr Susan Durber, a minister of the United Reformed Church in the UK, serving a congregation in the Southwest of England.
Dr. CL Nash is ordained in the American Baptist Church and has a PhD in historical theology. She has published in various theological blogs including with the Centre for Religion and Public Life, and the University of Leeds; in journals including the Journal of Theology for Southern Africa; and magazine articles with Mutuality Magazine. In addition to several articles and chapters being released throughout 2021, her first book is scheduled for release in 2022 with SCM Press. Visit her website here.
The Rev. Dr Anders Göranzon is the general secretary of the Swedish Bible Society. He has been an ordained priest in the Church of Sweden since 1987 and has served in different capacities as a parish priest and as a teacher of homiletics at the Church of Sweden Institute for Pastoral Education. He also worked for seven and a half years in South Africa. He holds a PhD in Ecclesiology from the University of the Free State in South Africa and has been an honorary lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi is the chief executive officer of Christian Aid, a global movement of people, churches, and local organizations working to end poverty. Her career spans intergovernmental and non-governmental spaces, including the UN, VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) International, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. She is the author of But Where Are You Really From? published by SPCK Publishing in 2020.
The 4th reflection of the Seven Weeks for Water 2021 of the WCC Ecumenical Water Network is written by Krystina White.* In the following reflection, she narrates her experience of how people of colour are denied their right to clean water because of lead poisoning of tap water in Flint, Michigan (USA). She further demonstrates how ordinary women, though at the receiving end, can do extraordinary work, just like Deborah, the prophetess in the Bible. White and her friends challenged the lead contamination of Flint’s waters through the Black Millennials 4 Flint and offered lasting solutions to communities facing the crisis.
In the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray this week with the people and churches of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
In a time of physical distancing, may this order of service unite our hearts and minds as we prayerfully seek to give thanks for women in leadership and their impact on decision-making.
This order of service has been prepared by women from the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, Switzerland.