“As I write this in early August we are coming to the end of the third heatwave this summer. There is a prediction of another and meanwhile we all wish for rain for the fields and our gardens.

In previous years times of drought, flood, famine, disease and pestilence were often regarded as warnings from God to repent and return to Him. I am not going to engage in theological arguments about the role of suffering but I will say these significant challenges should give us pause for reflection and discussion of how to respond. It was significant how in the Covid pandemic scientists around the world combined to come up with vaccines in an amazingly short time. The work they did has meant that a vaccine for the dangerous outbreak of Ebola has been formulated.

So what about the heatwaves? There will always be extremes of weather because of complicated climate systems but unfortunately we have now overlaid that with climate change. The temperatures are only going to go one way. So what should be our response?  Christians should always have a deep concern about the environment because of the idea of creation, humankind has a responsibility to care for the wonderful and beautiful world we share with animals and plants. Whatever the motivation, theological or ecological (and there is not necessarily a conflict between them) we should respond appropriately to the rising temperatures. In our home, in addition to seeking to reduce our impact, we are looking at increasing our water storage. If we are going to have hot dry summers and wet winters, the obvious thing is to store some of the rain. We have two water butts and that kept us going with water for the garden until half way through the second heatwave, I hope the water authorities will build more reservoirs, but we can all play our part by having our own little storage systems (and save on our water bills!) I wish you well in whatever way you respond to the challenges of climate change. In church we pray that there will be good weather for the farmers and the fields but also that we would be forgiven for when we have been careless about creation and that we will have inspiration in how to make things better.

Yours, the Revd Peter Yorkstone”