Summer Reflections July 19, 2026

Summer Reflections

In our summer series, God’s Abundant Gifts, we will practice paying attention to the abundance that God provides for us and the whole of creation. Through studying scripture and by reflecting on the wisdom in the book “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, we will explore how abundance is shared in creation and the ways in which we are invited to participate in sharing and gifting which helps all to flourish. 

On the weeks when there is not a group gathering, there will be a resource shared here on the website. We will feature different organizations and communities which are participating in God’s gift economy. 

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Last time we looked at Rooted: Centre for Theology and Eco-Justice in Guelph, Ontario. This week we are sticking closer to home, by featuring A Rocha. 

A Rocha is an international Christian organization which practices environmental stewardship in  many locations around the world, including right here in the Lower Mainland. They are inspired by God’s love to engage in research, environmental education, community-based conservation projects, and sustainable agriculture. 

At CapChurch, many of us are already familiar with the work of A Rocha, and some of us have connections to the A Rocha BC Centre. Whether you already know A Rocha, or are learning about it for the first time, this week, you are invited to “ponder anew” and consider the work of A Rocha through a gifting lens. While A Rocha tends to use the language of creation care and conservation, the themes of gifting and abundance are also present. 

Next week at Wild Church we will be looking at Exodus 16 and the story of God providing manna in the wilderness. With the manna, God provided food and nourishment that the people needed, however, there was only enough for each day. If people collected more than they needed the food would go bad. God provided enough, and there was enough to go around, but the abundance was not to be stored up and kept for individuals. God’s gifts were enough. 

Take a look through the A Rocha website and consider their work through the lens of God’s gifts being enough. What do you see in a new way? Is there something you can learn about yourself, the organization, or creation?

A Rocha’s Podcast, “Field Notes”

To help “ponder anew” you are also encouraged to listen to a podcast episode (or two!) from A Rocha’s podcast, Field Notes. There are themes of gifting, abundance, and mutual flourishing throughout the podcast, however, here are a few episodes which will have your ears picking up on the same themes of God’s Abundant Gifts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or through BuzzSprout here. 

• Episode 56: Thomas Chhoa – Plastic pollution to possibility
  Listen for: reciprocity, and keeping gifts in motion when they discuss a circular plastic economy.

• Episode 61: James Khoo – Bug-eyed wonder
  Listen for: biomimicry, and how we learn from nature and can model our lives after the wisdom of nature (Robin Wall Kimmerer discussed gifting and biomimicry on pages 67 – 70 in The Serviceberry)

• Episode 54: Veronica Godoy – Battling Bull Creek’s invasive species
  Listen for: responding to God’s gift, with gratitude and our reciprocity, especially with caring for native plants through the removal of invasive species. 

• Episode 52: Jasmine Kwong – Food, faith and a flourishing world
  Listen for: the importance of relationship and our connections with Creator, creation, creatures.