This is part 3 of a summer series that will be posted each week.

Meditative Reading:

Water is a central symbol in Scripture and in our own society. As you slowly read the selected passage, consider the significance of the waters. What else does this make you think of? How have you experienced a connection to water in the past? In these passages, water is a blessing – how might you experience this goodness of creation in your daily interactions with water?

Genesis 1:1-2, 9-10

Isaiah 44:3-4 (pour water on the thirsty land)

Matthew 3:13-17 (baptism)

John 4:1-15 (woman at the well)

Spiritual Practices:

• As you take your first drink of the day, be mindful of how the water feels in your body. Pause and give thanks for the clean water you have access to. Try to slow down during other moments of interacting with water to notice its impact on your body and to give thanks. What else are you thirsting for? 

• Take a walk by a body of water or sit in view of water of some kind (a kiddie pool or a rain barrel count too!). What other natural elements interact with this form of water? What creatures use it as a habitat or source of nourishment? Notice where this body of water flows, can you follow it either by walking or with your eyes? How is this water connected to our larger watershed? 

• Learn the Nibi (water) Song. Sung in Ojibwemowin and shared by Dorene Day, the song is intended to be sung to the water, “Water, we love you. We thank you. We respect you.” (Ne-be Gee Zah- gay- e- goo. Gee Me-gwetch -wayn ne- me- goo. Gee Zah Wayn ne- me- goo)

A link to the story of the song and a video can be found here: https://www.grandriverwaterwalk.com/about