Musicians for Water

 

But let justice roll down like water
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Amos 5: 24 NRSVue

 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’

John 7: 37-39 NRSVue 

 When we head toward Pontypool, Ontario. on our way to visit two of our grandchildren (and their parents) we usually pass through Millbrook (pop 1500) and see the sign claiming musician Serena Ryder as their own. Serena has won lots of awards including seven Junos and even hosted the event.  Her song Stompa was a huge international hit and she's on the Canadian Walk of Fame. 

I had a brief conversation with Ms Ryder on a shuttle bus to Santa Fe airport years ago. She was on tour and played there and I was heading home after some retreat time at Ghost Ranch, north of the city. To my surprise she said that she would like to go there because she was a fan of the artist Georgia O'Keeffe. I told her that I'd been staying at Casa del Sol, the retreat centre at Ghost Ranch, just down the dirt road from O'Keeffe's isolated home, now a museum of sorts. This is an arid part of the state where water is precious, although Ghost Rance is not far from the Chama River and I have waded in it. 

                                    Georgia O'Keeffe looking over the Chama River, 1961 

                                                           Chama River 1937 

I see that Serena is joining other musicians, including Sarah Harmer, also a longtime environmental activist, for a benefit concert tonight called Musicians for Water Last year Sarah received a Juno Humanitarian Award presented by David Suzuki. 

Here is a description of their concert: 

Ontario has over 5,000 active gravel pits and quarries—far more than the province needs. While the industry claims a supply shortage, the government actually has licenced 13 times more than the construction industry uses each year. The real problem isn’t supply; it’s how these projects are fast-tracked without considering the bigger picture. This approach puts the Headwaters region in southwestern Ontario—where eight major rivers begin—at serious risk, disrupting natural flows and polluting rivers that feed the Great Lakes, threatening drinking water, farms, and ecosystems.

I'm always encouraged when artists, including musicians, take up the many causes of environmental care and protection, raising awareness and funds. 

This past Sunday was World Water Day  and while it doesn't seem possible, Canada may be on the verge of a water crisis with more regions experiencing drought. Glaciers are disappearing and rivers are running dry. Canada's extensive wildfires are the outcome of drought and agriculture depends on timely rain and irrigation. 

Patient readers will know that I've written about the spiritual and practical importance of water many times, including Jesus, Living Water. So I'll declare this evening's concert "holy", even if the musicians don't quite see it that way!