22nd June 2026

Extreme heat and dry, windy conditions are fuelling multiple wildfires across the US west, including a massive blaze in Utah.  The fire in Utah’s Juab county was first detected on Saturday. More than 2,000 acres, equivalent to over 1,100 football pitches. The fires has forced the evacuation of  Eureka, population 1,000, and people at a nearby ranch. France has issued red heatwave alerts for around half the country including Paris for today as a heatwave pushes temperatures towards record levels.  Alcohol consumption in public places has been stopped during the annual Fête de la Musique, a national music festival that draws millions to the streets across the country. "For all events organised by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol," the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said.  The UK's Meteorological Office has issued extreme heat warnings for the UK, with temperatures predicted to reach a record-breaking high of 38C (100.4F) this week. Tom Crabtree, a Meteorological Office's deputy chief forecaster said, “The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies." He added, “Climate change is definitely playing a role in these temperatures. What happened in 2022 could happen again this week.” The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a series of yellow and amber heat health alerts.

Loving God, forgive us that our actions have caused the earth's temperatures to continue to rise.  Move among the leaders of nations that they will urgently address the climate crisis and move us away from greenhouse gas emitting fuels.  We pray for all this week who will suffer as a result of extreme heat; young children, our elderly and frail, people working where there is no air conditioning or shade, and those whose homes will be threatened by wildfires. We ask your protection for them and that they may be able to find shelter from the sun and relief from the heat. We also recognise that there will be many animals, wild and domestic that will struggle in excessive temperatures or be trapped in wildfires. May the distress and destruction of the next few days, in Europe and the USA, shake us all into action.  Help us to treasure the natural world and the life of the earth. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.  

Australian police have seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine - the country's largest ever illegal drugs seizure, western Sydney. The drugs, have estimated street value of A$816m (£433m, €500m), and were found on Friday in compartments concealed beneath false floors in three shipping containers at a property in Londonderry. western Sydney. Police say the cocaine was smuggled into Australia through the town of Midge Point in North Queensland.  It is thought to be the work of an organised crime group.  The two men, aged 21 and 25 were remanded in custody after appearing in court on Saturday. Australia is a lucrative market for the drugs trade, with cocaine typically fetching around A$300 per gram, according to a monitoring system run by the University of New South Wales. 

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

 For the beauty of each hour,

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon, and stars of light.

For the joy of ear and eye,

For the heart and mind's delight,

For the mystic harmony

Linking sense to sound and sight.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild.

For Thy Church, that evermore

Lifte'th holy hands above,

Offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love.

For each perfect gift of Thine,

To our race so freely given,

Graces human and divine,

Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

By Folliott Sandford Pierpoint 1835-1917