1st September 2026

Two people have died and 14 remain missing or unaccounted for after flash flooding swept through parts of the Grand Canyon National Park at the weekend, destroying  footbridges and carrying boulders downstream.  A water pipe line was also damaged cutting suplies for visitors and approximately 2,500 residents. Authorities have closed the North Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Phantom Ranch due to the ongoing search and recovery operations. Visitors have been instructed to stay away from the restricted area until further notice.  The park service asked anyone with details about hikers or campers still unaccounted for to get in touch.  

Loving God, comfort your people, all who grieve the deaths of those they loved, those with whom they were holidaying. Pring healing to anyone injured and peace to all traumatised by these floods.  Direct the search and resue effort that all unaccounted for will be found soon and reunited with their families. Draw the people of the US closer to the people of Nepal as they have both expereinced the trauma of floods and landslides.  In their common challenges may they be able to empathise with each other, so a lasting unity may develop to their mutual benefit uniting peoples across the globe.  We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Researchers from the University of Cape Town are cleaning 36,000 litres of water, polluted by sewage, chemicals, and traces of drugs and medication, every day to make it usable for growing food, without chemicals and using renewable energy. They are transforming South Africa’s heavily polluted Stiebeuel River into a resource clean enough for irrigating. Kevin Winter, one of the researchers behind the Water Hub project in Langrug, has said that “You’d be very hard pressed to know the difference between it and your municipal treated water, which has been through a treatment plant and been chlorinated.” Large stones and a layer of biochar – wood burned at 800C (1,470F) – traps dirt and particles and filters out traces of drugs, pharmaceutical waste. Smaller stones and sand absorb the remaining toxins and pollutants. “Making water available for food, and for food security, as a climate-change strategy is absolutely crucial worldwide and we’ve got to learn to be able to do that more and more,” Winter said. 

I am in awe and wonder at your magnificence,

almighty, creator God.

When I observe the stars

and consider the expanse of the universe,

and microscopic life

my soul sings to you.

When I wander through the woods and fields,

hear the bird song and feel the breeze.

my soul sings to you.

I am in awe of your love for us;

that you sent your son, Jesus Christ,

to be the Saviour of the world.

bearing the burden of our sin upon the cross.

I cannot grasp the extent of your power

that you raised him to new life.

I bow in honour and give you glory

that you enable us, through faith,

to share in his resurrection.

In awe and wonder my soul sings to you.

You are a great and mighty, loving and merciful God.

Alleluia!