Wild Lectionary

Fundraiser by Salal + Cedar Watershed Discipleship Ministry

[Ken Gray] As a contributor to Wild Lectionary project I have found my own inherited prejudices challenged and my theological imagination stretched. As one who continues to preach almost weekly, even in retirement, I have been introduced to powerful scholarship and deep ecological experience shared by a wide variety of scholars and activists. Without losing sight of human experience these lectionary notes attend to so much that traditional scholarship has ignored or missed; the glory, intricacy, science, and divine presence found within creation. As I make my own financial contribution to this amazing project I ask you, my readers to consider your own support for this amazing project.

THE WORK

[Salal and Cedar, Rev. Laurel Dykstra] Salal + Cedar supports Indigenous-led pipeline resistance, wildlife habitat enhancement on church lands, contemplation practices in nature, radical mutual aid, creative worship, and more.

We are really proud of our Wild Lectionary project–a unique resource for climate preachers and teachers. Through our website, different scholars or activists provide weekly detailed commentary and preaching suggestions on ecological themes in each of the four assigned readings in the Revised Common Lectionary. This means that in a year we offer scholarly, accessible ecological commentary on at least 200 passages of scripture! With the generous help of our donors, we can offer these resources completely free for all to use.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

Here’s what ecologically-minded Christian leaders are saying about Wild Lectionary:

“This is a very good site to use for teaching and preaching.” Ched Myers, author Healing Affluenza and Resisting Plutocracy: Luke’s Jesus and Sabbath Economics, Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries, Oakview, CA

“I really appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this wonderful project.” Dong Hyeon Jeong, New Testament scholar, author Embracing the Nonhuman in the Gospel of Mark, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL

“I absolutely love Wild Lectionary, students in my eco-preaching class use it all the time.” Katie Davis, student, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT

“Clergy have been asking for this. They know their congregations are worried, they know climate is a vital issue for youth. There is a tremendous thirst to address climate justice biblically and in worship but many preachers just don’t have the knowledge or background.” Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, farmer and biblical scholar Cameron, ON

“This project is such an important way to reflect on the intersecting threads of climate justice and related movements for liberation. I appreciated the opportunity to highlight queer and disability justice themes.” Vic Welle, activist, educator 

“I just discovered your wild lectionary.  What a great resource!” Johnathan Crane, priest, urban gardener, beekeeper Edmonton AB

THE NEED

Wild Lectionary is currently free for anyone to use, but it is not free to produce. The total cost of Wild Lectionary for a year is $18,200 CAD, including planning and oversight, staff costs, tech and paying contributors. We are grateful to the organizations that partnered with us to make this possible in 2024 and we are committed to offering Wild Lectionary in 2025 but at this point we have no assured external funding for the project.

THE OPPORTUNITY

To keep Wild Lectionary free, our initial goal is to raise $9100, half our annual costs. .

Gifts of any size are welcome but please consider whether you, your church, or a group of 5 or 10 friends together, can give $350 to support one week of Wild Lectionary, particularly if you have benefitted from this resource. Your financial support allows us to compensate our contributors, especially those who are BIPOC, disabled, and queer, or from other economically looted and targeted under-represented communities. 

THE CONTEXT

With climate denial rampant in North American churches, this project is vitally important. Please give what you can to support free, accessible, climate-focused, biblical scholarship.

If you cannot contribute financially at this time, please consider asking someone to make a gift in your name this holiday season. Or simply share our campaign with your networks!

Because we are part of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, we are able to issue tax receipts for donors in Canada.