Opinion: Lutherans Lead in Marching for World Water Day

March  22 is World Water Day, but Lutherans in South Carolina gathered at Good Shepherd Lutheran church in Columbia on March 16, to lead the way. 

This is another kind of real reformation to arouse faith, commitment and service to all members of the Lutheran church and other faith communities - locally and globally. And specific members of St. David, Ebenezer, and Good Shepherd marched in a kind of pre-Palm Sunday march.

The global water crisis is not a back door issue. It is at our front doors. It can and does cause conflict and can be a precipitating factor in wars. I have seen evidence of this in my 27 global mission treks. Lutherans, deep down know that in their confessions, like the Apostle's Creed, that their Lord has created this world and universe and that they have a responsibility to mend the broken water systems. The issues of ecology and theology are bonded together.

Allies are sought from all faith communities and the witness of Bishop Herman Yost, and other great servant leaders, from the pew and pulpit, in leading this gathering of Lutherans on this day was inspiring. It is a movement which offers promise of catching on - and perhaps going viral on YouTube - because it effects all of us and is a response in order to preempt a more serious water crisis.

There is a global water crisis affecting the world today, and Lutherans in a gesture of both prophetic and pastoral demonstration walked to the streets for a trek of two miles. From ages 8 to 80 and beyond, these intrepid faithful talked, walked, and sang (some of them) through the morning hours. 

Long-time leaders like Dr. Cathy Milejczak (who should be given an honorary doctorate or a noble peace prize) and her husband, Victor, who were instrumental in sustaining safe water system in the South western Diocese of Tanzania, were part of this water crusade. 

But they were not alone, for Dr. Richard Campbell, current interim minister at Ebenezer in Columbia, was a founding father in the early establishment of this significant water mission endeavor. He and his wife, Becky, along with Pastor Karen Hawkins, were also part of the enthusiastic throng which went marching through the streets of Columbia. 

Water Missions International, financially supported by my wife, Janet, and myself, and which may well be the most creditable water engineering system in the world, is also involved in this African faith venture, and their service extends throughout the poverty ridden world. Their website is watermissions.org. They have introduced courses in water conversation through the Charleston area, and hopefully such courses will be introduced throughout the South Carolina school system. 

Please reflect on how much each of us require water each day for survival.  I waste water when teeth-brushing, and perhaps you do also. So conservation is an ethical responsibility.

Susan Uehling, JoAnn Swanson, Lauren Jernigan of Water Missions International, Jami Sprankle, and Dentist, Dr. Roberts, and others were all part of the generations marching in diversity, but in strong unity for an important cause to bring clean water to some of the billion who have unclean or polluted water each day. 

Statistics tell us that perhaps 5,000 die each day from diseases associated with unclean water and sanitation. This is a true nightmare scenario, but the Lutheran faithful in their march want to do something about this supposed impasse. These Lutherans are not to be deterred by even such daunting tasks as giving a cup of water to every needy person in Columbia or this changing world.

Finally, for Lutherans, and for all who may read these lines, there is a powerful, compelling reason to give a cup of water to those who are thirsty. Even beyond the dramatic fact of hearing or reading that every 20 seconds a child dies of a water related disease, our Jesus of Lent and Easter tells us in Matthew 25:42, "I was thirsty, and you give me no drink."  So we really do need to give a cup of water to the needy.

Dr. Albert Jabs

Lexington, SC