On International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), August 31st, we acknowledge the countless lives deeply impacted by overdose.
It feels harder each year with the growing number of those we grieve. But this year in particular, after the recent announcement to close over half of the Safe Consumption Sites in Ontario, we further grieve the potential preventable losses of the future.
We see the faces of many most affected by these changes every day, reminding us that every person who walks through our doors deserves to be treated with patience, gentleness, and grace — our Missional Themes for August. We also know that a harm reduction approach is a way to put those Missional Themes into action. And let us extend a reminder to all who have been touched by addiction that God, who is love, meets us exactly where we are, offering not shame, but the deepest expressions of patience, gentleness, and grace.
This year’s IOAD Theme is “Together we can” reminding us that “Only a community-wide effort can end overdose.” As we pivot in our response due to the changes, may we also have patience, gentleness, and grace with ourselves – and the courage to speak up for those in our community who are now at greater risk.
Let’s strive to be a supportive part in the fight to end overdose, as “The hand of God, in the heart of the city.”
Erin
Almighty God,
we gather to mourn and honour
those who have lost in the battle to addiction.
May our collective witness
comfort those who grieve death to overdose,
be a beacon of light to those lost in the darkness of substance use,
and encourage those who walk the path of recovery,
Help us to stand with one another
Help us to help one another in our times of need.
Help us to believe in the transformative power of
empathy and love.
In your great Love, O God, we stand
hoping for a glimpse of heaven now.
Amen.
(adapted from here)