A time for hope
New Clean Water Sunday resources spotlight efforts to support healthy drinking water in places including Cuba
For Living Waters for the World, a ministry of Synod of Living Waters, hope is found every time a cup of clean water is shared between partners — a simple act that becomes a promise of health, dignity, and new beginnings. With 600 million people worldwide still waiting for safe water, the need remains great. Yet across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), congregations, presbyteries and partner ministries continue to help communities write a different story.
One of those stories belongs to Saachi, a little girl from Placetas, Cuba. When she was three years old, her community’s raw water source contained worms. Illness was a constant threat, and clean drinking water was not available. Today, Saachi is eight — healthy, thriving, and drinking safe water from a Living Waters for the World purification system operated by trained local leaders and supported by long‑term church partners. Her family no longer fears sickness from water. Her community has a fresh start.
Saachi’s story is featured in a new video titled “A Time for Hope,” which Living Waters for the World is encouraging congregations to share in worship, mission committee meetings, and educational settings. The video is part of a broader initiative that includes Clean Water Sunday, a set of worship and educational resources now available to all PC(USA) churches. Watch the "A Time for Hope" video here.
The Clean Water Sunday materials include:
- A complete liturgy
- Bulletin inserts and posters
- A children’s message and youth engagement ideas
- A churchwide curriculum exploring the global water crisis and how communities are responding with hope.
“These resources are designed to give congregations a meaningful, accessible way to engage global mission,” said Steve Young, executive director of Living Waters for the World. “Across the PC(USA), global ministry is still very much alive — not only through Living Waters for the World, but also through partner ministries like Solar Under the Sun, PC(USA) mission networks and through the many presbyteries that continue to walk alongside communities around the world. What we’re seeing is that when churches engage in long‑term, partner‑driven mission, hope takes root in ways that last. Clean Water Sunday gives congregations a simple way to step into that story — to celebrate what God is doing through local leaders, to learn about the global water crisis, and to join in sharing Christ’s love, one cup of clean water at a time.”
Living Waters for the World currently partners with more than 1,100 communities in 28 nations, supported by over 2,600 trained volunteers. The ministry also collaborates with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which partners with Living Waters for the World to expand access to clean, sustainable water in Haiti and El Salvador. Through PDA’s support, local leaders are restoring and strengthening water systems in communities recovering from disaster and instability.
“PDA has been a trusted partner across the denomination for many years,” Young said. “We’re grateful to be working alongside them in Haiti and El Salvador, helping communities rebuild and thrive through clean water.”
Congregations can access the Clean Water Sunday materials here.
Ruling Elder Steve Young is executive director of Living Waters for the World.
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