11th February 2026

Nine people have been killed and at least 25 injured in shootings at a school and home in British Columbia in western Canada, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country’s history.  Police found 6 people dead inside Tumbler Ridge high school and two at a home understood to be connected to the incident. Another person died on the way to hospital.  Prime minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” by the shootings. “I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens,” he said. “Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country – our empathy, our unity, and our compassion for each other.”  The suspected attacker, whose identity has not been confirmed, was found dead with a self-inflicted injury following the shooting.  As yet, his connection with the school and to the victims is unknown. 

Loving God, we cry with the community of Tumbler Ridge. We ask for your compassionate care for all who grieve the deaths and we ask for your healing for all who are injured.  Bring your peace to all fearful or traumatised.  We ask you loving care for the school's principal and all its staff, that in their grief and shock they may be given the words that unite, reassure and comfort the children and wider community.  Guide the work of the policing authorities that they may be able to ascertain the motives behind this attack. Be with your church in Tumbler Ridge, may it be a place of hope, comfort and compassion. May it bring spiritual support and provide a space for grieving and healing across the community.   In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

In Canada over the past twenty years, the River Don has been transformed from a state of running pollution to a biodiverse ecosystem home to over 20 species of fish, says Canada’s National Observer. Toronto’s River Don was once so polluted it caught fire. After CAD$1 billion in restoration initiatives, however, for the first time in virtually anyone’s living memory, the river is clean and fishable, with ecologists recently confirming the presence of Atlantic salmon, large mouth bass at every life stage, and the emerald bowfin - a warm-water fish native to Ontario - all at the same time. 

In India, conservation efforts over the past twenty years, have doubled the native population of tigers, to around 3,600, a new study reveals. Extensive monitoring of the big cat across 20 Indian states every 4 years revealed not only the increase in tiger numbers but also a 30% increase in the amount of protected-tiger habitat for them to live in. 

Glory, praise and honour to you our eternal and mighty Father!

We lift high your holy name, Almighty God.

Almighty and eternal God, we give you thanks and praise,

that when we were still far off you met us in your Son

and brought us home.

Dying and living, he declared your love,

gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.

May all who proclaim Jesus as Lord and Saviour

live his risen life.

May all who have eternal life through faith in him

bring life to others.

May all whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.

Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,

so that we and all your children shall be free,

and the whole earth live to praise your name.

Glory, honour, power and praise be to you loving Father.  Amen.