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Green events and resources

Useful websites include www.christian-ecology.org.uk, www.operationnoah.org
and www.campaigncc.org Campaign against Climate Change.

Prayers and March for Climate Justice 2nd and 3rd December
The night before the march, a Climate Refugee Vigil will be held on the Thames foreshore near the Millennium Bridge between 11.30 pm on Friday 2nd December 2011 and 1am on Saturday 3rd December 2011, to which all faith community members are welcome.

Throughout the day, representatives of the faith communities will be taking part in a range of events in London to mark the global talks. Members of the Christian community will end their Climate Justice
March day as they started it - in worshipful prayer.

Christian Ecology Link is holding a time of prayer and meditation at 11.30 am on Saturday 3rd December 2011 at St Mary-le-Bow church in Cheapside, London EC2V 6AU to pray for the success of the United Nations climate conference in Durban, South Africa, which is happening during the two weeks either side of that weekend. Revd. Steve Paynter, member of the Operation Noah board, will lead the service. All are welcome.

At 12.00 midday on Saturday 3rd December 2011, the faith communities will leave the church to join the Climate Justice March and Rally organised by the Campaign against Climate Change. The march will start
from the north end of Blackfriars Bridge at around 1.00 pm. People are asked to march in support of the tens of thousands mobilising in South Africa, demanding climate justice at the Durban climate talks.

The London march will culminate at 2.30 pm with a Climate Justice Rally outside Parliament. Attendees will physically form a photo opportunity by splitting into two groups to represent the 7 percent global privileged versus the 50 percent suffering climate injustice, and demand urgent action to achieve a Zero Carbon Britain by 2030.

Christian Ecology Link members and supporters will continue on to St Paul's Cathedral for the commencement of choral evensong at 5.00 pm.

Prayers for the success of the United Nations Climate Change negotiations will be said during choral evensong at St Paul's Cathedral on Saturday 3 December starting at 5 pm, following the end of the
annual Climate Justice March in Central London.

Canon Michael Hampel, Precentor of St Paul's Cathedral Chapter said, "Reverence for God's creation is not only something to sing about in church. It demands proper debate and action if we are to be good stewards of the riches with which God has entrusted us."

Bishop David Atkinson, member of the Board of Operation Noah which is supporting the St. Mary-le-Bow service, said, "Care for God's creation is a crucial dimension of Christian discipleship and a central part of
Christian mission. Responding to the threat of climate change by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is a Christian responsibility and one which we share with all people, especially on behalf of the poorest parts of the world, future generations and the wellbeing of all creatures. Our prayers are for all those involved in the United Nations talks in Durban, that they may be given wisdom and courage to act with justice for the good of all people and all God's creation."

In November the World Council of Churches general secretary, Revd Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, called the United Nations UNFCCC COP 17 meeting a "last opportunity for the international community to be responsible in
addressing climate change", and called on the meeting to "act now for climate justice."

For further details on the role of the faith communities in these events, contact Ruth Jarman, Climate Change campaigner for Christian Ecology Link by email : ruthj999@gmail.com
http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/climate-service-2011.htm

Christian Aid and CAFOD are both concerned about the effects of Climate Change on the poorest people in the world

Christian Aid: www.christianaid.org.uk/climatechange
CAFOD: www.cafod.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/climate-change
The website for Catholic Social Teaching (formerly Live Simply) encouraging us to “live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor” has a section on our responsibility for all creation www.catholicsocialteaching.org.uk/themes/care-creation.

For Creed & Creation This guidebook to help London's churches become more environmentally friendly was launched in City Hall by London's mayor in March 2007 endorsed by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster. It gives suggestions on everything from ways of reducing heating bills through to introducing car-sharing schemes. The guide was distributed free to over 4,000 churches in London. It was hoped it would be adapted to encompass other religions and faiths, and be supported by a telephone advice line.

In April 2007, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, endorsed another booklet encouraging Christians to play their part in helping to stop climate change.
This one’s called “How many lightbulbs does it take to change a Christian?”
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5120

Last updated 1/12/11

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