ACTIVISM
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Climate change acti n
If you and your congregations want to do more , here are two faith-powered organisations that can provide resources and opportunities to engage more closely .
Faith for the Climate by Shanon Shah
Faith for the Climate exists to encourage , inspire and equip faith communities in their work on climate change . Climate change is the biggest and most urgent challenge facing humanity . People of faith see our planet as a gift , and believe we have a sacred responsibility to care for and protect the earth ’ s climate for future generations . Many of our faiths and belief systems also share a Golden Rule : treat others as you wish to be treated . Faith communities have a unique and precious role to play , in our thought , speech , worship and action , alongside and in partnership with secular environmental organisations , enabling people of faith to live out their calling by acting to protect the climate .
Preaching and other resources
Our website contains many resources that can be adapted for ecumenical or interfaith sermons or reflections at worship and non-worship events . Our members have collaborated with the Climate Coalition to produce seven faith resources on climate action , covering Buddhist , Christian , Hindu , Jewish , Muslim , Quaker and Sikh perspectives – updated for Show the Love campaign in February 2021 ( available for download in the Our Work section ). The News section is a great archive of our monthly updates on faithbased or interfaith climate actions within the UK . The Faith Resources section contains links to several faith and non-faith organisations and networks focusing on climate action and environmental justice . Recordings of our webinars can be found on our Events page . For regular updates , do sign up to our free monthly e-news or follow us on Twitter @ fftcnetwork . www . faithfortheclimate . org . uk
Christian Climate Action
by Caroline Harmon
Christian Climate Action is a community of Christians supporting each other to take meaningful action in the face of imminent and catastrophic anthropogenic climate breakdown . We are inspired by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit .
Since November 2018 , we have worked closely with Extinction Rebellion and hundreds of our members were involved in the protests which have hit the headlines . We bring a Christian witness to the protests such as Eucharist services , prayer vigils and washing of protesters feet .
Having tried everything else to tackle the climate emergency , many of our members have begun acts of public witness , taking non-violent direct action and civil disobedience . They have signed petitions , written letters to and met their MPs , made changes big and small to their own lifestyles and encouraged action in their churches and communities . Yet we ’ ve all come to recognise that while these things are important , they aren ’ t enough to address the scale of the crisis we face .
Call to action
We have a strong online presence : we currently gather nine times a week for online prayer , hold weekly online teaching sessions , and weekly online meetings to plan our actions . Everyone is welcome to our meetings . We have a number of local CCA groups and new groups are welcome . We will continue to take action on the streets in a Covidsafe manner . In December 2020 , nativity posters appeared at bus stops and other locations around the UK .
COP26 represents a chance for the UK government to lead by example and push for serious , urgent action on the climate crisis and we will also be encouraging action in the lead up to COP26 .
Resources for preachers
You can find prayers , liturgy , sermons , workshop outlines , a songbook and videos on our website . We have fliers and graphics you can use in your church . A resource book , Time to Act ( published by SPCK , Feb 2020 ), was written by dozens of our members , and it includes : liturgy , prayers and songs , guidance on declaring a climate emergency as a church , and on helping people with climate grief .
www . christianclimateaction . org christianclimateaction @ gmail . com Facebook @ christianclimateaction Twitter @ CClimateAction Instagram @ christianclimateaction
COP26
NB This is the time to get involved and make an impact in the run-up to COP26 which is being hosted in Glasgow on 12 November : ukcop26 . org