What is a “Climate Sunday”?
You may have seen church communities getting out into their churchyards and having a look at the exciting biodiversity with whom they share their outdoor space.
You may have been part of a church who have done this – great! Have you thought about taking the next (or intrepid first!) steps towards integrating a greater care and understanding of creation into your life as a church?
On World Environment Day (5 June) last year, an initiative was launched to equip and support churches in doing just that: Climate Sunday. To be part of the initiative, local churches are encouraged to hold a Climate Sunday service of their own any time during a one-year period that started on 6 September 2020. During their local Climate Sunday, each church is invited to do one or more of three things:
- Climate service: Hold a climate-focused service, to explore the theological and scientific basis of creation care and action on climate, to pray, and to commit to action.
- Commit: Make a commitment as a local church community to taking long term action to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions.
- Call: Join with other churches and wider society by adding its name to a common call for the UK government to take much bolder action on climate change in this country in advance of COP26, and to strengthen its credibility to lead the international community to adopt a change in action at COP26. It is a great way to provide focus for your church’s climate change journey – no matter where you are along that journey. There are a wide range of beautifully presented downloadable resources to support and inspire you in hosting a Climate Sunday service for your church – including prayers, orders of service, worship music in various styles, all-age activities and more! Many of these are free and all are adaptable into your church service.
The culmination of the campaign will be a national Climate Sunday event on Sunday 5 September 2021, to share church commitments and pray for bold action and courageous leadership at COP26.
Climate Sunday is organised by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland with support from charities including CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund, A Rocha UK, and Operation Noah.
To find the resources and more, go to: www.climatesunday.org
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