At the beginning of the Autumn term, Bishop Graham wrote to our headteachers expressing the Church of England’s encouragement to Christians to reflect and pray in advance of the COP26, and encouraging them to invite their pupils to engage their creativity.
“One way might be to encourage students to create a prayer wall or mural about climate change and the planet,” wrote the Bishop. “This could include specific prayers, reflections, or poetry for use during collective worship or in church services and then afterwards be displayed in your parish church or other community space so that local people can also be informed and inspired.”
A selection of the responses received are now travelling with Bishop Graham to Glasgow, to be shared at the global climate conference. They have also been on display at Norwich Cathedral, as part of the Dippy exhibition for the past week.
Pupils from Narborough and Castle Acre Primary Academies, Clover Hill VA Infant and Nursery School, and St Michael’s VA Junior School in Bowthorpe all took part. Rainbow prayers, prayers of thanksgiving, acrostic poems, and reflections on actions to be taken show the care and creativity of the children.
“Our Eco-Council at Clover Hill VA Infant and Nursery School have carefully thought about and written prayers ahead of COP26,” said Jessica Davies-Grant, Key Stage 1 teacher and Eco-Council leader. “The children are passionate about the beautiful world we live in and have been given to enjoy and that we have an important role to play in protecting it. Thank you for inviting the children to engage and participate in such important matters.”
Co-ordinator of the project and member of the Diocese of Norwich Environment Working Group, the Revd Lydia Avery commented: “It’s wonderful to enable the voices of our pupils to be heard at such an opportune moment as our world leaders gather to discuss and decide on a way forward together.”