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February 2008
Creation Challenge newsletter
Welcome to the February edition of Creation Challenge!
I hope this finds you recovered from the Christmas season and ready for the Lent season! The church year feels especially swift this year and so is the demand for action to alleviate climate change that each of us, the churches and communities in which we live, our countries and the world must take. So amid the chocolate fasts think of other ways that you can focus your mind on the road to Easter week by using less, growing more to "buy less and live more"!
The Climate Change Bill is being scrutinised in the House of Lords, and is expected to reach the Commons in the next few weeks. We are asking all readers urgently to write to their MPs asking that they consider supporting amendments to the Bill. The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church and the Quakers have produced a special briefing with our concerns about the Bill and suggestions on what to say to your MP.
Many thanks to all those that have contributed to this edition and as always we want to hear any other news, tips, experiences or questions that you would like to share where churches' and your own engagement with the environment are concerned.
Best wishes,
Dave Coaker
Creation Challenge, Coordinator
Actions
Here's twelve behaviours that Defra argue could potentially encourage more environmentally friendly behaviour among individuals and communities.
My Actions; ways to engage with I Count, the campaign of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, the ever-growing coalition of more than 50 organisations, has over 700 years' experience working for a safer, fairer world.
(If you have any other suggestions for actions individuals or groups could take please let us know!)
Network
The story so far on implementing the resolution passed at last year’s URC General Assembly is summarised for us by Linda Mead, Commitment for Life Programme Co-ordinator.
The story so far on implementing the resolution passed at last year’s Methodist Conference will be included in the next issue.
Church Action
Boldmere Methodist Church - Sheila and Brian Leather tells us about their work.
gains a second Eco-congregation award..Wylde Green URC receives an Eco-Congregation Award and are working to establish Carbon Reduction Action Groups.
Tips/Resources
Use MRDF's Bible study pack on climate change in your Lent group, housegroup or youth group - and don't just change your light bulbs - change your life!
Here is a list of other Lent resources recommended by CEL members and others.
Commitment for Life has a complete service outline on climate change available on CD Rom. It has drama, children's talks, prayers, sermon ideas and real stories from Bangladesh, Jamaica, Israel and the Palestinian Territories and Zimbabwe. The CD contains Powerpoint presentations but the service will work perfectly well on its own. For a copy contact: Gill Hillman 020 7691 9867.
The Glory of Creation; a hymn written by Denzil Walton set to the tune of: Jerusalem The Golden / Ewing / 7.6.7.6
Reviews
Heat; by George Monbiot, Penguin 2007.
U.N. Development Human Development Report 2007/2008; 'Fighting Climate Change'. Director and lead author: Kevin Watkins.
by Tony Juniper, Collins 2007. Have you read something you'd like to review for us??
News
The Methodist Church are encouraging people to "buy less and live more" during Lent - and provide a credit card sized reminder to challenge you each time you reach for your plastic money... of Canterbury's New Year message on YouTube: "God doesn't do waste" to quote the Archbishop!CAMPAIGN AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE - 8th December 2007 National Climate March, Global Day of Action -
Charles Jolly shares his experience of the day; and more from Christian Ecology Link.The 11th Hour: the film is released in the UK on 15th Feb but watch the trailer and read reviews here.
Operation Noah is encouraging communities to fast as a symbolic action on climate change.
Tearfund is also encouraging a carbon fast.
Events
Hope for Planet Earth is taking place from 18 February to 14 March and coming to a venue near you. It explores the science behind climate change from a Christian perspective and its impact on people and the planet. Through presentations to schools and churches and with leading experts from Tearfund, A Rocha, John Ray Initiative, The Faraday Institute and Share Jesus International, they will be working together to create stimulating, educational, interactive and challenging presentations for students and adults.
'A Time There Was' 23rd Feb at Hereford St John's Methodist Church - readings and west gallery music with Vital Spark by Hereford Christian Ecology Link 7.00pm. Admission to the Vital Spark concert £5.00, including ploughman's supper, tel. 01432 279740
Touching Creation - (Climate Change and Migration) to be held on Saturday 1 March 2008 at Leytonstone United Free Church (Thames North Synod United Reformed Church) - 10.00 Arrivals and Coffee Start 10.30 through to 16.30 Key Speakers: Ann Pettifor Campaign Director - Operation Noah Revd Dr Nicholas Sagovsky Canon Theologian Westminster Abbey Member of the Independent Asylum Commission There will be a panel when questions and discussion can take place regarding climate change and migration. This is the annual Church and Society and World Church Day 020 7799 5000 world.churchandsociety@urcthamesnorth.org.uk
Christian Aid 'Cut the Carbon' 11th March St John's Methodist Church, Hereford,7.30pm. Merryn Hellier will speak about the march - organised by Hereford Christian Ecology Link 01432 279740
Churches Rural Group (CRG) Conference at Swanwick 12-14 March 2008. Theme: 'A Sustainable Countryside - Whose Responsibility?' Speakers to include Sir Don Curry & Bishop Alan Smith of Shrewsbury. Programme includes a dozen workshops.
Environment Sunday 2008 is June 8th as the nearest Sunday to June 5th (World Environment Day). The A Rocha resource pack 'Planetwise' accompanies a book of the same name by Dave Bookless (published 15th Feb by IVP).
Planning has already started for Open Farm Sunday 2008 which will take place on Sunday 1st June 2008! For further information or to find out how to get involved with Open Farm Sunday 2008, contact the LEAF office on 02476 413911
'Homes Going Green in SE15' - (flyer)) The local Friends of the Earth Group in Southwark, South East London are putting together a 'Homes Going Green in SE15' program for the New Year, looking at what households in Peckham can do to take action on climate change (and save money).
Please get in touch if you have material you would like to submit for the next e-newsletter which will be distributed around the end of March 2008.
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