Creation Challenge newsletter

Welcome to the July edition of Creation Challenge!

Even if it’s pretty difficult for us to tell; summer is here! The swing from record heat to record rainfall can’t but help to emphasise the issue of the environment and the bandwagon that everyone from pop stars, car firms and supermarkets are jumping onto has put it fair and square in the consciousness of our society. Amidst all the hype there are still the ongoing tasks of doing our bit. We may not fill Wembley to spread the message but with every fuller recycling bin (and emptier normal bin) or trip to the bottle bank, we witness to the need to conserve God’s Creation.

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

Network

Website: Our website has had a facelift – please have a look around it again and if you have any comments let us know?

The United Reformed Church passed the following resolution on Global Warming / Climate Change before this year’s General Assembly.                            

The Methodist Church passed the following resolution on Caring for creation in the face of climate change before this year’s Conference.

Church Action

Bramford Road Methodist Church gains a second Eco-congregation award.

Tips/Resources

Celebrating harvest in El Salvador – the new harvest material from the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.

Celebrate Harvest with us  - and also from Christian Aid.

Creationtide: 1st September to mid October This links Harvest Thanksgiving, the Orthodox Church's 'Day of Celebration for the Creator and Creation' (1st September), Animal Welfare Sunday (1st October) and the Festival of St Francis (4th October). Creationtide liturgical materials are available from www.christian-ecology.org.uk/harvest.htm and www.ecen.org and http://www.seasonofcreation.com/calendar/

Global warming - should Christians care? by Janet Fulljames of St. Andrew's Church (CofE) Taunton

Reviews

Walking More Lightly Compiled and written by Anne Martin, a trustee of Christian Concern for One World, for whom this research was initially conducted, and former Director of the Commitment for Life programme. Anne has kindly agreed for the resource to be available to anyone who wishes to download it. Reviewed by Charles Jolly.

Have you read something you’d like to review for us?

News

Operation Noah launches its new website with a campaign calling for bold leadership.

Storm of Hope – A report of the day to celebrate Christian Ecology Link's 25th Anniversary with worship, music and poetry.

A fair share of the sea - from the Severn Estuary to the Firth of Forth, WWF spoke to sea anglers, oyster fishermen, marine biologists and offshore renewable experts. They all agree on one thing - the UK Marine Bill must be introduced without delay.

Draft Climate Change Bill The Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches have responded to the DEFRA consultation on the Climate Change Bill.  For the background on the Climate Change Bill read the text on the Defra website, the BBC and the Church Times reporting of it.

Events

National Organic Fortnight 1-15 Sept. A nationwide celebration of organic food and drink. The week brings together everyone from 'fork to fork’.

“Earth is Community” 15 Sept  – A Celebration of the Vision and Path of Thomas Berry. St Mary’s Venue, York Street , London . W1. Speakers include Matthew Fox, Vandana Shiva, Satish Kumar, Cormac Cullinan and Peter Reason. . From 9:45am to 5:30pm. Tickets are £39 and there is also an optional lunch for £6 (options are vegetarian, vegetarian/wheat/gluten free or vegan). If you book 4 or more tickets at a time, you will receive the DVD "The Great Story" (worth £20) – free! There are a limited number of bursary places 0845 2235280.   

World Peace Day 21 Sept : an annual day of global cease fire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace, fixed in the global calendar on 21 September - Peace Day. All sectors of society are being asked to honour and celebrate the Day on 21 September. The vision of the Day extends far beyond the cessation of violent conflict and represents an opportunity for individuals to join in a moment of global unity.

Schumacher Lectures in Leeds 22 Sept - Peace, Ecology and Spirituality in the 21^st Century Matthew Fox: Spiritual Awakening and planetary survival - Karen Armstrong: Islam peace and the West - Satish Kumar: Earth as community - 1000 -1700 on Saturday 22 September in Leeds Town Hall. Tickets £20.00 [£10 concessions] from 0113 224 3801

European Car Free Day  22 Sept

Christians and the Environment Conference  22 Sept  - Centre for Practical Christianity 11am - 4 pm with Rev Dave Bookless, Director of A Rocha, St George's Church, Castle St, Kendal, Cumbria, Cost £10, Contact: hilarybinks@btinternet.com 01539 727207

British food fortnight Sept 22 – 7^th Oct

GOD'S WORD IN A CHANGING CLIMATE - 24-28 Sept  Lee Abbey Conference with Dave Bookless speaking. Book via www.leeabbey.org.uk or 0800 389 1189.

WATER SUSTAINABILITY: THE CHALLENGE TO BUSINESS - 27 Sept  ECCR open debate Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR - -4.30-6.00 p.m.

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 Sept 2007.

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