Welcome to the July edition of Creation Challenge!

My sincere apologies that we missed the April edition, the only excuse I can offer is that I moved pastorates in April.

So as we continue into Summer, with its apparently random mix of sunshine and showers, let us give mind to the events that are coming up this autumn and the roles that we can play both locally, nationally and internationally, in acting for change and doing our part in living it out.

The Impact of Climate Change & our response - The United Reformed Church is hosting a day exploring the joint URC and Methodist report on climate change theology: ‘Hope in God’s Future’ on Wednesday 4th November at Carrs Lane URC, Birmingham.

This summer this major report will be launched via the Creation Challenge website and will include a revamp of the site.

The report was debated at the Methodist conference and is to be to be debated further in circuits and districts with a view to it becoming a Statement of Conference in 2011. Hope in God’s Future debate at Methodist Conference - July 2009

The network exists to support the work of individuals and churches throughout our denominations so please share any news, tips, experiences or questions that you have where churches' and your own engagement with the environment are concerned.

Best wishes,

Dave Coaker

Creation Challenge, Coordinator

 

Actions

Tens of thousands will flow through the streets of London on Saturday 5 December 2009 in a human wave of support for action on climate change ahead of crunch talks at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen. Find out more .... There will also be an ecumenical service on that day at Westminster Central Hall.

And to prepare over the summer there is material available in the Summer Action Pack

(If you have any other suggestions for actions individuals or groups could take please let us know!)

 

Church Action

"We have made many new friends in our neighbourhood and been reminded that we are planted in this place to grow with the community." Rev Tracey Lewis. Greening Mission - new life at 100! The centenary of a Trinity-Henleaze URC is a significant anniversary.

St James’ URC, Buckhurst Hill, Essex has celebrated gaining its 2nd Eco-Congregation award.

We know there is so much more happening out in the churches than we are sharing with you! Feel free to recycle newsletter or press reports and email us what you’ve been up to!

 

Tips/Resources

Creation time - 1st Sept - 4th Oct 2009: 'Time for God's Creation.' Resources are available from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Contact mary.gandy@ctbi.org.uk .

New toolkits and resources with energy saving tips and guidance for the CofE's churches, cathedrals, schools and clergy homes are now available at http://www.shrinkingthefootprint.org/. These include downloadable action plans and checklists along with advice on considering the appropriate use of renewable energy in church buildings.

 

Reviews

Steve Hucklesby reviews The Age of Stupid

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

 

News

London Operation Noah Ark Event

First Mili-band of the summer - Saturday 4th July - Stop Climate Chaos members Oxfam, WDM, RSPB, People & Planet, NUS, Christian Aid & the WI got together on 4 July to put on the first Mili-band of the summer, at the Kingsnorth summer fête.

 

Events

31st July and 1st Aug - Green Economics Institute 4th Annual Green Economics Conference. Mansfield College Oxford University. The clash between ecology and economy. Fees- £89.00 a person including all refreshments and lunch. Evening programme and college dinning, conference supper. greeneconomicsinstitute@yahoo.com - website www.greeneconomics.org.uk

20th August - An Ark will be floated on the River Deben Suffolk and will sail between the two banks carrying with it a globe of flames and Noah’s animals.   It is part of a series of Operation Noah ARK events taking place around the country in the lead up to the Copenhagen Summit in December. 

3rd Oct  Morecambe - Event at high tide, from 11.30am onwards on Morecambe promenade. Speaker: Mark Dowd from Operation Noah. We aim to highlight our concerns about climate change to policy makers and the media ahead of the all important Copenhagen summit in December. There will be music, banners, etc. kathy@kasulu.org 

4 Oct for a national Day of Prayer in preparation for the Copenhagen summit – more details to follow.

October 13^th, 7pm, Southwark Cathedral - Dr Rowan Williams, will give the annual Operation Noah lecture on "Noah and the Flood: lessons for the Twenty First Century." There are 800 seats only.  If you wish to reserve a place, email campaigns@operationnoah.org or ring 020 7324 4761, or write to: Operation Noah, The Grayston Centre, 28 Charles Square, London, N1 6HT.

Sat 5 Dec  London - Climate Change Demonstration, London, for action at Copenhagen. Stop Climate Chaos

 

Eco-congregation Awards

Shrewsbury URC - 2nd award

Stanford Avenue Methodist Brighton

Bethnal Green Meeting House(URC)

St Andrews Methodist Church Worcester

High St Baptist, Tring

Gildersome Baptist Church - 2nd Award

Tavistock Methodist

Cheadle Hulme Methodist

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 2009.