Prayer movement launched for a just global climate agreement

Operation Noah is joining with other Christian organisations in the UK to launch a year of prayer and fasting for the climate at special services across the country on 1 November. This initiative calls on Christians to pray and fast on the first day of every month to make a stand for climate justice. Our service in London will take place at St John’s Waterloo, at 11am. Other services are taking place in Brighton, Coventry, Lancaster, Bracknell and Southwell. All welcome!

Revd Steve Chalke, Oasis Trust founder, will speak at the London launch about the political and spiritual significance of prayer and fasting as a powerful platform for change. Responding to climate change is one of the most pressing moral issues of our day and goes right to the heart of the Christian faith. Canon Giles Goddard, priest at St John’s said, ‘The need for change is urgent and everyone can help bring it about. This is an initiative about hope. Praying and fasting for the climate will inspire action and encourage people to think about what needs to happen. We hope people across the country will support the initiative and tell others about it.’ Read our press release here.

If you would like to help with leading the singing at St. John's Waterloo this Saturday and can arrive early, please contact Ruth Jarman on email: ruthj999@gmail.com.

Help to spread the word

All are welcome to join a short workshop following the service at 1pm to help with ideas and practical information on how to replicate the prayer movement in your area. The vision is for Christians to join together each month in whatever way or situation works best for them – during a lunch break, or in a church or community hall, or within a church home-group. Alternatively, a vigil or public event can be held in a prominent place for greater visibility and access by a range of groups. Are you able to talk with like-minded people in your area to organise a time and venue to meet each month?

Please get in touch if you are able to come to the workshop on 1 November or if you are interested in hosting monthly events in your area at: campaigns@operationnoah.org
Further information about events and resources, including prayer points and a worship sheet, are available on the website.

Can you help to build the Christian climate movement?

Now is a crucial time for Christians to act in response to the climate crisis. The huge success of the People’s Climate global day of action in September has re-ignited the climate movement. Momentum is building towards a new international climate agreement and political pressure is being placed on UK politicians to make bold commitments to tackle climate change ahead of the UK general election and beyond. Are you motivated to help mobilise others?

Operation Noah is seeking supporters to become advocates for change to raise awareness in their church communities and to take forward various campaign actions. Our work over the coming year is focused on the ‘Pray and fast for the climate’ movement, the Bright Now campaign, supporting national campaigns including 'For the Love of', lobbying MPs and mobilising for the next large climate demonstration next Spring. Please get in touch if you are interested in being more active in the climate movement – we are planning a training workshop early next year and can provide further support and resources. Please email: campaigns@operationnoah.org

Praying at the gates of Downing Street

On 22 September the Christian Climate Action group met for prayer as they blockaded Downing Street for half an hour. The action was followed by a vigil next to the entrance where people shared thoughts, poems and meditations. Operation Noah board member, Reggie Norton, reflects on what moved him to take action on climate change outside Downing Street.

‘In January 2000 I read an article that alerted me to the dangers of climate change and how it was essential to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid disastrous consequences. I have been campaigning for this ever since. Over the last 14 years I have been dismayed that climate change has accelerated and the nations of the world have not made nearly enough progress to reduce emissions. I am now a grandfather, so what I want is for the world to take the action necessary to avoid reaching a tipping point so that my grandchildren, and everybody’s grandchildren, can know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.’

Climate, Faith and Hope: Faith traditions together for a common future

At the interfaith summit on climate change held on 21 - 22 September in New York faith leaders representing different religious traditions around the world delivered a statement to world leaders to express deep concern for the consequences of climate change on the Earth and its people. The statement highlighted the disproportionate effect of climate change on the lives, livelihoods and rights of poorer, marginalised and more vulnerable populations, including indigenous peoples. It called for enhanced co-operation between the nations and the creation of mutual trust, fairness and equity, and intergenerational justice. ‘We urge the rich to support the poor and the vulnerable significantly and everywhere...’

They called on governments to commit to limit global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and to work towards the complete phase-out of fossil fuels by mid-century. Ultimately, the faith leaders requested all nations to work constructively towards a far-reaching, fair and legally binding global climate agreement in Paris in 2015.

You can add your voice to the faith communities around the world calling for climate justice at OurVoices.

Upcoming events

Thursday 6 November, 10-11:30am: Pulitzer prize-winning biologist Edward O. Wilson will be speaking on ‘Stewardship: why does it matter?’ in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral. Early arrival by 9:30am is advised. Register at St Paul's Institute.

Friday 7 November, 6.30pm, Greenwood Theatre, King's College London, London Bridge: Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo will deliver this year’s Pope Paul VI Memorial Lecture, entitled ‘The Challenge of our Times: Climate and Poverty –- An Agenda for Social Inclusion and Sustainable Development’. Register at CAFOD.

Christian Ecology Link annual members’ meeting

Saturday 22 November, St Aloysius Church, 20 Phoenix Road, Euston, London:
Ian Christie from the Centre for Environmental Strategy and Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group at the University of Surrey will be sharing his findings from this large research programme and leading workshops on the theme of Sustainable Lifestyles. For further details see CEL.