November 2020

Dear friends,

This month we have news of a record number of faith institutions divesting from fossil fuels, as well as new Climate Sunday resources and a climate-focused Advent resource. We’ve also appeared in the media a number of times during November.

We’re so grateful for all the support we receive from readers of this newsletter and continue to pray you stay safe and well in these strange times.

All the best,
The Operation Noah team

Record number of faith institutions launch new wave of global fossil fuel divestment

Earlier this month, 47 faith institutions from 21 countries, including nine institutions from the UK, announced their divestment from fossil fuels as a practical response to the climate emergency. Operation Noah coordinated the announcement with our friends at the Global Catholic Climate Movement, Green Anglicans, the World Council of Churches and GreenFaith.

Participating institutions included five Catholic religious orders in the UK, two United Reformed Church Synods, local CofE and Methodist churches, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (Catholic) and the American Jewish World Service.

The announcement coincided with the G20 summit and the Economy of Francesco conference convened by Pope Francis and comes one month before the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Find out more

Scottish churches make COP26 pledge on divestment and the just and green recovery

Operation Noah has joined with Eco-Congregation Scotland, Christian Aid Scotland and Friends of the Earth Scotland to launch the Scottish Churches COP26 Pledge. The pledge calls for fossil fuel divestment and support for a just and green recovery from Covid-19.

As Scotland prepares to host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021, the pledge states that ‘it is unethical for Churches to invest in an industry that is harming the planet’. It highlights the urgent need for a just transition from fossil fuels to clean alternatives.

Scottish Churches, church leaders and individuals are invited to sign the pledge.

Climate Sunday resources

Revd Helen Burnett recently held two Climate Sunday services at St Peter and St Paul’s Chaldon in the Diocese of Southwark, where she is Vicar. She has kindly shared her service sheets, prayers and sermons for anyone who might find them useful in planning their own Climate Sunday service.

Resources

Events, resources and news

Liverpool Diocese Eco Church webinar. Rachie Ross, Operation Noah Trustee, spoke at this webinar earlier this month. The event offered inspiration, ideas and support for Eco Church and was organised by Faiths4Change.

VoiceofIslamUK climate crisis interview. Rachie also spoke on the Breakfast Show of VoiceofIslamUK. Scroll to 37 minutes into the programme to hear her.

Green Industrial Revolution interview. Caroline Harmon, Operation Noah’s Communications Officer, spoke on UCB Radio about the government’s new plans for a Green Industrial Revolution.

Sacred People, Sacred Earth is the world’s first multi-faith climate justice network. It was launched this month by Green Faith and a global day of action is planned for 11 March 2021.

Eco Advent Resources from The Global Catholic Climate Movement.

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