We may not be able to meet in person at the end of the month to share in our grief and hope for our beautiful planet but I hope in these strange times we can still be a community sharing together. Below I have put together some resources you can use on your own or as a small group to pray, worship and lament.
We start with four minutes of Climate Change facts from national treasure David Attenborough: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p076w7g5
Isaiah 24, NIV translation:
4 The earth dries up and withers,
the world languishes and withers,
the heavens languish with the earth.
5 The earth is defiled by its people;
they have disobeyed the laws,
violated the statutes
and broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore a curse consumes the earth;
its people must bear their guilt.
Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up,
and very few are left.
Jon Swales of Leeds Christian Climate Action shares his thoughts and lament for the planet:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P-F5hfpfZ0&w=560&h=315]Colossians 1, NIV translation
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
To finish I leave you with this beautiful song and reflection by Jamie Cullen
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnHh1Itcha0&w=560&h=315]If you want to learn or do more about the climate emergency take a look at some of the resources below.
We have created a new Facebook group for people of faith passionate about the climate, please do join us to share reflections, resources and prayers.
Living Lent – lent resources about climate change, with daily reflections, videos and inspiration to make change happen.
Operation Noah – a charity inspiring the church to take action on the climate crisis
A Rocha UK – working for the protection and restoration of the natural world and committed to mobilising Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environment. They are known for their eco-church award.
Live simply – a resource for local church communities encouraging a simple and more sustainable lifestyle.
Christian Climate Action – an organisation encouraging direct action by Christians tackling the climate crisis. Join the Leeds Facebook group here.
Hope for the future – Hope for the Future offers training and support to help you transform your elected representatives’ hearts and minds on climate change.
Christian Aid, Tearfund and CAFOD all have campaign resources on climate change.