Parishes encouraged to support Climate Sunday
Local parishes across the Church of Ireland are being encouraged to support Climate Sunday – an initiative of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland – in a new short video filmed around our island.
The initiative is calling on all local churches across Britain and Ireland to hold a climate–focused service on any Sunday before the 26 United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP 26), which is taking place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November this year, and to commit to long–term action on climate change. The collective action and commitments from local churches across Britain and Ireland will be presented to the UK Government at a Nations Climate Sunday Service in Glasgow on Sunday 5 September 2021.
The video, which features a contribution from Revd Ross Wilson, rector of Orangefield, has been produced on behalf of the Church and Society Commission. It is introduced by Canon Andrew Orr, a member of the Commission and Chair of Eco–Congregation Ireland, an inter–church organisation seeking to help churches to celebrate the gift of God’s creation, recognise the inter–dependence of all creation, and care for it in their life and mission and through members’ personal lifestyles.
Archbishop John McDowell remarks: “There has probably never been a time when an emphasis by the Churches on the care of the created order is needed. Climate Sunday gives parishes the opportunity to celebrate God’s work in creation as well as his work in redemption, at a time when the need to do so is most pressing.”
Canon Andrew Orr adds: “Climate Sunday is a fantastic initiative which is already proving very popular, with over 5,000 churches already signed up. It’s a very straightforward way for churches to highlight the issue of climate justice in their congregations and get involved in caring for God’s creation. We hope this video will encourage everyone in all parts of Ireland to take part.”
More information on Climate Sunday is available at www.climatesunday.org
Parishes are encouraged to share the video widely in their services and on their websites and social media accounts over the summer months, and to register their interest before Sunday, 5 September.