The Big One
The Big One took place on the weekend beginning 21st April. For four days activists who were passionate about protecting the environment against the impact of human-driven climate change, filled the streets around Parliament Square. Some were first time activists, people for whom it was the first time that they had felt so passionate that they were willing to stand up and be counted.
On the Friday St John’s Waterloo hosted the No Faith in Fossil Fuels service – it was standing room only in the church with a couple more hundred in the garden and still people kept arriving. “Former Archbishop John Sentamu spoke passionately, naming the climate crisis “an offence against humanity”, and emphasising that we need to leave fossil fuels in the ground. The climate crisis is also a justice crisis in which those who contributed least are suffering the most! Our own new bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough was also present and afterwards he spoke about the need for the bishops and the church take a lead on the climate crisis.
1400 pilgrims then marched to Parliament Square many carrying banners from the organisations they represented – Christian Aid, Cafod, Green Christian, the Iona Community, A Rocha – for many of these groups it was the first time they had joined a protest organised by XR – and this was in no small part due to the diligent effort of Christian Climate Action under the leadership of Melanie Compton.
Christian Climate Action hosted the Faith Hub – located on the pavement outside the Supreme Court – providing opportunities for worship in all shapes and traditions, and welcoming curious new comers and activists.
As well as worship, the Big One was four days of marches, workshops, training sessions, guest speakers, crafts and activities, organised picketing of government departments, music and dance. The busiest day was the Saturday with its focus on Biodiversity with about 60,000 attending including 5 from Christ Church, East Sheen. The march that day was so long it took well over an hour to get moving! It was full of people with banners, people in fancy dress, people with puppets and soft toys including penguins and leopards, trees and butterflies. Of course it was popular – what’s not to like about biodiversity? But why then is it that human activities are causing 6th mass destruction of wildlife on earth? Chris Packham spoke that day about this devastation being inflicted on the planet, and urged everyone who shared that same concern to sign up to Extinction Rebellion. I’m involved with Christian Climate Action which is a non-denominational Christian group that partners Extinction Rebellion. Click here to find out more about Christian Climate Action and to sign up for their newsletter.
The message of urgency was vocalised by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the most recent IPCC report: “Humanity is on thin ice – and that ice is melting fast. Our world needs climate action on all fronts: everything, everywhere, all at once.” This was the message of The Big One!
Judith Russenberger from Christ Church East Sheen.
Members of other Churches in the Deanery were also present, including Claudine McCreadie from St Anne’s who took the cover pic.
Southwark Diocese Eco Church Celebration Event
Over 70 churches were represented at the Eco Church Celebration event held in St John’s Church, Waterloo on Earth Day (Saturday, 22nd April). There were inspiring speakers, such as Andy Atkins, CEO of A Rocha, Deborah Colvin from St James’s Piccadilly – a Gold award church, The Rev Sharon Moughtin, Vicar of St. Mary’s Eco Church, Lambeth, whose ministry specialises in engaging children and young people in thinking about climate and the new Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough who led us in a Service of Thanksgiving for Eco Church.
There was also an opportunity to take part in workshops on each of the awards’ areas (Land, Buildings, Lifestyle, Community & global engagement), to share learning and connect. Jack Edwards, Diocesan Environmental Officer, also spoke about about central church funding and the support that is planned for distribution to the Dioceses as part of the common goal to reach Net Zero.
It provided a great opportunity for St Luke’s to get energised and networked as we embark on our work to achieve our Silver Eco Church award. A perfect way to spend Earth Day!
Suzie O’Brien, St Luke’s, Kew
