Churches throughout Ireland have been urged to ‘ring the changes’ on 6th December as part of an international day of action to demand that governments take strong action on climate change.
The global bell-ringing event will coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference, which takes place in Poznan, Poland, from 1st to 12th December. World leaders will discuss action on climate change for the last time before next year’s Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, which will seek to replace the Kyoto Protocol when it runs out in 2012.
The Stop Climate Chaos coalition says that, over the next 12 months, governments around the world must receive a loud and clear message that bold decisions will have to be made in Denmark next December if catastrophic climate change is to be avoided.
The coalition, which includes Eco Congregation Ireland, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, Tearfund, Trocaire, Concern and Oxfam, is looking for a fair and effective global deal, which would see global warming limited to two degrees Celsius and a 30% cut in emissions by developed countries by 2020. Also, developing countries would be enabled to access appropriate and adequate resources to help them adapt to the current – and future – impacts of climate change.
Churches are asked to ring their bells at 12 noon in Northern Ireland – and 2pm in the Republic – on 6th December and to organise an event in conjunction with the bell-ringing – a prayer vigil or carol service to which local churches could be invited. Flyers could be handed out to passers-by.
Clergy are also encouraged to incorporate a ‘Stop Climate Chaos’ theme into services on 7th December when it is hoped that sermons and prayers would focus on care for the environment and the effects of climate change.
Services of ‘non-power’ could be held in the evening by turning off the lights and heating and having a candle-lit service. Youth workers and teachers are encouraged to lead sessions on climate change.
Eco Congregation Ireland suggests that a hymn on a creation theme, such as Creator God, abundant life your mark (see below) and one of the following prayers could be incorporated into worship in a nationwide attempt to encourage Christians to make the link between their faith and the environment. For further resources, including liturgy, sermon outlines and prayers on climate change, see www.ctbi.org.uk.
Let us pray,
The way we live today is changing the climate, the seas and the balance of life, hurting the poor and future generations. Show us the way and help us, O God, to change the way we live our daily lives so that your earth and your people may be healed and protected.
Lord hear us,
Lord graciously hear us.
Show us how to do things well today,
so that others may not suffer,
here or there,
now or in the future.
Show us how to make our contribution
as we change the way we live,
travel, make and consume, pack and unpack,
use, misuse and re use energy, heating and lighting.
Show us how to do simple things well in our home,
places of work and lifestyle choices.
Show us how to protect the world you made,
in all its diversity and goodness,
from our carbon emissions,
global warming and climate change,
rising temperatures and sea levels,
the displacement of peoples, environmental poverty,
harm and destruction.
Show us how and show us why,
so that alone and with others
our contribution will make a difference.
Amen
© Robin Morrison
Creator God, abundant life your mark (sung to the Christmas tune of The Angel Gabriel) –
Creator God, abundant life your mark,
You once poured speech into the formless dark
And from those words sprang forth a living spark
Your inspiration – Awoke creation
Throughout this world, in which we live and move,
All that we sense below, around, above
Displays the imprint of your longing love
Its revelation – Throughout creation.
But yet the earth is fractured, frayed and torn,
Poisoned, polluted, ravaged, scarred and worn
Its treasures plundered and its beauties scorned
Our transformation – Of God’s creation.
From blight and guilt, we cannot walk away
Our will and actions shape the world today
And ours the greed, insisting on its way,
Whose depredations – Despoil creation.
Come Holy Spirit, challenge mind and heart!
Inspire our living so that we will start
To make those choices which may yet impart
Love’s liberation – To your creation.
We pledge to touch all things with holy care
Until your coming Kingdom ends despair
Then all the world will witness and will share
The jubilation – Of healed creation.
© Pat Bennett