St John’s Orangefield in Belfast, recently held a mini series on creation care and the climate crisis. In week one, Rev Ross Wilson laid the foundation with the Biblical basis for caring for creation. Next, Ruth Cooke from Christian Aid Ireland challenged the congregation to consider the global picture, particularly focussing on how those in poverty are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. Finally, Helen Newell empowered them to respond, through prayer, through speaking out for justice and then with some lifestyle principles to adopt.
Speaking out for climate justice straight away, Grace Johnston (12) wrote one of 40 postcards to Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, letting him know that the world is watching this June at the G7 summit. The postcards also call on him to prioritise climate justice in the talks with a just finance deal. If you’re in Northern Ireland, you can write your own postcard through Christian Aid’s website: http://caweek.ie/G7
St John’s is working towards becoming an Eco-Congregation, and this service series was the first step in launching this.