Thought for the Week – commencing 25^th October 2021

By the Rev. Tony Bushell, Priest in Charge, Stanway.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” (Psalm 24.1)

We live in dangerous times - the world is under threat. I am not talking about warfare or conflict or anything of that kind, though they are horrendous enough, but the immense challenge posed by climate change. For many years we have been told that the earth is warming up and that the effect of that will be devastating to many countries, especially the poorest. We also know that this global warming is almost entirely caused by the activities of human beings, particularly in the burning of fossil fuels and the releasing of carbon into the atmosphere. This was accepted by every nation in the UN at the Paris Conference in 2015, and ever since then the signatories to the Paris Agreement have been working towards agreed targets to reduce emissions and to promote “cleaner” ways of producing power. Every five years countries come together to review these targets and the follow up to Paris happens next week in Glasgow at COP 26 (Conference of the Parties number 26).

What is the Christian perspective on all this and what can we do?

Firstly we recognize and affirm that God made this beautiful world and has put us humans as stewards of it. That is to say we to look after it and care for it, and it is not for us to exploit, or worse, to destroy (see Genesis chapter 1). Therefore, we have a God-given obligation to preserve and maintain what God has given us. The aims and objectives of COP 26 are fully in accord with our Christian duty because they are all about preserving and maintaining what we have for the benefit of everyone.

Secondly, it is not just governments and world leaders who have a part to play here. We can all do something towards reducing emissions in our homes and in the way we lead our lives. There is plenty of guidance on this from government and other organisations, and there is plenty in the media to help us.  We can ask ourselves questions about our energy usage, the cars we drive, the products we buy, the waste that we create etc. We can also lobby our leaders – make them know that we care and that we care for a reason.

However, perhaps the most important thing a Christian can do is to pray. We pray for those in positions of authority and who take decisions – that they will exercise their powers wisely and with a true and compassionate regard for what is important. We pray for those around us – that more and more people will become aware of the precarious position the world is in and be moved to act. And we pray for ourselves – for wisdom and insight about how we can better lead our lives in the face of this crisis.

The Church of England is one of the institutions that is at the forefront of a greater awareness of the dangers to the world of climate change, and there are several initiatives under way. It is at a local level, though, in the parishes, that much of the work will be done. In Stanway we shall be starting an Environment Group which will aim to promote and encourage new ways of thinking and working in our area to meet this situation. This will not be a church group – it will be for and of the community – but its inspiration comes from that first consideration that we are stewards of God’s creation. At St. Albright’s we shall be thinking about how our wonderful ancient building can be more energy efficient and how we can play our part in this whole process.

This Saturday evening, the 30^th October, along with churches all over the country on the eve of the start of COP 26, we shall be ringing the church bell for 30 minutes from 6.00 pm. It is a sign of warning to the world of the dangers that we face, but also a sign of hope. Hope in a God who has given us so much and a God who loves, cares for and supports his children.

Loving God, we praise your name for all that you have created.

You are present in the whole universe, and in the smallest of creatures.

We acknowledge the responsibilities you have placed on us as stewards of your creation.  

May the Holy Spirit inspire all political leaders at COP 26 as they seek to embrace the changes needed to foster a more sustainable society. Instil in them the courage and gentleness to implement fairer solutions for the poorest and most vulnerable, and commit their nations to the care of Our Common Home.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son.

Amen.

(Prayer written for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales)