One of the ‘Five Marks of Mission’ includes the commitment to Christian mission, “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.” Care for the environment continues to be a core part of what it means to be a Christian. As we approach the COP26 international climate summit being held in Glasgow in November 2021 the following may guide congregations, ministers and worship leaders:
- The urgency and gravity of the situation, as highlighted by the recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which was described as a ‘code red for humanity‘, and the acknowledgement that the climate and biodiversity crisis not only represent a failure of our stewardship of God’s creation but that the precipitous decline in global ecosystems threatens the wellbeing of billions of lives dependent upon them
- The role of faith, communal worship and prayer in helping to shape our attitudes and behaviours, including to continue to have hope even (or especially) when a situation is difficult, and in particular to have the chance to remember the situation of sisters and brothers all over the world suffering from the impact of global heating
- The practical decisions the Church has taken for itself, including to disinvest from fossil fuel companies and setting the church on a pathway to Net Zero carbon emissions by the year 2030
- The importance of decisions by governments from countries around the world to set more ambitious carbon reductions targets, for rich countries to be generous in the sharing of wealth to support poorer nations affected by loss and damage caused by the changing climate, and for an end to government subsidies and investment in fossil fuel businesses
- How to support young people within and beyond the Church to let their voices be heard
Suggestions for hymns around the theme of care for creation and COP26
