The first ever ecumenical event on climate change is taking place this month, looking at the Christian response to environmental issues and practical ways to empower the Church to the threat posed by global warming.
Mission Earth
"Mission Earth- A Christian Response to Climate Change" is taking place on the 21st April in York Minster. The event is being organised by the Christian Census on Climate Change (CConCC), a steering group that originated from grassroots Catholic groups in the Middlesborough Diocese.
The event aims to get Christians thinking about their relationship with the environment, and what the Biblical response to issues of global warming and climate change should be. Spokesperson for CConCC Emma Casson said:
"We're very excited about the event, it is the first its kind. The day aims to get people thinking about 'their place in the world'. We hope to empower believers to see themselves as 'custodians of God's earth'- that if "God so loved the world", so should we!
We also hope to address the perceived apathy in some parts of the Church by dealing with scepticism and giving people ideas for practical application in their own neighbourhoods and beyond. "
The day will start with a service led by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, and will be attended by the Catholic Bishop of Middlesbrough. The service will also feature speakers from leading international environmental and developmental organisations including Tearfund and Operation Noah.
During the day, a series of workshops and seminars delivered by Tearfund, Christian Aid, and CAFOD, will look at topics such as the science and risk of climate change and communicating climate change within the Church. It will also cover practical environmental projects, such as turning the churchyard into a haven for plants and wildlife, and establishing waste recycling projects in the community.
Emma said: "Going forward, we would like to see this initiative taken into the wider community, embracing a multi-faith approach. We would love to work with other faiths to take the issue of addressing climate change and global warming as far as possible.
After all, it's the responsibility of all us, not just Christians to take care of the planet."
April 3rd, 2012 - Posted & Written by
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