A report from the Christian presence at The Big One

Victor Humphrey, from the Diocesan Environment Committee, reports on the experience of joining last weekend’s united Christian act of witness for God’s creation outside Parliament…

“They had removed all of the chairs to make more room in St John’s Church, Waterloo.  Some 500 people of all ages stood waiting, exchanging our reasons for being there.  Meanwhile hundreds more were outside unable to get in; and people just kept coming from all over the country. 

The service, entitled ‘‘No Faith in Fossil Fuels’’, was organised by a number of organisations including Christian Climate Action, Tearfund, Green Christian, A Rocha, Cafod, and Christian Aid. 

Worship started with those packed in giving a spirited rendition of “All Creatures of our God and King” led by the Salvation Army band.  We were all given an active role in the Genesis account of the creation by being prompted to shout out each item as it was created (“Water! Water! Water!”) which we did with gusto!

The former Archbishop of York, Lord Sentamu, gave an address saying, “Climate change is the most insidious and brutally indiscriminate force of our time. The people suffering the most have done the least to cause it. That is why continuing to search for new sources of fossil fuels, despite explicit warnings against this from the International Energy Agency, is such an offence against humanity.”

Equally moving was Elizabeth Kitchenside, a Salvation Army first-year cadet, who talked about why she was taking part in the march, saying: “We cannot claim to love God and others and ignore this crisis. Our inaction speaks loudly. Climate change affects the very people that God tells us we are to serve. With prophetic voices we must speak truth to power and bring about God’s upside-down Kingdom. I walk for my future, for the planet, for justice, but most importantly I walk for and with God.”

With that, those inside and out of the church, estimated to be about 1400, combined to form a pilgrimage to the Houses of Parliament, led by the Salvation Army Band.  The placards were varied, both professional and handmade, proclaiming our concern and prayers for climate justice for the poor and disadvantaged. The procession included a ‘No more fossil fuels. Amen.’ banner carried by church leaders and representatives from many denominations.

On their way the procession stopped at the offices of Shell (oil and gas company) in Waterloo.  After prayers, Lord Sentamu attempted to deliver a letter on behalf of all those taking part.  But the doors remained locked and there wasn’t a post box!  Lord Sentamu, who chairs Christian Aid, said: “It is the most arrogant experience I’ve ever had. We want simply to deliver a letter. We’re coming in peace.”

And so we made our way in procession across Westminster Bridge and past the Elizabeth Tower, to Parliament Square, helping to make the Christian presence felt as part of the 4 day event ‘The Big One’. When we arrived the head of the Salvation Army – Commissioner Anthony Cotterill – gave a blessing over the protest and Parliament.

As we made our way home on the train, we discussed the day.  The wonderful uplifting and inspiring worship.  The good-natured procession.  The encouragement of being with so many with the same concerns.  That we had enjoyed the day.  That we had walked for justice.

Revd Richard Wise, Area Dean of Eastleigh, was also present and wrote the following words:

I felt I just had to be at The Big One. Although there was worship and prayer every day of the protest, I was pleased I could make the Friday because of the opening service and pilgrimage across to Westminster. This gave Christians something they could all do together. No one would have noticed if I hadn’t been there in a crowd of over 1400, but every single person plays a part in making something like that effective. We walked, we prayed, we sang, we met other people – and I see the whole thing as a witness. It’s so easy to chat to people you don’t know when you’re all there for the same cause, and I met people from as far afield as Cumbria and Gateshead. I also bumped into some members of Christian CND who I’d only ever met online! There was such a range of ages too.

Of course, the whole event wasn’t just for Christians, but it was so good to see faith groups being such a significant part of something where everyone had the same concern and wanted to come together in unity for it.

I loved the variety of placards, so many made personally by people, some of them very creative and artistic. There was a lot of music as well as speaking. In the face of such a huge threat to the world, there was joy, hope and purpose.

Here’s Richard holding a placard and the Coat of Hopes…

A group from St John’s, Hartley Wintney, including the vicar, Revd Angie Smith, and curate, Revd Samantha Chandler, and member of the church, Ruth Jarman, went to protest and had the following reflection:

Speaking up for the vulnerable and demanding justice from our earthly leaders is one of our jobs as Christians. This was a four day opportunity for many people of all faiths and none to come together and call for the end of the fossil fuel era – something that scientists say needs to happen to maintain a liveable earth. It was a joyful, colourful and hope-filled event and our prayers now must be for continued and increasing pressure on our Government to act with the urgency required.

A group also went to the protest from St Luke’s Church, Hedge End and said:

A party of 11 members and friends of St Luke’s were proud to represent the church and it was a privilege to join a large and diverse group of Christians from all over the country for a church service addressed by the former Archbishop of York John Sentamu and then to process to Westminster to join other groups in a peaceful and dignified gathering to put pressure on the government to take action to halt climate change, which is already seriously affecting the poorest people on earth. 

Standing by the blue plaque commemorating the headquarters of the Suffragist movement it was poignant to reflect how peaceful protest can achieve justice.

The group also gathered respectfully outside the Department for Transport to address the issue of carbon emissions and proposed solutions.

As well as local and individual changes continued pressure is still needed to achieve systemic change so that the earth, as God’s creation, is not to be destroyed by the human made climate catastrophe.