A READING & PRAYER GATHERING INVITATION
On the first of September of this year, Pope Francis, Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issued a joint statement calling for the “preservation of creation” and the urgent need for action on climate change and environmental degradation. This was the first time all three joined together to explain why religious leaders felt a pastoral need to call for a collective response to the global threat to all of God’s creation. This statement comes just before the climate summit (COP26) begins in Scotland.
The Greenfaith Movement, a worldwide ecumenical organization, has also called for people of faith to stand up and make their voices heard at the climate change summit. They have made a list of “ten demands” they will present at COP26. They have encouraged all people of faith to pray for the nations that will meet at COP26 and to show the world that they are willing to stand together in urging policy changes that will reduce the threats of climate change and address climate justice issues. Your TEST team has been interested in the goals of Greenfaith ever since the founder, Rev. Fletcher Harper, made a visit to Trinity years before Greenfaith became an international entity. Their slogan is, “Faiths 4 Climate Justice”
Therefore, on this next Monday, October 18, 3021, you are invited to meet at Trinity Episcopal Church at 2:30 PM. The TEST team will read aloud the Joint Statement, pray for the nations meeting soon in Scotland, and discuss the ten demands by Greenfaith. Our special guests will be members of the green team at the First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence. Anyone is invited to come. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. The meeting will be live-streamed and available on Trinity’s Website.
EARTH STEWARD ACTION: Attend if you can, if not, please pray for COP26
SOURCES: www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news-and-statement-joint-statement-climate-change
www.greenfaith.org , www.facebook.com/trinitylawrenceks