Words from Bede Circuit
Dear Friends - This week’s letter is from Rev Paul Worsnop, Supernumary minister and as from 1st September Pastoral Care for Windy Nook.
You may well have been deeply disturbed by the news this week — not about Covid this time! On Monday the UN Panel on Climate Change issued its starkest warning yet about the drastic effects of global heating and the urgent need for all countries to rapidly reduce their inputs of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. We are already seeing these effects on our TV screen as fires ravage Greece and floods increase around the world.
Our concern as Christians should not be confined to worries about the future of our children and grandchildren, what kind of world they will inherit, but what we are doing to God’s wonderful creation, which he gave us responsibility to look after. We are answerable to Him for our care of the planet.
The Panel’s report did give us hope that if we change quickly enough the worst effects of climate change in the future can be avoided — so as Christians we should be in the forefront of efforts to make these changes. We have all been prepared to make sacrifices to keep people safe during the Covid pandemic, but the sacrifices we need to make for God’s creation, and all our futures, need to be more dramatic and long-lasting. The food we eat, the cars we drive, the way we heat our homes, what we do in our gardens, the things we buy — they all have an impact on the environment and if we all make changes in ways which reduce the negative impacts we have then there is still hope. There are lots of sites on the internet where you can find out what are the carbon footprints of all kinds of things — for instance, eating beef will have around 6 times the impact of chicken and nearly 100 times the impact of beans!
If you are concerned about the future of God’s creation there is a free online conference specifically for Christians in the North East on Saturday 4th September, 9.30am-1.30pm. Speakers will cover why we need to get involved, how climate change is affecting people around the world and especially what we as Christians and churches can do about it. You can contact me for more details – 01914312526 or revpaulw9@gmail.com. There will be opportunities for small group discussions and questions. Here is where you can register to attend: https://northeastenvironmentconference21.eventbrite.co.uk
It would be great if we could have churches in the Bede Circuit signing up to become eco-churches and for us all to make those adjustments to our lives and lifestyles that will make a positive difference to all our futures. That would be a real way we can all bless God as well as each other!
Prayer from Methodist Prayer Handbook
Gracious God, we hang our heads, shamed by our arrogance that we wilfully, whilst pleading ignorance, defile your magnificent world entrusted to us. Forgive us for the choices we’ve made that damage and destroy. Empower us to challenge actions that perpetuate devastation. Enlighten us to alternative ways of living in order to stir the beginnings of restoration and repair. Amen
(Carolyn Hothersall, lay worker, Lancashire District)
During the summer we will continue to meet in prayer on Wednesday mornings at 10.00am.
For more information, please contact your pastoral visitor or minister.
With good wishes and prayers
Revd Paul Worsnop on behalf of the Bede Circuit staff team.