(Photo Credited: Adam Sébire / Climate Visuals)

We have recently left 2022 behind which according to scientists was the warmest year on record in the UK and across Europe. Climate change is a fact and a long-term trend that will accompany us through 2023 and long beyond increasingly impacting every aspect of life including water and air quality, food security, extreme weather patterns & natural disasters, community & mental health and the wider economy.

As nature loving and concerned parishioners of CCVW we believe that caring for creation and adjusting our way of life in the process is a divine mandate for all of mankind that dates back to the Garden of Eden. David the king and psalmist affirms that all of Creation proclaims the glory of God in Psalm 19. As Christians, we were admonished by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans (Romans 1:20) that everyone can learn about the nature and laws of God from gazing at Creation. Several saints and mystics of the church (e.g. St. Francis of Assisi) have affirmed through history that Creation is indeed the incarnation of God’s Love and Spirit and we are invited to commune with God in the midst of it.

We would like to re-invigorate this sacred connection with nature and believe that valuing and protecting creation cannot sustainably stem from a sense of guilt or even duty but will authentically flow once we fall in love with the Creator in his Creation once again. This is our deepest desire for us as a faith community in 2023. 

We are planning events and activities this season such as:

• A Fair-trade fortnight from late February to Mid-March

• Observing Earth Hour in late March

• A Forest Church service in late April

Together with pursuing our Gold level Eco Church credentials through the year, our hope is that we can all find a way to re-establish and deepen our connection with and love for nature.

If you would like to learn more about climate issues and constructive approaches to address the unfolding crisis, BBC Radio 4 is currently broadcasting a short series of discussions that you may find helpful. It is called Rethink Climate available on BBC Sounds.

As the new year chugs along with all its busyness and challenges, we are all invited to take out a bit of time and walk with our Maker in the garden in the cool of the eve. We will not be walking alone… 

Enjoy the adventure,

CCVW Eco Group