Christians deliver ten ecological commandments
-27/10/06
By Jordan Tchilingirian
As we
Christians deliver ten ecological commandments
-27/10/06
By Jordan Tchilingirian
As well as actively campaigning, churches should take action against climate change by following the simple lifestyle of Jesus, Christians in the UK have said.
Ahead of next week’s “I Count” rally in Trafalgar Square, Christian Ecology Link (CEL) are offering Ten ‘Ecological Commandments’ to churches and others, to help create a greener future.
CEL is urging Christians to make a symbolic step and take part in ‘Black Out UK’ – a national event to coincide with the I Count rally, where the public are being asked to turn out their lights wherever possible for two hours.
But Christian Ecology Link suggests that Christian involvement should not stop at a couple of hours on a November evening.
The group says that there is an imperative for the church and its members to be aware of, and engage in, care for the whole earth.
The group explains that if Christians believe in the teachings of Jesus and are sincerely trying to act in accordance with them, the church must actively change their ways.
Christian Ecology Link have made the following ten suggestions:
. Use less electricity – use low energy light bulbs, don’t leave appliances on stand-by, buy A rated appliances (fridges etc.) and switch to green electricity (Good Energy or Green Energy)
. Repair, re-use, borrow and share – engage with local swapshop networks, buy from charity shops and jumble sales
. Share and pool resources – put a message in your local church newsletter listing the things that you have to share and inviting others to use them
. Save and cherish water – get a water butt, repair dripping taps
. Srive less – walk, cycle, use the bus, tram, train
. Use less gas and oil – insulate your home, wear an extra jumper
. Eat food that is local and organic (if possible) – use your local food markets, share an allotment with friends
. Plant a tree – in your garden, backyard, or church grounds – make it a celebratory event
. Reconnect with the Earth – support a nature conservation group, include caring for the Earth in church liturgy, organise a local nature-watch walk
. Join thousands of others at the Stop Climate Chaos – ‘I count’ rally
in Trafalgar Square on 4th November – join the service of worship at Grosvenor Chapel, 24 South Audley Street, at 11.15am before going to the rally at 12 noon.
The rally planned for the 4th November is organised by Stop Climate Chaos whose members include the Christian groups BMS World Mission, Cafod, Christian Aid, A Rocha, Operation Noah and Tearfund.
Christian Ecology Link’s calls come hot on the heels of another high profile public address on ecological destruction by the Christian development agency Tearfund. Ekklesia reported last week that a new Tearfund publication, ‘Feeling the Heat’, predicts that global warming will trigger 25 million ‘environmental refugees’ around the world.
Christians deliver ten ecological commandments
-27/10/06
By Jordan Tchilingirian
As well as actively campaigning, churches should take action against climate change by following the simple lifestyle of Jesus, Christians in the UK have said.
Ahead of next week’s “I Count” rally in Trafalgar Square, Christian Ecology Link (CEL) are offering Ten ‘Ecological Commandments’ to churches and others, to help create a greener future.
CEL is urging Christians to make a symbolic step and take part in ‘Black Out UK’ – a national event to coincide with the I Count rally, where the public are being asked to turn out their lights wherever possible for two hours.
But Christian Ecology Link suggests that Christian involvement should not stop at a couple of hours on a November evening.
The group says that there is an imperative for the church and its members to be aware of, and engage in, care for the whole earth.
The group explains that if Christians believe in the teachings of Jesus and are sincerely trying to act in accordance with them, the church must actively change their ways.
Christian Ecology Link have made the following ten suggestions:
. Use less electricity – use low energy light bulbs, don’t leave appliances on stand-by, buy A rated appliances (fridges etc.) and switch to green electricity (Good Energy or Green Energy)
. Repair, re-use, borrow and share – engage with local swapshop networks, buy from charity shops and jumble sales
. Share and pool resources – put a message in your local church newsletter listing the things that you have to share and inviting others to use them
. Save and cherish water – get a water butt, repair dripping taps
. Srive less – walk, cycle, use the bus, tram, train
. Use less gas and oil – insulate your home, wear an extra jumper
. Eat food that is local and organic (if possible) – use your local food markets, share an allotment with friends
. Plant a tree – in your garden, backyard, or church grounds – make it a celebratory event
. Reconnect with the Earth – support a nature conservation group, include caring for the Earth in church liturgy, organise a local nature-watch walk
. Join thousands of others at the Stop Climate Chaos – ‘I count’ rally
in Trafalgar Square on 4th November – join the service of worship at Grosvenor Chapel, 24 South Audley Street, at 11.15am before going to the rally at 12 noon.
The rally planned for the 4th November is organised by Stop Climate Chaos whose members include the Christian groups BMS World Mission, Cafod, Christian Aid, A Rocha, Operation Noah and Tearfund.
Christian Ecology Link’s calls come hot on the heels of another high profile public address on ecological destruction by the Christian development agency Tearfund. Ekklesia reported last week that a new Tearfund publication, ‘Feeling the Heat’, predicts that global warming will trigger 25 million ‘environmental refugees’ around the world.