Beyond the Heatwave: resources from Green Christian

As the UK and much of Europe suffered intense, record-breaking temperatures this week, we prayed for the chaplains at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Hospital in London, in their chaplaincy role also for the London Fire Brigade, who had their worst day of callouts, by some magnitude, due to wildfires, since WWII. Not only were these firemen and women enduring searing heat, but were actively heading into the inferno multiple times; across the country many incidents simply couldn’t be attended due to the pressure on the services, due to environmental factors. These conditions are almost unheard of in green, leafy, rainy Britain.

The relief at the temperatures being over is enormous. But the signs appear to be that this could happen again this summer easily, and going forward much more regularly too – and even become a normal part of life in just a few decades. It seems we have enormous choices in front of us, with ever-increasing urgency.

Earlier this year in partnership with the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, and with the support and leadership of Paul Bodenham of Green Christian, we held some online discussion workshops on reconciliation and the climate crisis, over a number of evenings. We talked of inconsistent responses to energy policy; of the unravelling of Cop26 agreements not even six months after the event; of the technology not being ready for some of the suggested mitigations; of how it’s not just the 1% that the earth has heated up already, but the very possible 2% that it could reach in the foreseeable future. Of the loss and damage already incurred by other nations and peoples far closer to the frontline, and of the political cost of reparation and being the first to take a stand.

We talked of axes of reconciliation – with God; with the past and the damage that has been irrevocably wrought; and with the haves and the have-nots. We talked of a cycle of penitence – privilege, remorse, repentance, self-denial, reparation, renegotiation, and ultimately reconciliation. We talked of justice, and how very hard this is to recognize in this area.

And we talked of coping and resilience: of finding a ‘language of lament’; a safe space for distress and disorientation for individuals, groups and societies; a place to find and encourage hope beyond despair. Because many more will be feeling despair and helplessness after the events of this week. How can churches support people in this?

Green Christian is encouraging and helping resource churches in the coming days through two early evening events:

• Sunday 24 July: A Climate Café offering space to meet with others, and take turns expressing how climate and ecological breakdown makes you feel.
• Thursday 28 July: A workshop to explore the challenges to pastoral care, ministry and mission from the unfolding reality of the climate emergency, and how churches should respond.

More details and to sign up here: Heatwave: what just happened? – Green Christian – I would strongly urge you to join in if you can.

Father – creator – forgive.

Alice Farnhill, CCN Co-ordinator