Lent and climate change
Having been rather political last month, this month I’ve opted for my liturgical hat and whether we might use Lent as a time to think about and act on climate care.
For those of you who like to read, I would recommend Ruth Valerio’s Saying Yes to Life or a new book by Jo Swinney, The Whole Easter Story, which is being promoted by A Rocha, the Christian climate charity that runs Eco Church. A Rocha also has a useful booklet for Lent, produced by Salisbury Diocese here: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/resources/worship-and-teaching
Other resources:
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Act on Poverty is Christian Aid’s six-week course and has been refreshed for 2025.
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Living Hope from the Church of England includes some inspiring stories from young environmental champions across the country.
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Climate Justice and Discipleship - a contemplative journey into action is the Diocese of London’s online Lent course on Tuesday evenings.
For those of you who prefer to give up something for Lent, instead of the usual alcohol or chocolate, perhaps the challenge might be to give up meat or dairy, or the food items that generate the most plastic waste in your house, e.g. crisps or biscuits. And for those of you who like to do something extra, there is a list of simple things to try below; perhaps one per week or the same one for whole of Lent: https://arocha.org.uk/go-green-for-lent/
For those seeking prayer inspiration, you might like to use the link below. While this isn’t specifically a Lent resource, there are the right number of prayers for the days in question!
https://greenchristian.org.uk/lament-hope-40-prayers-for-the-climate-and-ecological-emergency/
Other resources:
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Tearfund Lent devotional daily emails with a concern for climate justice·
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Pray and Fast for the Climate share monthly prayer pointers. February’s are available now, with lots on caring for creation including a lovely quote from Norman Wirzba: "Creatures are not simply the objects of God’s love. They are, more importantly and more mysteriously, the embodied sites through which the love of God is continuously at work in the world.”
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Ripple Effect Prayer Resources help you pray for rural African communities plus an online prayer meeting on the morning of Wednesday 5 March.
An Ash Wednesday prayer from https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/
Sustaining God, with us to the End of the Age since you create in order to love; so Earth, and all their life is precious to you.
By your grace you lead those who trust you on journeys of healing beyond the prisons of hopelessness and the confines of greed.
Forgive and release your wayward people: enlighten us with new purpose to love, and with justice to cherish the Earth we also are:
As partners with all your creatures for the peace and beauty of Creation at work and play with you woven together by the Wild Wind, the Spirit, One God for every place and time.