Christians Aware Conference: 'The moment of crisis has come'

Barbara Butler

The Christians Aware annual conference last weekend involved 60-70 people each session over three days and looked at the challenge that environmental crises, particularly climate instability, present to the Churches. In her introduction, Barbara Butler, who heads the ecumenical charity, reflected on the theme, 'the moment of crisis has come', and some advantages of zoom, particularly "the blessing that people from around the world can join today." Participants came in from countries where Christians Aware has links, such as Australia, India and Kenya. From UK, there was participation on the Catholic front from the National Justice and Peace Network and Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology.

David Rhodes, author of 'Climate Change - The Challenge to the Churches' suggested that with November's international climate conference in Glasgow on the horizon, "COP26 might bring some hope - but unless we can make governments take serious action we are sleepwalking into disaster". He lamented that Paris Agreement targets of 2015 have been "largely ignored by governments," but agreed with David Attenborough that "when we the people work together there is no limit to what we can achieve". Of course, churches are making energy saving measures and various efforts towards sustainable lifestyles, "but we need to think big and act big". He asked: Can Churches free themselves from paralysing theological activity? Can they stir membership to avert climate action and act in the political sphere? He urged Churches, "to be a partnership to action with other faiths and peoples?"

Inspirational Helen Browning, chief executive of the Soil Association, who runs her own organic farm in Wiltshire - well it's actually owned by the Church of England - called for those in the Churches and mainstream society to support indigenous peoples and others in the front line of protecting the environment. She felt faiths are increasingly aware in terms of securing the right future for nature as well as people. Our dominion over nature needs to be thought through more. She favours innovation from the ground up. And she walks the talk on her own farm, showing images of Agroforestry with trees integrated into the farm environment - trees amidst a crop of barley, cows grazing amidst willow, pear and alder trees, and sheep grazing in orchards. Trees have deep roots that catch nutrients and they help prevent flooding, attract pollinators, and capture methane and nitrogen. Trees help prevent soil erosion - very important since the UK has lost half its soil. She has planted some apricot trees, anticipating climate change, and choosing species that can cope with a warmer climate. Around 10% of her farm has been left as a wild area to support wildlife.

In her post with the Soil Association, she is involved with certification of organic food, nurturing active citizenship and the transition to healthy and sustainable diets. She feels our current approach to working with nature is "misguided". We need to produce more fruit, vegetables and nuts, ensuring all children should have at least one proper meal a day. Of course, many don't in the UK where child poverty is on the rise. We must change the way we consume and waste and Churches can support the transition. In her view, we should support small and local farmers, many of whom earn less than the minimum wage; this includes those in other parts of the world who have practised sustainable farming for a long time and fought against industrial farming. For urban people like me she felt gardens and allotments are really important, particularly for growing food. She advised that we create ponds and stop mowing lawns. "Rewild your lawn and be less tidy so that it goes into seed heads" she urged; "let as many diverse things bloom as possible."

Christians Aware is international and interdenominational, working to develop multicultural and interfaith understanding and friendship locally, nationally and internationally. I have long enjoyed attending conferences where nearly everybody has experience of mission in the global south and a global outlook. We heard a very interesting presentation on mission in Madagascar from Adam Boulter, an artist and Anglican priest who was in the area of Toliara much of last year with his young family. We learnt that the impact of Covid was reduced there because few people live beyond their 50s. "But there are lots of small coffins for burials," he reported, as poverty kills many under-fives and reduces the life prospects of huge numbers of street children. He hosted weekly meals including meat and fish at his home to feed schoolchildren in his classes who lived solely on rice and occasional beans. His whole family loved Madagascar and plan to return one day and focus on environmental action in "this forgotten corner". He urged prayers of solidarity for the people of Toliara.

Other speakers asked us to listen to young prophets, such as Greta Thunberg and Marcus Rashford, support public transport, and engage with campaigns on Debt Cancellation, and Divestment from Fossil Fuels. Jenny Brown of Christian Aid said that despite the convergence of various crises "we are looking towards a hope-filled future". Christians Aware also appreciates creativity. We had a session of poetry with Malcolm Guite, 'Renewing love through crisis', and a wonderful session of 'Music and Song to Refresh Us' with Geoff Weaver. We celebrated Joan Baez 80th birthday by singing along to 'We shall overcome'!

The whole conference was chaired by Church of England Bishop John Perumbalath of Bradwell, who hails from the ancient Christian community in Kerala, South India. He sensed that Churches often feel very weak, "but they have a role in the public square". He was saddened that "Churches like to play safe" and last summer he himself received advice not to take up the cause of Black Lives Matter in Essex! "We must discover our vocation to work for a better world - especially through advocacy" he said; "don't keep silent in such a time as this".

Participants might have missed more social interaction, shared meals, and the resource tables available at a normal Christians Aware conference, but there was plenty to motivate and inspire. The website provides links to activity and materials available throughout the year.

LINK

Christians Aware - www.christiansaware.co.uk/