Birmingham set to welcome COP 26 relay walkers

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Pilgrims from the Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) are walking 750 miles, in relays, from St Ives in Cornwall to Glasgow, arriving in November for the meeting of World Leaders at the G7 Climate Change Conference. The Walk is being sponsored by the Passionists who have members in Coventry and Birmingham.

Along the route they will be joined by local walkers and they will draw attention to the climate crisis. They are stopping at 10 cities and will be in the Birmingham District for 10 days. They will walk from Leamington to Coventry on Saturday 21 August, arriving in Coventry Cathedral Ruins at 5pm.

At 5pm they will be welcomed into the Cathedral Ruins by Rev Su McClellan and local campaigners for a short act of worship. They have been offered overnight hospitality by the Salvation Army and meals will be provided by parishioners of St Thomas More RC church, Knoll Drive and staff and friends at the Salvation Army.

This is a great opportunity for everyone in Coventry, for churches, youth groups, and people of all ages to walk, meet the walkers, discuss climate issues and learn how we can make a difference to save our planet.

You are invited:

• to gather at the Cathedral Ruins at 4.45pm on Saturday 21 August to welcome them into Coventry and, if you wish, to join in the short liturgy at 5pm

• to wave them off from the Salvation Army at 9am on Sunday morning

• to join them, for any distance, walking from Leamington to Coventry on Saturday 21 or from Coventry to Solihull on Sunday 22, or Solihull to Birmingham on Monday 23.

To join please sign up HERE - this will ensure that you are insured

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvLgNaBBq8tHS1sqf66MKH0SP1m2mts7aEYnFSt6nQjfDoQA/viewform

The pilgrims will arrive in Birmingham on Monday 23 and events will be held every day until they leave on Friday 27.

Events at St Philip's Square, Birmingham, B3 2QB:

Monday 23 August: Arrival of the main pilgrimage to Birmingham - approximately 3pm. A short informal time of prayer to welcome the pilgrimage.

Tuesday 24 August, 2pm:
1) A lobbying event. Local politicians will be invited to discuss the climate emergency.

2) Arrival of pilgrimage tributary from Gloucestershire. This second group of walkers have walked several days from Gloucestershire to meet the main route.

Wednesday 25 August, 12noon to 2.30pm:
1) Climate Education Event - Environmental campaigning organisations invited to share information about the Climate Emergency.

2) A multi-faith prayer service at 1pm.

Thursday 26 August, 3.30pm:
1) Arrival of a second pilgrimage tributary from Wolverhampton

2) 10am online event with Christian Aid and NTCOG.

Friday 27 August: The pilgrimage will depart from Birmingham, from St Chad's Cathedral, to continue their walk.

Would you like to get involved/help? Email relaytocop26.birmingham@gmail.com

Visit the Relay to COP26 website: www.yccn.uk/