Ecumenical service for COP26 at Glasgow Cathedral

Source: Glasgow Churches Together

A special COP26 service featuring Christian churches and organisations from around the world was held at Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday afternoon. The event, which was organised by Glasgow Churches Together, was attended by guests from countries including Australia, Fiji, and Zimbabwe in a show of ecumenical solidarity for global climate justice.

Many of those who took part were from nations which are already bearing the brunt of climate change.

Piper Willie Park opened the service by leading a procession into the 12th century building. Later members of the clergy walked to the tomb of St Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, who was buried on the site in the 7th century.

Church leaders from Scotland were each asked to invite young climate activists as guests. Representatives from the Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN), a group who have completed a 1,200 mile relay to Glasgow, were also in the congregation.

Rev Dr Martin Johnstone, who is the COP26 Ambassador for Glasgow Churches Together, said: "It has been inspiring over the last week to meet and learn from passionate young people committed to climate justice, and to spend time listening to the wisdom of people from some of the nations most impacted by climate change. It was wonderful to have many of them at Sunday's service."

Bishop William Nolan read the Gospel. The sermon was delivered by Rev Dr Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, who used Psalm 23 - The Lord's My Shepherd - as her text.

As part of her reflection, Dr Henry-Crowe drew on the three art installations which are on display in the Cathedral: 'Returning and Into your Arms' by James Pfaff; 'I will sit with you and I will learn to listen' by Gardner and Gardner; and 'A Lament in Black Paint' by I.D Campbell.

Dr Henry-Crowe said: "Our stories of faith acknowledge the stories of God's goodness in creating our world.
"We know the stories of how it began and how exquisite it was.

"And we have a special responsibility to listen to those living closest to the earth and seas, indigenous communities - animals birds, fish. Do not pollute the waters. Return the habitation of your communities to clean and healthy spaces."

Additional contributions came from Bishop Bill Nolan from the Catholic Church in Scotland, and Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Lord Wallace, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, gave a Bible reading.

Other faith leaders contributing to the service represented the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Pacific Conference of Churches, the Anglican Communion, the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the World Council of Churches, Eco-Congregation Scotland and the Scottish Church Leaders' Forum.

Rev Mark Johnstone, who is the minister of Glasgow Cathedral, said: "Over the last week, we have welcomed the world to Glasgow.
"On Sunday, it was wonderful to welcome people from many nations to Glasgow Cathedral, a place where people from all over the
world have gathered for centuries to meet and to worship."

The service will be available on the Glasgow Cathedral website soon.