Archive content
This is a text-only version of an article first published on Thursday, 15 July 2021. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
The Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) are organising a relay walk/pilgrimage which started at the G7 in Cornwall in June and will end in Glasgow at the end of October, ready for the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties 26 (COP26) in November.
The purpose is to #RiseToTheMoment and raise awareness of the climate crisis and the urgent need for action, requiring bold commitments at COP26 . YCCN has organised the Relay to call upon the UK government to: Reinstate the foreign aid budget to pre-COVID levels; Secure agreement from rich countries to double the commitment of $100bn a year for climate finance; Develop with other governments and international organisations a new regulated climate loss and damage mechanism which not only saves lives but livelihoods; Push for the debts of the world's poorest countries to be cancelled so they can better confront the climate crisis and other urgent priorities.
The webmap here and below shows the approximate route, which comes through the south of the diocese at the end of July, with a residency in Reading from 28-31 July on its way to London from Salisbury, then comes back through in mid-August, moving through Aylesbury, Oxford and Banbury before heading on to Birmingham.
Some stops are still being confirmed so check for the latest details on the YCCN website .
We are encouraging parishes to get involved and support this.
There are many opportunities to help on the YCCN website and not just by walking - churches are needed to host walkers overnight or provide lunches as they pass, individuals are needed to be on-call support drivers in case of need or to check the routes make sense to those with local footpath knowledge.
Register on their website. Bishop Olivia, Reading Minster and other churches in Reading are involved in the Reading residency, when the relay stays from 28-31 July in Reading.
Reading Minster is hosting a Climate Justice Weekend and other events are on the poster below.
Join in if you can.
;Reading Green Christians are organising an art exhibition as a chance for children and young people to tell political leaders and those in power what they want done to protect the environment and the climate.
Entries from those age 6-18 are to be delivered by 20 August.
Information below and more details here.
When the route enters Oxford on Sunday 15 August, Christ Church Cathedral will welcome the walkers.
Bishop Gavin and Bishop Steven will be involved the following day as the Relay moves on from Oxford and arrives at Kidlington on Monday 16 August. We know of some youth groups joining the walking for a day and churches hosting lunches or providing accommodation for walkers.
Thank you to those for your involvement.
It would be good to have a complete picture, so please email us if your church is involved. Let's #RiseToTheMoment and support this courageous, youth-led initiative and show that the church is deeply concerned about climate justice.