Ring out for Climate!

 

 

We mostly associate church bells with the call to worship, weddings and very special national celebrations such as the millennium or the ending of the 2^nd World War. But they also have another historic function: to ring out warnings.

 

Normally those warnings have been local: to warn of fire, floods or shipwrecks. But they were very much on standby to warn of possible invasions by Hitler, Napoleon or the Spanish Armada. Times of real national crisis.

 

Here at St John the Baptist Church, we believe that today is a time of real national crisis and so on Saturday 30^th October we will be ringing our bells to warn the people of Bere Regis of the threat we face.

 

The IPCC report has stated unequivocally that the extreme weather events which have swept the globe are the consequence of man-made climate change. The UN Secretary General has signalled ‘Code Red for Humanity’, which he would not do lightly.

 

Our planet has given us warning after warning, through floods, wildfires, droughts, heat domes and hurricanes, that we have profoundly affected the balance of the planet and are making it increasingly hostile to mankind.

 

There can no longer be any doubt that humanity is now in mortal danger… and on a global scale.

 

As Christians we are deeply concerned with the millions around the world who are being profoundly affected: the poor who have contributed the least to the problem.

 

The nations of the Global South are already suffering the severest effects of drought, crop failures, hurricanes and cyclones. But the poor in this country will also be the first to suffer from rising food prices, heat exhaustion or the inability to insure their homes and businesses against floods.

 

On Monday, in Glasgow, the UK is hosting the 26^th International Conference to address the Climate Crisis. So far those conferences have failed to slow the rate of greenhouse gas emissions, allowing us to continue the path of self-destruction.

 

The bells of St John the Baptist on Saturday 30^th September will be ringing out our warning to remind the delegates of the urgency of the dangers we now face. We need our politicians to take the courageous and, if necessary, selfless actions that times of extreme emergency require.

 

 

 

Food Bank – Update!

Usually every 6 -8 weeks we hand over at least five carrier bags full of your gifts to the Food Bank - so thank you from the people who were very grateful....and please keep your contributions coming!

There are boxes in both our churches for you to place any goods you would like to donate. This provides a simple way of helping people who have fallen on hard times.

I would ask: Please ensure that your gifts are at least 6 months in date.

You do not have to be a church member to contribute!

The boxes are emptied regularly

and the contents given to BereConnect and/or the Wareham Food Bank.

The list of what is most appropriate is:

Tinned Soup   Fruit Juice(carton)    Pasta Sauces Baked Beans    Rice/Sponge Pudding (Tinned)

Tomatoes (Tinned)    Pasta/Rice (1kg)   Tinned Vegetables  Tea Bags/Coffee    Instant Mash Potato

Tinned Meat/Fish   Tinned Fruit   Sugar (500g)    Biscuits or snack bars

The FOOD BANK provides for local individuals and families in crisis -

Thank you for your support!