Connexion
The newsletter of the Nottingham East Methodist Circuit
This is the text of the article we sent in to Connexion this month
Burton Joyce Community Church
Climate Emergency meeting
On Friday 17th
January, Simon Tilley of the Newark and Sherwood group of Extinction Rebellion
came to give a talk at Burton Joyce Community Church. The event was widely
advertised in the village and on the evening drew in a good crowd of between
forty and fifty people. Phil Colbourn welcomed everyone to the church hall
including our new MP Tom Randall and counsellor Sam Smith. There were apologies
from the Chair of BJ council, Paul Hyde.
Phil handed over to Julia Davenport to
introduce Simon. Julia was instrumental in getting the meeting arranged when
she emailed the church website having seen the Climate Emergency poster outside
the church. Simon spoke for half an hour on the seriousness of the crisis, both
for the global climate and for nature, wildlife and the planet. Time is running
out. He stressed that Extinction
Rebellion is a non-violent organisation. Simon’s message can be summarised in
three points:
- Tell the truth
- Act now
- Involve everyone
in the solution
Tell the truth
about the seriousness of the situation. Despite some sceptics, the overwhelming
majority of earth and climate scientists agree that the situation is dire. Act
now to stop the use of fossil fuels and cut the release of additional carbon
dioxide and methane (and some other gases) into the atmosphere. These gases act
as a blanket round the earth and trap the sun’s heat, warming the planet. A few
degrees warming overall is enough to destabilise the planetary system leading to
unpredictable weather, melting glaciers and sea level rise, not to mention
effects on wildlife and plant communities.
Involve everyone.
Everyone has a part to play in cutting the release of these gases. But large
businesses and governments are the most responsible and must tell the truth and
act now.
After a brief
coffee break, Simon summed up and encouraged us all to do our bit. A lively
discussion ensued. Most of the audience was supportive of Simon’s talk and
grateful to him for coming although there was some dissent. Several people had
ideas about what we could do as a village community and people were invited to
sign up on a list for future contact.
Follow-up meetings
Julia Davenport is
organising a first follow up meeting for 25th February at 7.30pm at
the Wheatsheaf.
St Helen’s are hosting an event on Saturday March 28th
to mark the annual Earth Hour promoted by WWF, a candle lit supper. Earth Hour
is when everyone turns off their lights at 8.30pm in solidarity with the planet
and the natural world.
On Tuesday
28th January Carole & Phil went to a meeting at St Peter’s
church in Nottingham launching an exhibition by Christian Aid, about the
planet, climate change and indigenous people in Bolivia and around the world.
The Deputy leader of Nottingham City Council also told the meeting of the
city’s ambitious draft environmental plan for 2020-2028. The aim is to achieve
net-zero carbon by 2028. All in all, it feels like something special is
happening and that we need to be part of it.
Louise Gee
At the end of
December we said goodbye to our minister, Rev Louise Gee. In the URC, Louise
has served Burton Joyce, Arnold and the Dales for 20 years. She came back to us
at Burton Joyce 3 years ago, and now plans to follow her dream and move to
Northumberland.
We have enjoyed
and gained much from her ministry in worship, friendship at informal coffee and
tea sessions, home and hospital visits.
We wish there had
been more Christenings and Weddings and fewer funerals, but you dealt with them
all. Thank you Louise from all of us.
Christmas
Over the
Christmas season we had more combined activities with local churches in the
village, including giving out mince pies outside the Co-op. We went carol
singing at the Westwolds Care Home, where we copied Arnold Methodist Church and gave out knitted angels.
Our Village Carol Singing ("Carols round the crib") organised by the local Churches Together group was particularly successful. We had a good attendance for a hearty sing and mostly fine weather (see photo).
We welcomed visitors and families to the Carols by Candlelight and it
was lovely to see a good crowd of family members again to celebrate Christmas
Day.
