Young Christian Climate Network relay to COP26 reaches Southwark on 5 August and walks to St Paul’s Cathedral. Tributary Walk from Canterbury across Rochester and Southwark Dioceses also reaches St Paul’s Cathedral on 5 August.
What’s happening?
The Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) has organised a relay in support of climate justice, which began in Cornwall on 13 June at the G7 summit, and which will continue across Britain over the summer, ending in Glasgow on 31 October in time for COP26. The relay will arrive in Southwark on 4 August stopping overnight at St Paul, Clapham. The next day it will move off to St Paul’s Cathedral where it will pause for a four-day residency with lots of events for everyone. The Tributary Walk will travel from St Paul’s Deptford along the Thames riverside on 5 August, pausing at Southwark Cathedral, and joining the main relay at St Paul’s Cathedral.
How can I get involved?
There are many different ways of supporting the relay and its campaign for climate justice, from signing up to walk one of the legs to lobbying politicians and media. Relay organisers are also encouraging people to write and submit prayers, which will be added to the sails of The Pilgrim, a boat which is accompanying the relay as a symbol of hope that we will all be sailing towards a just future. Prayers are also being carried by recently retired Diocesan Environmental Officer Sue Mallinson as part of the Tributary Walk that has been organised from Canterbury to London via Southwark Cathedral. Details below.
In addition, a number of events will be taking place during the London residency, including at Southwark churches, details of which can be found below . YCCN is encouraging anyone taking part in the walk or these events to share images and thoughts on social media using the hashtag #RisetotheMoment and please also share with the Diocese of Southwark using the hashtag #EcoSouthwark. Further information can also be found on the YCCN website
4 August
Relay arrives in the Diocese of Southwark and walks to St Paul’s, Clapham , where there will be tea at 5.00pm and service of prayer for climate justice at 6.00pm, followed by a celebratory meal. You can find route details here.
5 August
- Main Relay: Walk from St Paul’s, Clapham (meet at 10.00am) to St Paul’s Cathedral, sign up here. Christian Aid will then be hosting an event on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral at 2.00pm
- For our younger participants, there is a Diddy Disciples story-telling environment event from 10.30am at Lambeth Palace – sign up here and bring a picnic!
OR
- Tributary Walk: depart from St Paul’s, Deptford at 9.30am, arriving at Southwark Cathedral at 12 noon. Sign up here to join this walk. Break and prayers before departing at 1.00pm for St Paul’s Cathedral where pilgrims will join the main relay and the Christian Aid event on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral at 2.00pm. You are encouraged to make it a bright and visible event by making and carrying banners and badges, and share your photographs with #EcoSouthwark and #RisetotheMoment.
If you can’t join either walk through Southwark, you can share prayers in advance with the Relay Team by emailing Sue Mallinson who will hand them over to the main relay at St Paul’s Cathedral. Send your “Prayer for the Environment” by 8.00am on Wednesday 4 August.
6 August
- Lunch and blessing at Farm Street Church W1K 3AH, Arrupe Hall 1.00pm-2.00pm, then walk from Farm Street Church to Westminster Cathedral.
- Westminster Cathedral prayer service for the Climate will take place from 3:00pm-3:30pm.
- Southwark: Supper, chat and prayer is being organised by St John, Waterloo from 6:00pm-8:00pm at St Andrew, Short Street SE1 8LJ sign up here
8 August
St Martin in The Fields will be hosting a climate service in the morning, followed by a picnic organised by St James’ Piccadilly, click here for timings and sign-up details
9 August
All Hallows by The Tower will be hosting a breakfast/prayer sending off event from 9.00am-10.00am before the relay heads north for Borehamwood. You can find more details here
