Meeting virtually today due to Covid and other seasonal viral infections amongst us, we concentrated our thoughts on God’s provision,  our beautiful planet and the responsibility we have to take care of it. 

Look at Today with Gratitude

Give thanks for the gifts of this day. Simple things – the first cup of tea of the day; the smell of fresh coffee; a good nights sleep; a good breakfast; a smile from a friend or stranger; the beauty of the world around us. Look at these things as God’s gifts to you.                         

Stay with the moment, giving thanks for today and recognising God’s presence with you.

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Today delegates and negotiators start to meet for COP26. The next 12 days of the conference are crucial for the survival of the planet for humans. 

What is COP26

In November 2021 the Conference of the Parties (COP) are meeting for the 26th time to discuss what climate action is needed to prevent devastating climate change. COP26 is said to be a pivotal moment in which we can fight against the worst results of climate change. Meeting in Glasgow, with the UK taking the role of president, it is thought to be the 11th hour in which action can be taken.

• Can the leaders of the countries, along with their negotiators agree and work together to make a difference for our planet?
• Can they plan for the long term and not for short term political gain?

We must pray that they are able to commit to effective change.

Goals COP26

1. Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach

Countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century.

To deliver on these stretching targets, countries will need to:

• accelerate the phase-out of coal                                  
• curtail deforestation
• speed up the switch to electric vehicles
• encourage investment in renewables.

2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats

The climate is already changing, and it will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, with devastating effects.

At Cop26 we need to work together to:

• protect and restore ecosystems
• build defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods and even lives

3. Mobilise finance

To deliver on our first two goals, developed countries must make good on their promise to mobilise at least $100bn in climate finance per year. 

International financial institutions must play their part and we need work towards unleashing the trillions in private and public sector finance required to secure global net zero.

4. Work together to deliver

We can only rise to the challenges of the climate crisis by working together. At Cop26 we must:

• finalise the Paris Rulebook (the detailed rules that make the Paris Agreement operational)
• accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society.

Some scary facts for Halloween

• Speakers Warn during General Assembly High-Level Meeting UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY on 28 MARCH 2019

“Only 11 Years Left to Prevent Irreversible Damage from Climate Change”

• Within the next 2 decades, global temperatures are likely to rise by at least 1.5 degrees Celsius
• Our children and grandchildren will suffer (or not) from the mistakes made in the past and  decisions made today
• The last 7 years have been the warmest on record and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at record breaking levels
• More than 1 million species are at risk of extinction by climate change
• Climate change is already happening, and it’s detrimental to human life tooFood shortages, crop failures, warming seas, dwindling fish stocks, desertification, Extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels, pollution etc.
• Many leaders still aren’t taking it seriously

We need to pray for those involved in the conference

We need to pray about what we can do as individuals

All of this can make us feel overwhelmed and hopeless so here is something to make you smile.

The Be-Attitudes

Blessed are those who use low energy light bulbs

For theirs is the light of God’s wisdom.

Blessed are those who travel by train (and other public transport) wearing a mask

For their lives are on God’s track.

Blessed are those who chose a car with low fuel consumption

For they are in God’s fast lane.

Blessed are those who insulate their homes

For theirs is the warmth of God’s love.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after meat free meals

For theirs is the bounty of God.

Blessed are those who put themselves out to use energy from renewable sources,

For they have kindled the flame of the future.

Adapted from John Polhill copyright: Eggs and Ashes, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow

Bread and Wine

Our liturgy will talk of both bread and wine but we will only share bread and leave the wine as a symbol that the fruits of creation are not fully shared with everyone, where so much is taken by the rich and powerful everywhere that there isn’t enough left for the poor, both in the developing world and in the rich north. Due to the greed, denial and short-sightedness of the rich and powerful we seem incapable of tackling inequality and climate change, and appear to be determined to leave a desert for our children’s children’s children.

Should I deny people the wine this morning?

One of the great things about ThirdSpace is that the bread and wine is offered to all unconditionally. Not sharing wine this morning is meant to be both a prophecy and a picture of what happens to much of the abundance of God’s creation.

Jesus took bread                                      

grown from the earth

and broke it and said:

This is my body

when you eat of it

share it with all.

And Jesus took a cup of wine

pressed from the fruit of the land

and said:

This is a sign of my promise                                                 

when you drink

drink it with all.

We will share only bread for still the world does not fully share what creation offers. Some take so much others have little or nothing, and through denial and greed a desert is being created for future generations. The wine will remain here as a symbol that the full promise of God is not yet shared by all.

Let us share bread together and the longing for justice and mercy and compassion.

Let us share this gift of the earth that is filled with Jesus.