As we approach the COP26 climate conference in the city later this year, the Nations’ Climate Sunday Service took place at Glasgow Cathedral, in partnership with Glasgow Churches Together and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).
6 page online Order of Service
16 page Glasgow Cathedral Order of Service
Over 2,000 churches across Britain and Ireland have now registered their Climate Sunday services. It’s amazing testimony to churches’ desire to show love for God and neighbour by caring for creation and acting on climate change.
On Sunday 5 September we reached a key milestone before COP26, as we came together to pray and to present our pledges to Government. It was a time to share in worship, celebrate what churches are doing and commit ourselves to further action – and also marked the first Sunday of Creation Time/Season of Creation.
There was a message from Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government on behalf of the Scottish Government, recognising churches leading climate action in communities and encouraging participation in Scotland’s Climate Week.
The service took place at Glasgow Cathedral (St Mungo’s or High Kirk) in collaboration with Glasgow Churches Together – at the heart of the city where the UN climate talks will take place – with contributions from Christians around the nations.
Climate Sunday is an initiative of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), with backing from Eco-Congregation Scotland and a range of partner denominations and charities. We are encouraging churches to keep taking action before COP26:
Worship
Hold a climate-focused service, to explore the theological and scientific basis of creation care and action on climate, to pray, and to commit to action. Explore Climate Sunday and our Creation Time resources for inspiration to suit all church traditions and styles of worship. Please register your service so we can count you in!
Commit
Make a commitment as a local church community to taking long term action to reduce your own greenhouse gas emissions. Use Climate Stewards‘ new 360°carbon calculator for churches and register as an eco-congregation – or work towards an Eco-Congregation Scotland Award.
Speak up
Use your voice to tell the UK Government that you want a cleaner, greener, fairer future at the heart of plans to rebuild the economy – with finance to support poorer countries affected most by climate change. Read and sign ‘The Time Is Now’ declaration both as a church and as individuals.
Photos taken by Karen Bass and edited by Rev David Coleman, for use by churches and NGOs etc in promoting commitment to action on climate crisis
Thanks and copyright acknowledgements
Climate Sunday is an initiative of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), with backing from partner denominations and charities. The Nations’ Climate Sunday Service took place at Glasgow Cathedral in partnership with Glasgow Churches Together. We are grateful to the following for giving us permission to use their materials:
Hymns (not under copyright) sung by the St Mungo Singers.
St Mungo’s Rhyme – Music composed by Gerry Fitzpatrick. Sung by the children of St Denis’ Primary School, Used with permission.
‘Creation Sings the Father’s Song’ – Words and Music by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend © 2008 Thankyou music. Available at www.gettymusic.com/. Used with permission.
Powerpoint pictures accompanying ‘Creation sings’: All photographs copyright Margot and Martin Hodson, used with permission
‘O God, You Are My God Alone’ (Psalm 62/63) – Tune: Resignation (American folk melody) Words & Arrangement: John L. Bell copyright © 1993 WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland. www.wildgoose.scot Reproduced by permission.
Genesis Reading: Taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, represented by Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Colossians Reading: Taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
‘Waves of Kilkee’ – Composed by Joanie Madden (Woodpark Publishing, BMI) and Brian Keane (Brian Keane Music, ASCAP) Performed by Carissa Swan and John Allan Reproduced by permission
Lord’s Prayer – Music composed by Gerry Fitzpatrick Reproduced by permission
‘Stand (LIVE)’ – Salient Sound Produced by Iziah Yard Written by JC Henry X Lydia Sterling Mixed by Femi Bello Mastered by Kearon Stephen Music available from https://linktr.ee/SalientSound Used with permission
City of St Mungo – Words and music by Ian Davison. Copyright 2008. Permission granted by Liz Bovill. Sung by the children of St Denis’ Primary School – used with permission