The Big One – This April – Christian Climate Action

How can I find Christian Climate Action at The Big One?

We will be located at the Faith Hub: The location of the Faith Hub has been changed today. We are currently located on the corner of Parliament Square, outside the Supreme Court.

We have set up a chat on a mobile app called Telegram and will be answering questions on there about where we are. To join the Telegram chat, simply download the app from your phones app store and click HERE, or copy+paste this link https://t.me/+utrmXv6xS6xjYzk0 from your phone to join the telegram chat. Alternatively between the 21st and the 24th, you can call us on 07496 612604 and we can guide you verbally to where we are on the ground.

Will you be one of 100,000 people surrounding the Houses of Parliament to demand action on the climate emergency?

The biggest UK climate protest yet is taking place from 21st April – 24th April.

Join Christian Climate Action as we take a stand against fossil fuel company greed and government inaction – which is fuelling both the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis.

Back in 2019, 10,000 people came out on the streets of London. Shortly after, Parliament declared an environment and climate emergency. But not enough has changed in the behaviour of those in power. Imagine what 100,000 people working together could do. Imagine you are one of them. Would change be unstoppable?

If you have never attended a protest before, this is the place to start. We’re working to make it as inclusive as possible. Churches, small groups, families, charities, friendship groups, knitting circles… they will all be there!

What is happening at The Big One and when?

Here’s a taster of some of the things that Christian Climate Action are planning:

Friday 21st April

At 10:30am, inside St John’s Church Waterloo, there is an with members of the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee.
After this, from around 11am, people will be starting to gather in the garden of St John’s Church Waterloo, for the No Faith In Fossil Fuels Service. While people gather, there will be music playing outside by both The Salvation Army and Engage Worship. The actual service will start at noon, led together with some of the Christian NGO’s listed below. This will be followed by a pilgrimage from around 1pm, which starts at St John’s Church Waterloo, and finishes at The Big One protest outside Parliament. Click HERE to find out more about the No Faith In Fossil Fuels service.
We will spend the rest of the day at the Faith Hub area of The Big One protest (details of exact location to come soon).
At 5pm there is a Franciscan prayer walk which starts at the Faith Hub.
Pack down is from 6pm each day.

Saturday 22nd April

Activities in the Faith Hub of The Big One will start at 11am.
Worship at noon is focused on racial and climate justice, and led by our friends from Black Majority Churches.
From 1pm until 3pm there is a Biodiversity Procession march which starts at Parliament. This is being held to mark Earth Day.
Catholic mass at 3pm is being held at the Faith Hub area of the protest site.
At 5pm there is a Franciscan prayer walk which starts in the Faith Hub.
Pack down is from 6pm each day.

Sunday 23rd April

Activities in the Faith Hub of The Big One will start at 11am, with prayers, songs and poetry from St Luke’s Church Holloway.
Worship at noon will be led by young people whose future is in the balance.
From 1:30 to 2:30 there is a multi-faith event
There will also be an Anglican Eucharist at 3pm. This is being held at the Faith Hub area of the protest site.
At 5pm there is a Franciscan prayer walk which starts in the Faith Hub space.
Pack down is from 6pm each day.

Monday 24th April

Activities in the Faith Hub area of The Big One will start at 11am.
Worship at noon will be led by Christian Climate Action – looking to the future.
From 4:30pm we will stand together with everyone around Parliament Square for a giant picket of Parliament
At 5pm there is a Franciscan prayer walk which starts in the Faith Hub.
Pack down is from 6pm each day.

Each day, between the events listed above, there will be community and creativity, prayer and song and care for Creation.

How to get involved and prepare?

WHAT SHALL I BRING: Make sure you dress appropriately – we’re talking suitable walking shoes. Prepare for the weather, by bringing an umbrella or waterproof clothing if the weather is looking like it might rain. If it’s looking sunny, you can bring a hat or sunscreen. We also suggest bringing a camping chair, water, food, a spoon and tupperware to use as a bowl. You should also bring any medication that you require.
COMMUNICATE WITH US: We are using the phone app Telegram for direct communication with you all. To join the Telegram chat, simply download the app from your phones app store and click HERE, or copy+paste this link https://t.me/+utrmXv6xS6xjYzk0 from your phone to join the telegram chat. This is specifically to use for getting updates regarding The Big One and asking questions when on the ground, such as if you aren’t able to locate us.
TRAVEL: Let us know if you need help with the cost of travel. If there are several people coming from your local area you can talk to us about the possibility of help with minibus or coach hire costs.
FAQ. A Christian Climate Action The Big One FAQ, can be found HERE.
DONATE. Protests of this size take time and money to organise. Please consider making a donation to CCA. Donations can be made HERE. A big thank you in advance for your generosity.

More information can be found on the Extinction Rebellion website HERE.

Who will be there during the weekend?

CCA is taking part in the weekend alongside a number of Christian organisations, including Tearfund, Christian Aid, CAFOD, YCCN, Student Christian Movement, Operation Noah, Just Love, Green Christian, Engage Worship, A Rocha UK, BMS World Mission and the Iona Community. Some of these organisations will be taking part in the No Faith In Fossil Fuels Service on Friday the 21st April and others will be present across the whole weekend.

There will also be secular groups such as Extinction Rebellion. The ethos of the action is in line with a promise by Extinction Rebellion to move away from tactics which primarily disrupt the public and instead focus on tactics which disrupt those in power and allow for mass participation.

Resources for The Big One

We’d love for you to join in with some of the songs and services at The Big One

CLICK HERE TO DOWN LOAD THE CHRISTIAN CLIMATE ACTION SONG BOOK

CLICK HERE TO DOWN LOAD THE BIG ONE SONG BOOK

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE SATURDAY 3PM MASS

CLICK HERE TO GET THE SERVICE SHEET FOR THE SUNDAY YOUTH SERVICE

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE SUNDAY 3PM COMMUNION SERVICE

The Big One prayer booklet

Christian Climate Action have developed a prayer booklet for use before and during The Big One. You can download the booklet onto your computer and print it yourself to either prayer privately or with others. Click HERE to download

Meet your MP

If you are coming to “The Big One” on Monday April 24^th you may want to contact your MP in advance and arrange to meet them while you are in Westminster, to discuss your concerns. You can find out how to contact your MP here. Hope for the Future can offer help and advice in talking to your MP.

Informational video

On the 21st March we did an informational briefing for The Big One for Churches Together South London.

Let’s get going!

We see protest as part of our worship to our Creator God. Thank you to everyone who is making this possible.

In the lead-up to the Big One please be praying for all those protesting and for our government and fossil fuel companies. If you’d like to pray with others, you can join us on Zoom for daily prayers.