Throughout history pilgrimage has been a tool that groups pushing for change have used alongside nonviolent direct action protest. For example, The Great Pilgrimage of 1913 was a march in Britain by suffragists campaigning non-violently for women’s suffrage, organised by the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies.
This year we are inviting you to join a whole host of climate pilgrimages taking place on the same weekend. We are walking together in a collective push to protect our one and only world.
Date: 9th or 10th September 2023
Location: Pilgrimages are happening all across the UK. See full list of locations below.
At this moment, people all over the UK are busy planning climate pilgrimages in their local area.
If you would like to organise a pilgrimage near you, let us know about it by contacting ccalocalgroups@gmail.com. We can provide you with guidance and help to do this.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
- Download the CCA Pilgrimage Action Plan document
- Order leaflets and download other resources
- Order a CCA tshirt to wear on the day (optional) – please order within two weeks of the pilgrimage to make sure you receive it on time.
- Download advice on making your own banner
- Ideas for prayers / reflections / call and responses for different stops at pilgrimages
- Example templates for a press release
WHERE HAVE PILGRIMAGES BEEN PLANNED?
There are a whole host of pilgrimages being planned.
Here are the ones that have been finalised currently…
Pilgrimage for the Planet Glasgow
9th September, 1 to 4pm, Location TBC
This weekend, a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
This will be a pilgrimage from the centre of Glasgow to SECC to focus on the climate and ecological emergencies.
Pilgrimage for the Planet Merseyside
9th September, 10:15 to 12:30, Wirral, Merseyside
This weekend, a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
This one is located at Port Sunlight River Park, Merseyside.
Pilgrimage for the Planet London
9th and 10th September, London
This weekend a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
3 different pilgrimages are happening across London on these days. One is leaving from Jubilee Gardens, one from Cutty Sark, and one from Putney Bridge.
Pilgrimage for the Planet Epsom
9th September, 9am – 12, starting and ending at St Martin’s Church, Epsom
CCA’s Helen is going on a pilgrimage for the planet on the morning of Saturday 9th September and invites you to walk with her.
The route will take us through traffic and through wildlife as we contemplate our place in Creation. The route is about five miles long and includes some rough (field) terrain, so please wear suitable clothing and take care.
Expected walking time is three hours or under. Please gather at St Martin’s at 9am. The pilgrimage will return there by noon.
You can hold or wear a symbol or message of pilgrimage, or bring a banner, as a sign of witness to those we pass and meet.
If you’re interested, please contact christianclimateaction@gmail.com
Pilgrimage for the Planet Bristol
9th September, 10:30 – 6:30, Bristol Cathedral to Bristol City Airport
This weekend a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
This will be a pilgrimage from Bristol Cathedral to Bristol City Airport.
If you’re interested, please contact christianclimateactionbristol@gmail.com
Pilgrimage for the Planet in the North East
9th September, Exact timings TBC, Durham
This weekend a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
This will be a pilgrimage happening in Durham. More information will be coming soon.
If you’re interested, please contact CCAnortheast1@gmail.com
Pilgrimage for the Planet York
9th September, 11am – 2pm, York Minster, York
This weekend a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
This will be a pilgrimage happening in York, starting at York Minster.
Pilgrimage for the Planet, Oxford
10th September, 11am, Oxford
This weekend a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
Set off from Blackfriars Priory in St Giles, after 9.30am Mass. (approx 11am), with 7 stops across the walk.
If you’re interested in joining, please contact christianclimateaction@gmail.com
Pilgrimage for Climate Justice and Peace, Brighton
10th September, 1pm, Brighton
This weekend a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
This will be a pilgrimage happening in Brighton. More information available on the flyer to the left.
If you’re interested, please contact christiancabrighton@gmail.com
Newbury Pilgrimage for the Planet
Sunday 10th September, setting off at 4:15pm from St John’s Church, Newbury
This weekend a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
This Newbury pilgrimage will be a walk with pauses for readings and reflections starting at St John’s Church at 4:15pm, arriving at St Michael’s and All Angels, Enborne, by 6pm to join in with Forest Church.
Contact ccawestberks@gmail.com for more details and to let them know you are joining
Battersea Churches Climate Pilgrimage
10th September, 2pm, Battersea
This weekend, a whole host of pilgrimages for the planet will be taking place across the UK.
This will be a pilgrimage happening in Battersea. More information available here.
Pilgrimage for the Planet London
17th September, 3:30pm, starting at St James’s Piccadilly
Sunday September 17th, 3.30pm meet at St James’s Piccadilly for a short Prayer Pilgrimage visiting local sites of ecocidal capitalism (Wreckers of the Earth).
Further details to follow.
For more info contact CCASurrey@gmail.com
Prayer Walk, Sheffield
Sat 23rd Sept, from 2:30pm, from Grindleford train station.
Sheffield and North Derbyshire Green Christian prayer walk with Sheffield CCA Pilgrimage
Meet a Grindleford train station at 2.30pm (the 2.14 train from Sheffield gets in at 2.28)
Approx one hour walk, just under two miles, all on footpaths or well worn grass, with gentle inclines in places. Please wear strong footwear.
There will be magnificent views, and 4 stopping points for reflection and quiet prayer.
A full risk assessment has been completed, and this will be shared at the start of the walk. Individuals are responsible for their own safety during the walk.
Further details from Catherine – Catherinefish@greenchristian.org.uk or 07507111189
Please take photographs!
We want to send photos of the action to the national media, both Christian and secular. If you take part in an action please send photos on the day, either during your action or as soon as possible afterwards, to christianclimateaction@gmail.com
The action will be ‘seen’ by far more people in the media than it will in real life, and media coverage will maximise its impact so please do prioritise having a dedicated photographer if you can and do send photos ASAP.
OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CLIMATE AND THE ARMS INDUSTRY
Since this idea was conceived we have become aware of the Peace Pilgrimages being organised by the Peace Pilgrimage project. These are taking place between the 5th to the 11th September, which overlaps with our pilgrimage dates.
There is a strong link between the arms trade, war and the climate and ecological emergency. People in conflict zones are among the most vulnerable to climate change and climate change is an increasing driver of conflict. In an unholy alliance, the arms trade promotes the use of weapons that are used against the climate vulnerable. War also contributes to causing climate change directly and indirectly through damage to infrastructure and destruction of natural carbon sinks such as forests. It poisons land and water and leads to degradation of the natural environment. Building peace will help us mitigate the climate and biodiversity crisis.
If you wish your pilgrimage to highlight these connections, please do so, and if you feel comfortable to, you can register your pilgrimage with the peace pilgrimages website is https://peacepilgrimage.org.uk
Christian Climate Action 