Climate Pilgrimages

Throughout history, pilgrimage has been an important component alongside non-violent direct action protest in creating change. And it is a practice we often draw along in Christian Climate Action.

This weekend (9th and 10th September) we are holding 13 climate pilgrimages across the UK. The pilgrimage locations are Brighton, Bristol, Durham, Epsom, Glasgow, Newbury, Merseyside, Oxford, York and 4 pilgrimages taking place in London.

The aim of the pilgrimages is to highlight the widespread public concern regarding the climate crisis and to call upon the government to stop oil and gas expansion. They are also a space and practice that allows the walker to reflect on the climate crisis and our role within it.

The pilgrimages have points of reflection en route, at places of significance to the climate and ecological crisis. For example, in Bristol, the pilgrimage will end at Bristol airport, where walkers will join in a protest there against Bristol airport expansion.

We will use this page to post updates and photos of the pilgrimages as we get them in, so stay tuned 🙂

HERE COME THE PHOTOS

The photos above are from the Merseyside Pilgrimage, where members of Christian Climate Action were joined with members of Faiths4Change
The above two photos are from the Pilgrimage for the Planet in York
The above two photos are from the Cutty Sark to Thames Barrier pilgrimage. More than 50 people started the Cutty Sark to Thames Barrier pilgrimage although some left at lunchtime due to the extreme heat. During the pilgrimage they group prayed and reflected on Creation’s Song (the wonder and beauty of creation), Creation’s Cry (the damage we are doing to creation) and Creation’s Call (what we are called to do at this critical time in the history of humanity) and the Message of Pope Francis for the Season of Creation.
They paused at significant places such as the flood defence of tidal terraces and reedbeds, the Tribe and Tribulation sculpture, the Ecology Park and saw the sand and gravel aggregates taken from the sea-bed.
The above image is from the Brighton pilgrimage, which walked along the coast for a section of it.
The above two images are from the Oxford pilgrimage. The first image is of the group walking through Christchurch college towards the Cathedral. In the second image, the pilgrimage is walking through Oxford town center.
The two photos above are from Durham pilgrimage. This was their first action, and 40 people joined in. They walked along the banks of the Wear, stopping at Barclays on route to prayerfully protest, and ending under Gaia in Durham Cathedral.
The photo above was one of the stops on the pilgrimage in Glasgow, at the location of COP26
In London, one of the pilgrimages reached the statue commemorating where the Mayflower left London, en route to America (via Plymouth). They spent some time reflecting on the plight of refugees and migrants.

HERE COME THE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

There’s still pilgrimages to come

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