Join us in London for some or all of our prayer vigils.

Stop Crucifying Creation Prayer Vigils at General Synod 

CCA protested outside General Synod which took place in London between 9th and 13th February. We were urging the Church of England to speak out prophetically to protect the climate and nature for our Stop Crucifying Creation campaign. 

Three days of prayer vigils took place during the Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions outside Church House in Westminster. We handed out flyers in the shape of bookmarks displaying the Stop Crucifying Creation cross to the 478 Synod members, spoke to bishops and archbishops, clergy and lay members, and invited them to join us in prayers for God’s Creation. We also handed out flyers asking General Synod members to speak out about the Climate and Nature Emergency during a debate about sustainable flowers

A full size painted cross, designed and crafted by CCA member Martin Jarvis, was on view for all to see. It depicts the destruction of the planet caused by fossil fuels, pollution of our land and seas, extreme climate impacts, and solutions including green energy. 

Banners urged the Church of England to “Speak Truth to Power” and “Don’t Crucify Creation”, and protestors held up placards with demands from the Stop Crucifying Creation vision document including “Speak out against oil and gas companies”, “Bank Ethically and Fossil Fuel Free,” “Invest in Climate and Nature” and “Give 30% of Church land to nature.”

On Monday, we gathered in the morning before the Synod started to pray for it, and for its members before engaging with them.

On Wednesday, we held a prayer service in the rain asking God for forgiveness, the courage to speak out, and for the Church to return to its roots in Jesus, speaking truth, offering peace and healing.

On Friday, we handed in a letter thanking the Cbhurch of England for Project Spire, after it had been criticised during Synod questioning. Project Spire is an initiative committed to healing and repairing the Church of England’s historic links and financial enrichment from the enslavement and trade of African people, and is an example of the Church’s prophetic leadership on the issue of racial justice.

The Vigil followed our meeting with the about Stop Crucifying Creation 

CCA held a successful meeting with Church of England clergy, staff and volunteers in late January to hear how the Church might best respond to the Stop Crucifying Creation vision document. 

Nearly 40 people attended the online meeting to share ideas, feelings, and questions about how they might take elements of the vision document forward in their parishes, dioceses and the wider Church. It was a very helpful opportunity for CCA to hear about positive things happening on the Climate and Nature Emergency, steps that attendees wanted to take, as well as concerns and challenges they face.

We have gathered feedback from the meeting and this will help to inform and influence the campaign. We will also be continuing the helpful dialogue with people across the Church of England. Read more about campaign here.

The vision document Stop Crucifying Creation is available at bit.ly/ourcalltothechurch. Christian Climate Action is asking people to write to their church, bishop, or diocese urging them to read and respond to it. 

24 Hour Ash Wednesday Prayer Vigil

You can still join our Ash Wednesday vigil between 18th February at noon to Thursday 19th February at noon, Central London location tbc

Following on from last years 24 hour Vigil outside DESNZ, we’ll be visiting another important building in central London for this year‘s Vigil. Join us for an hour or more over a 24 hour period. We’ll start with a protest supporting the campaign to stop the new Rosebank Oilfield in the North Sea, as part of our call to Stop Crucifying Creation. We will then be praying for 24 hours straight through. If you plan to attend please email us so that we can keep you updated on exact timings and location.