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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

 

Giving and Climate Change

Jesus calls his followers to give sacrificially – so how should we respond to the climate emergency? (Mark 12:38-44)

 

Context

Following the G20 summit in Rome, attention has shifted to Glasgow and the COP26 summit. There is no serious debate about the need to act to ameliorate the impact of climate change and global heating but the extent of that action and when it needs to be taken by is nowhere near agreed upon.

197 countries and numerous NGOs have been meeting and speaking this week; protestors have converged to try and force those with the most power and influence to take serious action.

The president of Palau made it abundantly clear in his address on Tuesday that climate change is a moral issue for the richest countries of the world. The relative impact of an increase in global temperatures on less-developed nations is disproportionate to their role in creating the current problems and, without outside support, the world’s desire for them to abandon fossil fuels seems unreasonable even though it is necessary.

The conference continues until the 12^th November when we will see what the governments of the world will pledge themselves to. Following that, we will wait to see if those words are then backed up by concrete actions.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

• Who gives the most? The example of the widow’s offering is extremely relevant to the current discussions going on at COP26. The wealthiest nations, whose current prosperity has been built on the burning of fossil fuels, are debating how much of their wealth they can sacrifice in the name of arresting climate change. Meanwhile, less developed countries and those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as the small island states of the Pacific or those countries who have not contributed as much to our current predicament, are being forced to take proportionately greater action. Richer nations are giving “out of their abundance” as Jesus says, whereas poorer countries are giving all that they have. The West was already making the switch to renewable energy but countries such as India currently depend on fossil fuels and have 27 million people who don’t even have access to electricity. Like the people in front of Jesus, countries today have differing capacity to change and different starting points but the key issue is giving sacrificially and not just for show.
• Jesus is watching. In our gospel reading, Jesus sat and watched from opposite the treasury as the crowd offered their gifts. Speakers at the COP summit have said the “the world is watching” but we know that the creator of the world, who gave humanity stewardship over it, is watching too. For Christians there is a sense of accountability to a God who will ultimately judge each person for the actions they have taken. This is true for our leaders – but also for each one of us in terms of how we steward the resources that we have been given as well as how well we engage with the machinery of politics to demand our leaders work for the good of all of God’s creation.
• What are you giving? Anyone who was vegetarian before the current publicity around COP26 began is justified in pointing out that their diet has a smaller carbon footprint than those who eat meat. However, the account of the widow is one of sacrificial giving – not resting on what has already been done. Politicians are never quick to demand painful sacrifices from their electorate but we know that the crisis facing our planet is one that needs serious and lasting changes. The model for Christians is always Jesus, who gave up everything for us. We cannot always demand that others make the changes that are required without first looking at ourselves. We can look at how we travel, what we buy, what we eat, how and where we take holidays – and then we can demand that the companies we buy from make genuine and meaningful changes, withdrawing our custom if they don’t.

 

Questions for discussion

• What are you doing? - both in terms of looking at your own carbon footprint and challenging your local politicians and businesses to prioritise care for God’s creation in their work.
• How do you feel about the idea that Jesus is watching your choices through the week? Is it something you are aware of? If so, what difference does it make to what you do? If not, would it change any of the choices that you make?
• What stops you from giving? Whether it is giving the time to contact your MP about climate change or giving money to a charity that supports nations experiencing damage from global heating – what holds us back? 

Steve Taylor is joint-vicar of St James Alperton CofE church near Wembley. He shares the job with his wife, Ali, and shares his house with their two daughters, two cats and some fish.

See also:

#ChallengeCOP26 Activity Planner

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

This last weekend I became obsessed with trying to find out how everyone was travelling to COP26! I wasn’t surprised by who flew and who got the train. You probably all saw the snap of Greta - train ticket in hand as she fist-pumped the crowds. London’s mayor Sadiq Khan also arrived by rail. The Young Christian Climate Network came on foot after their 1200 mile walk from Cornwall! But a majority, including Boris, still flew. Yes, for many of the international leaders, flying was the only plausible way to get there but, for some, it would appear sacrificing comfort and convenience over the critical issue in hand was not an option. I understand there are more security issues the higher in power and status leaders are but who gets to decide what's acceptable in terms of contributions to climate change vs personal security?

Before the passage from this week’s study, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem on a donkey to adoring crowds; however he's not seeking glory. Then later he comments on rich and showy religious leaders who parade in their comfort and seek attention and contrasts them with the poor widow who gives very little but gives all that she has.

What do you think? Can leaders lead by example more or do we need to keep their status safe? Who do you admire in the public eye that you feel is making a difference in our world whilst sacrificing their own comfort? Jesus could tell these ‘scribe-types’ a mile off. Can you tell when someone is genuine on social media or when they are doing it for ‘likes’?

Liz Richardson is a theatre maker and actor based in the Peak District where she also works with young people in her parish community. Liz writes and performs her theatre work around the UK with creative teams (www.lrproductions.co.uk).

See also:

#ChallengeCOP26 Activity Planner

 

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