Filling hearts with a passion for climate justice

The Young Christian Climate Network Relay has been campaigning on vital eco issues all over the UK. But for organiser Molly Clark, the journey through Southwark was a homecoming, too.

Late in the afternoon on 4 August I was standing in front of my church ― St Paul, Clapham ― waiting excitedly for a group of walkers to arrive. When they appeared in the distance, they were unmistakeable – about 15 people, wearing walking boots, and carrying a flag that read “Relay to COP26”.

I am a member of the Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN), and this year we have organised a Relay pilgrimage, going from the G7 in Cornwall to the international climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow. Though the walk is organised and led by us, young people, it is open to all ages. As we walk, we aim to raise awareness about climate justice, and about the disproportionate effects of climate change on the world’s poorest; and we call upon MPs and COP26 decision-makers to advocate for fair climate finance. No country should be in debt from tackling climate change.

My main role has been behind the scenes, co-ordinating volunteers in the Relay’s central section between Salisbury and Sheffield. Finally at the start of August

came the most exciting moment so far: the Relay was coming to Southwark, and it was stopping over in St Paul, Clapham, the church where I have worshipped my whole life. It was so moving to talk to the pilgrims, especially my fellow YCCN members, some of whom I had been coplanning with for months without having met in person.

An amazing team of volunteers from my church made banners to welcome the walkers and treats to restore their energy.

Jonathan Boardman, our Vicar, put together a beautiful, unique service of prayer for climate justice, featuring both classic hymns and contemporary composition, readings from Isaiah, Paul, and Tolkien, and the prayer of St Francis of Assisi. I gave the address at the service, speaking about YCCN’s vision for fair climate finance, and about the energy St Paul modelled for embracing a complete change of direction.

The visual and thematic focus of the service was our YCCN boat, The Pilgrim (above left). This boat symbolises YCCN’s hope that at COP26 we will set sail towards a more just future, and also captures the notion that, with climate change, we are all in the same storm, but not in the same boat. The sails are made up of fabrics and photos sent to YCCN from climate-vulnerable Christian communities across the world, including

Zambia, Grenada, Nepal, the Solomon Islands, and more. After the service we celebrated the pilgrims with the help of the Clapham Community Choir, local Scottish dancers, and delicious vegan dishes from local Ethiopian and Thai restaurants.

From St Paul, Clapham, the pilgrims continued the next day to a Christian Aid event outside St Paul’s Cathedral, via the Houses of Parliament and a children’s workshop in the Lambeth Palace gardens. The boat visited several services in London, including at Westminster Cathedral and St Martin-in-the-Fields.

We are now continuing to Glasgow. I am truly grateful for the welcome we received in Southwark. And I pray that as the Relay continues we will fill more and more hearts with a passion for climate justice.