Environmental Justice
As an association, we believe that God is both creator and redeemer of the whole earth. The way that we as humankind relate to the world
The Baptist Union Environment Network - ‘BUEN’, meaning good in Spanish - is a new initiative that aims to raise awareness and respond to the environmental crisis. We are building a network of environmental partners across our Regional Association life who can journey alongside churches to enable them to declare with God in worship, life, and action that ‘creation is good’ (Gen 1:25).
BUEN in SCBA?
As a group we meet online; we share ideas, thoughts and challenges for all our SCBA churches. We are hoping to develop resources and an ideas ‘bank’ for all churches to get involved.
What is the SCBA BUEN group recommending churches do?
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Pursue an A Rocha Eco Church Award.
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Reduce CO2 emissions
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Better understand scripture, science and the situation as far as they relate to the environment.
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Take an initiative to stimulate interest in churches. This could be something like a ‘Climate Sunday’ or a ‘Car-free Sunday’ or similar.
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Help people who are suffering the impact of climate change.
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Give BUEN financial support to enable it to employ someone.
If you would like more information then please contact Rev Simon Bartlett, who facilitates this group at: simon.bartlett@virtuality.co
SCBA BUEN Gathering
We are having another online BUEN/SCBA meeting on Wednesday 7th May, at 7 p.m. One of the things we’ll do is to compare notes and exchange ideas on how we did ‘Climate Sunday’ services. If you didn’t run a Climate Sunday service on April 27th then this meeting could be very helpful! We will also look at how we can get more helpful and engaging content related to creation care onto the SCBA website.
If you would like to join us, you would be very welcome indeed. This is the link to connect: https://roseberyparkbaptistchurch.my.webex.com/join/simon.bartlett
Sunday Service
As part of BUEN in SCBA asking churches to better understand scripture on environmental justice we have produced a service that you can use for a Sunday. You can download it
here.
Rosebery Park Baptist Church in Bournemouth are hosting a Climate Sunday Service. Here are some of their ideas that you could use in your church. Download the resource
here.
God Saw That It Was Good
A film series that weaves stunning visual imagery with a narrative entwining science and faith, taking people deeper into the wonder, mystery and meaning of the world.
The films can be viewed here
Christian Climate Action
This is a video about an Ash Wednesday service and 24 hour vigil which took place on 5-6th March in London this year. It lasts 4.5 minutes and has been created to highlight the world’s climate emergency and how we might respond in the light of the gospel’s call to repent and change. It focuses on stopping the Rosebank oil field and has a call to action to share in that campaign which could end the excavation of fossil fuels in the UK. It is a pivotal moment.
The service and vigil brought together many organisations including Christian Aid, TearFund, Green Christian and Operation Noah. The video has been produced by Christian Climate Action who coordinated the event.