Worth doing

Worth Saving is about more than feeling good about ourselves (and it’s certainly not about making us feel guilty!) We know that fine feelings and nice ideas won’t save the planet or bring climate change to a halt. Actions will make all the difference.

In this section, we host suggested actions and activities (from last year’s Worth Saving monthly emails). You can join BMS World Mission and get involved as part of the global movement for creation care.

Show the love on Valentines Day! February is a great month for creation care advocacy across the UK, with “craftivism” actions happening in many different ways. Get involved. Check out this website for ideas and inspiration.

Switch your energy provider! As individuals, one of the most important things we can do to combat climate change is to switch our homes to clean energy.

Become a BMS 24:7 Partner! Find out how you can play a key role in enabling BMS environmental scientist Laura-Lee Lovering as she works with pastors and communities in the Amazon. If, like her, you see creation care as a vital part of mission, get involved with 24:7 Partners today.

Reflect on Hope in God’s Future! Use the questions and activities it offers to aid your reflection, personal study and devotion.

Eco-friendly holidays! If you’re going on holiday this year, that’s likely to mean a significant increase in your carbon emissions. We hope, like us, you’ll think it’s worth doing something to mitigate the impact of our travel. Our friends at Climate Stewards, who were BMS partners for FutureShape, continue to offer a carbon offset programme for travel.
Alternatively, you might like to consider a staycation, or one of these creation care themed holidays.

Give to support mission training! There’s a chance to give to the Amazon-based mission education project, mentioned in February 2016’s Worth reading article, in the BMS River Pastors appeal. Peruvian pastors learn about creation care onsite, as they take part in vital mission training. Worth giving to!

Share the love letter short film! Please share this poignant three minute film I wish for you… written by award-winning author Michael Morpurgo, made by Ridley Scott’s team and starring Maxine Peake and Jeremy Irons. The film is based on a love letter like no other: from a grandfather to his granddaughter about the world he cherishes and wishes for her to grow up in — a world threatened by our changing climate.

Try being a flexible vegetarian for a month! Or commit to having one meat free main meal a week. See how you, and maybe those you live with too, get on.

Eco churches and week of action! Two things for you to consider:
1. Talk to others about whether your congregation could become an Eco-Church.
2. BMS, as part of our membership of The Climate Coalition, supported a week of action, designed to let our MPs know that climate change matters to their constituents! In October, MPs across the UK were invited to events in their local areas such as nature walks, community energy projects, and loads of other happenings that picked up on regional outdoor activities which their voters value. Each event was part of a week of action to start new conversations about climate change.

Why not sign up to receive copies of the event organisers’ pack or to get on the mailing list to find out about events local to you.

Will your MP receive an invite? Pick something creation-linked and celebratory. (It might be something that happens regularly anyway). Then invite your MP to enjoy that with your church or group. This will help to demonstrate to MPs that their constituents want them to keep pressure up on the government to stick to the COP 21 commitments and all related UK spending decisions.

So far we’ve heard of Devon cream teas, Yorkshire duck races, school open days, fishing lessons for MPs, and parent and toddler groups – where parents think it’s worth doing something to ensure the planet is intact for their kids to enjoy.

It’s also a great way of getting new people involved in creation care – because they can be invited to enjoy the event too.
BMS is a member of The Climate Coalition and has helped to fund resources to help you do this. There’s even a template letter to invite your MP to be part of the event.

We can help you convince your friends, connect with others locally and even make your poster.

Anything else stopping you?
You can find out who your MP is by typing in your postcode at theyworkforyou.com, or call the House of Commons enquiry line on 020 7219 4272. If you’re in Wales, to find out who your AM is, go to assembly.wales

Whether or not you organise an event, you can talk or write to your MP.
Add your voice to a call for any replacement to EU legislation to be as strong as, or stronger, than what we agreed to in Paris at COP 21. Write a letter to ensure your MP understands that their constituents have two key concerns at this time:

1. That the UK ratify its commitment to the Paris UN Climate Agreement now that we will no longer be a part of the European Bloc.
2. That other areas of environmental law remain intact.

Let us know when you send an invite or a letter by mailing worthsaving@bmsworldmission.org

Pray and fast for climate change. Join a movement of Christians praying and fasting on the first of each month for climate justice. Making this practical commitment is a very powerful way of standing (or kneeling) in solidarity with a global network who care about creation.

But what if I can’t fast for health reasons? Not a problem! When we talk about fasting, we have the same understanding as the global Fast for the Climate movement, who say:

“Our understanding of fasting is going without something voluntarily. In this case we are mainly talking about going without food. Most of us are fasting on the first of each month, for 24 hours. But there is no right or wrong way to do it. Some people are skipping a meal together once a month. Some people are fasting from carbon consumption and production. Some people are fasting from food waste.

We’re all different – and people have different health concerns and responsibilities. It’s up to you what you choose to fast from as a sign of your prayerful commitment.”

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Worth doing