|
A moment of consequence
After a year's postponement, negotiators and world leaders are about to gather for COP26 in Glasgow. It is the most consequential international summit of our generation. I for one will be following every move with bated breath. I imagine that in all of our parishes we'll be praying for a courageous outcome. Let's hope the needs of the poor and future generations win over short-term self-interest.
Immediately afterwards is our online diocesan annual Justice and Peace Assembly. And we can have no better keynote speaker to help us make sense of the outcome than Lord Deben, Chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, which advises government on climate policy.
The biggest casualty of a bad outcome from COP26 would be justice, and we're also privileged to be joined by Raymond Friel, Chief Executive of Caritas Social Action Network. CSAN leads the co-ordinates advocacy and action at national level across a whole range of social concerns. The impact of Covid-19 is giving their work - and the task facing all of us - a sharper focus than ever.
Now is the time to get your booking in - and to put the advert below in your parish bulletin! You'll be able to join people from your parish and district in buzz groups. Together we'll seek to navigate this 'change of era' with the Gospel as our guide. I look forward to having you with us!
Paul
Programme Leader for Social Action, Diocese of Nottingham
|
|
Please feel free to forward this email to fellow parishioners,
or include content in your parish bulletin.
Sign up to receive Grapevine direct to your inbox: click here
In this issue
- A Change of Era - a notice for your bulletin
- Solidarity with our friends from Kerala following more flooding
- Love Christmas - connect with your community through giving
- Find out about modern slavery on 23 November in Nottingham
- Steps for the Synod - listening to the marginalised
|
|
|
Have you booked your place yet for our Annual Assembly?
And has it been in your parish bulletin yet?
If not here's an article you can cut and paste!
|
|
|
|
For your parish bulletin...
'A Change of Era'
Saturday 20 November
Hard on the heels of COP26, join our online Diocesan Justice and Peace Assembly, with Bishop Patrick and parishioners from around our diocese, and two high-profile keynote speakers:
- Lord Deben, Chair of the Climate Change Committee, which advises the UK Government on climate policy.
- Raymond Friel, Chief Executive of Caritas Social Action Network.
Pope Francis has said ‘We do not live in an era of change so much as a change of era’. There is no doubting his words. Covid-19 is still rife worldwide and climate change is accelerating. In these turbulent times, three things abide: faith, hope and love.
You will be warmly welcome to join by Zoom from 10.00 a.m. to 1.15 p.m., to listen and share what the Spirit is saying to the Church – particularly as parish communities called to mission in the wake of Covid-19 and the Glasgow climate summit the previous week.
More details and booking at www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/changeofera
|
|
|
|
Parishioners from St Mary’s parish, Marple Bridge met in Marple Precinct last week to pray for the success of COP 26, the crucial climate summit starting next week in Glasgow. They joined with the neighbouring parish of Holy Spirit, Marple (over the border in Shrewsbury Diocese), other local churches and the environment group MESS (Marple, Mellor and Marple Bridge Energy Saving Strategy).
The group prayed that when world leaders come together to discuss climate change they will plan how we all move forward to protect our planet. The service was led by Fr Bill Fitzgerald, Chair of Churches Together and John Sutch from the Methodist Church (seen holding the cross). Joseph Harvey from St. Mary’s Marple Bridge read from Laudato Si.
|
|
|
Many of our parishioners in Nottingham Diocese come from the western Indian state of Kerala. The region was hit last week by devastating floods which have claimed at least 27 lives. Please join us in solidarity and prayer with them, their families and the Syro-Malabar community here in the diocese, as they now seek to recover from the damage to their livelihoods and economy.
|
|
|
|
|
Vacancy for a Supported Lodgings Worker
Our friends at Open Homes Nottingham are a charity with a Christian ethos who provide accommodation for homeless 16-25 year olds in the homes of volunteer host families. They currently run two projects - Nottingham Nightstop, which provides emergency accommodation, and Supported Lodgings,offering up to 12 months in the home of a host family with support and mentoring.
They are seeking someone to recruit and train more Supported Lodgings hosts and work with the young people on placement and their hosts to support them with all aspects of independent living, and in finding longer-term accommodation. The post is 21 hours per week with occasional evenings. Applications close on 7 November.
|
|
|
Bishop Patrick is encouraging parishes to get involved in the Love Christmas initiative. The scheme is a national initiative, growing through a network of thousands of churches and other local organisations to share share 'Bags of Kindness' with people in their neighbourhoods.
In the wake of the COVID pandemic, many people continue to live isolated from friends, family and community; often struggling with financial distress, poor health, job uncertainty and bereavement. Love Christmas brings Catholic parishes and other local churches together to give, pack and deliver practical gifts. It strengthens personal connections in communities across the UK and lets people know we are with them, and they are not alone.
It's a great way to lift our eyes from concerns about the impact of the pandemic on our own parish congregation, look outwards to the wider community, and build our confidence for mission. Follow the link below to see if Love Christmas is something could your parish could do
|
|
|
|
|
On 13 November Here: Now: Us comes to Leicester. There's still some places left, but not a lot, so follow the link below to book your place soon!
If you're in Nottingham, you've just got time to book for this Saturday's workshop at Our Lady and St Patrick's in the Meadows.
|
|
|
We've already held two lively workshops in Derby and Lincoln - see below of a picture of the workshop at Our Lady of Lourdes, Mickleover, on 13 October.
|
|
|
|
|
