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Reflect biblically. Act boldly. Connect with nature in a new way.
Welcome to Wild Christian.

'Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.'
Mark 1:35 (NIV)

True or false - God can only be found in the wilderness and off the beaten path? Wild Christian member Shelly Dennison encourages us to widen our vision, and think about who has access to wild spaces, when it comes to encountering God.

Read Shelly's reflection here.

What action will you take for nature this month?

                                                                   Enjoy

- Explore Avaaz’s books for World Leaders. ‘Heroes for Nature’ books are being hand-delivered to world leaders, each one containing heartfelt letters and an urgent message asking them to champion a global deal for nature that protects and restores at least 50% of the planet. Read the books and letters, and learn more about Avaaz’s science-backed 50/50 vision for our planet here.

- ‘Listen to the Voice of creation’ is the theme and invitation of the ‘World Council of Churches’ Season of Creation (1 Sept–4 Oct). Gold-awarded Eco Church, St James’ Piccadilly offers a liturgy of lamentation, weekly reflections, and an invitation to join a transformative Deep Time Walk (app download required) on 9 October. Find out more on their website here.

                                                           Nurture

Pray with us this Great Big Green Week. Each day this week we’re praying for our world on United Christian Broadcasters' Radio (26-30 September). Join A Rocha UK staff in a prayer of thanksgiving, lament and repentance, right through to action and hope, here.

- Submit a prayer for the 'World Map of Prayers for Creation'. The World Evangelical Alliance Sustainability Center is collecting prayers from around the globe from the A Rocha worldwide family that speak of the particular creatures and places we are caring for. The map will be presented to leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) on 6-18 November. Each country-specific prayer submitted will be handed over to the respective Minister for Climate and the Environment. Submit your prayer and encourage leaders to take local action here.

- Listen to your mission partners. If your church has existing mission partners, ask how climate change and biodiversity loss is affecting them. Discuss with them what actions you can take as a church, to equip them to become more resilient and support their congregation effectively.

                                                          Defend

- Write a letter to future generations. As Climate Coalition members, we’re encouraging our supporters to share their hopes for future generations if our leaders step up to protect the environment – and their fears about what life could be like if we don’t slow down climate change during Great Big Green Week. The letters will be used to show political leaders that ordinary people all over the country want action on climate change. Write your letter (guidance given here) and view other’s letters here. Share your letter with us if at: wild.christian@arocha.org, so that we can share some examples and encourage each other on our Wild Christian Facebook Group.

- Demand #NatureForEveryone. Around 1 in 3 of us don’t have access to nature-rich spaces near our homes, with no green space at all in some of the most deprived areas. A Rocha UK has joined with more than 60 organisations to demand ‘a legal right to nature’ in upcoming Levelling Up legislation, to ask the government to put a requirement in law for developers and public bodies to provide access to nature-rich green and blue (e.g. river) spaces for everyone, and for the government to provide the funding to deliver this. Clue up on the campaign by watching our recent Wild Christian Campaign Takeaway webinar here. Demand nature for everyone by adding your name to the petition here.

Wild Christian event tomorrow:
Campaign on the climate and cost of living 
(Thursday 29 September, 7:30 - 8:30pm)

With energy bills set to skyrocket this winter forcing many to choose between eating and heating their homes, it is vital that we find solutions that tackle these crises together and don’t further harm the climate or nature. Join us and special guest, Bryony Loveless from Green Alliance, to hear what we can do to support Warm this Winter, a new campaign from a coalition of the UK’s environmental and anti-poverty charities. Register to attend here.

Wild Christians in the Spotlight

God uses people and places in extraordinary ways to bring physical and spiritual transformation. Kailean and his wife, Kim share about their calling to manage our Wolf Fields nature reserve in urban West London.

Read their story here.

 Show us your wild side - let us know how you're enjoying, nurturing or defending nature this month. Or perhaps you're doing other things that will inspire, challenge and encourage the Wild Christian community? Share your story via the online form including a photo of yourself or you in action. Why not use '#WildChristian' to share what you're up to on social media too.
Thank you for your support

Last month, many of you responded to our appeal to help grow Wild Christian and resource many more to care for creation. We’re very grateful for your generosity and wanted to say a big thank you, particularly as many of you chose to remain anonymous. If you’d still like to make a donation, you can support us here.

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