Our first Canterbury COP (Conference of the Parishes) event was held on Saturday 30 September at Cathedral Lodge, with speakers and guests discussing what can be done within our Diocese to combat climate change, as well as young people sharing their thoughts on environmental issues.
Topics including Creation Care as Mission, Eco Church, Net Zero and what Parish Buying offers our communities were covered, followed by a panel Q and A and Service of Reflection in the Cathedral.
Talks were delivered by speakers including:
- Dave Bookless, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Ò•îl of Theology at A Rocha Int’l
- Julien Atkins, Net Zero Programme ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Ò•îl at the Church of England
- Gareth Martin, Eco Church/A Rocha/Climate Stewards
- Grace Okafor, Head of Parish Buying for the Church of England
- Emma Pennington, Cathedral Canon Missioner
Joyce Addison is the Diocesan Environment Officer and helped to organise the event. She said: “It’s one of the most serious challenges of our time, tackling climate change and it’s important that we consider it from a biblical perspective as well.
“Because it’s going to impact the lives of our young most of all it just made sense to have them as an integral part of the Conference, giving them hope above all that we know about this, and we’re doing our best to tackle it so that their future can be as flourishing as possible.”