The Hartley Wintney Operation Noah Group
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ContactRuth Jarman, 10 Kiln Gardens, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, RG27 8RG ruth@sjarman11.wanadoo.co.uk 01252 849904 |
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A Changed Church - Operation Noah Day was fantastic!
The Chair of the Hartley Wintney Operation Noah Group, Ruth Jarman, took a giant petition – made of recycled bed sheets of course - to all four primary schools in the area and collected hundreds of brightly coloured signatures as well as hundreds of paper footprints, each with a child’s pledge to do something to cut their carbon footprint which were strung around the church on Operation Noah Day. Supporting her was St. John’s Church Careforce volunteer, Josh Parmar.
The petition was presented to James Arbuthnot MP on the Friday 4th July and will be delivered, by children representing the schools, to number 10 Downing Street at 12 noon on Monday 14th July.
Operation Noah Day took place on Saturday 5th July. Mr Noah welcomed people into the ‘Ark’ to the music of "the animals went in two-by-two", requesting that they enter “two-by-two" and asking whether anyone had seen a unicorn. Inside the buzzing ‘Ark’, playfully strewn with footprint pledges, a variety of stalls showed ways to cut carbon footprints, and the petition, together with an official petition, were available for signatures. Opportunities for prayer and reflection were provided with a Taizé style service in the afternoon. There was plenty for children, with face painting and fantastic craft activities using recycled materials, a puppet show and a youth and children’s session including songs and drama. The film An Inconvenient Truth was screened in the afternoon, and also in the evening when it was followed by a discussion chaired by The Reverend Canon Robin Ewbank.
And the church was still strewn with footprint pledges for the services the next day where Operation Noah prayers were said and the youth drama and puppet show were repeated.
Ruth Jarman said, “The best antidote to climate despair is climate action. And who better to take the lead on this greatest moral and spiritual issue of our time than people of faith? It is highly appropriate that this is a children’s petition as it is they who will see the physical result of this generation’s actions – either of our moral and spiritual bankruptcy, or of our courage, vision and integrity.” The aim of both petitions is to urge the Government to strengthen the Climate Change Bill.
James Arbuthnot, MP said “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. It is as much a social and economic threat as it is an ecological one. We all need to do our bit as individuals, businesses and Government and I am grateful to Ruth and everyone involved with Operation Noah for organising this fantastic event which is helping raise awareness of climate change.”
Taking part in Operation Noah Day was the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, the Hart Countryside Rangers, Friends of the Earth, Christian Aid, the Thames Valley Vegans and Vegetarians, West Green Fruits and Livingstones Bookshop. Supporting the day with beverage tasting and lunch were the Hogs Back Brewery, Mr Whiteheads Cider Company, Denbies Wine Estate and Waitrose.
Activities
Next Meeting: 23rd September. Please contact us for venue
July 14th: Children will deliver petition to number 10 Downing Street
