Putting the waiting back into wanting

The Reclaim Christmas story…

 Our campaign to cut consumption and with it greenhouse gas emissions -  was the start of what we hope will be a permanent feature of the festive period in the years to come. In 2009, we’d like many more churches and communities to deepen and enrich the pioneering Reclaim Christmas campaigns held this year in  Birmingham and elsewhere.

RECLAIMING CHRISTMAS In Birmingham

The Anglican Bishop, Rev David Urquhart, led the campaign to cut consumption as a way of limiting emissions by first, hosting carol singing in a local recycling centre – to draw attention to waste and its impact on the environment. Then he cycled five miles to the Cathedral and presided over a dramatic penitential liturgy which featured the sound of drums and the sharing of ashes.

After that, he helped hundreds of passers-by into St Philip’s to take advantage of a Christian “green give-away.” Local worshippers had raided their attics and garages for unwanted presents. In two hours we gave away quality perfumes, candles, music, and books. We were giving,  re-cycling and evangelising – and helping reduce the need for more shopping, more consumption, and therefore more toxic emissions.

Wouldn’t it be great to have this campaign all over the UK next Christmas? Many churches plan twelve months ahead, so make sure this is factored in by your church for December 2009 NOW!

See photos of the Birmingham event here.

Media coverage

As well as appearing on BBC One's Christmas Voices, the media and various blogs picked up on our campaign and covering campaign events. Here is a sampling of the coverage:

The Telegraph - "Shoppers are 'selling their souls', monk warns"

Mark Vernon in The Guardian's Comment is Free - "A Climate Change Conversion"

The Church Times - "Don't let Nike lead you to greed on the brain, urges Abbot"

Ekklesia - "Rampant consumerism must be tackled in face of climate change says TV monk"

George Pitcher in the Telegraph blog - "Advent chimes with our economic times"

Christian Today - "Church encourages people to wait for what they want this Christmas"

Birmingham Mail - "Bring your unwanted gifts to big giveaway"

Birmingham Post - "Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart spreads the'green gospel'"

A sample fromthe campaign

Because we have already reached the point when the earth's resources for the year are used up and because we reject the idea that happiness at Christmas lies at the bottom of Santa's stocking, Operation Noah is launching its Reclaim Christmas campaign.

Advent was traditionally a period of penitence and quiet anticipation. But now it seems no more than four weeks of frenzied consumption in which stress, needless debt and damage to God’s creation have become its defining hallmarks.  Did you know:

Countless unwanted “gifts” will end up, at best in the charity shops and at worst, in the landfill. 

If Jesus returned in December 2008, what would he make of us doing all of this in His name?

So, instead of shopping, we want you to come together to celebrate and anticipate the birth of Christ together, in community, reducing your consumption footprint over the Advent period, the time famed for its excessive rate of consumption and to build friendships whilst doing so.

We say no to singing Santa mugs, golf ball washers and umbrella hats that will be discarded by the 12th day of Christmas, and yes to living simply, together, over the Advent period.  

 

The Reclaim Christmas challenge...

We challenge you to Reclaim Christmas in your own communities.  You could:

With our help, you can create your own event, to inspire others to reclaim their Christmases too. 

We’ve created ideas and organised events, developed resources, including a funny and inspiring drama script called A Present for the Future which you could include.

  • Make a reclaim christmas pledge.

This Advent we challenge you to change at least one thing to your Christmas routine.  Why not pledge to make three presents as opposed to buying them?  Visit two people who may find the festive period difficult this year, or organise your own event but only if people will help you?

With the help of pledgebank.org, we've written our own pledges which we hope you'll join, or alternately, your could make up your own.  See here for more on these pledges.

As well as signing up to one yourself, why not make it a community action?  Get your church community to the sign the pledge together. 

And the Reclaim Christmas campaign doesn’t stop there.  Read the religious and funny inspirations to propel you forward in strength with your Reclaim Christmas pledge.

 

WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO...

  • Tell us your Christmas stories.  As the theme is reflecting on the festive period, we want to document your stories of Christmas, good and bad here on the site.  We've started to gather stories from our team-  Mark tells us about his best: liquorice sticks at age 9, and his worst: a Shakespeare waistcoat at age 34, so come and share your stories here. 
  • Tell us how you are getting on with the campaign in your communities.  If you have any tips that others may be interested in, let us know  Either add a comment at the end of the story you have just read, or send us an email at campaigns@operationnoah.org.

Go to the Reclaim Christmas Resources page where you can find all you need to Reclaim your Christmas.

 

This campaign is about you, go and Reclaim your Christmas!