We’re well into the summer conference season, and the Operation Noah team have been enjoying getting out and meeting Christian campaigners across the UK.
Operation Noah’s Bright Now Campaign Officer Bokani Tshidzu was at the National Justice and Peace Network conference in Swanwick in late July – the theme of which was ‘Just Politics’. Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, opened by offering an important challenge, asking, ‘how can we transform the disengagement and apathy of “just” politics into the pursuit of a truly just politics?’
By providing insight into the political role of the Church from the unique perspective of the Lords Spiritual, Bishop Guli suggested that the Church, with its horizons wider than short-term political ends, is best placed to speak for the voiceless in our society, however counter-cultural such a stance might be. In considering ‘what should the Church offer politics?’, Bishop Guli said, ‘I think we can offer the hope of Christ that a more just world is possible.’
And in early July, Operation Noah’s Bright Now Campaign Director Clare Fussell travelled to Leeds to attend the Methodist Conference, where Operation Noah teamed up with JustMoney Movement to host a lunchtime fringe event. As there was no room in the main conference venue, our event was held across the waterfront in a rather interesting glass box situated on the towpath which attracted a few stares from passers-by as we shared lunch together and explored how to encourage Church investment in climate solutions.
We were inspired to hear from friends who are part of the Methodist Zero Carbon Group, many of whom used opportunities at the gathering to push their colleagues to scale up investment in climate solutions. We celebrated with them in 2021 when the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church in the UK divested from fossil fuels, and since then, progress has been made in moving funds into building a greener future – a trend which we hope will continue!
Increasing numbers of churches and faith groups are signing up to our new Green Investment Declaration, which provides a useful mechanism for Christian institutions to increase their funding in key areas to accelerate the green transition. Will your church be the next to join?
We’re also looking forward to seeing some of you at the Greenbelt Festival in August – if you’re there, please come by our booth and join us for a game of Monopoly (with a twist!). We’ll also be part of a panel discussion at Greenbelt – we’ll share more details on the event soon!