COP26 Blog 1: Climate pilgrims converge on Glasgow

Double rainbow over Glasgow on eve of COP26 - image ICN/JS

Central Glasgow was ablaze with colour and vibrant with drumming as more than 500 climate pilgrims made their way through Saturday shoppers on 30 October to highlight the walking pilgrimages to COP26 converging on Glasgow from around the UK and Europe.

'Climate Justice Now' appeared on many banners carried by the pilgrims and supporters, but among the newer initiatives was a group of Harry Potter characters leading a huge black serpent carried by 22 people and with 'Capitalism' written on the side. A 'Coat of Hopes' comprising several hundred patches of rainbows, flowers and other images and messages of hope attracted considerable media attention. Each patch was prepared lovingly by local communities throughout the UK.

Helen Elwes from Bristol, brought a large painting depicting Our Lady as a protector of creation, 'Mother of Mercy'.

The Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) Relay to COP has covered a 1,200-mile route from Cornwall since June. The Camino to COP, which left London in early September has covered 450 miles and both reported "hundreds of conversations" and "profound engagement with faith communities". Both have stayed in churches and with other faith communities, spoken at services and run educational events. "I never thought I would get all the way" said one Camino walker, "and I wouldn't have, without the amazing navigators, stewards, support drivers and fellow walkers, and our lovely host communities."

The 'Climate Pilgrims', who have walked across the UK in advance of the summit's opening were joined by pilgrims from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland walking under the banner 'Pilgrim's Walk for Future'. All aimed to lobby the COP26 climate summit for a fair deal for the Global South, but also "providing time for deep thinking and reflection upon the lives we lead, particularly our throwaway culture." The walks touched hearts and minds along the routes and a much wider community through reports on Twitter and Facebook. There were supporters alongside them on Saturday from such groups as CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Operation Noah. One group of three religious sisters were Columban, Carmelite and the Sisters of St Andrew.

High-powered faith delegations will be in the summit itself, but they are aware they have the full backing of grassroot faith communities, demonstrating the depth of commitment for climate justice.

On Saturday morning, Melanie Nazareth of the Camino to COP, who was one of the 12 people walking the whole route, reflected that the last day of walking was in the rain and the group took delight in seeing so many rainbows: "rainbows that are so close we can almost touch them where they touch the ground, and one where the colours appeared twice as if a double dollop of hope was needed". She added that, "the thought is in my head that maybe we are walking as work to make manifest a covenant with God."

On Saturday evening the closing service of the YCCN Relay to COP was held at St George's Tron, Church of Scotland, in a building decorated with fairy lights and the boat which the young walkers have brought with them every step of the way. Its sails are made from materials of countries badly affected by climate change. More than 28,000 small origami prayer boats were collected along the way and were on display. We had tea and cake on the way into the church, before settling into a truly joyful service of popular hymn music from the St George's Tron Band and reflections on the Relay. Its co-lead, Josh Evans, was clapped as he revealed the full extent of the YCCN achievement: 2,500 walkers - mostly young Christians - took part and were supported by 130 churches across eight denominations. Not only supported but overwhelmed with hospitality. Everybody laughed as he reported that, "on one day a group of walkers received three breakfasts."

The young walkers were thanked for being prophetic and inspirational by Martin Johnstone, the COP26 ambassador for Glasgow Churches Together. In the final prayer, co-lead Rachel Mander spoke of "the Lord who sets us out on crazy journeys" and of bringing before the Lord, "all the people for whom this COP26 conference really matters."

And this evening many churches across the UK rang their church bells between 6 and 6.30pm to show support for climate action, particularly for the vulnerable communities in the global south who are already suffering terribly from the impacts of a warming world.

Let's hope the world leaders gathering on Monday are listening!

For more pictures and films from Glasgow this week - visit ICN's Facebook page.

LINK

YCCN Relay to COP26 closing service at St George's Tron church - www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJ3KLOgVPw