Preparing for Climate Justice Sunday: A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future

By 
 on April 6, 2025
Photography:
Margot Richard on Unsplash

To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth – Anglican Church, Fifth Mark of Mission

Parishes across the diocese are encouraged to celebrate our Mother Earth and commit to climate justice on April 27 this year, our annual diocesan Climate Justice Sunday. This date corresponds with the global marking of Earth Day on April 22.

Earth Day is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by earthday.org. Over one billion people are involved in more than 193 countries.

Climate Justice Sunday is an opportunity to reflect prayerfully on the state of the planet and our responsibility for safeguarding all of life. It is a time to educate ourselves on what is happening and how we should respond. It is an excellent time for individuals and congregations to get engaged and to advocate for change.

It is critical that governments, businesses, and all sectors in society contribute to addressing this global climate emergency. This includes people of faith. It is important for Anglicans to express our solidarity with movements and campaigns working for climate justice. As more and more marginalized people across the planet bear the consequences of a warming climate, it is incumbent upon us to accept our responsibility and to work for change.

What are some ideas for Climate Justice Sunday? Individual churches can incorporate ecological and climate justice themes into their worship services. There are some great resources available on the Climate Justice Niagara webpage to assist with this. They can be found on the diocesan website by visiting www.niagaraanglican.ca/climatejustice/partners-andresources/. Parishes can organize a special event with a guest speaker on a particular topic or issue. They can produce and distribute educational materials and resources on environmental themes.

How about organizing a carpool to church on Climate Justice Sunday? It’s not too late to participate in the Communion Forest. Contact Deirdre Pike to learn how to conduct a tree inventory on your property this summer.

It is also important that each parish appoint a Climate Justice Facilitator to act as a point person on climate justice initiatives. This is part of your annual reporting to the diocese, but more importantly, the person will be the parish connection to Climate Justice Niagara.

Finally, join Climate Justice Niagara on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, 6:30–8:00 pm, for a Climate Justice Webinar. We’ll have some climate justice experts, and we will build on our pillars of prayer, education, action, and advocacy, to protect the integrity of creation.

For more information, please contact Deirdre Pike, [email protected] or 905-527-1316, ext. 470

  • Bruce Mackenzie is the Parish Administrator at St. George's Anglican Church in Guelph, ON.

Skip to content