A Ringing Appeal for Climate Action

On Sunday, November 23, 2008, Grace Church in Amherst, Mass., celebrated the feast day of Christ the King. The sermon at both services focused on God’s call to protect Creation and to preserve the stability of the global climate. At 12 Noon, parishioners young and old lined up to ring the steeple bell. Before we rang the bell, each of us brought to mind something or someone we loved whose future is in peril because of climate change -- a child, a place in nature, or a species. As each person rang the bell, he or she spoke that loved one’s name aloud or called on the name of Jesus, so that our loving intention could be focused and clear. The deep sound of the bell rang out 350 times under a bright blue sky. A big ‘350’ banner -- painted by Sunday School children -- hung from the steeple, and several children distributed explanatory leaflets to curious passersby. Local media -- newspapers, a TV station, and an NPR affiliate -- covered the event. Grace Church was one of 8 Episcopal churches in the area that rang its steeple bell 350 times sometime during the last week of November. (The photos of acolytes ringing bells and of the ‘350’ banner hanging from the steeple were taken by Nancy Lowry; the photo of children painting the banner was taken by Reynolds Winslow.)

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