Since being inspired by her in February 2020, I have tried to follow Ruth Valerio’s strategy to “give, act and pray” for our environment. This is not always as simple as it might seem, and it has led me to do some things I would not have formerly thought likely – taking part in public demonstrations being one of them.
One of the first things I did was to start supporting all the wildlife or nature charities I could. One of these is the Ver Valley Society which works to protect the River Ver. My main aim was to give a regular financial contribution, but I have also had the opportunity to act practically, joining in parties to pull up Himalayan Balsam, a pretty but invasive non-native plant that takes over the riverbank crowding out native plants and doing untold damage. Fortunately, it is easily pulled up (best stress busting mornings I have ever spent!) and the Society is slowly winning the battle to control it.
When I saw the text for the 2023 Season of Creation ‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’ (Amos 5: 24), I was drawn to make a personal pilgrimage to walk the entire length of the Ver. I am following the 5 circular walks provided by the Society https://www.riverver.co.uk/walks/, using one each week for the five weeks of the season of creation (1st September to 4th October.) As I go, I’m praying for the river and those people who are working so hard to protect it.
When I saw another river pilgrimage advertised, this time along the River Thames in London, I naturally wanted to do it. ‘Pilgrimage for the Planet’ on 9th September was arranged by Christian Climate Action and The Laudato Si’ Movement. You can read a detailed account here: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/47995. Unable to find a walking buddy amongst likeminded local friends, it was with a sickly knot in my stomach (through fear of getting hopelessly lost on the underground) that this country mouse packed up the banner she made for a COP26 march and caught the Thameslink train to Greenwich. It was actually a very easy journey and I am so glad I made it - it was an interesting, inspiring and spiritually strengthening outing in the company of some delightful new friends.
The Pilgrimage consisted of walking from the Cutty Sark to the Thames Barrier. We were guided to reflect on the resilience of the natural world as we walked, of which we saw plenty, and stopped every so often to pray about specific topics. At the Thames Barrier, we heard that it was used to prevent flooding in the 1980’s 4 times, in the 1990’s 35 times, in the 2000’s 75 times and since 2010 200 times, all due to rising sea levels. It was not built to be activated so frequently and will have to be replaced ahead of schedule. Sobered by that information, we stood downstream of the barrier and reflected that here, we were united with the rest of the world by rivers, seas and oceans. We prayed particularly for those places most vulnerable to climate change. As I write, this knowledge is even more distressing, considering the tragic circumstances in Libya.
This experience has made me even more determined to keep stepping out of my comfort zone and now I am going to take to social media and join my new friends in supporting Pope Francis’s plea for us all to speak out to the powers that be ahead of COP28. Pray with us for climate justice - Laudato Si' Movement (laudatosimovement.org)
I hope you have been able to enjoy a riverside, park or country prayer walk during this year’s Season of Creation. Please share any ideas you might have for acting or giving to protect God’s world.
Anna Barrett – Member of St Albans URC