The event will feature guest speaker Professor Robert Beckford, scholar-activist and Director of the Institute of Climate and Social Justice at Winchester University. Participants in the rally will be invited to gather around a dramatic ‘Burning Bush’ art installation where the exhibit will be set alight and those present will make pledges and prayers to protect God’s creation.
The interactive installation will be in place in the Cathedral throughout Winchester Green Week from Monday 26th September, and all are warmly invited to engage with the art through prayer and reflection.
The ‘Burning Bush’ theme is taken from the bible story in Exodus when Moses encounters God revealed through a burning bush and is given a special task to perform by God. This image has become a poignant symbol during the church season of CreationTide (1st September – 4th October), when Christians have been praying and taking action for climate change, especially mindful of the increasing number of wildfires around the world.
In addition to the rally, the Cathedral is delighted to host its traditional and bountiful Harvest Festival Eucharist Service at 11.00am, to which people are invited to bring food donations to be shared with the Winchester Basics Bank.
The Very Revd Catherine Ogle, the Dean of Winchester. said:
“Harvest Festival is an occasion deeply rooted in the life of the nation and in local traditions. Since biblical times, celebrating harvest has highlighted our basic human need for food, God’s generous provision in creation, and the human responsibility for caring for the poor and for the environment.
The Cathedral’s Harvest Festival this year includes a new awareness of the need for action on climate change. During the afternoon Rally, we will be making a commitment to take action to avert climate change, already impacting upon the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. We do hope that many people will want to join us in celebrating the Harvest and committing to care for God’s creation.”
Both the rally and the service will be live-streamed, allowing guests to join from anywhere in the world.
The full programme of events and initiatives in support of Winchester Green Week 2022 can be found here: https://www.winacc.org.uk/what-we-do/events/winchester-green-week-2022/green-week-2022-events/
Winchester Cathedral is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm, and on Sundays from 12.30pm to 3.00pm. Last entry is 30 mins before closure. For more information about and the events programme at Winchester Cathedral, visit https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/
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