Last Word
Rachel Mander from YCCN is co-lead for the Rise to the Moment relay to COP26 (see more on pages 6-8). We spoke to her about the relay and calling for climate justice.
‘ It’s a privilege to be a citizen of the host country of COP26, and I want to use that privilege well’ What is YCCN? YCCN (Young Christian Climate Network) is an action-focused community of 18-30 year olds who are following Jesus in the pursuit of climate justice. Community sustains our action and action builds community.
What is your role? I’m the co-lead for the relay, overseeing everyone helping with the events in 10 UK cities en route and looking after all the comms and campaigning aspects of the relay.
What is the relay about? The relay is about joyful obedience. I always go back to a statement from the Pacific Council of Churches from 2004 which calls on ‘our sisters and brothers in Christ throughout the world to act in solidarity with us to reduce the causes of human-induced climate change’. I was seven years old when that was written. It’s a privilege to be a citizen of the host country of COP26, and I want to use that privilege well. I hope that together we can persuade the UK government to put money on the table for climate justice.
What value do you think Christian Aid supporters will bring to the relay? Christian Aid supporters bring themselves and that is of immense value – their hospitality, deep faith, passion and creativity. YCCN are the initiators and facilitators, but we aren’t owners of this relay. Please come and join in the fun and bring us the gift of who you are.
What do you hope to see happen at COP26? Countries are already being pushed further into debt by the impacts of climate change. What injustice! I long for wise decisions to be made at COP26 to avert this dystopia of climate change whereby it and inequality ravage the earth – this is an inevitability if we don’t change the logic of existing international financing.
How does climate justice link to your faith? Understanding that the promise of redemption was not just for me, or for humankind, transformed my faith and made it richer. I have faith that Jesus Christ is Lord of all creation. But
this is a radical claim with political implications because at the moment, we cash-in creation for money and short-term gain.
What gives you hope and motivation? I do my best not to concern myself with what is or is not possible, or what will or won’t happen, because it leaves me paralysed. Rooting myself in the love of Christ is my hope and motivation. May it always be enough!
What does being part of a network like this mean to you? It means a great deal. It really feels like it is a community of faith. We are journeying together, both metaphorically and literally, through the highs and lows – which come when you try and organise a thousand-mile relay in your spare time!
What will you do after COP26? Your guess is about as good as mine. Please do pray for me!
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