Diocese of Lincoln to stand in unity and faith at Fiji climate conference

Pursuing resilient communities and ecosystems

Delegates from the Diocese of Lincoln have been invited to be a crucial component of the ‘Moana – Water of Life 2: Navigating Climate Resilience Conference’ in Fiji from 8 – 10 August 2024.

The conference will be the intersection between faithful action and scientific endeavour in a world yearning for practical solutions to increasingly desperate ecological concerns.

The Talanoa principle

Our Diocesan delegation will play a pivotal role in shaping the discussions throughout the conference as attendees embrace new ideas and recognise each others gifts as scientists, theologians, policymakers, community leaders and youth representatives.

True to Moana theologies, ancestral practices and stories, our Polynesian hosts will use the Talanoa principle at the conference. This means utilising the Moana methodologies of listening, sharing, discerning, committing, and acting, together.

The Talanoa will navigate the complexities of protecting our natural world. It’s about making our communities resilient to climate change and recommitting ourselves to pursue loving ways of living sustainably as just one part of God’s creation.

It is the widely anticipated second gathering following a far reaching and successful inaugural conference hosted by our very own Diocese in 2019 at the University of Lincoln.

This second conference will be co-hosted between the Diocese of Polynesia and Kurahautū, the Archbishops’ Wayfinder Unit of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Meet our delegates

Bishop Nicholas Chamberlain

The Bishop of Grantham, Nicholas Chamberlain, is ready to offer leadership, theological reflection and attentive encouragement during the conference. He is looking forward to meeting his counterparts from across the world. His prayers and direction will be an invaluable and Godly contribution.

Canon Sarah Spencer

Sarah is our Diocesan Environment Officer and champions our commitment to environmental prayer, practice and policy. She collaborates alongside other faith groups including the Diocese of Polynesia, community groups and councils on environmental projects. She embeds environmental actions into all our Christian discipleship.

Revd Kate Mitchell

Recently ordained, Kate brings spades of experience leading eco-initiatives and activities in parishes across the Diocese. Kate was previously an eco-therapy coordinator, using the management of native woodlands and heritage crafts as nature-based intervention service to support healing, wellbeing and resilience of people with a variety of needs such as recovery from substance abuse, community re-integration, and recovery from mental health crises.

The first Moana Conference

Five years ago, the Diocese of Lincoln and the University of Lincoln co-hosted the first Moana: Waters of Life Conference in Lincoln. The stories shared by the Diocese of Polynesia (Fiji) delegation continue to shape the depth of our response to the reality of climate change, especially in and around Lincolnshire.

“There were powerful movements of solidarity during the first Moana conference. We all delighted in our shared love for neighbour and nature. It’s heartening to know that our diocese continues to be supported by a worldwide congregation that we now call friends.”

The Bishop of Grimsby, David Court (recalling the first Moana climate conference in the Diocese of Lincoln)

After that initial conference, we implemented our own environmental action plan and policy. We continue to be committed to reducing our carbon footprint across the Diocese as we do all we can to limit the effects of climate change by rising to the challenge of working to Net Zero by 2030.

We do this not just for ourselves, but for our companions who, although contributing the least carbon emissions yet, are already experiencing the worst effects of rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns.

Committed to climate action

The lessons learned and the relationships built between the Diocese of Lincoln and the Diocese of Polynesia through the Moana conference as we discussed science and faith was instrumental in establishing our own environment policy.

We are fortunate to have a dedicated Environment Team eco-team in the Parish Support Hub, allowing all of our environmental commitments to take root. They provide support across the Diocese and advise on how our churches and faith schools can become more sustainable. There are even grants available to make these changes happen.

• Contact nzcmanager@lincoln.anglican.org for details about how they can support your parish.

Follow our Diocesan delegates progress

During the conference, you will be able to follow our Diocesan delegates progress on our Facebook page over the coming week.

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