Environmentalists lead alternative Ash Wednesday service

Date published: 07 March 2019

The beginning of Lent was marked with an environmentally-friendly twist during an alternative Ash Wednesday service at St Chad’s on 6 March.

Ash Wednesday traditionally marks the first day of the Christian season of Lent, a holy day of prayer, fasting, and repentance.

However, the alternative message from St Chad’s focused on improving the environment around us, preventing climate change for future generations and making a difference in any way possible.

Participants included Rochdale Environmental Action Group (REAG), Petrus Incredible Edible, students from Falinge Park High School plus Bilal Mosque Imam Hassanat, former Mayor Robin Parker and Rochdale Online reporter, Michelle Kight.

Reverend Mark Coleman welcomed all participants and guests by saying: “This event draws on the insights of many to help us think about the care of the earth. Surely, we must care for all that is created?

“Today is not about feeling bad. We must begin by saying sorry; the first stage in a process of turning to choose a new way of living.”

Michelle spoke about the current public enemy – plastic – and its lasting effects on the planet, recycling rates and how we can all reduce our usage of plastic products.

Rachael Bennion, Petrus Incredible Edible Rochdale co-ordinator, spoke about the community allotment on Belfield Road, part of the wider Incredible Edible Network, which was followed by six members of REAG addressing litter.

Students from Falinge Park raised serious topics such as global warming and climate change, pollution and how we can change for the future.

They said: “We have 12 years to reverse global warming. We have a choice to save the world’s future, either we do it, or we don’t.

“Do we do enough to slow the effects of climate change? Small things count and make a difference.

“Each day we have the opportunity to make the world a better place.”

Former Mayor Robin Parker showed support for renewable energy sources “harnessing the power of nature” over more controversial methods, before Imam Hassanat spoke about the importance of reusing and recycling our resources.

He said: “When I was a child in Kashmir, nearly everything was reused. An old shirt was ripped up and became pillow filling and the majority of things were recycled. We can do small things: we can write to our representatives and remove obstacles in paths as an act of charity for the planet.”

The service was closed with the option of being anointed with ashes.

The service was organised by Revd. Coleman, inspired by Swedish political activist Greta Thunberg, 16, who is working to stop global warming and climate change.

In December, 16-year-old Greta spoke at the United Nations climate conference.