Bells at three Guelph churches willbe ringing loudly at noon each day for the next week as part of the global Bells For Future campaign.
Bells For Future is an initiative with faith and community groups to draw attention to the global climate crisis by ringing their bells during the Global Climate Strike Week Sept. 20 to Sept. 27.
This is a global event with faith groups around the world ringing bells. The initiative was taken up by the local ad hoc group, Global Climate Strike - Week of Action, Guelph/Wellington, said a news release.
In Guelph, not many churches still have bells. The Basilica of Our Lady, The Church of the Apostles, and St. George’s Church have bells and will be ringing them at noon. Cross says there may still be more faith groups and schools ringing whatever bells they have.
"We are participating because in our Anglican faith understanding the earth is a sacred gift from God, and we all have a responsibility to treat it as such," said Rev. Canon Ralph Blackman, Rector of St. George's Anglican Church.
“Up here on 'Catholic Hill' we believe that we are called to be good stewards of creation. We are, therefore, happy to lend the voice of our bell to the voices around the world being raised in awareness of our need to take much better care of the world entrusted to us. From the 20th to the 27th of September our noon bell ringing will be dedicated to the Week of Action calling us to more responsible stewardship,” said Father Ian Duffy, pastor at Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate.
“To fulfill our Baptismal calling to "strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth," added Rev. Naomi Miller, rector at Church of the Apostles.
Bells For Future is also encouraging anyone with a phone to join in by setting their alarm for noon every day that week using a bell, chime or ring, said the news release.
More information on Global Climate Strike - Week of Action Guelph/Wellington events can be found on its Facebook page.
