I58-Network

The third instalment of the Climate Camp saga will be played out at Kingsnorth Powerstation in Kent between 3rd and 11th August 2008. A group of Christians are working hard to create a cafe space, run by Christians, to provide tea and coffee, cakes and more to campers during the day, and somewhere for Christians to gather for fellowship and prayer amidst the hectic activity of the site. The project, whilst independently run, has received support from Student Christian Movement, Christian Ecology Link and the I58 network. This climate camp promises to be as amazing as the last two, so come along and get involved.

The Camp

This year, the Camp for Climate Action will converge upon Kingsnorth, near Rochester in Kent, the site of an aging power station, and destined to be the location for the UK’s first new coal-fired power station for 30 years. The camp will be there from Sunday 3rd to Monday 11th August, demonstrating a sustainable alternative to our fossil-fuelled society.

Having stood as an example against Heathrow’s proposed airport expansion in 2007, and against Drax power station in Yorkshire the year before that, Climate Camp continues to serve as a celebration of sustainable living as well as an exciting opportunity for people to engage in educational workshops and large-scale and diverse direct action.

The Idea

The café space will be an act of hospitality, a space for all to find rest and relaxation in the midst of a busy camp. We will also use it as a space for worship and creativity, a fresh expression where nothing has gone before, a chance to be creative in prayer and draw upon the camp around us for inspiration.

The camp itself is spread out in different neighbourhoods, each representing part of the UK, and each with a kitchen. These are often too busy to keep serving tea and coffee between meals, and our café will help take the pressure of them. We’ve even been promised a supply of vegan cake!

It would also be a meeting space to worship and pray together in fresh ways, in the midst of an entirely relevant campaign. As part of this we want nightly services for all Christians on site. We want them to be participatory, so most of this won’t be planned in advance; we want people who are creative in this area to come and help create fresh material to use over the various nights.

The plan

Whilst everyone is welcome to participate for however long they can, participants of the café are invited to assemble in London the afternoon/evening before the camp begins, on Saturday 2nd, to chat over and add detail to plans for the week, and for fellowship and networking. This will facilitate a prompt start the next day to set up the space, in time for an opening act of worship and communion before kitchens serve up the evening meal.

During the camp, participants will be encouraged to camp in their corresponding neighbourhood, and to take part in the daily neighbourhood meeting over breakfast. The café will opening around 10am, pausing for a meeting during lunch, to check rotas, general tasks and program. It will remain open during the afternoon before closing around 8.30pm to prepare for the evening worship time. During the days of action (the Wednesday and Saturday) needs may be different, and take down will take place on Monday 11th.

The Call

Given that followers of Christ are called to be careful stewards of creation (Psalm 8, for example), a café within the Camp for Climate Action provides an exciting way to be involved in God’s transforming work. Please get involved.

Please email climatecampcafe@lists.blogbound.com or visit www.climatecamp.org.uk and www.i58.org.uk for more info.