December 7, 2021
Incumbents and parish ministry team;
In our ongoing efforts to take concrete actions towards Engaging God’s World as part of our diocesan vision, Bishop Anna is inviting communities throughout the diocese to join her in taking part in a BC-wide initiative. #Candles4Climate is organized by the BC Climate Emergency Campaign and arises out of a public call to action of over 300 organizations across British Columbia earlier this year. In a letter to the provincial government, these groups called for the immediate implementation of ten climate emergency actions. To date, none of these actions have been taken by the government.
Bishop Anna and Rabbi Harry Brechner from Congregation Emanu-El, Victoria have jointly signed a letter to the premier calling on his government to respond to this call to action and to implement a transformative climate action plan (see letter on page 5). The two faith leaders will also hold a vigil next Monday, December 13 at 5pm outside Grace Lore’s constituency office in Victoria to pray for the victims of this year’s fires and floods, and to call on the government to take immediate action.
Bishop Anna invites your congregation and its neighbours to join the campaign by organizing a Monday vigil outside your MLA’s constituency office, or to join her and Rabbi Harry at the constituency office at 1084 Fort Street, Victoria on December 13. Most of these vigils are taking place at 5pm on December 13, but you are welcome to hold yours at a time appropriate for your community. You can also take part by lighting a candle each Monday evening at 8pm (see more information on page 2).
If you would like to host your own vigil please coordinate your efforts with BC Climate Emergency Campaign by contacting Mary Leighton, co-coordinator, (sick sow for) 908 3321, mary_at_climateemergencyunit_dot_ca or follow these important links:
The website
Facebook event page
Add your event with this sign up form and toolkit
Included in this package you will find templates you can use in organizing your own campaign. We have also included graphics you can use on your website and social media pages. If you would like these in other size specifications, please contact me at cpate@bc.anglican.ca.
THE CAMPAIGN
Goal: Demonstrate public support for the ten climate emergency actions with a visible weekly candlelight vigil for the victims of climate change.
Action: Light a candle in your window every Monday night at 8pm until the provincial government takes the movement’s ten emergency actions. Share on social media as you see fit with hashtag #Candles4Climate.
Organize: Plan a Monday candlelight vigil outside your MLA’s office with other community members and invite your MLA.
Sample Social Post
Tonight, we’re remembering victims of BC’s record heat wave and widespread flooding & calling on the province to take urgent action on the climate emergency. Please light a candle in your window at 8pm this evening. Take a photo, use the hashtag #Candles4Climate & tag your MLA
Sample Network Email
Dear [NAME],
Somber news from the B.C. Coroner’s Office confirmed nearly 600 people died from extreme heat this summer in the province. Since then, floods have swept away critical infrastructure, farmlands and First Nations communities throughout the province. These devastating events are sounding the alarm for us to eliminate carbon pollution as fast as possible to prevent even more deadly extreme weather.
People across the province are lighting a candle to remember the victims of these deadly events and to show our communities we need to act on the climate emergency with the urgency it requires.
Every Monday evening at 8pm, we’re putting this candle in our windows and sharing a photo on social media. Together, we are grieving the victims of climate change and honouring their memory by demanding action from our provincial government. We’ll continue this weekly vigil until B.C. has a climate plan that reflects the emergency.
Earlier this year, nearly 300 Indigenous organizations, student clubs, faith communities, businesses, unions, environmental non-profits and cultural groups wrote to the provincial government with a list of actions it must take to combat this crisis. You can read the open letter here and sign on for your organization here.
Please join us and put candle (a beeswax, soy-based or LED are great) in your window on Monday night. Share it on social media with the hashtag #Candles4Climate and tag your local MLA! Thanks for taking the time out of your week to remember those we’ve lost to the climate crisis and resolve not to rest until everyone is safe from its devastating impacts.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
P.S. Please be safe and make sure to extinguish your candle before you go to bed.