Only recently have I become aware of the Conference of Parties, known as the COP. This is the decision-making body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The COP brings together the 197 nations and territories – called Parties – that have signed on to be a part of the Framework Convention.

Rev. Dr. Henry-Crowe issued a challenge, “Disruption and surprise are integral to transformation… Our song does not die in the valley of the shadow of death but beckons, calls, teases, and cajoles us onward. To do better – to do the very best we can for creation and to continuously promise to care for it. And then we return to our dwelling place…. (Photo by Bishop Laurie Haller)

My attention was particularly drawn to the COP this year because Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, was invited to be the preacher for the COP-26 gathering. The worship service was designed to remind all of us of the times when we cause our world harm.

The opening worship service was held on November 7 in Glasgow, Scotland, and was introduced by a bell. These words were in the bulletin, “Before the service the Cathedral bell is rung. To ring a bell is to abandon detachment. The clanky bells of the Celtic Saints expressed their confrontation of injustice and evil, in their vulnerable dependence on the strength of God. A bell disturbs the easy peace of injustice. Sounds an alarm. Calls for action. Gathers friends for urgent help. A bell makes the connections. When we ring bells, we know the sleeping dogs will lie no more and we call on God to sustain us in our commitments, come what may...."

Read the full blog from Bishop Laurie here.