Two churches in our diocese recently hosted gatherings that brought people together in reflection and celebration. St John’s in Hartley Wintney held a film screening which explores the climate and nature crisis, while Romsey Abbey hosted a live-streamed ‘Prom Praise’ service from the Royal Albert Hall.
St John’s Hartley Wintney
More than 60 people filled the hall at St John’s in Hartley Wintney for the church’s screening of a film about the climate and nature crisis.
The film, ‘The People’s Emergency Briefing’, aims to inform people about the threats we face while at the same time looking at ways we can respond. The 50 minute film was followed by a discussion about what the changes mean and what can be done together to address them.
The vicar of St John’s, Revd Canon Angie Smith, who facilitated the event, said, “It was good to host the film and be able to facilitate a conversation about the information shared in it and what we might do about it. As churches we not only have a prophetic responsibility to the whole community in the climate crisis but also, it’s our purpose to work for the healing and flourishing of all creation.”
The documentary is based on a 2025 Westminster briefing by leading UK scientists and experts to more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media. The event was opened by broadcaster Chris Packham who called for clear public understanding of the risks facing the UK. Experts addressed the implications of climate and nature breakdown for food security, health, national security, and the economy, alongside practical evidence on how risks can still be reduced.
The National Emergency Briefing is supported by organisations across conservation, education, faith and civil society, including the Church of England, the National Trust, CPRE and the Royal Meteorological Society.
Ruth Jarman, who helped organise the St John’s event, said, “There was a wide range of reactions to the film. People felt scared, angry, frustrated and challenged but many also said they felt hope. There was a strong interest in encouraging Alex Brewer MP (MP for North East Hampshire) to back the Parliamentary Call for a televised emergency briefing on the climate and nature crisis.”
In April, a coalition of the UK’s major church denominations and Christian organisations launched a call to action, calling on churches to host community screenings of the People’s Emergency Briefing film.
The Right Reverend Bishop Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and Lead Bishop for the Environment in the Church of England, said, “We are the first generation to see the effects of climate change and the last that can do anything about it. The ‘People’s Emergency Briefing’ is a wake-up call for all of us. All the major church denominations are highlighting the scale of the threat, the common desire to see the public properly informed, and calling the Government to lead and take urgent action. The Church of England has a clear role in caring for God’s creation and taking prophetic action.”
He urged other churches, chaplaincies and schools to host screenings of the film.
Romsey Abbey
Around a hundred people gathered in Romsey Abbey to share in the joy and colour of ‘Prom Praise’, live-streamed praise from the Royal Albert Hall.
The annual festival of worship, promoted by Langham Arts and All Souls Music, included music from around the world with artists from Austria, the Middle East, Pakistan and Africa alongside the All Souls Orchestra and massed choirs, with the aim of giving a sense of membership of a diverse and thriving international church.
Lucy Lewis, who organised the event in Romsey Abbey, said, “It was such an uplifting evening. A small team from the Abbey pulled together to advise and support with planning and coordination at quite short notice to bring it all together. I am grateful to them, our helpers on the evening and for our wonderful tech team who made this possible.”
This year, Prom Praise partnered with SAT-7, which is celebrating 30 years of bringing joy and supporting the discipleship of Christians across the Middle East and North Africa, through satellite television and digital media.
Romsey Abbey last year welcomed Dr Terry Ascott, founder of SAT-7, to preach at their Sunday services and the parish regularly supports the charity financially through its mission and giving. Julia Bicknall, a SAT-7 UK trustee who grew up locally, said, “I am delighted that Romsey Abbey is continuing to foster its links with SAT-7 by joining with us at Prom Praise.”
