Bells All Over the Place!

Another round-up of photos from the December 13 global bell-ringing for climate justice! Rev. Blaine Gregg writes that "at St. David’s United in Leduc, Alberta, the plan was to ring the bell 350 times after church. There were so many people, of all ages, wanting to take a turn that we reached 350 in no time at all. We paused and reflected on the work of climate justice and then people kept on ringing for the sheer joy of it (it was the third Sunday of Advent after all). I suspect the St. David’s Bell rang close to a thousand times."

In Strathmore, AB, the United Church and St Michael's and All Angels Anglican got together for an ecumenical noise-making.

Rev. Paula Ashby writes, "This was an amazing, powerful and incredibly moving experience to stand together and share in the ringing of the bells in tandem with churches around the world. Our hope and prayer is that our leaders are listening to the voices of the people they represent. When we look into the eyes of our grandchildren, we will be able to share the story of how we acted to protect God's creation."

They lined up in the bell-tower at St Cuthbert's Anglican in Toronto to take turns ringing the bell.


And at St. Peter's Anglican in Winnipeg, as well!

Fenella Temmerman tells us "The temperatures were around -25 and that was the day one of the new furnaces heating the hall and belfry decided not to work. So that explains why we look so very frozen in the photo! Also, very posed!"

Children took the lead at Garden City United in Victoria.


While over in Sechelt, Janet Tufnall and Jill Halliwell mimed ringing the electronically controlled bells. 350 rings took 19 minutes!



In Rothesay, New Brunswick, the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception held a ritual at the Villa Madonna Retreat Centre.


The bell at St. Andrew's United in Port Loring, ON was covered in snow, but still raised the alarm.


Tambourines and bells of all kinds at St. Paul's United in Golden Valley, ON:


The folks at St. John's in Elora, Ontario write: "A small gathering we had, but a very thoughtful one, and in talking it up and advertising the event we hope that a few more people know a few more facts about the number 350 and its significance. Maybe it was a small splash, but there were ripples enough."

St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Ottawa, flung the doors open wide and rang the bells with enthusiasm.



The Parish of Central Kings in New Brunswick wrote, "We are a rural parish and therefore we are very aware of the effect of climate change on agriculture and how poor crops lead to poverty."


A great, colourful turn-out at St. Saviour's Anglican in Nelson, BC.


Sounding the bells at St. Mary's Anglican in Nanoose Bay:



More children and more dogs at St. Andrew's United in Matawatchan, ON.



St. Luke's Anglican Magog, QC:


St. Andrew's United in Kaslo was part of a community-wide ecumenical effort.


Joyful ringing (and dancing!) at Fairview United in Halifax.



Another St. Andrew's! This time in Golden, BC:



Chalmers-Castle Down United Church in Edmonton:


St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Cranbrook, BC:


Trinity United in Capreol, ON:


Trinity-St. Andrew's United Church in Brighton, ON:


Brandon, Manitoba:


Blenheim United in Blenheim, ON:


And Christ Church in Alert Bay, BC.