The first week of June is HUB Cycling’s Spring Go by Bike Week and Metro Vancouver church communities are encouraging congregations to reduce their carbon footprint by cycling to work and worship.
On Thursday, June 2, Bishop John Stephens will preside at an ecumenical blessing of bicycles at Christ Church Cathedral. The service will end with a procession of bicycles - bells ringing - out of the church onto the Cathedral’s Burrard St. Plaza. Local clergy will join the bishop outside at a Celebration Station to offer blessings and refreshment and a chance to win awesome prizes to cyclists on their evening commute. A bike mechanic will also be on hand to help cyclists with minor tune ups. The event is organized by Salal + Cedar a diocesan church that meets outdoors to pray.
This light hearted community celebration is part of a more serious movement of faith communities addressing climate change with actions like fossil fuel divestment and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope and leader of Orthodox Christians’ joint statement on climate change.
“Our faith in a God of love calls us to care for this planet and all its inhabitants recognizing that we are part of a much larger ecology. The climate emergency demands a response that challenges how we currently are living and urges change that we may live with care for this world of today and well into the future.” Bishop John Stephens
"The climate emergency requires leadership from everywhere and action from everyone. Faith communities play such an important role in climate justice, taking action within their own lives and buildings, and pushing for emergency level climate action from every level of government." Chris Boyle, United Church Minister and Vancouver City Councillor
The Blessing of the Bikes service is open to media and the public. It will begin at 4pm inside Christ Church Cathedral. At 4:30pm the event will move outside to the corner of Burrard St and Georgia St.