Salvation Army provides a spiritual hub for COP26

The Salvation Army’s community church in the heart of Glasgow will become a spiritual base for people attending the COP26 climate change conference. 

Thousands of delegates, visitors and pilgrims are expected to flock to the city for what is expected to be the most important gathering to discuss the climate emergency since the 2015 Paris Agreement.
 

The Salvation Army will host Glasgow Churches Together for the duration of COP26 and Lieutenant Scott Garman said he is looking forward to welcoming people from all over the globe.

Scott, who leads The Salvation Army church in Anderston with his wife Loretta, said: “We’re right next to the main conference venue so we will be here every day from 8am to 8pm to provide hot meals and support for those attending the conference, as well as the many pilgrims who will be in the city.

“We are delighted to welcome Glasgow Churches Together into our building for the period of the conference. The aim is to provide a cross-denominational opportunity for conversation and signposting to services, meetings and church events for all interested in climate change aspects.

“We are also hosting Nourish Scotland, a charity focusing on food policy and food justice, so during the planning for COP26 we have looked at what we serve and as a result have designed a menu that contains sustainable and ethical produce. We hope this will help educate the people we feed about how these sort of items can be incorporated into daily life.”

The Salvation Army’s international leader General Brian Peddle will be in Glasgow during COP26 to attend an ecumenical service on Saturday November 7 alongside other faith leaders. He will be accompanied by his wife Commissioner Rosalie and joined by Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill, The Salvation Army's territorial leader in the UK and Ireland.

Last week General Peddle called on Salvationists across the world to take immediate action to combat environmental degradation. 

He published an international statement on The Salvation Army’s position on climate change, warning it was one of the biggest issues facing the world today. General Peddle said: “Striking the right balance between our needs and what is sustainable must catch the attention of every Salvationist.”

The General also urged Salvationists to recognise that caring for creation puts Christian faith into action, adding that every aspect of the charity’s work must consider its impact on the environment.