For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. Matthew 18: 20
In the middle of that first year of the pandemic a friend invited me to join a Fridays for Future standout in Wellesley which has just celebrated its 5th anniversary. Every Friday, from 3-4, we stand out to draw attention to the climate crisis. The young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg began this standout in 2018 with her School Strike. Her action eventually inspired young people around the world to join in protesting the insufficient action being taken to rein in global warming and tackle the problems that climate change is causing. Standouts such as Wellesley’s have been happening across the US and in many other countries. Those of us who are retired have the luxury of time to take part in such actions. Young and old, and some in-between, have stood in a line across from the Wellesley Public Library, and down the hill from Town Hall, for over 5 years, sometimes a very small group, sometimes as many as 25 people, with signs such as CLIMATE EMERGENCY, THERE IS NO PLANET B, FOSSILIZE FOSSIL FUELS, CLIMATE CRISIS – WE ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION, and (a student favorite) HONK FOR CLIMATE!
Initially, it was a blessing to have somewhere to go once a week to have some social interaction outside (this was before there was a vaccine) and just simply to get out of the house. Over the weeks and years, the people participating have grown to know each other, to really appreciate each other, and to inspire each other. One Wellesley student began standing out as a freshman and we had a party to celebrate her graduation last year. We have had FaceTime visits during our standout with activists from Bangladesh and Nigeria. Because we represent different climate groups and support each other’s efforts, the group is now called the Climate Coalition of Wellesley.
Instead of succumbing to despair about the climate crisis we find ourselves in, getting together with others to be a visible witness can be empowering and energizing, as well as fun!
May we all work together to preserve a climate that nurtures life on this planet. Amen.
–Jenny Allen