The John Ray Initiative

Revd Rich Clarkson - Caring for Creation in Solomon Islands Webinar held on Zoom Thursday 12th March: Rev’d Rich Clarkson will be talking about his recent trip to the Solomon Islands on behalf of his diocese. The webinar will focus on what he saw ...

Caring for Creation in the Solomon Islands - JRI webinar with Rev'd Rich Clarkson Thursday 12th March 7.30pm. Have you booked your place yet? jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Briefing Papers JRI Briefing Papers are available as a free download. We believe they represent a high quality resource for Christians engaging with the science &/or theology of environmental stewardship. We do not c...

We have a fantastic new briefing paper from @dennisonshelly.bsky.social looking at recent research in communicating on social issues and climate change in particular. It's accessible & immensely practical, it will be invaluable for anyone communicating on the climate crisis. jri.org.uk/briefings/

A rock concert a tattered jacket and a more sustainable to shop Credit: Spencer Davis - Unsplash It was near midnight on a Northern Line train out of Manchester Picadilly when I first dipped my toe into the world of pre-loved fashion. Manchester Arena had just ...

A rock concert, a tattered jacket and a more sustainable way to shop. Check out our latest blog from rock fan and pre-loved fashion newbie James Watterson. jri.org.uk/a-tattered-j...

Webinar: Treading Softly: 7.30pm Tues 13th Jan with Major Heather Poxon of the Salvation Army. Heather's experience of work in Rwanda and the DRC has given her insight into the causes, and devastating effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. jri.org.uk/.../treading...

Telling a better climate story Photo by Tobias - Unsplash How we talk about climate and nature matters. Taking the a familiar message and framing it differently can make a huge difference to how it is received. Finding ways to t...

How do we communicate climate change effectively? Are different approaches better for different groups of people? Check out our new blog on "Britain Talks Climate and Nature 2025", a resource to help those working on environmental issues communicate more effectively. jri.org.uk/telling-a-be...

Divine Windows - Webinar with Dr Dave Gregory In recent years advances in high definition filming and photography have enabled science and nature documentaries (think of Brian Cox and David Attenborough) to bring truly stunning imagery into our h...

Just one week to go to our webinar "Divine Windows" with Dr Dave Gregory - sign up below (you need to add a free ticket to the cart before hitting get tickets). jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Caring for Creation in the Solomon Islands. Catechist George and Freda Fataka at Red Beach I am currently in the Solomon Islands, where I have been spending a fortnight visiting the Anglican Church of Melanesia on behalf of my own Diocese of...

Check out our new blog from Rev Rich Clarkson. Rich is in the Solomon Islands learning about the impact of climate change and what the Anglican Church are doing in response - read on to find out about Green Disciples and the inspiring work that is happening. jri.org.uk/caring-for-c...

Climate fiction round-up Shelly Dennison rounds up four more climate fiction reads: As regular readers will know, this year I’ve been exploring the Climate Fiction Prize Longlist which has been introducing me to new autho...

Our next JRI book club is on Monday 8th September looking at Abi Dare's Climate Fiction prize winner "And so I roar." That book and three more are covered in this climate fiction round up. time to start planning your summer reading. jri.org.uk/climate-fict...

Replacement or Renewal of creation? It’s not the end of the world! Webinar with Dr Grace Milton Sadly, for some Christians their eschatology creates a barrier to any interest in caring for this world, but it does not have to be this way. This promises to be a fa...

Just over a week to go to our next webinar (June 26th). This promises to be a great talk and discussion. We already have a lot of sign-ups but it's not too late to join us. Follow this link here for your free place. jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Ancient Hills Standing stone Clent Hills - photo credit Rich Clarkson As I write this I am sat in the woods on top of Clent Hills. Just behind me are four standing stones – whether they are ancient or not I do ...

Check out our latest blog post as Rev'd Rich Clarkson reflects on our place in a big and ancient world. jri.org.uk/ancient-hills/

Keep up to date with all the latest JRI and CRES course news by signing up to our newsletter: bit.ly/JRINews You can also check out the June newsletter with information on our exciting webinar with Dr Grace Milton on eschatology and environmental care here: jri.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Now is a good time to consider registering for CRES (Christian Rural and Environmental Studies). This distance learning course is jointly run by JRI and A Rocha UK. Check out our Admissions page for details.
cres.org.uk/cres-admissi...

My latest book review for @johnrayinitiative.bsky.social is The Cuckoo Calls The Year by Pete Stroh. It's a lovely read and a real call to get to know the nature on your doorstep.

jri.org.uk/book-review-...

#NatureWriting

Book review – The Cuckoo Calls the Year by Pete Stroh The Cuckoo Calls the Year front cover In this immensely engaging book, professional botanist Pete Stroh introduces us to the nature and landscapes on his doorstep. The premise is a straightforward ...

Check out a new book review from @dennisonshelly.bsky.social In this immensely engaging book, professional botanist Pete Stroh introduces us to the nature and landscapes on his doorstep in rural Northamptonshire .https://jri.org.uk/book-review-the-cuckoo-calls-the-year-by-pete-stroh/

CRES Admissions Collage

For 20 years, I have been Principal Tutor for CRES (Christian Rural and Environmental Studies). Now is a good time to consider registering for this distance learning course that is jointly run by JRI @johnrayinitiative.bsky.social‬ and A Rocha UK. 1/2

The paperback is due out 19th of June if you'd rather wait for that 📖😀

Wolverhampton graduate, Abi Daré, wins first Climate Fiction Prize Author Abi Daré has been awarded the £10,000 prize for her second novel, And So I Roar.

Our next JRI book club read is the winner of the Climate Fiction Prize - Abi Daré's "And so I Roar." We'll meet in September to share our thoughts. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Sign up for our newsletter for updates on JRI meetings like webinars and the book club: bit.ly/4iGkklf

There's still time to sign up - this promises to be a great day.

Caring for Creation: From Passion to Action- CRES Day 24th May 2025. Our next CRES day is on Sat 24 May (10 to 4) at Ripon College Cuddesdon nr Oxford. Speakers Rev Dr Mike Perry (A Rocha UK) & Dr Elizabeth Perry (Programmes Director for the Anglican Alliance). Details:
cres.org.uk/caring-for-c...

It's nearly time for our next JRI newsletter with blogs, updates on our work and upcoming events including webinars and book clubs. You can sign up to receive our updates here: bit.ly/JRINews or read our April Newsletter here: jri.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Diary of a Young Naturalist - Dara McAnulty JRI Book Club Evocative, raw and lyrical, this startling debut explores the natural world through the eyes of Dara McAnulty, an autistic teenager coping with the uprooting of home, school, and his...

Just under three weeks to our next JRI book club. I started reading it yesterday and I'm already nearly a third of the way through, it's a great and easy read. Still time to get the book and join us on 12th May. jri.org.uk/book_events/...

TCEN Online Gathering Leadership in an Environmentally Challenging World Keynote speakers: Bishop Graham Usher, Dr Martin Hodson How do Christian leaders and communities respond to environmental challenges? This ...

Theological Colleges Environment Network (TCEN).
"Christian leadership in an environmentally challenging world." (interactive webinar for students, staff (teaching & non-teaching) & trustees of theological colleges). Speakers Bishop Graham Usher & Dr Martin Hodson. Booking: tinyurl.com/5e6m5za3

Book review – The Mars House by Natasha Pulley The Mars House by Natasha Pulley Shelly Dennison continues her reviews of the Climate Fiction Prize longlist: One of the positives of taking on a challenge like reading through the Climate Ficti...

Climate fiction offers a creative way to reflect on some of the issues caused by climate change. Check out this new review by @dennisonshelly.bsky.social of The Mars House - longlisted for the climate fiction prize. jri.org.uk/book-review-...

Can Phytolith's Save the World? An accessible talk on how "plant stones" can play a role in locking away carbon. Less than two weeks to go to our fascinating webinar with Dr Felix Tombeur and @martinjhodson.bsky.social

Sign up for your free place here: jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Can Phytolith's Save the World? Just one month to go to our fascinating webinar with Dr Felix Tombeur and Dr Martin Hodson @martinjhodson.bsky.social Hodson. Find out more and sign up for your free place here: jri.org.uk/book_events/...

Personally Understanding Earth's Recent Warming Many of us find it easier to accept the reality of some feature of nature when we have a personal understanding of how it occurs. With this in mind, this briefing paper from Geoff Fishpool seeks to sh...

Many of us find it easier to accept the reality of some feature of nature when we have a personal understanding of how it occurs. With this in mind, this paper shares a straightforward explanation of the increase in global temperature in an
accessible way. jri.org.uk/personally-u...

Book reviews for JRI Orbital by Samantha Harvey (January 2025) Seeing Differently. Franciscans and Creation – Simon Cocksedge, Samuel Double & Nicholas Alan Worssam (October 2023) Refugia Faith. Seeking Hidde…

Bringing order to chaos part I - links to the book reviews I've written for @johnrayinitiative.bsky.social - the latest of which is Samantha Harvey's Orbital.
wp.me/pa6hjN-3k

Passion for the environment? The Christian Rural and Environmental Studies course brings together an understanding of the environment and Christian Faith. Competitively priced, with no entry requirements, CRES is a distance learning course with optional in person days. bit.ly/CRESc

Briefings These Briefing Papers are available as a free download but they are not free to produce so if you would like to contribute to the work of JRI when you download please go to the Giving to JRI page on t...

Why should Christians value nature? Is its value intrinsic, or does it depend on its usefulness to humans. In this briefing paper CRES graduate Joanna Lawrence reflects on theologically on the value of the created order. jri.org.uk/briefings/

Government overturns Tory measure and bans emergency use of bee-killing pesticide Emergency use of Cruiser SB, a neonicotinoid pesticide highly toxic to bees, to be outlawed in UK in line with EU

A little bit of environmental good news. If anyone is in any doubt about the plight of our insect populations I strongly recommend "Silent Planet" by Dave Goulson. (He's quoted in the article) www.theguardian.com/environment/...