Released: An Arrest
Reflection
 |
| The discussion about the Ark. |
There was a large
number of people gathered around something on the ground. This was Noah’s Ark !
An Anglican priest and a group of Jews from XR were talking to the Police, who
were trying to remove it section by section. I felt strongly that this symbol
of rescue and promise, shared by the 3 Abrahamic faiths, should not be removed
to a police compound ! I sat down in the Ark and then very quickly a police
officer came along and said please move sir or you’ll be under arrest. My
courage evaporated ! I moved away from the Ark and headed away from the police
line. Then very quickly I saw priest sitting on the road and went and sat
next to her. A retired priest came and sat next to us briefly and he said
“Anything to get out of a PCC meeting then?”. We laughed. I asked if he would
pray for us, which he did, clasping our hands together as he prayed. Then I knew
that this was the right time to be arrested. Within moments 2 Police officers
came to up to me and issued their warning, finishing with the words “do you
understand?” Absurdly I said “no comment”. I was arrested, picked up under the
arms and dragged away. Then followed several hours sitting on the pavement
watched over by my arresting officer Sophie. Sitting between fellow Reverend
rebels Hilary Bond and Helen Burnett was a blessing - as we could support each
other. There was lots of good conversation between us and with the Police,
before we were taken to Croydon Custody Suite.
 |
| Released with Revs Helen and Hilary |
Because of the large
number of rebels, we had several hours sitting on the floor waiting to be
processed. This was a very special time of communion with some very wonderful
people with a deep love for the earth. Talking to these people was so humbling.
Fortunately the police allowed us some flexibility and we were allowed to share
our biscuits and chocolates. We exchanged stories and shared experiences,
We agreed we were in a sacred space and that the word sacred has its
etymology in the idea of sacrifice.
I spent 17 hours in
custody and 10 hours in a prison cell. There were a few moments when I
felt a little stir crazy but the overall experience (as XR’s Roger Hallam has
said) was like that of a retreat house. I rested, read and prayed in my
cell. I was so privileged to be able to make this small sacrifice, in the hope
that we get government to tell the truth, carbon reduced and involve the
citizens in working out a way forward. Others have had tougher experiences in
the second week of the rebellion, and I pray that they can now have a period of
rest and regeneration.
My 20 years of
ordained ministry have had highs and lows. Being part of the Christian Climate
Action and the XR community is a definite peak. I was (physically) arrested but
in a deeper reality, released, liberated, reminded of the power of love. And
not my love or bravery, but that of the one God, whose spirit can do marvellous
things. In London, we encouraged each other to act together in hope rather than
become dispirited in isolation. I have met some amazing people motivated by
deep love working together in common cause for creation Thank you to all in CCA
and XR for your training, guiding, organising, promoting, facilitating,
feeding, creating artwork etc.
Back in the parish I
have been amazed by the positive reaction to my arrest. I have only had one
negative email, far outweighed by the affirmations. Even the negative comments
are an opportunity for conversation, and It is now much easier to talk about
climate change and I plan to get around to talk to wider Rochdale society about
what I did and why. There’s still much more to think and pray about.