Ring Out
For Climate Justice
Ring Out is a monthly bellringing event at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, to raise awareness of the climate and ecological crisis – led by young people aged 11-16 and supported by the A+E programme.
Currently on the 4th Saturday of the month from 11.30am-1.30pm. (Unless otherwise stated.) Bellringing takes place between 12-12.20pm, and the wider programme of art workshops and conversation continues until 1.30pm.
2025 dates: 25th Jan, 22nd Feb, 22nd March, 26th April, 24th May, 28th June, 26th July, 23rd Aug, 27th Sept, 25th Oct, 22nd Nov and 13th Dec.
More about the project:
Responding to young people’s concern about the climate and ecological crisis, Ring Out was initiated by Emily Slack (aged 11) in conversation with Jonathan Baxter (embedded artist at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral) and Emily’s mum, Alison Slack.
Ring Out has three aims:
To support young people in their concern to address the climate and ecological crisis.
To communicate that concern across Edinburgh and further afield – i.e. wherever there are church bells (or any other bells) there can be a Ring Out initiative.
To provide positive opportunities for young people to self-organise and gather in response to the climate and ecological crisis, whilst developing skills that support their mental health, wellbeing and creativity.
Support for the project:
“Ring Out is a great experience for young people between the ages of 11-16 who have not managed to find a way to get their voices heard. It’s a great opportunity to help us talk to each other about the climate crisis we are currently facing and to work together to discover new ways of letting everybody know what is happening.” Emily Slack
“A+E is proud to support Emily and other young people as they ring out for climate justice. In 2021 over 1000 UK church bells rang out on the eve of COP26. Ring Out for Climate Justice continues this tradition, with young people ringing out a warning and a witness: that the time for change is now; that earth care, people care and the fair share of resources are a priority long overdue.” Jonathan Baxter
“As a parent, I think it’s important that young people have opportunities to be able to express the powerful emotions they experience about the current climate emergency. I can see young people who are feeling strong emotions, and Ring Out is a way to share those experiences with others, to feel that they have a voice, and that that voice can be heard. I’m grateful that St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral can welcome this group of young people. By being open to this initiative the Cathedral communicates solidarity with the young people and a commitment to finding ways to enable them to feel heard.” Alison Slack
“St Mary’s bellringers are very keen to support our young people’s concern for the climate emergency. Bells have traditionally been rung at times of crisis as well as for celebrations. In 2021 we organised special ringing in solidarity with COP26. Ringing out the bells for climate justice signals St Mary’s determination as an Eco congregation to highlight this issue.” Ian Bell (Master Bellringer at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral)
“St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral is pleased to welcome young climate activists as they use our peal of bells to ring out the alarm over our climate emergency and the need for urgent collective action. St Mary’s joined many other organisations in declaring a Climate Emergency in May 2022. This is part of a long journey that the Cathedral is making to become a Regenerative Cathedral – a Cathedral that helps rebuild our relationship with the earth and models ways of living that are not just sustainable but regenerative. That journey can be seen most clearly in the remodelling of our grounds, with a significant increase in biodiversity, a different way of managing wild spaces, and the development of a community garden to highlight the connections between the earth, the food we produce, and those who consume that food.” John Conway (Provost, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral)
A+E 