RESTORATION
STORIES
Behind every contribution to the Restoration Pot is a story of the pursuit of climate and debt justice.
Here the contributors tell their stories
Wells Green and Shavington Methodists
"We had been dismayed when we heard about the government cuts to overseas aid and were concerned about the effect climate change was having. We asked our congregations to share their messages, prayers and hopes for a restored world, glueing, painting and varnishing them onto two pots. We presented one of them to our MP [Connor Naismith]. He listened to our concerns and as a result, we have formed a good relationship with him.” Ruth Parrot, a member of the ‘working for justice group’.
Ruth says the bowl is kept on his shelf, as a constant reminder of the need to take action for the climate. They even sent photos of the visit to their local newspapers.
St Johns and St Stephens Reading
“We all know about personal debt - and hate what it does to local families. But we seem to forget about the huge debts that many countries, (especially African countries) carry, and the terrible consequences that these countries face as they work to repay these – cutting health and education and social care budgets. When our church got together to decorate this pot we were reminded that the UK can have a big impact. We must not forget this!” Rosemary Croft
Their church wrote to their MP Matt Rodda to let him know that they want to see a fairer global economic system that doesn’t trap countries in debt.
St John the Evangelist Bridgetown, Totness
Members of St John the Evangelist Bridgetown created their own Restoration Pot following a 'love in action' themed service. They reflected on Desmond Tutu's quote "When people say that religion and politics don't mix, I wonder which Bible it is they are reading", and learnt facts about the impact of debt.
"I wanted to focus on faith in action- to stir people up to act. We had a soup lunch and continued our conversations. We then took the pot "On the road" into Totnes the following Saturday”. Becca Robinson
Ealing Deanery Synod
Ealing Deanery chose to contribute artwork to Christian Aid’s Restore Pot campaign as a creative expression of their shared commitment to justice, hope and restoring relationships with people and the planet.
Margaret Cobley decided to represent her hopes for restoration through the image of fruit, she said “Matthew 7:17 Jesus said ‘A good tree bears good fruit..’
We pray for a fruitful world where people have the opportunity to produce positive change.”
Trinity Methodist Croston
“We at Trinity Methodist in Croston believe as individuals and collectively in taking faithful action to highlight the injustices and strife (often mankind made!) the world finds itself in. We sincerely hope our Government and Parliament will listen to the call of its nation and start/ continue to right wrongs and steer our planet to a better future for all.”
Dilys Lightfoot, South Ribble constituency
David Roocroft, South Ribble constituency
Dilys Lightfoot, South Ribble constituency
The Southend-on-Sea Boys Brigade
“We wanted to show our young people that church is more than just us and that we're part of a global church that cares about others” Alison Johnson
The Boys Brigade got creative to learn about the climate crisis, and how important it is to the Church.
East Devon for a Fairer World
In spring of 2026, East Devon for a Fairer World met and made these thoughtful contributions to the Restoration pot. They are a grassroots group taking local action on global justice issues.
Olwen Smith
Olwen Smith
St.Mary’s Church, Bloxham
[we] “met with our MP, Sean Woodcock at a local lobby, and followed this up by writing to him asking him to write to the Chancellor about introducing new Debt Justice laws, and to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net-Zero asking: what plans the UK Government has for raising its fair share of international climate finance through polluter pays taxes. We are still committed to the issues of climate finance and global debt in the low-income countries. There is a way forward, as long as the government catches the vision. We can be part of making that happen, as the churches were in the Jubilee Debt campaign. We believe in hope!” Olwen Smith
“I wanted to be involved, to draw attention to the actions our government can take to combat the effects of climate change, and the need to help countries adversely affected by the climate changing activity of wealthier parts of the world. I was glad to be part of the group creating a pot to urge our MP to support the campaign.
My piece is a linocut print onto newspaper. I selected some text on the newsprint I used which dealt with the results of climate change- there was a reference to extreme weather events- a hurricane in Florida.
The design is a wooden cross, on which you can see the grain resembling the bark of a tree, and out of the tree you can see shoots or branches emerging and coming into leaf. Representing the wound in Christ's side caused by the soldier's sword, a cascade of water emerges and pours down the cross forming a flow like a river which runs away from the cross.
The title 'Where the leaves of the tree heal all the nations' was suggested by the words of the opening prayer we used during the session as we prepared to think about our response.
Allerton URC, Liverpool
Following Christian Aid week, Allerton URC created their own Restore pot collage, calling for ‘hope’, action on the climate crisis and a ‘brighter future for young people’.
.jpg)
.jpeg)
Archbishop Marinez, the Anglican primate of Brazil, and Bishop of the Amazon region
Archbishop Marinez is the Anglican primate of Brazil, and Bishop of the Amazon region. At the core of her ministry is care for creation and indigenous communities fighting to protect their land. We invited Archbishop Marinez to participate in the Restoration pot, and she drew a small plant growing amidst devastated land.
She reflected that ‘life is powerful’, and ‘life always restores itself’. Despite the many injustices and challenges the world faces, we can all play our part in God’s restoration, so that people and planet can thrive.
To hear more of Archbishop Marinez’s testimony, you can watch that here.
Christ Church, Lewes
Christ Church Lewes “wanted to get involved with the Christian Aid Restore Campaign because Climate and Debt injustice is causing suffering to many all around the world. We shared photos of our prayers in an email to our MP. We pray that our prayers and actions will help to restore all that is broken through the climate and debt crises.”
For an explainer on how the UK’s debts differ to the debts of low income countries, see this blog.
Knightswood Anniesland Trinity Church, Glasgow
“We got involved in the Restore campaign to explore the themes of debt justice and poverty, and to think about how unfair debt affects communities such as in Kenya. The messages we wrote express our hopes for restoration and for a world where families can meet their basic needs, living free from poverty.” Ed Whittaker, a member of Trinity’s cafe church
Louise Reid said she chose to use the image of the tree because she is "drawn to the strength of trees and particularly old established ones which have a sense that they have been around for a very long time. I love the way their roots that can be very deep draw the nutrition the tree needs from the earth and support the growing plant. The branches spread out creating a canopy of shelter and the leaves process carbon dioxide into oxygen. They also often produce delicious things we can eat.
Each tree has its own characteristics, shape and form."
Louise Reid, Glasgow West
Greenbelt Festival
Greenbelt Festival describe themselves as “somewhere artistry meets activism, where the political meets the practical. We’re somewhere to come together once a year, where we’re as likely to dream up a better world as we are to dance and debate, to pray and to party”
In 2025, A giant Restore pot made its way to the festival field in Kettering. Across the weekend, around 250 people drew and wrote messages which they pinned to the pot. The pot was then revealed on stage during the Sunday communion service, to celebrate the collective power we have to restore the world to its intended beauty.
Nearly 1500 festival goers signed the Restore petition, and festival goers wore Restore themed temporary tattoos.
Since we had so many contributions, we’ve had to select a few to display here. If you spot your own, let us know by emailing campaigns@christian-aid.org
Trinity Church Barrow in Furness
“The Eco group talked to the congregation about the Restore campaign. We had already signed the Restore petition, taken part in the Big Garden Bird Watch and the Butterfly count, and were 'in the mood' to continue. We provided A5 paper, card and material, crayons, felt tips, paints, scissors, pictures to cut out, glue and some discussion points’, and here are the results!”
Sue Millard
Horsell Church of England School
Scotland
Anonymous Authors
Some of the contributions were sent anonymously. If you recognise your artwork we’d love to hear from you, please get in touch with us campaigns@christian-aid.org
