Winter Carnival
General Proposal

Whereas the Occupy movement has accomplished the beginning of a great moral awakening in Britain;

Whereas the Church of England, the Church Universal, people of many other
faiths and people of no faith share the goals of a more moral
marketplace and a more moral government put forth by the Occupation;

Whereas a public forum throughout all of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland, is greatly to be desired by everyone who seeks to understand,
decide and support the reforms necessary;

Whereas the spirit of the movement must spread beyond the camps or be in danger of diminishing;

AND FINALLY, whereas this is a land with a rich history of festivals:

THERE IS PROPOSED a Winter Carnival

There
is proposed a great Winter Carnival, to roll through all of Britain
from Cathedral to Cathedral.  These Cathedrals are our commonwealth and
they and the national Church of England should be pressed into service
in this time of injustice and moral crisis.  

Winter Carnival could have multiple components. Some suggestions below:

Candlelight Walk:
  A symbolic candlelit walk beginning at your local abbey/cathedral could start the Carnival – a victory march that recognizes the triumph of awakening the
Occupation has started.  In London, the walk could go from St Paul's to St. Albans,
Southwark, Westminster and beyond.  In each city, the Occupiers could start from their camp (if close to church of choice) or arrive at the train/bus station (if too far to walk) and be met by local supporters, local activists, people of faith and people in need.  They could then walk, holding candles, to the Cathedrals.  A spreading of light.

Putney Debates:
As in 1647, the Cathedrals could host debates or town meetings where
the governmental and economic reform we seek could be refined,
discussed, considered and our different options learned.  Occupy and the
Church could invite speakers and leaders to hold public meetings about
how we as a people want to live.  A written constitution and bill of
rights could be drafted by a travelling working group or collated together after the completion of the carnival by all participating cities.

Open Forums:
At the carnival, all interested parties, including people of the
churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, the Occupy movements, people from
political parties and interest groups and grass roots organizations,
would come and talk about how to make change for the better.  

Reclaiming of Government: 
A walk from the Cathedral to the government buildings – the town halls –
where people could hold a General Assembly, airing their grievances in
this winter of our discontent.

Heritage:  
Open the Cathedrals to the Occupiers and children and have history teachers
explain the martyrs, and the historical role of the Church in securing
greater liberty for the people (e.g. its role in the abolition of slavery).  Let us hear the stories of the martyrs and progress and reform.  Let us remember our own past together.     

Wine, Feasting and Song:  Local amateur bands could play, local suppliers could offer food, mittens and mulled wine and fairy lights, a celebration to raise our spirits and by raising our spirits raising our humanity.

Practical Help:  The touring and local Occupations could assist at local foodbanks, homeless shelters and elder care centres to bring attention to local cuts
issues.