Photo by Edward Jackson, Save Our Suffolk Swifts. All Saints' Church, Worlington, is an Eco Church and now has a significant colony of swifts which has grown significantly since nesting boxes were installed in the belfry in 2009. Why should a church become an ‘Eco Church’?
The environment is God’s gift to everyone. And we have a responsibility towards each other to protect it. We cannot think of ourselves as isolated from others or from creation. One of the ways that local churches can care for creation is to get involved with A Rocha UK's Eco Church Scheme. The scheme’s definition of an Eco Church is one which has committed to caring for the earth (God’s creation) and is seeking to express this through:
How to become an Eco Church?There are over 100 churches registered with the Eco Church scheme in the Diocese, 29 of whom have a Bronze award and 13 who have gone on to reach silver. The Diocese is a Bronze Eco Diocese. The scheme is an award scheme designed to motivate and resource churches in establishing caring for God’s earth as an integral part of their everyday work and witness. It aims to create a vast network of churches as local centres of creation care in the community – shining beacons of hope for a brighter environmental future. The scheme is based on an online survey that enables churches to both record what they are already doing to care for God’s earth, and to reflect on what further steps they can take to that end and then act accordingly. By completing the Eco Survey, you will gauge what your church is already doing to care for God’s creation and it will help you to decide on your next steps. The actions you take count towards an Eco Church Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level. The website also has lots of resources to help you on your journey. Signing up to the Eco Church scheme is easy - simply register yourself and your church on the website and tis will give you access to the free online survey and supporting resources. Eco Church | Weblink How do I get started?
Remember that you do not need to limit yourselves to the actions suggested in the survey. Anything that you can do to care for creation is worth doing. Stories and ideas
We would love to have some stories from churches in the Diocese to share here. If you would like to share your story (and photos), please email the Diocesan Environment Officer, The Revd Canon Mark Haworth.Watch the videos below from the Dioceses of Winchester and Birmingham to find out more about being an Eco Church and to be inspired with ideas! There are a number of stories on the Eco Church website. There are a number of churches who have included Eco Church on their websites, for instance
Just search for Eco Church on the internet to find more. ResourcesThe Church of England has information, resources, and webinars to support churches in becoming Net Zero with their carbon emissions: The environment and climate change | Weblink Webinars | Weblink Energy Footprint Tool | Weblink The practical path to net zero carbon for churches | Weblink ContactPlease do email The Revd Canon Mark Haworth, the Diocesan Environment Officer for more information or to let him know if your church is registered as an Eco Church.
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