eco church

The journey so far…

We believe that God calls us as a church to care for the earth and all that live in it.  We seek to live sustainably both in community and personally. We have engaged with the Eco-church survey to help us towards these aims and in 2020 achieved the “bronze award”. In response to the climate crisis, we have pushed ahead in our aspirations and after a few years of hard work have now achieved our Silver eco-church award! We have formed a working group that meets regularly to ensure these important issues continue to progress and any are welcome to join us! We are grateful to the Eco church organisation for providing a framework to review and change our practices as a church community and in our personal lives. We have completed the eco church audit to help identify the areas we could improve to help us express our care for God’s world in our worship and teaching; in how we look after our buildings and land; in how we engage with our local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal lifestyles of our congregation.

Striving for silver

The eco church website can be found here for more information about the organisation and survey. To briefly summarise the areas we are reviewing:

Worship and teaching: Focus - Ensuring environmental issues are highlighted in sermons, prayer, worship and children’s work etc.

Buildings: Focus - Main church, Church office and vicarage - Carbon footprint of church, CO2 production from regular church activities, Boiler efficiency, Energy consumption, building insulation/glazing/Lighting, Water waste, Cleaning and office supplies.

Land: focus - Use of land in ways which are wild-life friendly and sustainable; careful use of surveys and development of planning for those goals; encouragement/support of use of church land by the congregation and the local community.

Global and Community Engagement - focus:  Engagement of the church with local, national and international environmental and sustainability initiatives and networks; inviting relevant speakers; taking part in campaigns and promoting a green approach; encouragement to minimise the use of resources; composting and other ways to reduce waste; and Fairtrade registration and Toilet Twinning.

Lifestyle: focus: How does the church encourage/educate about environmentally friendly living? How ethically funds are invested.

How can i make a difference?

There are many ways to make a difference but sometimes it can be overwhelming! we all can make small changes each day to improve our environment and try to reduce our impact on the planet. Here are some resources and local businesses that you may find helpful: (please note we are not affiliated with these organisations and offer them as suggestions only).

Start recycling household food and rubbish! order your recycling containers HERE.

Start recycling SOFT PLASTICS at your local CO-OP or M&S, see info HERE.

Broken household items? See if they can be fixed: attend one of our restart parties or contact the Fixing Factory Camden See info HERE.

Borrow instead of buy - the library of things has many great items to rent short term HERE.

Food without packaging - utilise local markets or shop at Kilo holloway road or the Fair Well food van

Apps for free or reduced-price food - Olio (local free excess food and household items) or Too good to go (reduced leftovers from local restaurants)

Keep up date with events and environmental news with the Faith for Climate Network here.