We are an Eco Church

(awarded Bronze Award, March 2020)

Eco Church is A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth. A Rocha UK is a Christian charity working for the protection and restoration of the natural world, both as a response to care for the earth, and as a demonstration of the Christian hope for God’s world.

As a church we know that caring for God’s earth is integral to being a Christian, so we decided to look at Eco Church as part of our everyday work and witness. Each church is encouraged to complete an online survey that enables churches to both record what they are already doing to care for God’s earth, and to think about what further steps they can take.

The survey covers five areas of church life:

  • Worship and Teaching
  • Management of Church Buildings
  • Land
  • Community and Global Engagement
  • Lifestyle

As a relatively new church building we were conscious of the need to be as sustainable as possible during the initial build. We have solar power and underfloor heating assisted by an air source hear pump. We have stopped using paper or plastic cups and plates as much as possible. We recycle and are a Fairtrade Church. We recognise the need to include stewardship of creation regularly in our worship and prayer life. On completion of the survey we reached the Bronze standard and are now working towards Silver.

www.ecochurch.arocha.org.uk

Eco Church is run by A Rocha UK in partnership with Christian Aid, the Church of England, the Methodist Church, Tearfund and the United Reformed Church.