Following Bishop Graham’s
attendance at the Paris
talks on climate change,
he addressed the Diocesan Synod in March, speaking about the leadership being given
by Pope Francis (in Laudato Si) as well as the heads of the Orthodox and Anglican
churches, urging the Church and the world to confront climate change. The Children’s
Council also challenged Synod with statements and calls to action.
Hugh Burton, chair of the relaunched Diocesan Eco group, reminded us that the Church
of England is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 80% between 2005 and
2050, with a target of 20% reduction by 2015 – last year! He encouraged parishes in
the Diocese to adopt the recently launched Eco Church and its award scheme as a way
of reducing our carbon footprint. There are bronze, silver and gold awards, and very
practical steps on how to improve our care for God’s creation.
One of the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion is:
“To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
It is part of our Christian mission to work towards a more sustainable way of life on
God’s earth. Hugh says: “Imagine our churches becoming beacons of hope and good
practice, sharing our wonder at God’s amazing creation, and our joy in nurturing and
caring for it. We need to change our unsustainable lifestyles towards a way that treads
much more lightly on the earth that God has entrusted to us.”
Please pray for churches and parishes to take seriously the challenge and call to
action and adopt the Eco Church project. Pray also for the work of Arocha UK, the
environmental charity behind Eco Church and all those working towards environmental
sustainability, including Christian Aid.
Further information: ecochurch.arocha.org.uk and greenchristian.org.uk
Kingswinford Deanery – Rural Dean: David Hoskin; Lay Chair: Helen Jones
Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh (Ireland): Bishop Samuel Ferran
Diocese of Aarhus (Denmark): Bishop Henrik Wigh-Poulsen
Diocese of Portsmouth: Bishop Christopher Foster
Diocese of Stockholm (Sweden): Bishop Eva Brunne
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa
