Eco Church: an introduction
Eco Church is an interdenominational Christian environmental awards scheme for churches. It is run by A Rocha UK. St Sampson's was registered and began working towards the bronze Eco Chruch award in March 2023. (The award has three levels: bronze, silver, gold.)
Eco Church provides tools to help churches respond to environmental issues through their worship, buildings, land, community engagement and individual lifestyles. Our website includes resources published by A Rocha UK. Additional information is available at www.ecochurch.arocha.org.uk.
In a time of unprecedented environmental stresses, Eco Church enables churches, including ours, to respond to God's mandate to human beings to care for His creation, by integrating environmental care throughout our church's life and mission.
With support and encouragement from A Rocha UK and the Diocese, Revd Canon Debbie Dewes, Revd Shirley Danby, the PCC, church wardens and other key individuals will work with church members and visitors to raise awareness and develop more eco-friendly practice within our church community.
Eco Church update: April 2024
Earth Hour: well done to all those who remembered!
Earth Hour is an annual event. WWF encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. This year, Earth Hour was on Saturday 23rd March. Those who participated in Earth Hour, demonstrated commitment to the planet and awareness about environmental issues and the impact of climate change for people globally.
Global mission
Members of the Upper Thames Group of churches have long been aware of the need to be outward looking and support overseas communities. This has included toilet twinning, support for Christian Aid, fund raising via the USPG Elephants.
We now have links with two more charities. Thank you Sarah Smith, on behalf of E3, and Daniel Gbegbe, for Compassion UK, for speaking to us about the work of these two invaluable organisations. £885.00 was collected during our service at St Sampson’s on 10th March and this has been split between the two charities, both of which are very appreciative.
We will continue to consider, support and pray for overseas communities affected by poverty, including poverty resulting from climate change.
Ethical investment: something different to consider
As a church, it is important that leaders consider how funds are used. Useful resources are available on the Eco Church website https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk . As individuals, we too can consider how we spend our money and how our money is used by banks and other organisations. A useful introductory booklet entitled ‘You and your money’ is available on the website.
Finally…..A Rocha UK has an easy eco tip for Spring
Explore walking and cycling options in order to fit more active travel into your day. Disembark a stop early and complete the rest of your journey on foot, indulge in a leisurely stroll or opt for a cycle ride. Consider connecting with a local walking or cycling group. Use your time outdoors as a prompt to pray for God’s creation, nature’s preservation and the reduction in fossil fuel usage.
Earth Hour: well done to all those who remembered!
Earth Hour is an annual event. WWF encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. This year, Earth Hour was on Saturday 23rd March. Those who participated in Earth Hour, demonstrated commitment to the planet and awareness about environmental issues and the impact of climate change for people globally.
Global mission
Members of the Upper Thames Group of churches have long been aware of the need to be outward looking and support overseas communities. This has included toilet twinning, support for Christian Aid, fund raising via the USPG Elephants.
We now have links with two more charities. Thank you Sarah Smith, on behalf of E3, and Daniel Gbegbe, for Compassion UK, for speaking to us about the work of these two invaluable organisations. £885.00 was collected during our service at St Sampson’s on 10th March and this has been split between the two charities, both of which are very appreciative.
We will continue to consider, support and pray for overseas communities affected by poverty, including poverty resulting from climate change.
Ethical investment: something different to consider
As a church, it is important that leaders consider how funds are used. Useful resources are available on the Eco Church website https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk . As individuals, we too can consider how we spend our money and how our money is used by banks and other organisations. A useful introductory booklet entitled ‘You and your money’ is available on the website.
Finally…..A Rocha UK has an easy eco tip for Spring
Explore walking and cycling options in order to fit more active travel into your day. Disembark a stop early and complete the rest of your journey on foot, indulge in a leisurely stroll or opt for a cycle ride. Consider connecting with a local walking or cycling group. Use your time outdoors as a prompt to pray for God’s creation, nature’s preservation and the reduction in fossil fuel usage.
Laura Brierley
St Sampson's Fairtrade certificate
Our focus for 2024
It is good to see that efforts are being made by people at St Sampson's to be more eco friendly. As promised, the recycling bins are now available in the church; thank you for remember to use them. It is great that so many church members arranged lifts to recent services and events. Car sharing is an important way of reducing pollution and saving energy (and money!).
Having achieved the Eco Church bronze award, we will continue to consider ways in which we can become more eco-friendly. We are thankful for God’s creation and we know that we must take good care of our world. In the coming months we will revisit and remind ourselves of actions we have already taken such as reducing car journeys by walking/ cycling/ car sharing and recycling waste. We will raise awareness of new subjects including ethical investment and auditing our carbon footprint. But our main focus will involve global engagement. Information will be shared monthly via newsletters and in church services. Church members will be encouraged to learn about the WWF Earth Hour, to pray for specific overseas projects and to remember our commitment to Fairtrade
The Eco Church website has lots of information. During harvest, we will think about our food. Two booklets are particularly helpful: 'You and your food' and 'Fairtrade'. These can be found on the Eco Church website or by clicking on the links below. They are also on the St Sampson's Eco Church noticeboard.