Environmental Concern
The Fifth Mark of Mission is:
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
In recent years many Church members have become more aware of environmental issues and have made a positive Christian response by making simple changes in their lives. For some it has been appropriate to save or generate energy in their homes. Some are trying to cycle or walk when not transporting less able people. Others are buying or growing local food. For some finding out more about the issues relating to Climate Change and our energy resources has been an important step. For others beginning with prayer has been the right way forward.
Please may I recommend the following -
1 As a Church - we have developed a Parochial Environmental Policy. Please be guided by this when planning all Church activities, from Worship to purchase of food. Please see our Parochial Environment Policy here
2 Local - Sustainable Thornbury is part of the national Transition initiative. ST members are concerned with the effects that Climate change and peak oil are having on us now and will have in the next few years. They have organised events such as environment talks and film evenings, plastic bag reduction campaign, Give It Away Day, Skills Workshops and Thornbury Eco Fair. They have focused on Waste; helping to set up the Give-n-Take Web site and a Recycling Directory. The current focus is on Energy. This has included the recent local Energy Smart Homes Trail. On-going are the Grow Your Own Food and the Thornbury Orchard groups. ST is always looking for more members. If you share these concerns and want to meet a friendly and positive group of people please consider joining them. Please see their website for full details http://www.sustainablethornbury.org This site also contains links to many useful environmental organisations.
3 Diocese – The Gloucester Diocesan Website has useful Environment pages. Please see http://www.gloucester.anglican.org/church-outreach/environmental-and-rural-life/environment/ This site also includes contact details for the Diocesan Environment Officer who is currently Arthur Champion. To contact him email achampion@glosdioc.org.uk or phone 01242 665152. The Church of England has its own Shrinking the Footprint initiative - please see http://www.churchcare.co.uk/shrinking-the-footprint for useful Information on this.
4 World Wide – Christian Aid and the other development agencies see first-hand how climate change and other environment issues are contributing to poverty in many countries right now. Unreliable weather patterns mean planning when to plant food crops is extremely difficult. Deforestation and floods are causing devastation. To find out more please see their web site - http://www.christianaid.org.uk/
I feel that, as in all issues, prayer is vital. I urge everyone to pray for the world and pray for guidance in our own lives to discern how we may each fulfil our responsibility to love God and our neighbour.
Marian Stephens
Missions: Global and Local Concern committee