"The climate crisis is of such urgency that the whole Church needs to make it a priority. We ought to work to ensure every church is an eco-church, and that in every congregation every Christian is asking questions about how we can live more lightly."
The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam
Become an Eco Church
Why not record the creation care activities of your church and work towards gaining an Eco Church award? Anything as simple as holding an annual harvest festival service can start you on your journey. It is quick and easy to register and the Eco Church website has a wealth of ideas and resources to get you started. (Pictured right: St Mark's Harrogate achieve Silver Eco Church Award)
How can my church get started on the Eco Church Award scheme?
Use this Becoming an Eco Church: Resources and tips to for your Eco Church Journey to help you.
Find out more by viewing the Eco Church webinar series on the Church of England website or read the case studies of other churches who have achieved a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.
Why not use this poster to let your congregation and community know how you're getting on with your Eco Church journey?
Bronze Eco Diocese Award
The Diocese of Leeds is proud to have achieved a Bronze Eco Diocese Award.
The following initiatives have helped the Diocese achieve the Award in April 2020:
- Having a Diocesan Environment Group, chaired by Bishop Paul Slater
- Having a Diocesan Environment Policy in place
- 10 churches in the diocese achieving have achieved Eco Church silver and 14 have Bronze or above. A further 55 have registered with Eco Church
- St Hild Theological College has received a Bronze Eco Church award
- Creation care training for Clergy, Readers, Parish Environment Officers and others is held regularly across the diocese
- The Diocesan investments are managed ethically under the Church of England CCLA
- We have worked interfaith and ecumenically on environmental projects for example through the Leeds Faith for the Climate Action Group training Carbon Conversation facilitators for faith groups. The Diocese have also contributed to a range of national initiatives, for example initiating and piloting the first Church Carbon Calculator, The 360Carbon by Climate Stewards
- Communicating success stories from around the diocese through the God’s Green Fingers newsletter and Facebook page
We are now working towards a Silver Eco Diocese Award.
Find out more about the Eco Diocese criteria here.