General Synod recently backed a motion encouraging churches and cathedrals to explore ways of arranging flowers that are both beautiful and environmentally responsible as part of the Sustainable Church Flowers movement.
The Sustainable Church Flowers movement is a national and ecumenical network offering practical support to parishes, arrangers and clergy.
The movement works to support the Fifth Mark of Mission of the Church of England: ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’
Sustainable Church Flowers aims to make sure that all materials used are compostable and biodegradable; that churches use seasonal flowers and foliage available in their natural season and, as far as possible, that are grown in the UK not flown; and that we eliminate the use of all types of floral-foam, a microplastic held together by a mixture of chemicals known to cause environmental and biological damage, and other single-use plastics.
In our diocese the concept of Sustainable Church Flowers was launched in 2024 at the Wild Coverdale Flower festival, held at Coverham Church, within the Wensley Deanery in the Ripon area.
Following this, two Ambassadors for Sustainable Church Flowers were appointed, who have encouraged the adoption of the Sustainable Church Flowers principles for the Wensley Deanery and beyond.
For a full explanation of the existing problems and the Deanery’s choices and solutions, together with links to all key resources, please click here.
In 2025 Wensley Deanery Synod passed a motion to adopt these principles.
The Area Dean, the Revd Stephen Hanscombe, wrote to every church in the Deanery encouraging them to adopt the principles which approximately two thirds of the Deanery’s parishes have done.
Revd Stephen said: “I am proud that Wensley Deanery has led the way in encouraging sustainable church flowers.
“Rural churches are in a strong position to enable this change for the benefit of our beautiful planet.”
Before the debate about the General Synod motion, a video was shown to shed light on the issue, featuring Shane Connolly, who provided and designed floral arrangements for the King’s Coronation and the weddings of the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales, and who is also a member of the Sustainable Church Flowers network.
The motion highlights long established alternatives such as reusable vessels, twigs, moss, chicken wire, and metal “frogs”, which for centuries enabled churches to create arrangements without single use plastics.
It also celebrates the creativity of volunteers and the opportunity to support local growers and community gardens.
The General Synod motion passed was as follows:
That this synod:
a) embrace the principles of the Sustainable Church Flowers movement which encourages a living into the Fifth Mark of Mission by promoting the use of local, seasonal and fully biodegradable/compostable flowers and foliage.
b) encourage cathedrals, churches and churchyards – wherever possible – to source flowers and foliage locally and seasonally for use in worship and church life.
c) call on cathedrals, churches and churchyards to eliminate the use of floral foam (oasis) and all similar non-biodegradable and non-reusable products and techniques, while rediscovering traditional and environmentally-friendly methods of presentation and display.