Environment E-news

Issue 55 | May 2024

God's Green Fingers Environment E-news

I continue to be bowled over by the passion and faithful service found in parishes across the diocese where individuals, PCC’s and congregations are playing an active part in bringing about the renewal of creation.

You can, as always, read about some of those people and projects in this edition of God’s Green Fingers, but I wonder who your church eco super star is? Or what has your best environmental project has been over the past few years? Why not celebrate this success by submitting a nominations for one or more of the seven Church Times Green Church Awards, each with a £1000 prize: Green Building, Land and Nature, Congregation and Community Action, Action on a Shoestring, Green Champion, Training and Education, and Green Health.

With World Environment Day (5th June) and Churches Count on Nature week (8-16th June) just around the corner, it is a good time to move outdoors for worship, taking the opportunity to be inspired by the rest of Christ’s creation and draw closer to our awesome creating and renewing God. Our new worship resource provides inspiration for a simple service at a nature reserve and could be used in your own churchyard, local park, or be part of a church day out to one of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves.

Note: Some of the articles below link to the Church Times. You can read up to four Church Times articles each month free of charge by registering on their website.

God bless

Jemima Parker

Diocesan Environment Officer

jemima.parker@leeds.anglican.org

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News

Public Pledge to Not Invest in Fossil Fuels is Backed by Diocesan Synod

At Diocesan Synod in March, members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion presented by the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon which proposed: “That this Diocesan Synod approves the proposal that the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance does not invest in companies with significant revenues (i.e. greater than 10%) arising from fossil fuels, in the future”.

Churches Raise £57,000 in Give to Go Green Project

Churches across the diocese have raised some £57,000 in just six weeks to help reach carbon net zero, as part of the Give To Go Green project. 11 churches took part in Give To Go Green, a match-funding pilot from the Church of England working with churches to double local digitally-raised donations, to allow for more work on reducing carbon emissions.

Give to Go Green Round 2 - Get Your Carbon Cutting Project Ready

Following the success of the first round of Give To Go Green in March, the Diocese of Leeds has been invited to take part in round 2. Give To Go Green is a match-funding grant scheme that doubles locally raised donations for carbon-cutting building projects. There are many eligible projects taken from the Practical Path to Net Zero Carbon for churches. Applications will be open in late May.

Energy Footprint Tool Open to Help Churches Reach Net Zero

The Church of England’s Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) is now open for churches to enter fuel and power use from 2023. The easy-to-use online tool will tell churches what their carbon footprint is, based on the energy used to heat and light buildings. Make sure your church completes the EFT as completion is a requirement for eligibility for C of E grants to help kick-start net zero projects.

New Outdoor Worship Resource

A new resource has been created to support a congregation worshiping in a nature reserve. The materials could be used for a well planned trip or a spontaneous decision to make the most of a summers day and take a regular service outside into the churchyard or local park. Outdoor Worship at a Nature Reserve is a welcome addition to the suite of other outdoor and creation care worship resources on the diocesan website.

Download here

Ripon Church Continues to Care for God's Creation

St Mary’s Embsay with Eastby, a Gold Eco Church, recently took part in Give to Go Green, a national digital match fundraising pilot to help churches raise money for projects to work towards our goal of carbon net zero by 2030. After a couple of years of research and investigation, the church decided to move to a new electric heating system featuring under-pew heating in the nave, and FAR infra-red units discretely wall-mounted in the open areas of the church. St Mary’s are always happy to share their eco expertise, and are running an Eco Church Workshop on Sunday, May 12.

New Resources to Help Parishes with Funding for Net Zero Projects

Churches looking to reduce their carbon emissions have received a boost, with new resources to help parishes find funding for their projects. As part of our Saving Creation strategy, the diocese is pleased to share new funding resources prepared in partnership with Action Planning, expert charity fundraising consultants.

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Judges Announced for Church Times Green Church Awards

Craig Hogg, ecclesiastical account manager at Green Journey, known to many parishes in the diocese of Leeds, joins Dr Ruth Valerio, global advocacy and influencing director at Tearfund and Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, lead bishop for the environment among others on the panel. The deadline for entries is 30 June 2024. Who or what church project will you be nominating to receive an award and £1,000 prize?

Call Out for Church Carparks for EV Charging Points Project

A new project run by the C of E working with Parish Buying is looking to expand the electric vehicle charging network, generate a modest income for participating churches and help parishes on the journey towards being net zero carbon. Following an information webinar, the project team are now seeking expressions of interest from any church who would consider providing EV charging services either to parishioners or the wider community. The details and webinar can be viewed on the Parish Buying website (register/log in to view full detail) here.

Lack of Care for Creation Led to Flooding

A Bishop in Kenya has blamed the torrential floods that have killed hundreds in East Africa on a lack of care for creation. Kenya has been particularly badly affected in recent flooding, but torrential rain has also killed many and left thousands homeless in Tanzania and Burundi. The Assistant Bishop of Bondo, western Kenya, Dr Emily Awino Onyango, said: “We have not cared for creation, and these are the effects…. As Christians, I think we need to come back urgently to the care of the creation.”

Events and Webinars - Local

12 May Eco Church Workshop

2pm - 4.30pm St Mary's Church, Embsay. Free workshop for anyone who is interested in the Eco Church Award Scheme. Churches at any stage of the award scheme – and those who have not yet started – are all welcome. Numbers will be limited so please book in advance.