Newport Methodist Church, Isle of Wight – Journey to the Bronze Eco Church award.
In 2020 during lockdown, Tearfund’s ‘Reboot’ campaign encouraged one of our small groups, meeting online, to think about building a better post-coronavirus world. An immediate step was to write to the prime minister calling for government action to rebuild in a way that would create a better, fairer and more sustainable world for everyone.
During Lent 2021, we continued online sessions for the wider congregation based on the excellent series Christianity and Climate Change featuring Katherine Hayhoe. The final session was entitled ‘What can we do as church?’.
We registered with Eco Church in 2022. ‘Worship and Teaching’, through the Bible studies we had done together, was the spur for action and continues to be fundamental in our thinking.
The ‘Land and Nature’ criteria were challenging in our urban ‘concrete and gravel’ site! We asked for suggestions via a display set up for several Sundays, and a management plan, ‘People for nature, nature for people‘ was developed. ‘Windowsill growing kits’ (seeds ready planted in pots filled with compost) allowed anyone to join in. Donations of plants and planters and offers of practical help followed, and there has been a display of all-round colour this year. Messy Church’s vegetable growing has added to the effort. A bring and share of seasonal produce from our gardens has been a great success.
The ‘Buildings and Energy’ criteria encouraged us to undertake a baseline Carbon Footprint survey, and over 12 months, we reduced our CO₂ emissions. The Property and Finance team has prepared a Net Zero Carbon Plan, which will be presented for approval in February.
The ‘Lifestyle’ section prompted us to produce information on ‘Carbon Footprint’ and ‘Net Zero’ and encouraged households to use a Carbon Footprint tool.
In January 2026, we were ready to apply for an award to encourage the congregation that, together, we really are making a difference: we received a Bronze award!
In the ‘Community and Global’ category, we are continuing our actions by taking part in the Big Plastic Count in March, aiming to reduce single-use plastics. The ‘Coat of Hopes’ has arrived on the Island, and we are encouraging people to see it and embrace the ideas it represents.
Before and after – outside Newport Methodist Church
Before – August 2023
After – September 2025