Following the success of the Eco Diocese award, recognising the efforts of Anglican dioceses in mobilising their churches to care for God’s earth, we are delighted to partner with the Methodist Church to launch Eco Circuit and Eco District.
While the scale of the environmental crisis requires action at the grass-roots level, churches often find it easier to act if they have the support of their denomination. The Methodist Church has taken a strong stance on environmental issues for some years now, so we’re pleased to be able to provide the structure of these new awards to help individual circuits and districts to play their part too.
Revd Michaela Youngson, President of the Conference of the Methodist Church, says:
“The urgency of the climate crisis is increasingly clear. As a nation we have begun to reduce carbon emissions but not nearly fast enough. I call on our government to put in place policies that will reduce our national carbon emissions to net zero as soon as possible.
In the midst of this crisis I have come across many members in our churches who are responding in different ways. Some are taking action within their churches while others are working alongside others in the community. The Eco Church programme is a great way for us recognise these efforts. It is a simple and straightforward programme and I encourage every Methodist Church to consider becoming an Eco Church. Today the Methodist Church, with the support of A Rocha, is launching Eco Circuit and Eco District, enabling the Methodist Church to respond at every level.”
Bala Gnanapragasam, Vice-President of the Conference of the Methodist Church, added:
“This year is the tenth anniversary of the publication of the report ‘Hope in God’s Future’ at the Methodist Conference. Our hope is in a faithful God who delights in creation. This hope blossoms when we are turning words into action. The current Living Lent campaign gives us an opportunity to pray and reflect on changes that we can make in our lifestyles.
Both Living Lent and Eco Church are opportunities for us to join with ecumenical partners. Now Methodist Circuits and Districts are able to join Eco Church alongside Church of England Dioceses and United Reformed Church Synods. Together, we can take action to protect God’s creation for future generations.
We look forward to seeing circuits and districts registering their intent to work towards these awards!