Salisbury Cathedral is the first Cathedral to achieve an Eco-Church Gold Award
June 18, 2021Photographer: Ash Mills On Wednesday 16 June Salisbury Cathedral became the first cathedral in the UK to achieve a Gold Eco-Church Award from A Rocha UK, singling it out as a beacon of good environmental practice for churches addressing the climate crisis. Helen Stephens, head of A Rocha UK’s Eco Church initiative, presented the prestigious award to Canon Robert Titley, the Cathedral’s Canon Chancellor, after touring the Cathedral and surrounding land to see and hear for herself what the Cathedral and its community has been doing towards achieving their Gold Award. Also present when the award was handed over.
University of Winchester Chapel First to win Gold
June 15, 2021The Chapel at the University of Winchester has won a Gold Eco Church Award for its work in sustainability. It is the first Gold award for a university chapel from the scheme, bringing the total of Gold awards presented to 17. Welcoming the news, Vice-Chancellor The Reverend Professor Elizabeth Stuart said: “At the University of Winchester we have long been passionate about caring for the earth. The Eco Church Gold Award for our University Chapel demonstrates our deep-felt commitment to and success in environmental and sustainable initiatives. As a University with a Christian foundation this award is particularly significant.
Diocese of Llandaff has been awarded the Bronze Eco Diocese Award
May 4, 2021We’re thrilled to announce that the Diocese of Llandaff has been awarded the Bronze Eco Diocese Award, the first Bronze awarded Eco Diocese in Wales. Helen Stephens, Church Relations Manager for A Rocha UK, said “It’s really encouraging to see Llandaff Diocese’ commitment to reach Net Zero carbon by 2030, involvement in this year’s Climate Sunday campaign and to see the progress being made by churches engaged in Eco Church at a parish level”. The Diocese of Llandaff is the most populous of all six Dioceses in Wales. It covers an area taking in the west of Cardiff in.
GOING BEYOND BRONZE
May 4, 2021Sat 8th May, 10am-1pm - online event - £5+booking fee, concession available. Join this event for a morning of inspirational speakers exploring how as Christians we can demonstrate that the Gospel is good news for God’s earth. We will explore how to go ‘beyond Bronze’ to reach the Silver and Gold Eco Church awards. Keynote speakers are Ruth Valerio (Canon Theologian at Rochester Cathedral), Helen Stephens (Church Relations Manager, A Rocha UK) and Jo Chamberlain (Environment Officer, Church of England). This online event is organised by Dioceses of Rochester and Canterbury, but open to all.
Eco Church 5th Anniversary – Bishop Nick’s Sermon
April 12, 2021We are very grateful to Bishop Nicholas for joining us for our online EC 5th anniversary service and for sharing his sermon notes below.
Churches launch nature count to assess biodiversity within “National Park” of churchyards
April 12, 2021Hundreds of churches have already signed up to a week-long ‘nature count’ occurring this summer, which will encourage people to visit churchyards and record what they see.
URC West Midlands Synod achieves first Eco Synod award
March 12, 2021Congratulations to the United Reformed Church West Midlands Synod which has become the first across the denomination to achieve an A Rocha UK Bronze Eco Synod award. In its award application, the Synod evidenced a long-term commitment to reducing its environmental impact by rewriting their eco-policy which was approved in October 2020, and agreeing clear mission pledges to reduce their carbon footprint and reporting annually on progress. It is also working towards installing solar PV panels and electric car charging points at all suitable manses; investigating the possibility of doing the same for the Synod Office; and considering a.
Eco Church turns five – celebrate with us!
January 28, 2021On 26 January Eco Church became five years old. Covid has prevented a face to face ‘birthday party’, but on 26 March we will be holding an online event to celebrate the extraordinary development of the programme, to thank all who have contributed, and to pray together. And we have so much to thank God and you for. Five years ago, when Eco Church was launched, we set a target to reach 10% of churches (or about 4,500) across England and Wales in 10 years. The idea, based on research, was that 10% would be a ‘tipping point’ after.
Beacons of hope: Eco Church approves 1000th award as church wakes up to environmental responsibility
January 6, 2021A Rocha UK is pleased to announce that Hereford Cathedral is the recipient of its Eco Church scheme’s 1,000th award for creation care.
Eco church conference Saturday October 10th
September 23, 2020Please join us for our forthcoming online Eco Church conference on 10 October hosted by St Albans. Register here.