God's Green Fingers
Environment e-News for the 

Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales
May 2016 - Issue 8

Pope Francis gets a Green Award and Bedale Rectory has a renewed garden fit for mission and there is lots in the Resources Corner and events listings. Read all about it below. Let me have your stories and event details by 28th June for the next God's Green Fingers e-News.
God Bless
Jemima 
Diocesan Environment Officer 01423 569121 
Renewal in the Garden
This Bedale rectory garden has been transformed by the vision of Rev Ian Robinson, "creating a space for the community where all can come to reflect and find something of the nature of God". May different people have found respite in the therapeutic work in the garden.   Read more
 Warm Church in 15 Minutes! 
Hurworth-on-Tees have recently installed a biomass boiler that keeps the building at a comfortable ambient temperature and can be boosted by their fan heaters to get the church warm in about 15 minutes.     More 

 National News
Most Inspirational Figure
His Holiness Pope Francis has won the Green Ribbon Political Award for the most inspirational figure internationally for the Papal Encyclical Laudato si'.


Magazine Magic

Barbara Echlin, from Green Christian, discusses the growth of takeaway hot beverages. What is a Christian  response to the disposable coffee cup?
Resources Corner
Environment Pages on the WYAD Diocesan Website

Lots of resources and back copies of God's Green Fingers are now available on the Diocesan website under the Resources tab.   



 
 

A clear, scientific explanation and discussion of climate disruption issues, easy listening and with humour can be found in this episode of Radio 4's  "The Infinite Monkey Cage " with Professor Brian cox and Robin Ince.

  
Green Joke...
Events
Local

30 April to 24 May And Did Those Feet  an exhibition exploring Blake's' Jerusalem. St. Edmund's Church, Roundhay, LS8 1JN 

7 May  Go Wild in the City 
9.45-1pm Meanwood Valley Urban Farm. 
Details

7 May Forwards not Backwards on Climate Change! March and Rally in Leeds
Leeds City Square/Unitarian Church LS1 2ES 12-3pm Flyer  Facebook page

8 May  Primrose walk 2.30pm Austwick Church, N Yorks  

12 May Copenhagen 2009 vs Paris 2015: Can the media influence the outcome of the UN's climate change talks? 6.00pm - 7.45pm Leeds University More

14 May Wildlife Night 
Woodlands Methodist Church Hall 7- 10pm Flyer

18 May How Did We Get Into This Mess? George Monbiot Howard Assembly Rooms Leeds 7.45pm More

23 May Living with Fracking? "Pennsylvania's fracking experience is a warning to Yorkshire" Nidderdale Climate + Environment Group. Broadbelt Hall, Glasshouses 7.15pm More

22 May Ecumenical Lambing Service  Wenningside Farm 7pm Keasden, N York

24 May Zero Carbon Harrogate  St Peter's Church 7.30pm for 7.45pm Flyer

1 June Pray and Fast for the 
Climate prayer meeting 12-1pm St Mark's and/or 8-9pm St Peter's Church Harrogate Flyer

2 June to 22June York Festival Lots of Sustainability and Green Talks More Details

12 June Pet Service St Chad's, Far Headingly, Leeds 9.30am . 2-6pm Queen's Birthday Party More here 

6 June Inside African Forests Leeds Church Institute 7.30-9.30pm Details

11 June Go Wild in the City 9.45-1pm Meanwood Valley Urban Farm. Details

29 June The Beautiful Burial Ground Day conference from Caring for God's Acre, 10-4.15pm at Heslington in York 

1 July  Pray and Fast for the Climate prayer meeting 
12-1
pm St Mark's and/or
8-9pm St Peter's Church Harrogate 

2 July Go Wild in the City 9.45-1pm Meanwood Valley Urban Farm. Details

National

17-20 May   Christian Resources Exhibition  is said to have an  "Eco Street"  where Christian environmental groups will feature.

23 May The Nature of Prosperity a debate with Rowan Williams and others. 2.30pm London  More

1 June Pray and Fast for the Climate prayer resources available here 

4 June-12 June Cherishing Churchyards Week A special week to celebrate churchyards and burial grounds and to raise awareness of the treasures they contain. More

5 June UN World Environment Day   Resources

10-12 June The Green Christian Retreat Celebrating body and soul - How our bodies can save the world with Keith Hebden. Details

1 July  Pray and Fast for the Climate  - prayer resources available  here  

6 July  Delivering Energy Efficient Homes Westminster Briefing. Day conference, central London. Details