God's Green Fingers Environment E-news
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Hello,
The airwaves and news channels are full of COP26 announcements, commitments and revelations and for the moment we are living with the climate and ecological emergencies centre stage. As critical negotiations take place in Glasgow I invite you to spend 10 minutes in prayer each day until the end of COP next week, join others across the diocese receiving our daily prayer mailings and Covering COP26 in Prayer.
There is much good news coming from COP, for which we praise God. And many commitments that will require hard policies to implement in years to come, for which we can fervently pray and commit to championing in our local communities.
This edition of God’ Green Fingers reflects that commitment to take action as churches seek to be the light and life of Christ in our current context of ecological crisis, bringing justice and renewal for all people and God’s creation.
God bless
Jemima Parker,
Diocesan Environment Officer
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As the critical climate change talks continue in Glasgow individuals and churches around the diocese are praying each day for Godly outcomes for the negotiations. Why not join them in receiving our Cover COP26 in Prayer emails and commit to pray for 10 minutes each day. The two weeks of prayer closes with an online screening of the film “2040” on 13th November.
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You are invited to join one of the webinars that will take you through this new toolkit for churches. Becoming a carbon neutral church can feel daunting, so this step by step guide is here to help you and your church on the journey to net zero.
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Leeds Church Makes Climate Declaration |
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At a special Climate Sunday Service on Sunday 17th October St Chad’s Church, Far Headingly Leeds, formally recognised of the climate and ecological emergencies and committed to take action. Alex Sobel, the local MP, who is also the Inter-parliamentary Rapporteur at COP26 also spoke at the service.
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From Bronze to Silver for All Hallows, Bardsey |
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All Hallows Bardsey have achieved a Silver Eco Church award this week by steadily working thorough the five sections of the Eco Church survey. The Revd Angela Hannafin, Vicar of the church, said: “There have been lots of things that we have done as we have moved from Bronze to Silver but the main two have been moving our gas to a carbon neutral supply and setting up our recycle hub in church.”
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How our churches can help face the challenges of climate change was considered as part of the most recent Diocesan Synod, as part of a presentation on the diocese’s strategy to reach carbon net zero: Saving Creation. Synod also considered the Six Steps to Net Zero Church Toolkit reflecting on how it could be used by our churches.
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The church brings a global perspective, says Bishop of Reading, Rt Revd Olivia Graham, as faith leaders unite at the summit. “The Anglican Communion is helping to give a voice to vulnerable communities during the COP26 summit in Glasgow”. Bishop Graham, Chair of the Church of England’s environment working group, has also been at the summit this week, among the many Christian people and organisations lobbying and praying in Glasgow.
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A Dales churchyard has been declared the best in North Yorkshire and praised for its wonderful range of wildlife. St Mary’s Church, Kettlewell is the “overall and unanimous winner” of the first-ever Best Churchyard competition held in the county by CPRE The Countryside Charity. Churchyards at Giggleswick and Lothersdale were also praised by the judges.
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Our diocese was well represented at a meeting of Harrogate’s business community that discussed the challenges of climate change and net-zero emissions. Speakers at the Business Net Zero Conference at the Harrogate Conference Centre included Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley along with representatives from Techbuyer, Transdev, Yorkshire Water and Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate.
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A new guide from the Church of England is helping churches across the country become more climate resilient, thanks to work from the Diocese of Leeds Climate Resilience Advisor, Dave Cherry. The guide, entitled ‘Climate resilient church’, provides resources, advice and support to help churches adapted to changing and more extreme weather conditions brought on by climate change.
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The Diocese of Leeds was pleased to welcome walkers from the Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) through September, as they came to the diocese as part of the Relay to COP26, Rise to the Moment. Many people accompanied the walkers as the made their way north, on their way to Glasgow, from St Bartholomew’s Marsden to Ripon Cathedral and special services and events were held along the way.
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The Roman Juriga Eco-Church Award seeks to recognise and affirm Christian environmental action which is realistic, realisable and easy to be replicated elsewhere, taking account of social and economic implications. Could this be your church?
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Events and Webinars - Local |
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This free event, hosted by the Bradford Cathedral's Eco group, is an opportunity to discuss the events of COP26, the issues of climate change, and Fairtrade.
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Doxecology is an album of thirteen songs on themes of Creation, Ecology and Christian Hope. The concert will include worship from the album and a speaker from Christian environmental group A Rocha. Holy Redeemer, Acomb, York.
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How can my church get to net zero? A webinar introducing the Saving Creation church toolkit to enable your church to start the journey to carbon neutrality.
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Discussing challenges that Yorkshire faces and discuss the best way forward to achieve our shared goals.
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What could the future look like? Join us to watch this inspiring film which takes us on a journey to 2040 to explore what the future could look like if we simply embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet. Watch the trailer here. Contact St Mark's Harrogate to book for the in person screening. Book to see the film online here.
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At the end of their feasibility study into renewably heating the five churches in the benefice they invite you to drop in throughout the day to explore activities and ideas for all ages to think about ways we all can help tackle climate change, and engage well with our environment.
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A bi-monthly Environmental Book Club where you can explore eco fiction and environmental non-fiction and their relationship with Christianity in a context which recognises the interconnected nature of God and the world in which we live. Meeting online 16th November and reading: The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono.
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Assistant Professor of Catholic Theology at Durham University, Carmody Gray focuses on theological ethics within science, nature and environment. Leeds Church Institute (in-person and online).
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Leeds University online event where Alex will share his reflections on the conference, consider the implications for green finance, and the transition to net zero emissions.
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An opportunity to be equipped to deliver an effective creation care ministry in your parish. Seven session course. Register your interest now.
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Events and Webinars - National |
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People across the UK and the world will join marches and events to speak out against the injustice of the climate crisis. Local marches taking place in Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and York.
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An international climate-themed service organised by Tearfund. A way for your church to join in with prayer and worship for climate justice at a crucial moment.
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Green Christian presents thought provoking webinars: ‘Jesus and the Magic Money Tree – Money: what is it, and what does it do?’ led by John Daniels and 'The Economics of Arrival’ with Jeremy Williams.
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In the C of E Getting to Net webinar series. Learn how to ask the right questions as you start your eco project on historic church.
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In the C of E Getting to Net webinar series. How churches who want to carry out environmentally-minded projects (insulation, heating, solar, EV car charging and the like) can best navigate the faculty system.
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In the C of E Getting to Net webinar series. This webinar will provide a basic introduction and offer a framework for making decisions which take embodied carbon into account.
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A global network of people whose prayers are as real and urgent as the climate crisis.
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Join in the carbon net zero church journey using this new toolkit for churches and read about churches who are already working to be carbon net zero.
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A Theological Response to the Ecological Crisis: Reflections, Liturgy, Reviews, Comment. Weekly sermon ideas are perfect for preaching through the Lectionary.
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Funding Resources
Need funding for an environmental/renewables project? Visit the Diocese of Leeds Environment Funding webpage to find a list of potential grant funders, hear about the Diocese Church Buildings Fund and link to the C of E webinars on environmental fundraising.
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A ready to print magazine article for your Parish Magazine!
Planning for a Greener Christmas
Jan Goodair talks us through how to show our love at Christmas with a little forward planning for a greener celebration.
Download the article here.
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More magazine articles?
All our eco magazine articles are archived on the Diocese of Leeds Environment Magazine Magic webpage.
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Eco Top Tips
Find a weekly top tip here for your parish newsletter:
Or watch the 10 Pledges carbon reduction video here.
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Parish Environment Reps
Are you the environmental enthusiast in your church or do you know the person who is? We are seeking a Rep in each parish to receive information and take up training opportunities.
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Area Environment Champions
Seeking enthusiastic volunteers for Bradford and Ripon Areas to support local churches in their care for creation.
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Are you preaching on the environment or creative at writing liturgy, or songs for worship? The Diocesan Environmental Group has a Worship Subgroup who would welcome new members to help create new liturgical, hymnal and preaching resources.
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If we don’t laugh we’ll cry: helping you through the grief of ecocide...
Thanks to one of our readers for sending in this cheeky comic number.
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Please join our discussion group on Facebook by following the below link! |
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