The Diocese of Bath and Wells has become the first diocese to receive a Gold Award Eco Church Award for diocesan offices.
Eco Church is a programme run by A Rocha UK to equip churches to care for creation. As well as providing a framework to support churches take practical action on caring for God’s earth, through the Eco Church survey, it also offers a framework to assess the environmental impact of dioceses and diocesan offices.
Commenting on the award, Bishop Michael said, “In a week when we have seen wildfires spread across the UK and Europe, and heard of the struggles farmers are having as they try to produce the food we all need, I was delighted to learn that we have been awarded a Gold Eco Church Award for our diocesan offices. I hope it is an encouragement for us all as we do what we can to care for creation.
“When we are faced with such a big environmental challenge it is easy to think that we are powerless, but we are not. What I think is great about the Eco Awards is that they help us see that all the little steps we make all add up to make a difference. I hope that many more of our churches will take some time this summer to reflect how they can improve their care for creation and join, or make progress on their own Eco Church journey.”
The Church of England recently announced that we have a new feast day, the Festival of Creation in Christ, which falls on Sunday, 6 September this year. This is an opportunity to demonstrate our care for God’s earth, which is what we will be doing at our diocesan Caring for Creation service which will take place at Flourish House on Wednesday 9 September.”
Sara Harbron, diocesan Climate Justice & Environment Adviser said, “I am so proud that we have achieved a gold award for Flourish House and for the commitment and enthusiasm shown by all the staff and building users from across our diocese who helped us reach this standard. We recognise it is our privilege to be stewards of our world and have responded accordingly.
“I am particularly proud that A Rocha UK were impressed with our inclusive nature connection resources and how our outdoor spaces are managed for wildlife. It has been a wonderful journey and we would love more of our churches to join us on the Eco Church Pathway to show how much we value Gods Creation.”
A Rocha assessors Polly Eaton, Eco Diocese Officer and Adrienne Hughes, volunteer assessor, visited Flourish House in late June. They said, “There is clear evidence that care for creation is embedded in all you do at Flourish House. Particularly of note was the consideration of all survey categories, not shying away because ‘this doesn’t apply’ as we’re an office.” St Michael and All Angels, Flax Bourton became the first of our churches to receive a gold Eco Church award early this year, find out more about their experience of Eco Church.
Bishop Michael shared this video following the announcement of the news about the gold award.