St Philip's, Dorridge & St James', Bentley HeathEco Church
Picture by Elsie Clay from Bentley Heath School - winner of the Eco competition
In the latest article from the ECO Church team, Roger Williams looks at
Our greatest legacy to our children and grandchildren?
Click here to read the article
More topics to follow, watch this space
The Impact of Material Use on Climate Change.
Click here to read the article
The Clothing We Wear and its Impact on the Environment
Click here to read the article
For Peat's sake........
Click here to read the article about peat and using peat free compost
Energy Saving Tips
With the huge hike in energy bills and the fast rising cost of living, Climate Action Solihull have put together a short flier of top energy saving tips (which also help save the planet).
At St Philip's with St James', we include caring for God’s creation as an integral part of our mission in Dorridge, Bentley Heath and beyond.
So, what are we doing so far?
Writing to our MP
Help our Eco Group start a conversation with our MP about important climate and environmental issues.
Here are some tips and topics to get you started
For 'Top Tips' on writing to our MP - just click here
Sir Patrick Vallance ;
Click here for a sample letter
Climate Leadership;
Click here for a sample letter
Water pollution and flooding;
Click here for a Key Facts sheet
Click here for a sample letter
Reversing the decline in our wildlife;
Click here for a sample letter
Insulation and retrofitting to save people money and energy;
Click here for a Key Facts sheet
Click here for a sample letter
Improving air quality:
Click here for a Key Facts sheet
Click here for a sample letter
Eco Church
is a programme run by A Rocha UK, that provides a comprehensive structure to
help churches and church communities express their care for God’s world; in our
worship and teaching, in how we look after our buildings and land, in how we
engage with our local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal
lifestyles of our congregation. You can find out more on their website ecochurch.arocha.org.uk
We have now registered with the Eco Church programme, and have obtained our first award, Bronze. There are three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, for both individual churches and for dioceses. We will be working toward our Silver award over the coming months. There will be lots of opportunities for people to get involved as we move forward on this.
This is an initiative organised by Churches Together, with
support from Christian Aid, CAFOD, Tearfund, A Rocha UK, Operation Noah and
others. It ties in smoothly with Eco Church, and with the Church of England’s
and Birmingham Diocese’s target to become net carbon zero as regards its land
and buildings by 2030. It has three core elements:-
· Holding a climate focused service
· Committing as a church community to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions; and
· Speaking up for bolder action by the UK government on climate change
We held our Climate Sunday service on Sunday 13th June 2021.
As part of speaking up for bolder action, we are encouraged, as a church and as individuals, to sign up to The Time is Now open letter to the Prime Minister produced by the Climate Coalition, a group of over 100 developmental and environmental organisations, including all the major Christian charities, the National Trust, the RSPB, the Women’s Institute and many others.
It asks the government to:-
· Unleash a clean energy revolution that boosts jobs across the UK, making our transport, power and housing fit for the future
· Protect, restore and expand our green and wild spaces; allowing nature to thrive, taking carbon from the air and boosting the nation’s health; and
· Leave no one behind by increasing support to those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change at home and abroad
St Philip's with St James' as a church has signed up to the open letter. You can sign up to the letter as an individual at thetimeisnow.uk/declaration
The great news is that the ways in which we can take practical action to protect God’s creation are increasing and changing all the time. We will share with you the information available as to the steps that we can all take to play our part.
Initially, we will do this in three ways:-
· A monthly slot in the parish newsletter, with up to date developments and tips for action:
· Through helpful links to videos, presentations and articles in this section of the website.
· A booklet with practical information, including links, as to steps we can all take to walk more lightly on the planet. The first one deals with what we can do as regards heating and powering our homes. The second covers how we can reduce our impact on the planet through the food on our plate. Each month, we will produce another. Once, complete, we will also produce it in hard copy.
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At the moment, this initiative is being spearheaded, with Duncan’s support, by a small group, but we need additional church members’ passions, skills and ideas to build on the start we’ve made.
A Climate and Environment Group has been set up and we would love you to join. Whether your passion is the natural world, gardening, involving young people, reducing our carbon footprint, working with the local community, campaigning or otherwise encouraging the wider church, government and businesses to play their part in what’s needed, or something we haven’t thought of, we’d love to have you join the Group.
If you are interested, or would like to know more, contact Caroline Egan, Carol Linfield, Roger Williams or Laura Bates.