Caring for God's Creation

Elsie Clay pic

At St Philip's and St James, we include caring for God's creation as an integral part of our mission in Dorridge, Bentley Heath and beyond.   

We are seeking to live out the 5th Anglican mark of mission:

"To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, 

and sustain and renew the life of the earth "

Picture by Elsie Clay from Bentley Heath School - winner of the Eco competition

So, how are we doing this ?

Eco globe

Parish Environmental Policy

We have adopted a Parish Environmental Policy, seeking to embed creation care in the everyday life of the church. You can read it here


Eco Church

We are an "Eco Church"


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.  

There are three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, for both individual churches and for dioceses. You can find out more on their website ecochurch.arocha.org.uk

Eco bronze

We registered with the Eco Church programme, and obtained our first award, Bronze in September 2021. We are aiming to achieve our Silver award over the coming months. To achieve Silver and Gold awards, creation care needs to be reflected across all areas of the life of the church. Watch out over the coming months for opportunities for you and your families to get involved

    Ecogroup

Eco Group Meetings

                                 

Why not join us for our Next Meeting : 

Do you have a passion for preserving and sustaining God’s creation? Following on from the Advent sermon series, want to get more involved in caring for God's creation? Whether that’s the natural world, reducing our carbon footprint or working with the local community, our Eco Group needs you!

If you are interested, or would like to know more, contact Caroline Egan, Laura Bates, Carol Linfield, Penny Parker, or Roger Williams, or email us

Everyone is welcome, just come along.

                                           Get involved.png


letter

Engaging with our MP

In August 2023, Duncan joined with ministers of the Churches Together churches in Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath to write to our MP.   In their letter, they called on him to urge the government not to backtrack on tackling climate change. 

  •  Click Here to read the letter. 
  •  Click Here for Saqib Bhatti's response to this letter.
  •  Click Here for the clergy's reply to Saqib Bhatti letter.

If you would like to add your voice to calls to protect God's  creation, you can email Saqib Bhatti at   saqib.bhatti.mp@parliament.uk  or write to him at

 The House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. 

Writing to our MP For 'Top Tips' on writing to our MP - just click here 

Article of the Month

Each month, we have an article to help us understand more about what we need to do to care for God's creation, or to provide tips on how we can play our part in what we say and do.

This Month :  Our Eco Church journey - our next steps

eco garden


St Philip's Eco Church journey began in September 2020, when we achieved our Bronze award.
 
As we approach reaching our Silver award, click here to read about some of the steps we've taken so far, and plans for the future.



For previous posts please click here

Thought or Prayer for the Month

"Did God make the world? Does He sustain it? Has He committed its resources to our care? His personal concern for his own creation should be sufficient to inspire us to be equally concerned."                                  John Stott