Bespoke flag flown for the first time at Creationtide

A specially made conservation flag has been flown for the first time over St Andrews Church in Statton as Creationtide begins.

A competition was held last year for anyone in the community to create a flag that could be used during Creationtide, and possibly other events.

The winner was Christine Ball and their design will now be seen at the top of the church tower every day until October 4th.

During Sunday’s (AUG 31) Benefice service of Holy Communion, the flag was shown to the congregation before being taken to St Andrew’s Creation Chapel where it was blessed by the Rector.

The Rector also dedicated a side chapel, which highlights many of the conservation needs and dedicated to the One who is God the Creator and Sustainer of Life.

After the service, the flag was taken to the church tower and hoisted up.

Val Barker, Chair of the Friends of St Andrew’s Church (FoStA) and Local Worship Leader, said: “At St Andrew’s there is an awareness of conservation needs thanks to our own Creation Champion, Sheila Waring, who has encouraged the PCC, congregation and wider church family to be involved and proactive with many of these issues over the last few years.”

“At St Andrew’s there is an awareness of conservation needs thanks to our own Creation Champion…” – Val Barker

Dr Sharon Willoughby, the Diocese of Truro’s Diocesan Environment Officer, was also attending as guest speaker on the day.

She said: “It felt like a blessing to be at St Andrews Stratton to see their Creationtide flag flying against a bright blue sky – such joy to mark the season with this event.”

The idea of the conservation flag competition was raised by local resident Paul Davy, who is also keeper of the church’s flags. There were many entrants, and the runners up were Maddy Meaden and Jonathan Howlett.

Val said last year: “We want this flag to convey to the community at large and all our many visitors how we very much care about our environment and hope it encourages others to do so. We see this as another form of outreach and want people to see we are an active church.”

Creationtide is the annual event in the Church of England’s calendar to celebrate God’s creation and renew a promise to look after our planet.

Many churches hold special services to mark the event, which runs from September 1 to October 4.

In this series we are highlighting some of the ways people in the Diocese of Truro care for creation.