Time to become an Eco-Church this Creationtide
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.
People are being encouraged to improve their church’s carbon footprint this Creationtide by signing up to A Rocha UK Eco-Church Awards.
The awards have been designed to celebrate those who are helping improve their churches impact on the environment.
Sarah Newman, Creation Care Champion at St Hugh’s, Quethiock, says most people are probably doing lots towards the award without realising it.
St Hugh’s received its bronze award in February this year after church members implemented a number of easy changes. Flower displays are now being created from blooms grown in the congregation’s own gardens and when catering for church fundraising events, food is locally sourced and Fairtrade items are used as much as possible such as tea, coffee and sugar.
Church members are also trying to cut down on single use plastic, recycle more and buy less.
Sarah said: “We signed up for the bronze award because the environment is on everyone’s mind.
“We are trying to reduce our carbon footprint and think more about the sustainability of the things we buy and the things we use within the church.
“We were looking at our church yard to see how we could make it more biodiverse and wildlife friendly as well as being a place for people to enjoy.
“We no longer use floral foam as it is very detrimental to the environment.
“We are thinking much more about how everything we use has a consequence.”
“We are thinking much more about how everything we use has a consequence.” – Sarah, Creation Care Champion
Becoming a bronze award eco-church has also helped the congregation at Sarah’s church to connect with the community. They are using a heritage skill – scything – in the churchyard.
Sarah said: “Because you are out there doing things, people are noticing and asking questions. People want to know more.
“Members of the community are happy to support us with flowers from their own gardens to decorate the church.”
Sarah said there’s plenty of support for those working towards an eco-church award both online and in person.
She said: “We have Creation Care network meetings via Zoom where I have heard some inspirational talks guest speakers as well as hearing about the wonderful things Creation Care Champions are doing in their own churches.
“The meetings are really informative and are a reminder that we are not alone in this.
“It’s easy to sign up to. As a first step we had to accept the Creation Care policy from the diocese at our PCC meeting and nominate the Creative Care Champion – although it is everyone’s responsibility to carry out the requirements. We have also chosen a Carbon Footprint Champion as well.”
Sarah said people can also look at the Kernow Green Church Awards or see what other churches are doing before making the step to A Rocha UK Eco-Church Awards.
She said: “I would say, ‘give it a go’. There is so much help and advice out there. Don’t be afraid to have a go. The A Rocha Eco Church Surveys inform you of what you need to be achieving and there is so much information and inspiration provided to help you. It is very user friendly as well.
“I feel many churches may be doing many of these things already. You just need to write it into your policy and practice so that it is then embedded in the life of the church.”
Sarah said they are now looking at joining the Living Churchyard Project, an initiative between the Diocese of Truro and Cornwall Wildlife Trust, at their church and have plans to achieve the silver Eco-Church Award.
