Seeing the ripple effect in a country church
A green evolution is taking place at a historic church in the lovely Cotswold village of Marshfield
By Peter Woodward, Eco Church Co-ordinator, St Mary’s Marshfield
We wanted to respond to growing concern about the big sustainability challenges. We decided to follow the Eco Church programme as a practical way we can witness Christian values to the world, demonstrating how as Christians we can be actively engaged in preserving the planet and caring for its inhabitants.
We’ve achieved Bronze Award level and are now aiming for Silver. Here are some things we’ve done since 2019 in response to the climate and biodiversity crisis:
- Drawn up a churchyard management plan for people and nature
- Changed the churchyard mowing regime to encourage wildflowers, pollenating insects and birds
- Installed three beehives, producing Marshfield Honey
- Set up an active eight-bin composting system as part of a zero waste commitment
- Stopped using pesticides in the churchyard and only using eco-friendly cleaning products in the church
- Created a cutting patch providing flowers for arrangements in the church to encourage sustainable floristry practise
- Installed a swift hotel for these migratory birds to nest in our church tower
- We have calculated our carbon footprint and are working to reduce it.
- Following the earlier installation of solar panels on the church roof we have now converted all church lighting to LED bulbs.
Looking ahead, our biggest challenge for the coming year is to replace our old oil-fired heating system with an efficient electric system.
We have much to be thankful for and are aware of the acute challenges facing so many communities, especially in Africa.
In 2020 we forged a Mission Partnership with Ripple Effect. We are raising funds for their programme to build the capacity of women in the Migori region of Kenya to undertake sustainable agriculture. We run fundraisers such as donations for bags of our churchyard compost, sales of Marshfield Honey and a ‘pick your own sunflowers day’ on a local farm. We take collections at key services. During this Harvest Festival season we have raised over £1000 for Ripple Effect.
Beyond practical actions, we have embedded sustainability principles at the heart of our prayer and Christian teaching ministry. A sermon by Sharon, our curate, on the theology of compost was a highlight of the Harvest family service! We communicate messages to our congregation about what everyone can do in their own households.
Finally, here are few tips from our experience:
- Celebrate the positive activities already taking place
- Use the Eco Church programme as a framework for ideas and action
- Evolution rather than revolution may be the best way to bring people with you
- Try to get ownership of eco-actions from your vicar, PCC and community
- An enthusiastic co-ordinator with a team can help maintain momentum
- Underpin your actions with an active prayer and teaching ministry
- Consider making an international support link such as Ripple Effect
- Try something, however small, and seek the joy in what you are doing
- Communicate widely about your ideas and actions
Maybe a challenge for the next year is for every parish to join the Eco Church journey – or take the next step up the ladder towards Gold!
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