Read on for news about our new Eco Chaplains, the EFT grant lottery, and our next in-person Eco Forum at the Cathedral, alongside encouraging eco stories from around the diocese! Thank you for all you continue to do in your locality to ensure that we strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. | | Eco Forum - in person - book now! | |
Sacred Spaces, Wild Places: an introduction to wildlife recording in your churchyard
Tue 20 May | 10am - 12:30pm | Norwich Cathedral
We're excited to offer our next in-person forum in partnership with Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Norwich Cathedral.
How can you start recording wildlife in your churchyard, what do you need, where do you send your records, and why is it important? In this session we will look at why this is an expression of our faith in action, how to get started with wildlife recording, why recording wildlife is so important for the long-term monitoring of your churchyard, and how you can get involved in national and regional citizen science projects. This interactive workshop will also give you the opportunity to go out with an expert and have a go at recording either birds, plants or pollinators in the Cathedral grounds and neighbouring Bishop's Garden. We'll meet in the Weston Room and refreshments will be served.
Cost: FREE, but booking essential as places will be limited to about 40.
| | Energy Footprint Tool - £1000 grant opportunity | | |
Will your parish benefit from £1,000 towards energy efficiency projects?
Help us understand our energy use
The Anne French Memorial Fund has generously donated £1,000 to set up a grant fund supporting energy efficiency work on any of your parish buildings. This could include projects such as switching to LED lights, upgrading your heating controls or installing draught proofing.
The grant will be awarded via a lottery. To enter the draw, all you have to do is enter your parish's energy use information on the Energy Footprint Tool (EFT). More than sixty of our churches have already filled in their EFT forms so far this year, and they will automatically be included in the ballot. The closing date for entries is 30 June 2025.
The form has only 10 questions; all you need is your energy bills for the last year and a couple of other basic bits of information. To find out more about the Energy Footprint Tool, click here. The data collected from the tool will help your church understand its carbon footprint and will mean you may be eligible for a range of grants to help kickstart your net zero projects. It also helps us identify those parishes most in need of assistance.
How to complete your EFT
To ensure your church is entered into the £1,000 draw, simply login to the Online Parish Returns System and complete the Energy Footprint Tool form.
If you need any help with this, the Church of England has created a video showing step-by-step how to complete the process. You can watch that here. If you have any queries or would like assistance with the EFT or any Net Zero work in your church, please do get in contact by email at ed.cotterill@dioceseofnorwich.org.
| | First Eco Chaplains trained | | |
Four new Eco Chaplains have been trained, to help parishes embed creation care in their mission and ministry through worship, witness, teaching, discipleship, buildings and land across the diocese.
This voluntary role is supported by the Diocesan Environment Officer and Net Zero Adviser and means being an additional ‘port of call’ for parishes who would like further help as they take action on climate change. You will be able to contact each chaplain via their email addresses below. If you're not sure if they'll cover your area, do please contact Barbara or Ed first to check. The Eco Chaplains will be commissioned by Bishop Ian, on Sunday 22 June at Norwich Cathedral Evensong at 3:30pm. All are welcome to come and support them in prayer in this new venture.
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Norman Johnson
Norman is an LLM in the Heart of Norfolk benefice. He will be available to support parishes in West and mid-Norfolk.
“I have a long time interest in ecology and it was part of my studies for an Open University BSc. I firmly believe that the Church should be a leader in environmental concerns. For too long our faith has been humancentric and we need to return to Old Testament values of stewardship and remember we are part of creation not above it.”
nwjohnson@btinternet.com
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Sam Ruddock
Sam is currently an ordinand in training, based at St Matthew's, Thorpe Hamlet. He will be available to support parishes in the greater Norwich area. “Eco Chaplaincy is a response to the groaning of creation; a call to shepherd nature and people toward God’s healing and goodness. Environmental respect has been at the centre of my work for decades. I believe in the jubilee imperative toward environmental stewardship and social justice. The environment is at the heart of my faith: in the quiet liturgy of the woods, the whisper of the wind through stone chapels, in the Godly love of animals, and the indwelling presence of God in every person. This vocation is a covenant—to bear witness to the divine in every living thing, and to walk with all of humanity in reverent response to the cry of the Earth.”
samruddock@hotmail.com
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James Lee
James is a recent graduate in Environmental Science from the UEA. He worships at EAST church (St Thomas, Norwich). He will be available to support parishes in the greater Norwich area. “As Christians we are called to be the light of Jesus to all creation. As we do this we get to see people and nature come to life once more and begin to become all they were created to be. I have experienced this in my own journey with Jesus, and it excites me so much that I now get to participate in this adventure!”
james.lee@weareeast.church
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Richard Beach
Richard is in Newton Flotman, and runs the Climate Care group there. He will be available to support parishes primarily in the Depwade Deanery and surrounding localities. "I love the natural world and believe it is God's gift to us. Caring for creation should be part of our love and worship of God. Climate breakdown is terribly unjust- the poorest suffer - as Christians we should oppose injustice."
richard.beach1508@gmail.com
| | Eco Church awards & newbies | | | | |
Welcome to those who've just started and congratulations to those who achieved their awards.
SILVER - no new silvers this month!
BRONZE - All Saints', Horstead, and St Nicholas, Bradwell (pictured left)
NEWLY REGISTERED - All Saints Church, Edingthorpe
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Marsham swift boxes boost biodiversity and community engagement
Efforts aimed at enticing swifts to nest at All Saints Church in the north Norfolk village of Marsham have captured the local community’s imagination, with keen environmentalists – many of whom had never visited the church – now actively engaging with parish communications and attending events.
The PCC at All Saints, approved the installation of swift boxes last autumn. Having received support from Aylsham Swift Group and their counterparts in Norwich, the initiative snowballed following initial conversations at an Earth Day event held at All Saints last year. An ingenious fundraising idea fully-funded the boxes. "It’s been really positive and created a brilliant spirit throughout the wider community.” Read the full story HERE
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Big Issue partners with city centre church for "The Big Grow"
St George's, Colegate in Norwich (a silver Eco Church)will expand its existing garden space with four new planters dedicated to growing nutritious food, made and donated by the Matthew Project in Norwich. The project will bring together church members, the homeless community and local volunteers under the guidance of Big Issue staff. Between April and October 2025, they will meet weekly for two-hour sessions focused on growing, harvesting and enjoying a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits. Revd Annie Blyth of St George's, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Big Issue on this project as it builds connections – connecting folk to their food and to nature, and connecting us to each other and building community. That’s wonderful.” Read full story HERE
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National environment & NZC conference
Ed and Barbara (pictured, left with other eco colleagues from the East) joined more than 120 people working to look after the environment across the Church of England at the headquarters of the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge to share ideas and learnings in late April. “It was a great opportunity to meet so many colleagues from around the country with a shared passion for looking after the environment and achieving net zero carbon. It’s always encouraging to hear from and share with one another. Lots of great ideas will now be worked through to add to our ongoing work in order to support our local parishes on their creation care journey.” Read the full story HERE
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East Harling's ecological stations of cross
The Revd Lynn Fry tells us about an inspirational art installation featuring local artists' representations of the Stations of the Cross in the context of the ecological crisis.
“When we lived at Hilfield Friary in Dorset, every Good Friday, we would head outside and walk around the grounds where each station of the cross was represented by a different member of the community. As part of our EcoChurch journey, we wanted to try and replicate a similar experience in our church. After asking some of our local artists to create an artwork, we realised having it outside would limit the range of work that would be suitable, so we brought it indoors. St Francis brought the Way of the Cross to his home town when pilgrims could not travel to Jerusalem so, like him, we reimagined this experience in our setting so that it reflected our twin crisis of nature depletion and climate change. Using the images of stripping, falling and rising, supporting and waiting we were able to link Jesus’ walk to the cross with our own eco journeys. Reflecting on the suffering of Jesus, we are reminded that our sister, Mother Earth also suffers." A companion booklet has been produced linking scripture, reflection and the artists’ thinking.
See more photos of the artworks HERE
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Primary pupils quiz local MP on climate
Callum Richards, the Executive Headteacher of Forncett CEVA Primary School said, “Our school had the privilege of welcoming Ben Goldsborough MP for a special visit focused on climate change and sustainability. The children were eager to share their learning and ideas with him, and he was equally enthusiastic to engage in discussions about how we can all work together to protect our planet." The pupils presented Ben with a climate action charter they had created, outlining key steps they believe should be taken to protect the environment. Ben was so impressed by their dedication that he took the charter back with him to Parliament, promising to share their ideas and ensure young voices are heard in the fight against climate change. Read the full story HERE
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St Botolph's warmer welcome
A small but perfectly formed church on the edge of the broads is looking forward to a busy 2025 thanks to some newly installed infra-red heaters. With some support from Ed, Limpenhoe St Botolph have replaced their old and ineffectual bar heaters with the aim of turning their church into a year round space.
Until now they have only been able to welcome Champers – if you haven’t heard about Champing, find out all about it here - and hold events in the church during the warmer months. With the new heaters installed they are hoping to extend their availability for people wishing to camp out in the church to all four seasons and be able to hold events – including much needed fund raising ones – and services in the church throughout the year.
| | | Bishop's £1000 eco prize for schools | | |
Does your local school have a wildlife haven, nature trail, thriving recycling scheme, or a fabulously productive organic veg plot? Or are pupils planning projects to bring more of the natural world into school or help tackle climate change?
Their work could become the first winner of the Bishop of Norwich Environment Prize for Schools.
The award is for a project focused on children and the environment in a Church of England primary school in the Diocese of Norwich – with the £1,000 prize to be spent on the winning scheme.
It could be a wildlife area or vegetable garden, a scheme to help children engage with the natural world or ideas which reduce waste or boost recycling.
The judges will be particularly interested in hearing how children are involved in devising or running the project – which might be already-thriving or perhaps something pupils are looking to launch.
Bishop Graham said: “This award is about giving children the chance to experience the joy and solace of God’s wonderful creation, helpings them to love it, understand it, care for it and become a voice for it.”
The prize money, to be spent on the winning project, could buy trees or tools for an outside area, binoculars and identification charts for wildlife-watching, or something to get a great scheme underway.
It is really quick and easy to enter – just complete this simple online application form by Monday 2 June.
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SAVE THE DATE(S)!
Climate & Nature Mass Rally of Parliament
9 JULY | times TBC | Westminster
The Climate Coalition is organising Act Now: Change Forever - a mass lobby of Parliament with an expected 10,000 people attending to call on the UK Government to take urgent action on the climate and nature crises. This will be the biggest such event since 2019 when The Time is Now lobby was instrumental in persuading the Government to adopt the Net Zero bill. "This year, we want to show MPs just how many of us care about protecting people, climate, and nature." They're asking us to save the date for the 9 July. "This is your chance to make your voice heard where it matters most." More details to come.
Norwich interfaith event
11 JULY | 5pm | St Peter Mancroft, Norwich
In Norwich, faith-based communities will gather to show their support for action on climate and nature and to call on our elected leaders to be brave in their own leadership. All faith communities are encouraged to join an event at St Peter Mancroft Church at 5pm. Details of the event are still being finalised but for now we encourage your commitment to taking part. Perhaps bring a group from your parish? This will help with the global and local engagement part of your Eco Church survey - not to mention being a prophetic act!
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How to worship outdoors
a webinar with Revd Coryn Stanforth
Wed 7 May I 7:30 - 9pm I Online
Outdoor worship is deeply rooted in Scripture. Throughout the history of the church outdoor worship has taken place, often out of necessity— but there are positive reasons for engaging with nature as part of our devotion. In this webinar we will explore these reasons, and a wealth of ideas for worshipping together outdoors in a range of contexts. Book your place by emailing Marleen Madinda: marleen.madinda@dioceseofnorwich.org
The Zoom details for the session will then be shared.
Revd Coryn Stanforth is Rector of the Coastal Group Benefice in the Diocese of Norwich.
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A Rocha webinar: The Green Heart of Mission recording
For those who missed out on this recent webinar, a recording is available. The webinar explored how creation care is at the heart of mission and how a newly-refreshed Eco Church survey helps put this into practice. You can now watch this webinar on catch up, and hear from Paul Kunert, author of Jesus Died to Save the Planet and Rev Lynda Sebbage, Team Vicar of Saffron Walden & Villages, who has championed Eco Church in her previous parishes, as well as from Andy Atkins and Head of Eco Church, Helen Stephens, at the link below.
https://arocha.org.uk/the-green-heart-of-mission-webinar-recording/
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NEW: Net zero eco game to borrow
Just in time for summer eco events, we've invested in a "net zero" snakes and ladders garden game for parishes to borrow to add some educational fun to any fairs, fetes or family days they have planned.
Along with a range of other eco resources, such as card games, Godly Play, prayer trees and more, you can reserve this via our Resource centre at this link: Eco | Diocese of Norwich (you’ll need to register HERE first, for a resource centre account). If you need any help registering, please contact cyf@dioceseofnorwich.org
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Heart of Norfolk's first eco fair
Sat 21 June I 10:30am - 9pm I St Mary's, North Elmham
Entry to the fair will be free and there is no charge for exhibitors. Refreshments will be on sale at the event. "We plan for this to become a biannual event to promote living sustainably and to raise awareness of our natural environment."
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for further details, but put the date in your diary now! If you're interested having a stand, get in touch with the organising team via heartofnorfolkchurches@gmail.com
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Preaching & worship resources
chooselife
As recommended by Bishop Graham, you can buy a physical copy of this creation-focused journey through the whole liturgical year, inspiring churches to link prayer with action to care for creation from our online shop for just £10: https://shop.dioceseofnorwich.org/.../chooselife-worship...
Or download a free PDF here This website contains printer-friendly liturgies for you to adapt and use in your own context.
Eco Preacher 1-2-3
https://interfaithsustain.com/ecopreacher-123/
God’s Creation needs good preaching! Good preaching needs God’s Creation!
Discover a new perspective for engaging the Bible that deepens and expands your faith.
Learn how we can proclaim justice for God’s Creation in the face of climate change and other environmental issues.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools you need to make your preaching relevant, courageous, and creative.
Be inspired to make a difference for our planet, your community, and our future.
In an effort to encourage clergy to preach and teach on Christian ecology at least once a month, The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade have partnered to develop a new free resource called EcoPreacher 1-2-3. Drawing from Eco Bible, a Jewish ecological commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures, Dr. Schade, author of Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology and the Pulpit (Chalice Press, 2015), provides sermon preparation for preaching about caring for God’s Creation that is short, accessible, and based on a solid biblical foundation.
EcoPreacher 1-2-3 offers a brief “eco-exegesis” for interpreting a Hebrew text from the Revised Common Lectionary for that Sunday. This is followed by one “eco idea” for the basis of the sermon, two “eco questions” to go deeper, and three “eco actions” to choose from to help a congregation put their faith into action. With this resource, preachers can use the sermon ideas in their own context and make it relevant for their congregation.
Sign up to receive future EcoPreacher 1-2-3 resources via the link this page.
| | | | Have your say on Norfolk & Suffolk's nature recovery | | |
A toolkit for recovering nature in Norfolk & Suffolk has been created - mapping places and actions that would help to link up and restore our/the county’s isolated wildlife. It’s time to have your say. Take part in the public consultation to ensure the strategy works for everyone.
Why not fill it in together as an eco church team or have a short discussion within or following a service? It will count towards your community & global section of your eco church survey.
The consultation is open at the links below until 11 June.
Norfolk LNRS public consultation
Suffolk LNRS public consultation
| | | Ed and Barbara are happy to come out to your deanery or benefice with their "Eco Roadshow" presentation - or answer any questions/offer support - just get in touch! | | You are receiving EcoNews because you either have an active role in the diocese (e.g. are an Eco Rep) or you have subscribed to receive it. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link below and you can read our Privacy Policy here. | | Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd is a limited company (no. 88175) and charity (no. 249318) registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Diocesan House, 109 Dereham Road, Easton, Norwich NR9 5ES. | | | | |
