Environment E-news - September 2022

Issue 45 | September 2022

God's Green Fingers Environment E-news

Happy Creationtide!

Creationtide starts tomorrow - 1st September. This year’s Season of Creation theme is Listen to the voice of Creation. Unless you have had your head in the sand this summer, you will have heard the “voice of creation” loud and clear, with frighteningly high temperatures, wildfires and droughts in the UK and Europe and the shockingly devastating floods now in Pakistan.

It brings to mind Jesus’s words “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? Luke 12:54-56

How will your church be celebrating Creationtide (1st September- 4th October)? With time to celebrate the wonder and joy of creation, as well as to hear and lament the pain of climate and ecological breakdown? Taking hope filled action?

There are plenty of resources here for you in this edition of God's Green Fingers. Read below how we’re launching new week by week reflections on this year’s Creationtide theme and find a wealth of worship materials in the Resources section below. There is a new C of E webinars series on theology and worship to inform and upskill preachers and congregations alike for the contemporary ecological context and a ready to pint magazine article for Creationtide.

Be encouraged and inspired by how churches around the diocese are living out their faith this Creationtide – from growing veg, to holding events in Big Green Week, to becoming Eco Churches.

Note: Some of the articles below link to the Church Times. You can read up to four Church Times articles each month free of charge by registering on their website.

God bless

Jemima Parker,

Diocesan Environment Officer

[email protected]

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News

Diocese of Leeds Starts Season of Creation with New Reflections

A new set of reflections, written by Christine Jack will be launched tomorrow at the start of this year’s Creationtide. Reflecting through a green lens Christine looks at each week’s lectionary readings and also provides thoughts for a harvest service. You can also find Christine’s magazine article in Magazine Magic below.

St Stephen's Steeton becomes Bronze Eco Church

In recognition of their commitment to live and work more sustainably, the community at St Stephen’s Church in Steeton have been given the bronze Eco-Church award from A Rocha UK. The award covers areas of life such as the management and maintenance of church buildings and land and the environmental impact of the personal lifestyles within our congregations.

More here

Energy Prices Explained

As national energy prices are rising for churches, in this month’s Green Journey newsletter, our energy partners explain what’s driving the cost of gas and electricity upwards and offer advice on the best contracts for church finances. They also provide top tips for churches on reducing energy use to cut financial and carbon costs. The Green Journey currently procure renewable electricity and/or carbon-offset gas for 245 churches in the diocese.

Solar Power Scheme for Clergy Homes will Cut Carbon Emissions

Solar power and high efficiency insulation will help to cut carbon emissions from clergy houses across our diocese, thanks to a new collaboration with energy supply and solutions provider E.ON. E.ON is working with the diocese to help them take a major step towards their goal of net zero carbon by 2030 with a project to install solar panels with battery storage and loft and cavity wall insulation in 67 clergy homes across the region.

Calling Artists of All Ages

Holy Trinity, Boar Lane, by the Trinity Centre in Leeds are inviting people of all ages to create a piece of art on the theme of “Our Earth, Our City”. The winning pieces will form part of a display at the “Our Earth, Our City” festival will be taking place at the church, from 7th-27th November. The centrepiece of the event will be the display of 'Gaia', a touring artwork by Luke Jerram.

Swap Shop at Holy Trinity for Big Green Week

Holy Trinity, Huddersfield, are focusing on the environmental cost of fashion during Big Green Week (24 Sept -2 Oct) this year. “Swap, Shop and Supper” will be on 24th September, where women of all ages are invited to bring unwanted clothes and swap them.

Growing Community and Growing Veg

New gardening projects in churches in our diocese have been helping communities feed their bodies and their spirits. At Christ Church, Skipton, children from the Sunday school are sharing God’s bounty with the help of an innovative scheme that provides fresh, healthy food to the community entirely free of charge. At the Church of the Epiphany Gipton a team have been working with Create Change, a community development group, to turn their garden into a space to support physical and emotional wellbeing as part of their Thrive project.

New CofE Webinars Explore Theology of Creationtide

A new Season of Creation webinar series will run through September exploring environmental themes in theology and worship. Including looking at how environment intersects with the New Testament, evangelism, gender and racial injustice and how creation glorifies God, this series aims to inform and upskill preachers and congregations alike for the contemporary ecological context.

New C of E Webinars Explore Theology of Creationtide Climate crisis to the fore at Greenbelt

At drought stricken Boughton Estate, Northamptonshire, thousands of festival goers participated in a climate justice themed festival Eucharist on Sunday morning, supposedly set in 2052 and complete with forecasts from John Kettley the weatherman. The programme included talks such as “Why talking about the climate crisis might be the most important thing you ever do” and “Why the climate crisis is a racist crisis.”

1660118073_595_Greenbelt-news-With-a-non-stop-stream-of-stunning-speakers image

Events and Webinars - Local

10 Sep - A Passion for the Earth, Green Christian

St Luke’s Church, York. A day of workshops, talks, stalls and worship to encourage our communities, build common cause for creation and inspire ambitious change.