Environment e-news
God's Green Fingers
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Why are church carbon calculators like buses? For years, there are none and then two come along at once. Read all about the C of E Energy Footprinting Tool and the ecumenical 360 Carbon and find out how your church can start to measure its carbon emissions. Guidance and webinars to help on the carbon reduction journey are all below as well as Magazine Magic, an article ready to print in your parish magazine.
Jemima Parker,
Diocesan Environment Officer
[email protected]
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New C of E Energy Calculator To Help Church Become Carbon Neutral
A new tool on the Parish Returns system will help the Church begin the process of become carbon neutral. By simply entering the information from your church's energy bills, the Energy Footprinting Tool can calculate the carbon emissions from that energy. Check that your Church Treasurer or PCC Secretary has completed this. Read more.
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Leeds Carbon Calculator Goes National
Climate Stewards have launched
360carbon a web-based tool which enables churches to measure their carbon footprint from different activities - energy, travel, food, waste, water and other expenditure. Commissioned by A Rocha UK and the Church of England, it is based on a pilot project carried out by Leeds Diocese in 2018.
Read more.
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All Creatures Great and Small Gather On Zoom
A church pet service in Richmond, celebrating people's animal companions and the gift of Gods creation, took place digitally. Each year St Marys Church holds their Fun-Key Church Pet Service and despite the continuing lockdown restrictions 2020 was going to be no exception. More
here.
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'Hope on the Edge' event from Bradford Cathedral looks to care for God's creation
Voices from all generations have talked about what we can do for God's Creation as part of the latest 'Hope on the Edge' event from Bradford Cathedral. 'Hope on the Edge' is a twice yearly gathering to which people are invited to come and pray for issues that are of concern, and this time the group discussed how we can offer care and prayer for Planet Earth.
Read more.
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CCLA CBF funds drop fossil fuel investments for financial reasons
One of the Church of England's three National Investing Bodies, which is managed by CCLA, has recently sold its last remaining shares in fossil fuel companies. CCLA's CBF funds, which manage investments on behalf of a number of CofE dioceses and local churches, made the decision on the basis of the financial risks posed by the short to medium term outlook for the oil and gas markets. More
here.
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Calling all Young Christians Concerned about Climate Change
The Young Christian Climate Network launches this week. An action-focused community of Christians in the UK aged 18-30, choosing to follow Jesus in the pursuit of climate justice. The network is ecumenical - the set-up team has members from the Anglican, Methodist, Baptist and Quaker traditions. You can follow YCCN on
Twitter,
Facebook and
Instagram (all @YCCNetwork).
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Churches and charities launch Climate Sunday campaign
Local churches are encouraged to hold a local Climate Sunday any time during a one-year period starting on 6th September (the first Sunday in the annual season of Creationtide). The culmination of the campaign will be a national Climate Sunday event on Sunday 5th September 2021, to share church commitments and pray for bold action and courageous leadership at COP26.
Read more. Register for
resources.
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Without the need to travel, folk from all over the diocese have been able to attend one of the drop in sessions or the environmental webinars run in the diocese this summer. The series was designed for Parish Environment Officers and others to pick up top tips on everything from how to reduce the carbon emissions of their church, to leading worship with a more creation care theme.
More.
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In order to achieve this status, the churches have confirmed that the tea, coffee and sugar used are all Fairtrade, that other items are Fairtrade wherever possible, and information about Fairtrade is shared in as many ways as possible. More on the impact of Covid-19 on Fairtrade farmers and the fight to keep Yorkshire made KitKat Fairtrade
here.
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Diocese of Leeds Calculates Carbon Footprint
The 2019 annual carbon report has been presented to the Diocesan Board. This year it includes data on the carbon emissions from diocesan schools, clergy housing and Bishop's travel as well as an estimate of emissions from churches in the diocese. New guidance from the C of E was used to make the estimate, but further data is needed for more accurate carbon accounting going forward. Read the report
here.
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Church Energy Audits Reveal Quick Savings
One of the common recommendations from the Energy Audits that have been conducted as part of the
Green Journey package is the use of a radiator fluid called Endotherm. This increases the thermal efficiency of the heating system and can give savings that will often cover its cost within a year. Find out more about Endotherm
here.
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Online Training Opportunities
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If you have questions and want support taking creation care forward in your church, these drop-in sessions are for you. Simply join the Zoom call. Dates and details
here.
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Seven-session course facilitated by Rev Ruth Newton. Develop Biblical understanding of the connections between ecological concerns and Christian faith. Taking place on Zoom Tuesdays 7.30-9pm, commencing 3rd Nov. Details
here.
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This series of webinars is designed to support and equip you to reach the Church's ambitious "net zero carbon" emissions target. Forming your Team, Action Planning, A positive vision of a zero carbon church, Defining and measuring net zero - choose as many topics as you need to help you on this decade-long journey. More
here.
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The two-year CRES course from the John Ray Institute and A Rocha provides an opportunity to study rural and environmental issues from a Christian viewpoint. It will be of interest to all with a personal or professional concern for the environment and countryside, rural communities and churches.
Details.
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Why not re-awaken and re-imagine Church after lockdown; using your outdoor space for church activities. C of E guidance and resources
here.
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The C of E website has a wealth of liturgical and other materials for you to help celebrate the Season of Creation
here.
Reflections for the five Sundays of Creationtide coming soon.
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A short, two-page guidance note from the C of E that aims to summarise how churches can reduce their energy use and associated carbon emissions.
Read more.
Energy Efficiency Measures a further guidance note from the C of E on how to reduce your energy use
here.
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A Theological Response to the Ecological Crisis: Reflections, Liturgy, Reviews, Comment. Weekly sermon ideas are perfect for preaching through the Lectionary.
More.
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Need funding for an environmental/renewables project?
Here's a list of possible grant funding sources.
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If only we had known...
A ready to print magazine article for you Parish Magazine!
Jemima Parker reflects on what we have learnt from the coronavirus pandemic that may help us prepare for the climate emergency. Article here
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Eco Top Tips
Find a weekly top tip here for your parish newsletter:
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This year is crucial in the struggle for climate justice. To rise to the challenge, we must underpin it in prayer. Join others praying across the diocese and around the world. Christian Aid's prayer chain for climate justice is simple; you book in to pray for an hour slot, there are resources to help you through the hour! More
here.
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Are you the environmental enthusiast in your church or do you know the person who is? We are seeking a Rep in each parish to receive information and take up training opportunities.
More.
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Seeking enthusiastic volunteers for Huddersfield and Wakefield Areas to support local churches in their care for creation. More details
here.
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If we don't laugh we'll cry: helping you through the grief of ecocide
We liked this one from the
Future Crunch newsletter sent in by one of our readers:
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Please join our discussion group on Facebook by following the below link!
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Church House
17-19 York Place
Leeds, LS1 2EX
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