Our climate action in the Diocese of Liverpool comes at a time of climate emergency; one which has been recognised this week by the Church of England’s General Synod. Synod has set new targets for all parts of the church to work to become carbon ‘net zero’ by 2030; 15 years ahead of the original proposal.
As a Church, we are heeding the urgent call to action; prioritising our Fifth Mark of Mission.
“It becomes ever clearer that climate change is the greatest challenge that we and future generations face. It’s our sacred duty to protect the natural world we’ve so generously been given, as well as our neighbours around the world who will be first and worst affected. Without swift decisive action the consequences of climate change will be devastating.” Archbishop Justin Welby
Our Diocese is one of seven in the country to be awarded a Bronze Eco Diocese Award – this is an amazing achievement – thank you to everyone. This year Faiths4Change and the Diocese of Liverpool are working ‘Towards Silver’.
Our focus is three-fold:
- We will support any church who needs help to move forward whether to register for Eco Church or to achieve an Award
- We will be in touch with all registered churches and those with Bronze awards – how can we support you to achieve your Silver Eco Church award?
- We’re supporting St James House to achieve their Silver Eco Church award – we’re starting with sustainable procurement.
Our approach is a Team one and we’re pleased to be working with SJH staff, lay and clergy, Bishops Lodge, Merseyside Christian Aid and Tsedaqah Volunteers.
There are lots of websites, blogs, articles and apps that have ideas for individual and family climate actions.
Our focus throughout 2020 is going to be themed climate actions that churches or parishes can take.
Our theme for February #DoTenThings is Water. Working with the Diocesan Children & Families Coordinator, Sue, we’ve created a water resource to celebrate World Children’s Day. It’s packed with actions to help you towards your Eco Church award and engage with young people and children in your church or church group. It’s adult-friendly too.
#DoTenThings
Sign up for daily reflections during Lent
https://www.churchofengland.org/livelent
Click on the links to the Water Resource Book
https://www.faiths4change.org.uk/water-stories.html
https://indd.adobe.com/view/acec1f06-7b53-4f0c-a40d-fbcee230a54b
Use the resource book to generate ideas for actions
Take action.
Record your actions in any way you like, share them with liz@faiths4change.org.uk to add a page to our digital Water Stories Book (guidance in the Resource Book on file types).
Actions can be simple ….
Share a prayer for water at your regular service or at the beginning of a group.
Share a verse from the Bible about water.
Make a poster/sign to encourage people to use less water.
More in-depth
Understand your water bills and work to reduce your water consumption.
Record your monthly water usage in a simple format.
Identify actions to reduce the total amount used.
check your next bill – have you reduced your water consumption?
What further actions can you take?
Share anything you’ve learned – email Liz – we’ll add it to our Water Stories book
With and beyond your congregation (groups/food banks et al)
Share information about help to relieve water bill debt
https://www.uutf.org.uk/getting-help/application-form/
Please contact us, we’re here to help - liz@faiths4change.org.uk
We’ve a host of actions to share but really want to include examples from your churches & parishes in our Diocese. Please email us with actions your church or parish is doing, let’s share those actions widely and inspire many others to #DoTenThings
We can still offer Eco Church support to help churches complete any stage of the Eco Church process. Please contact us at Faiths4Change.
Thank you
Annie