Some People believe that Faith can move Mountains when in reality it’s chemical high explosives, high pressure hoses and bulldozers that are literally moving Mountains. I believe we need all the faith we can muster to stop the Mountains from moving along with all the other atrocities taking place in the name of profit and progress. I have been very fortunate to have worked on many projects over the years with people from many different faiths and I can assure you that once they get their teeth into issues they are highly motivated and effective campaigners and we salute them all.
Below is a photo of members of Christian Aid and an action against HSBC I joined them for in Newmarket back in 2019. There were a lot of protesters and environmental protests going on in 2019 in a growing almost reinvigorated environmental movement. Then in 2020 LOCKDOWNS!
I know I know correlation doesn’t imply causation but PLEASE!
Caring for Gods creation
Another great Christian charity that is taking action and forming new networks and coalitions is A Rocha UK.
A Rocha UK is a Christian charity working to protect and restore the natural world and committed to equipping Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environment.
Eco Church has been developed by A Rocha UK together with Tearfund and Christian Aid, with the support of the Church of England and the Methodist Church. The Baptist Union and the United Reformed Church who have also been enthusiastic supporters of Eco-congregation a pre runner to Eco church.
Eco church is I feel one of the best examples of a grassroots community stakeholder initiative that is taking a long hard look at its day-to-day operation and assessing the actions required to not only make a positive and powerful contribution to the fight against climate change and the ecological crisis but also to engage and work alongside others in their communities to achieve the same objective.
At its core it is a very simple initiative that has been growing in popularity year on year since it started back in 2016 an initiative that is basically an audit of assets and actions.
In a nutshell it is a combination between an in-house audit to determine what action is required, a set of tools to take that action and a way to engage with people in communities and work together with them to recognise the importance of Gods creation and do all they can to care for it appropriately.
Areas covered in the eco church survey:
- Worship and Teaching
- Management of Church Buildings
- Management of Church Land
- Community and Global Engagement
- Lifestyle
How to write a Climate Emergency Declaration:
✌🏻At A Rocha UK we are committed to nature conservation in a time of climate and biodiversity crisis. We believe that Christians and the Church have significant assets with which to act themselves, and a potentially powerful voice to call for bold action, to safeguard our common home. We believe that we are stronger when we act and speak together and so, in that spirit, we now add our voice to all those local churches, denominations, businesses, and organisations who have formally declared a climate emergency.✌🏻
Now that’s what I call a positive climate emergency declaration:
✌🏻Eco Church is a scheme run by A Rocha UK equipping churches to care for God’s creation through their worship, buildings, land, community engagement, and individual lifestyles. By completing an online survey, churches can be considered for an Eco Church Award at either Bronze, Silver, or Gold level.✌🏻
#WildChristian
Live more joyfully and sustainably with God’s creation
✌️Our Wild Christian programme is for individuals and families who want to enjoy and learn about nature together, take practical action at home and in their local areas, and join with other voices for national impact. ✌🏾
Essex Green Weekends
Here in Essex we have many Eco Churches and Wild Christians and we look forward to working with them over the coming years.
The Christian community @ Othona in Bradwell by the sea have been our wonderful hosts of the first and second Essex Green Weekends and their contribution doesn’t stop there. Apart from their own personal efforts to live more harmoniously with the natural environment Othona run various events and environmental courses throughout the year and we highly recommend you check them out.
We will endeavour to include stories from the various multi-faith communities and what actions they are taking as we can with BFB because they play such a critical role within our wider communities. If you know of any faith group or community church that has a story to share and is willing to share it please let us know.
More to follow 🌏🌎🌍