Message from A Rocha UK
“In such a critical time for action on biodiversity loss and climate change, we want to say a big thank you to you for doing your bit – whatever action you are engaged in in your home, church, or wider community.”
Eco Church is an award scheme set up by A Rocha UK for churches in England and Wales. They are a Christian charity, involved in nature conservation, that’s the protection as well as restoration.
A Roche UK had their 20th anniversary in 2023 & Eco Church will have its 10th anniversary 2025. Eco church is just one arm of their work.
Churches complete an online survey which enables our churches to record what we are already doing to care for God’s earth, and to reflect on what further steps we can take. The more your church does, the more points you receive towards an Eco Church Award – Bronze, Silver & Gold.
There are more than 90 questions to complete! So they take it very seriously.
The survey takes you through five key areas of church life:
- Worship and teaching
- Management of church buildings
- Management of church land
- Community and global engagement (check out Follow the trail)
- Lifestyle
All five churches in our benefice have signed up to look at ways to engage with the environment and to take more seriously the impact we have on God’s creation and care for God’s earth better. Working with A Rocha, a Christian charity, supported by the Church of England, we are finding ways we can do this and have been busy working alongside local environmental community groups, both church schools (Barrow & Risby), the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, parish councils, Save Our Swifts, and many others.
Some churches are already well underway with many of the churchyards setting aside areas designated for wildlife, installing bird boxes, including swift boxes for this beautiful, endangered bird.
There are plenty of things we can be doing – not just as a church but individually at home.
Our actions make a difference.
We are delighted to announce that both Lt Saxham & Denham have been awarded the bronze, Barrow the silver and Risby the Gold Eco Church Award. Gt Saxham yet to apply but do have areas set aside in the churchyard for the benefit of the environment.
Risby Church Gold ECO Church Award
Barrow Church Silver Report Our Eco Church journey … so far
Our ‘Eco Warrior’ Jackie, meets and greets the Brownies on one day and Risby School the following week for our nature and creation trail!
Our ECO Officers
Jackie Orbell
Barrow Benefice ECO Church
RISBY ECO CHURCH ENVIRONMENT OFFICER
Derek Woodhead
ECO OFFICER FOR BARROW CHURCH
Barrow Benefice ECO Church
