The Carbon Fast campaign is being run by Climate Stewards, part of the A Rocha family of organisations.

The organisers say a carbon fast is “about giving up unsustainable consumption practices to reduce our carbon footprint – and in doing so, learning to live lightly on God’s earth”.

In the Bible, they say, caring for creation is God’s first instruction to humans. So, during a season when Christians traditionally fast and focus on God, they encourage us to live more simply and find new ways to cut our carbon footprint.

It’s not too late to join in.

Each week throughout Lent, the campaign features a different theme designed to help churches and individuals take climate action. Each session includes key facts, suggestions for how to reduce our carbon footprint, and a reflection.

Sign up for weekly emails or download the whole set of themes in one go at the .

Climate Stewards say: “By starting to reduce our consumption at Lent, and continuing with thoughtful living through the year, we are caring for creation, a responsibility entrusted to us by God.”

����������:�� by Bernard Meninsky (1891–1950)

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Elder Roger Wilson CBE said that the Church Stretton congregation is “genuinely seeking to reduce our environmental impact, take a greener stance in the world and raise awareness of climate and environmental issues”.

The church regularly holds services with a climate, conversation or an environmental theme and encourages those leading worship to think “green”.

Roger explains: “For example, at a service in 2024 we celebrated a local initiative to create a community garden on a plot of derelict land. The project provides gardening as a managed therapy for mental health, organic vegetables are sold locally (food yards rather than miles), and bird life is encouraged.

“We gave the garden a redundant shed from our space, and it now has a new life as a bird hide. Another service focussed on one of our charities, Self Help Africa, which supports communities in west Africa to develop their economic self-sufficiency through education and self-help.”

The church also introduced more eco-friendly LED lighting in its building and replaced its boiler following a heat loss survey.

Church Stretton �山ǿ�� is now working towards the gold award.

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Southern is now the sixth across the �山ǿ�� to reach Bronze status and Thames North becomes the seventh.

Ian Moore, Green Apostle for Southern who also serves as a trustee forA Rocha UK, explained some of the steps his synod took to gain the Bronze award: “We’ve done lots of work over the years, for example putting the synod’s financial investments with Epworth (a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on investing for both people and planet). We’ve updated our manse policy that puts the goal of energy performance certificates at C or better for all manses, and of course lots of local churches have carried out their own work.”

One such church is Oxted �山ǿ�� which gained Silver Eco Church Award in January for taking steps such as that people can take towards a more sustainable future which has been circulated widely within the church and its community.

“What I see in the most engaged churches, like Oxted, is how caring for God’s creation has become a natural part of how the whole church lives,” continued Ian.

“I love how enthusiastic people become, often as much about the smallest touches like Toilet Twinning as about the big projects like solar panels.”

Currently 30% of local churches within Southern Synod have joined A Rocha UK’s Eco Church award scheme.

Thames North Synod was praised by A Rocha UK for its work towards championing the environment – from annual Green Days which in 2024 had a nature focus, to a comprehensive environment policy which includes references to net zero, protecting and encouraging biodiversity, and engaging and supporting young people about the climate and nature crises, and an eco-fund to support local churches. Out of the synod’s 105 churches, 54 are registered with the scheme and 27 have received an award: 20 bronze and seven silver.

Roo Stewart, �山ǿ�� Head of Public Issues, said: “The successes of both synods have undoubtedly been through the work of the Synod officers, local churches receiving Eco Church awards. Also, a run of brilliant Green Apostles like Alex Mabbs, Nadene Snyman, David Pickering, Ian Moore, Terry Hinks, Maggie Hindley and a vibrant Thames North Green Team.

“This new award means that we now have seven synods within the �山ǿ�� that have received a Bronze Synod Award, and we are hoping that all of our synods will reach Bronze Award level very soon.”

The National Synod of Scotland is part of Eco-Congregation, which operates differently.

Youth Assembly and its Executive also received a commendation from A Rocha UK in 2022 in recognition of the leadership that it has shown in encouraging the whole church to act swiftly to develop how it cares for the environment.

Congregations that would like to know more about greening their church or  joining Eco Church (in England and Wales) or Eco-Congregation (in Scotland) can find out more information at .

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It’s an opportunity for churches across the globe to focus on the natural environment, either for one Sunday or for the whole season. In the UK, many churches observe the season in addition to an annual Harvest service.

The Revd Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator of the �山ǿ�� National Synod of Scotland, has recorded an encouragement and prayer that forms part of this rich tapestry of Season of Creation resources.

The Joint Public Issues Team has put together a wide range of resources, suitable for all kinds of congregations. Featuring breath-taking videos, poetry, sermon outlines, prayers, song suggestions and all-age activities, some materials closely follow the Revised Common Lectionary while others are perennial.

Explore the resources, see .

�山ǿ�� Special Category minister the Revd David Coleman, Chaplain with EcoCongregation Scotland, has curated an online resource to support congregations in celebrating Season of Creation. With lectionary notes, prayers, poems, and location videos, there is a variety of writers and media for you to use in whatever way is most encouraging for your own church and community.

.���ʱ��𲹲��� email David with any questions.

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The award was given by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK, and reflects Woking �山ǿ��’s commitment to walk in step with nature and put creation care at the heart of what they do.

With more than 3,500 Eco Churches gaining an award at one of the three levels, Gold, Silver and Bronze, the Gold award is itself a prestigious and impressive achievement.

Woking �山ǿ�� is a large and lively urban church that has very strong community links. Forward thinking in their building projects include adaptations to reduce energy use and the installation of solar panels. The church also manages the land around its building to support biodiversity and offers a tranquil space for nearby residents and visitors.

Woking �山ǿ�� has sought to engage children and young people in the development of their outside space and continue to learn and grow as a worshipping community as they deepen their understanding of God’s creation at special services and events. The assessors for the award particularly noted the church’s future plans to reach Net Zero and engagement with their local MP and councillors, demonstrating their commitment to care for the environment and Christian responsibility to nurture and protect God’s earth.

Woking �山ǿ�� Green Team members, Chris and Mary Temple said: “We are delighted that the assessors from A Rocha thought the efforts of our church family over the last ten years sufficiently worthy to achieve the first Gold award to a church in the Wessex Synod although we recognise that this is not the end of the journey.

“Working towards the Gold Award has been an amazing team effort with plenty of fun and laughter along the way. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Wessex Synod for a number of projects which has enabled Woking �山ǿ�� to install added insulation, LEDs, solar panels and batteries; also Will Forster, now Woking’s MP, who made funds available from his Surrey County Council allocation to provide battery storage for the panels.”

A Rocha UK aims to equip churches and individuals to create a movement to help restore biodiversity at a local level in this critical decade for the climate. Now, in its ninth year, the Eco Church award scheme brings together a national community of churches addressing the environmental crisis, using a common framework and an online toolkit to learn and speak up together. The first Eco Church award was given to Hilfield Friary, Dorchester back in June 2016. There are now more than 7,000 churches registered with Eco Church – nearly 18% of churches in England and Wales. By 2025, A Rocha UK aims to engage at least 25%, or 10,000 churches, in ongoing efforts to protect nature and address climate change through the free programme.

Helen Stephens, Church Relations Manager, explained “Our huge congratulations to Woking �山ǿ�� on their well-deserved Gold Eco Church award. Everything about their approach sets them out as an exemplar of what it means to be a gold awarded church. They have demonstrated significant and steady progress on the environment since 2013. What started with one person has grown into a strong and strategically thinking Green Team. It’s so encouraging to hear that they have been blessed as a church community through developing a deeper understanding of what it means to love God’s creation and for this to become truly integrated into who they are as a church. There is still so much for us all to do, as they recognise but in the meantime, we hope they enjoy celebrating this award and seeing others inspired to join them in taking action to care for this amazing world.”

Revd Lucy Brierley, Minister of Woking �山ǿ��, added: “I’m thrilled that Woking �山ǿ�� has received this award thanks to the hard work of our Green Team. More importantly, this award recognises that stewardship of the creation God has given us is part of our work and witness to the community around us. This is a wonderful recognition of our commitment to caring for our church, community and planet.”

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West Midlands Synod
Shrewsbury United Reformed Church (S�山ǿ��) in Shropshire has gained a Silver A Rocha UK Eco Award.

“We’re really pleased with this latest award which reflects the hard work that members of the church have put in to reducing our environmental impact over the last 20 years since we were first recognised as an eco congregation.” Mike Streetly, co-ordinator of the church’s eco group said.

“While it’s great to receive this award, we can’t rest on our laurels. One area that we will be focussing on this year is trying to become a beacon of encouragement for everyone around us to engage with the urgent environmental issues we are facing.

“We will be holding a series of public events in the third week in April to coincide with Earth Day (22 April) under the heading ‘Guardians of Creation’. These will explore ways in which we can all help to protect and enhance our environment locally and globally.”

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Thames North
Congratulations to Peter Williams, Kate Moody and Valerie Windsor, three longstanding members of Lancaster Road in Enfield were recently presented with ‘Loyal and Devoted’ service certificates.

Peter celebrates 72 years of service, Kate 63 years and Valerie 65 years.

East Midlands Synod
St Andrew’s with Castle Gate �山ǿ�� in Nottingham has also gained a Silver Eco-Church Award from A Rocha UK.

The fast-acting church achieved a Bronze in December 2022 and 14 months later achieved Silver after working on the ‘lifestyle” component of the award.

The church now plans to work on the ‘Buildings’ and ‘Land’ sections of the awards scheme to be able to submit for Gold award.

Congratulations to Claire Ette who was commissioned as a Lay Preacher at High Street �山ǿ�� in Wellingborough last month following two years of training.

As part of morning worship led by the Revd Chris Parker, Claire’s commissioning was conducted by the Revd David Featonby, Convenor of the Synod’s Lay Ministries group. Training & Development Officer Derek Graham presented Claire with her accreditation certificate and badge in recognition of her splendid achievement.

The church wishes Claire every blessing in her service as a Lay Preacher.

Congratulations also go to St Andrews �山ǿ�� in Chesterfield which has a gained a Children and Youth Friendly Award.

Over the past couple of years, the church has re-established links with its local primary school, Highfield Hall, and there has been much positive engagement which the church and school are keen to continue.

For example, last Easter the school’s reception class visited the church. The children explored what Easter means for Christians and how its celebrated. The event also included a puppet play. At Christmas, Advent boxes were sent out to families in need, and parents and carers, with their children, were invited to a festive Christmas pudding making event.

Richard Knott, East Midlands CYDO+, who supported St Andrews’ on its award journey said: It has been a total joy and privilege to share with this group in this process. It was especially delightful to see the how the group engaged with the young people involved and how their contributions , ideas and challenges were treated with respect and responded to with positive action.”

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This, unusually, is the second renewal of this post, meaning that the �山ǿ�� will have committed to funding this post for 15 years, reflecting the importance which the �山ǿ�� attaches to it.

This will allow the growth of the chaplaincy’s experience and contacts with churches and beyond, at a time when the impact of the nature and climate crises are becoming ever more evident, both in the UK and around the world.

The rededication took place in an ecumenical communion service with three EcoCongregations (Augustine United, Greyfriars Church of Scotland, St Columba’s By the Castle Scottish Episcopal) representing the three denominations which have most directly supported the chaplaincy.

David commented: “When you’re dealing with ’the end of the world’, it’s a serious matter to build up the church with faith, hope and joy, and especially to love and respect the Earth of which we’re made, rather than behave as if it’s merely a matter of stewarding or taking care of property – even God’s property, which, of course, we ourselves are! We listen to, as well as care for the personalities of the Earth.”

David often visits churches with a large selection of puppets, some of which represent endangered species and others whose story is part of Scripture.

“Biodiversity is the environment in which we approach God: to be aware of this deepens faith and unlocks joy and hope, which we urgently need, for the state of the planet is no soft option,” David said.

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The church has become the first in the North Western Synod to achieve an A Rocha UK Gold Eco Church Award and it’s now the 35th Gold Awarded Eco Church in England and Wales, and the fourth �山ǿ�� in England to be awarded.

The achievement has been a long journey coming, having started in 2007 when the congregation expressed a wish to make the church more of a resource to the community as well as being more environmentally aware.

In recent years the church has opened a wildlife garden developed from wasteland which helps to offset some of its carbon footprint as well as aiming to increase biodiversity.

A part of the garden is also used as a kitchen garden to organically grow salads and herbs for Tom’s Table, a restaurant.

The church has also made simple changes like using environmentally-friendly cleaning products, selling locally produced organic food and/or Fairtrade goods for events, and being careful about recycling waste including composting of items.

At the inspection visit, Rose Gosling from A Rocha UK said her visit to Clitheroe �山ǿ�� was “very inspiring” and that she “enjoyed meeting a large and enthusiastic team, who had embedded environmental principles in everything that they do”.

Eastern Synod has gained a Bronze Eco Synod award and the Synod Office a Silver one.

Helen Stephens, A Rocha UK’s Church Relations Manager, noted the following: “As the Synod with the largest proportion of rural churches in the whole of the �山ǿ��, this was no small achievement.”

The journey to becoming an Eco Synod began in 2020 when the Synod’s environmental policy was adopted, committing Eastern Synod to significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Since then it has divested from fossil fuels, embedded environmental issues into its mission and training, including having the climate as a key part of synod events, integrated sustainability into synod grants, works to improve the carbon footprint of manses, celebrates eco achievements of churches and has regular eco updates in synod newsletters.

The synod office was also awarded a silver eco church award where, for example, electric car charging points have been installed.

So far there are currently 49 churches registered with eco church in Eastern of which 20 have achieved awards including Emmanual Church in Bungay which is one of only four �山ǿ�� churches to have achieved a gold award.

Jeremy Flack, Eastern Synod Green Apostle said “This is a fantastic achievement and shows the Synod’s commitment to safeguarding creation. It is testament to the hard work of Synod staff, volunteers and all of our churches who have engaged in Eco Church so enthusiastically.

“We are now looking forward to working towards the next stage and achieving a silver award.”

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It is now the �山ǿ��’s second synod to have reached A Rocha UK’s Bronze Eco-Synod Award status, West Midlands being the first in March 2021.

To apply for the award, the Revd Daleen Ten Cate, North Western Synod’s Missional Discipleship Mentor and Green Apostle, collated information from the past five years.

“As I did so,” Daleen explains, “all I could visualise was the wholeness of the body of Christ where everyone plays a part and shares their God-given gifts.”

“What makes me most proud of this achievement is the teamwork that we showed throughout this journey.

“The encouragement of our Synod Clerk, Tim Hopley, and the support of the whole of the Synod were phenomenal.”

Support also came from Mike Hart, the Synod’s Transformation Director and Treasurer, who ensured that all the Synod’s investments divested from fossil fuel.

The Revd Mike Aspinall, Property Consultant, concentrated on buildings. Claire McTyre, Synod Deputy Clerk, and Kerry Later, Office Manager, coloured the Synod office green and helped with the eco newsletter.

Daleen also expressed to the Revd Kate Gray, former Green Apostle, provided support with resolutions, policies and activism; the Revd Dr Rosalind Selby and Northern College which engaged with the Synod to provide further education; Leo Roberts, CYDO, Gina Gibson and all the churches who engaged with the Synod’s young people; and area eco warriors, the Revd Kate Hunt, Cathy Chapman, Liz Delafield, and Craig and Kareena Tipler who supported local churches.

Tim Hopley, Synod Clerk, said: “North Western is very proud to have achieved this award, and is grateful to our Green Apostles, along with all those individuals and churches across the Synod who have worked so hard to achieve this.”

To celebrate this milestone, each of the 25 churches registered as an eco-church within the Synod were given a packet of seeds from Commitment for Life as an encouragement to keep growing on their eco journey.

Since 2016, the �山ǿ�� has worked with A Rocha UK to develop Eco Synod, a tool by which Synods can encourage local churches to engage in wider creation care.

There are nine steps to achieve Eco Synod status which include writing an environmental policy, embedding environmental issues in ongoing training, and managing synod investments ethically.

There are three level of awards to achieves: bronze, silver and gold. Bronze is achieved when 10% of local churches within a synod are registered with Eco Church and 5% of local churches awarded. Silver entails 20% of local churches registered and 10% of local churches awarded, and Gold is when 30% of local churches are registered with 20% of local churches awarded.

The �山ǿ�� has a target of being net zero in its carbon emissions by 2030, and Eco Church (Eco-Congregation in Scotland) and Eco Synod are a vital part of its strategy to reach this.

Roo Stewart, Programme Officer for Church and Society, added: “I look forward to all of our synods reaching the ‘Bronze’ level award and beyond in the coming months and years.

For more information on becoming a greener church, visit urc.org.uk/greenerchurch.

More information about , , and can be found here.

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Colin, Church Secretary for West Kirby United Reformed Church, and his wife Jenny are making huge savings having designed and built their own zero-energy, eco-friendly home.

Since moving into their home nine years ago, the couple have saved a whopping £35,000 in energy bills.

“I had always wanted to build my own house,” explains Colin, an architect. “I had specialised in low energy design at architecture college in the 1970s and have been building low energy homes since 1998.

“It was always my hope that we might find a suitable site to build on, to show that low energy buildings are not hard or expensive to build.”

In 2011, Jenny noticed a dilapidated detached house for sale 250m from where they lived.

The couple bought the property, demolished it, and built a new zero-energy home. Since then the pair have made huge savings and because of Colin’s understanding of how to optimise the design, it did not cost any more than an economical bespoke house to build.

Referencing Channel 4’s popular TV programme which highlights Britain’s most ambitious self-building projects, Colin adds: “This is no Grand Design. It fits into the street scene and provides a warm, draught free home which even stays cool in summer.

“One summer, my grandson, who was 15 at the time, declared ‘Your house is weird! How can it be cool in summer and warm in winter?’.

“The answer to that question is, of course, very careful design of every aspect of the building, an understanding of the UK climate and careful attention to the detailed building construction process.

“This is not ‘rocket science’ but it is building science – that may be quite simple science, but it is still science!”

The main features of the house include:

• Lots of insulation – the building does not even touch the ground but floats on 20cm of insulation
• Good orientation with large south facing windows protected from mid-summer sun by slight overhangs
• An airtight shell with no draughts, so it has a ventilation system with heat recovery.
• Solar panels to generate electricity, which is not linked to a battery
• An air source heat pump for hot water and to provide warmth for the underfloor heating (on the ground floor only)
• Thermal mass – it is a traditional type of building with blockwork walls and partitions which help to store the heat (or the coolness) and even out all the vagaries of the UK weather.

“That’s it,” continues Colin. “Simple really.”

Colin is also part of West Kirby �山ǿ��’s eco team which helped the church recently gain a silver Eco-Church award from A Rocha UK for its efforts in expressing care for God’s world in worship and teaching, eco-friendly buildings and land, engagement in community and global environmental campaigns, and for helping its congregation members become more eco-aware in their personal lifestyles.

In the meantime, Colin continues to work as an architect in semi-retirement, building one-off zero carbon homes in Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Wales.

Jenny, meanwhile, enjoys her light-filled studio where she paints exquisite botanical Illustrations, runs the West Kirby �山ǿ�� toddler group and is part of the church’s eco and eldership teams.

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