Lindley, Huddersfield, UK
Lindley Methodist Church in Huddersfield, England, has become the 4,000th Eco Church, conservation charity A Rocha UK has announced in a milestone which comes as the UN COP26 climate negotiations began in Glasgow this week.
Helen Stephens, church relations manager for A Rocha UK, said the organisation was “thrilled to welcome the 4000th church to the Eco Church community”.
“This first milestone encourages a congregation and demonstrates what’s possible, inspiring them to take further, deeper action, as well as providing a good basis for making links with the wider community,” she said.
A vegetable plot and compost bins outside Lindley Methodist Church in Huddersfield. PICTURE: Supplied.
More than 10 per cent of churches across England and Wales are now focusing on ways of linking environmental issues and Christianity, and seeking ways of responding with practical actions.
Launched in 2016, Eco Church is run by A Rocha UK in partnership with Christian Aid, the Church of England, the Methodist Church, Allchurches Trust, The United Reformed Church and Tearfund.
Their aim is to create a vast network of churches as local centres of creation care in the community – beacons of hope for a brighter environmental future. Any church can join the scheme, which acts as practical framework involving a variety of resources and online awards to help churches take action caring for the earth. Typical activities include encouraging churches to reduce energy use; protect open spaces and natural habitats; reduce church contributions to global warming; lessen pressures on local water supplies and reduce run-off into local waterways.
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Hilary Wilson, a member of the congregation at Lindley Methodist church’s ‘green team’, said the church chose to join the Eco Church scheme “because of the worldwide climate situation”.
“Our young people are concerned about the climate crisis, and many of us have grandchildren. We know now is the time to do our bit.”
Recycling and activities at ‘Market Place Saturday’ at Lindley Methodist Church during September. PICTURE: Supplied.
Lindley’s Rev Sue Taylor added that during the pandemic, the church launched an online gardening and wildlife club.
“Our churchyard provides a green oasis for wildlife and people alike in our urban village. More than ever, the natural world has been a comfort to many and I am pleased that, as a community, we are working together to do what we can to help protect our environment.”
Lindley’s eco journey began in 2007, when a green team was established in a bid to become more environmentally friendly. Fruit trees were planted and eco-lifestyle tips shared during school visits as well as on weekly church notices.
Over the years, the green team has also undertaken changes to heat and light the building more efficiently, and are now installing water harvesting systems. A weekly market stall focuses on recycling, and during Lent this year, the services included a series called ‘Faith and making your lifestyle count’ which aimed to challenge people about environmental issues.
Lindley Methodist Church in Huddersfield. PICTIRE: Supplied.
Having committed itself to the scheme, Lindley Methodist Church is now beginning its program of assessment, seeking ways to improve its Eco Church credentials.
Participating churches are graded into ‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’ levels based on all aspects of church life – from worship and teaching to management of church buildings and land as well as community engagement and global environmental and lifestyle responses. As part of the scheme, churches are given access to resources and suggestions, some of which are very easy to adopt including using Fairtrade tea and coffee supplies.
Six years after the scheme began, there are just 22 churches which have reached gold standard. Churches which have done so come from a range of traditions including Quaker, Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed and Anglican churches.
The desire to take action has been undimmed by the COVID pandemic, according to A Rocha which said that despite the pandemic, churches had been able to progress in their Eco Church status and achieve awards.
