Manchester Diocese received an Eco Diocese award in December 2020 from the national environmental charity A Rocha in recognition of its work to embed environmental issues into the life of the diocese.
Since announcing its intention to work towards becoming an Eco Diocese in 2017, the diocese has made great efforts to integrate care for the environment into its strategy, training, investments and communications. A Rocha, who administer the award, commented on some innovative elements to work on the environment such as encouraging cycling, and supporting Beeways, the radical plan by Chris Boardman and Transport for Greater Manchester to transform Greater Manchester into Britain's first 'cycling city'.
Manchester Diocese has also established a 12-week Ecology and Creation training pathway for Authorised Lay Ministers. Eco ALMs develop a theological understanding of creation care alongside the climate emergency, and identify how creation and ecology present missional opportunities for engagement in all aspects of church life, including pastoral care and worship. Innovative Communications from the Diocese of Manchester on environmental issues include the commissioning of a cartoon and videos to encourage cycling. OUR ECO CHURCHESThe fifth Mark of Mission: "To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth" Many church communities are imaginatively living out the fifth Mark of Mission through care for Gods creation. The following churches have received Eco Church Awards in Manchester Diocese: Silver 
CAN YOU BECOME AN ECO CHURCH?Can you join us in the journey to become an Eco Church? This involves making changes to your lifestyle and taking small steps in the right direction. It might include signing up with a green energy supplier, reducing your purchase of single use plastic items, and remembering to put our rubbish in the correct recycling bins. Eco Church (run by A Rocha UK) encourages and supports churches in their care for Gods creation across five areas of church life:
Eco Church Awards operate through an online survey asking churches how they care for Gods earth in different areas of their life and work. By answering questions, you collect points towards a bronze, silver or gold Eco Church Award. We currently have 63 churches registered to become Eco Churches HOW DO WE GET STARTED?
HOW ELSE CAN WE GET INVOLVED?We are providing training for clergy and laity (including the Authorised Lay Ministry module in Ecology and Creation). Share your progress on the Manchester Eco Diocese Facebook page. If your church receives an Eco Church award, or has a good news story to share, please let us know. Share your eco projects on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #EcoDiocese Take a look at our Grants support page - could you get a grant to boost one of your eco projects? Support cycling and find out if your church will be on a Beeway. For help or advice and to share your good news stories, please contact the Diocesan Environment Officer. The role is carried out by Grace Thomas and Clive Hamilton as a job share. You can contact them at environment@manchester.anglican.org |
The Bronze award also recognises the many churches across Greater Manchester and Rossendale who have worked hard to make their buildings and worship greener, and who have received Eco Church awards over the past three years.
