September sees the start of Creationtide, a time in the Church calendar (1 September to 4 October) dedicated to reflection on God as creator and sustainer of all life.
It is also a time when, as a church or as an individual Christian, we can focus on our role in caring for God’s creation.
Throughout the season, there will be lots of opportunities through the Diocese's Net Zero Team to help you and your church get inspired, get informed, and get going on the next steps of your Net Zero Carbon journey.
It all culminates in a joint Canterbury and Rochester diocesan eco conference taking place on Saturday 4 October in Maidstone
Read more about the conference and all the other support, resources, and opportunities available, below.
Don't forget to follow the diocesan Facebook page where stories and content will be shared throughout the month. If you have an eco story you would like to share from your church, why not get in touch? Email communication@rochester.anglican.org
Get inspired
Photo: The Canterbury and Rochester Net Zero Team
Celebrating Creation Care Conference
Booking is now open for the joint Canterbury and Rochester diocesan Celebrating Creation Care Eco Conference.
Taking place on Saturday 4 October, 9am to 1pm, at St Luke’s Maidstone, come along and meet with the joint Net Zero Team and hear from young people who care about the environment.
You can also take a tour of St Luke’s - a 'demonstrator church' - that has just undergone a renovation project to decarbonise its heating, install solar PV and switch to LED lighting, plus lots more.
If you are unable to attend, the conference will be livestreamed, and a recording made available afterwards.
Click for more information and to book
Get informed
Join the Big Switch Campaign
God calls us to care for His creation and to love our global neighbours.
This Creationtide, the national church is encouraging all churches to consider switching to a green energy tariff.
If every church switched, it could reduce the Church’s carbon emissions by up to 78%, helping lead the way towards a cleaner, fairer future for all.
So could your church join the movement and make the pledge to move to a green tariff?
Find out more, visit: www.churchofengland.org/the-big-switch
Get going
Photo: Energy Footprint Tool
Energy Footprint Tool webinar (23 September, 7pm, online)
You've completed your Energy Footprint Tool, what next?
Join Kayleigh Ward, Net Zero Adviser for the Diocese of Rochester, for a session about what to do with the information in your report, what funding is available to you, and what support the Net Zero team can offer.
An hour-long session with plenty of time for questions.
Eco Church support
A Rocha UK's Eco Church scheme equips churches in England and Wales to care for creation.
Through its free online survey, Eco Church provides a framework to support your church and its leadership to take practical action on caring for God’s earth, through the Eco Church survey. The survey covers five key areas of church life:
- Worship and teaching
- Buildings and energy
- Land and nature
- Community and global engagement
- Lifestyle
The survey will guide you and help you assess your progress towards a Bronze, Silver or Gold Eco Church award status.
Photo: The Holy Redeemer Lamorbey's Gold Eco Church certificate
With many bronze, silver – and now 2 gold churches – within the diocese, Eco Church can help you embed creation care into the life and worship of your church community.
Whether you have not yet started, got a little stuck, or just need some tips and encouragement, please contact Kayleigh, Net Zero Adviser for the Diocese of Rochester, who will be very happy to support you along the way.
Please email: kayleigh.ward@rochester.anglican.org
Want more?
- Prayers and liturgy - Check out these prayer and worship materials to use throughout Creationtide. Click here
- Books and podcasts - The Diocese’s Net Zero Team has selected some of their favourite resources to help us grow in our knowledge of, prayer for, and support of, the environment in our day to day lives. Find them in the latest edition of Together magazine
- Great stories - Be inspired and encouraged by some of the local eco stories from around the diocese. Watch here
- Share your news - we would love to hear the steps - big and small - you and your church are taking to care for God’s creation. Please get in contact at: communications@rochester.anglican.org