Eco Group
The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. (Psalm 24:1)
What is the Eco Group?
The group are committed to increasing awareness about how we can all make changes that will contribute to greater care for creation in our own lifestyle choices as well as at Church
The group members are Alistair Baillie, Adrian and Judith Collings, Catherine Field, Andy and Rhoda Schofield and Catherine White.
Creation Care at St Johns
Caring for creation is an essential part of worshipping God and loving our neighbours as ourselves.
St John’s was awarded the Bronze Eco Church award from A Rocha in 2021. A Rocha’s Eco Church programme helps equip churches to care for Creation by providing a framework and ideas to improve our carbon footprint. This includes Worship and teaching, Church buildings, global and community engagement and Church family lifestyle.
We’re on a journey towards the Silver award, a mark of our commitment to improving our care of Creation.
Ideas to reduce your plastic usage
The results of the Big Plastic count are in : https://thebigplasticcount.com/results
Here are some ways to avoid clingwrap:
wrap items in baking foil. Foil can also be washed and reused,
use a bowl in the fridge with a plate inverted over it to store leftover food;
using beeswax wraps to wrap food. If you haven’t come across these before, they consist of pieces of fabric coated in bees wax, which are available in different sizes. They can be washed and reused many times to wrap food or cover food containers. They’re also easy to make yourself, using old clothes.
Can you think of any other ways of reducing plastic waste in the kitchen? if, so please share with the Eco Group
Lifesteyle Audit - review your eco wellbeing
We're committed to increasing awareness about how we can all make changes that will contribute to greater care for creation.
It’s not always easy to know where to start, or how to get buy-in from other members of the household! So, we have compiled a lifestyle audit to help each of us to review where we are at in caring for creation.
It should take you about 5-10 minutes to complete the audit. It will help you identify where you are doing well and many of the questions will provide you with easy ideas for changes you could make to improve.
Eco Tips
Help to reduce food waste: Have you tried the app toogoodtogo.com which helps reduce food waste? You can buy leftover food in your local area for a bargain price from restaurants, cafes and shops. Reducing food waste is good for the planet and you can benefit too.
Take a wildlife quiz. From cool questions on the coldest regions to testing for knowledge on the deep blue sea, learn something new about nature alone or with your family with WWF’s selection of fun quizzes.
Read a book SOS: What you can do to reduce climate change – simple actions that make a difference. By Seth Wynes (Paperback – 11 July 2019 RRP £7.99.)
Here’s a helpful introduction to climate change in the form of a small paperback that’s written in everyday language for the ordinary reader. The book is based on research into what the most effective actions we as individuals can take to make an impact on climate change. Sections include Introduction, Getting around, What we eat, Collective action, Everyday living. The book’s message is both inspiring and empowering. NB Start with the introduction.
Note: please consult your doctor before making any major changes to your diet.
Have you got questions?
If you still have questions about St Johns and Creation care contact ecogroup@stjohnsharborne.org.
