13 Eco Mission Enablers have pledged to promote environmental projects across the diocese at a special service.
The Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, said: “It was so incredibly hopeful and encouraging to commission our first 13 Eco Mission Enablers during Creationtide at a beautiful service of Evensong at Ripon Cathedral on the day we remembered the King’s Accession.
“He too, like them, has been a leader on Climate Change and environmental care for many years. The 13 Eco Mission Enablers - a first for the diocese and we believe the Church of England - have all completed the Gold Saving Creation course and pledged to take a lead on environmental mission in the diocese.
“Between them they have a wealth of expertise and passion and in response to God’s call on their lives they are ready and willing to share this in a variety of ways, including preaching and teaching, to inspire and help others. It is truly a joy to bless them on the next phase of their journey and I look forward to travelling with them in their newly formed learning community,” said Bishop Anna.
Our new Eco Mission Enablers have interest and experience in biodiversity, birds, land and nature. Climate adaptation and resilience; Eco Spirituality, worship, theology and Eco Church; climate justice, campaigning and activism; soil, permaculture, food and health; carbon literacy, heating systems and sustainable buildings; and eco community projects, events and exhibitions. The Saving Creation course they completed was written by Revd Jan Goodair, along with Revd Ruth Newton supported by Jemima Parker, Diocesan Environment Officer and Revd Helen Collings, Diocesan Lay Training Team Leader.
The course was written and piloted by Diocese of Leeds for the Church of England and this ground-breaking material is now available for all CofE dioceses to work with, should they wish.
Find out more about training to be an Eco Mission Enabler in the Diocese of Leeds here
The commissioning service took place against the back-drop of a free exhibition in the cathedral that runs until September 29 and which illustrates how a number of churches in our diocese are faithfully seeking to respond to the threat of climate change.
The exhibition presents the stories of about one fifth of the 89 churches across the diocese which have achieved their bronze, silver or gold Eco Church awards.
It was organised by Ros Swaney and Dorothy Gray in conjunction with Canon Matthew Pollard, the Canon Chancellor of the cathedral holding as part of his portfolio the Net
Zero agenda and is just one example of the activities Eco Mission Enablers get involved in, both Ros and Dorothy being based in the cathedral worshipping community.