One of our Ripon area churches has become the 67th church in England and Wales to be awarded the A Rocha Gold Eco Church award.
The Priory Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert, Bolton Abbey was given the award, reflecting their commitment to walk in step with nature and put creation care at the heart of what they do.
The Priory Church, falling within the Bolton Abbey Estate, has taken advantage of their opportunity to share the eco message with thousands of visitors each year.
They have made a big effort and have plans for more ways to do this, including a leaflet and information boards outside outlining eco and heritage points of interest.
Their ‘Liquid Worship’ service for children is another way they explore creation care, especially with younger members of the congregation.
Fairtrade and locally produced items are available for sale at the church, and the heating system for the Grade I listed building has been upgraded, moving away from fossil fuel to a renewable source of heating.
The Revd Nicholas Mercer, Rector of Bolton Abbey, said: “Since I arrived at Bolton Priory in 2019, stewardship of God’s creation has been one of our chosen marks of mission.
“In this time of climate crisis, I wanted Bolton Priory to model responsible stewardship of God’s creation and serve as an example to the many visitors we receive each year.
“We are very proud to have been awarded Eco Church Gold Standard.”
The Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon and responsible for the environmental portfolio in our diocese, said: "Bolton Priory's gold award is a wonderful achievement, not least to show what is possible in an ancient, grade 1 listed church building.
“It is also a glorious demonstration of holding the heritage of the past in harmony with the mission of the church now and into the future as God's people in this place continue to share God's love and compassion locally and globally.
“Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make this happen."
With over 4,000 Eco Churches awarded, the gold award is a prestigious and impressive achievement.
A Rocha UK aims to equip churches and individuals to create a movement to help restore biodiversity at a local level in this critical decade for the climate.
Now in its ninth year, the Eco Church award scheme brings together a national community of churches addressing the environmental crisis, using a common framework and an online toolkit to learn and speak up together.
There are now over 8,000 churches registered with Eco Church, and by 2025 A Rocha UK aims to engage at least 10,000 churches in ongoing efforts to protect nature and address climate change through the free program.
Helen Stephens, Church Relations Manager for A Rocha UK, explained: “Our huge congratulations to The Priory Church at Bolton Abbey on their well-deserved gold Eco Church award.
“Becoming a gold Eco Church is not an easy journey and they are an example of the dedication and perseverance that is required to reach this accolade.
“By remaining focussed on the biblical mandate to care for God’s creation and love your neighbour we hope other churches will join them in taking action to care for this amazing world.
“We wish them all the best as they celebrate their award.”