In recognition of their commitment to live and work more sustainably, the community at St Stephen’s Church in Steeton have been given the bronze Eco-Church award from A Rocha UK.
The award covers areas of church life such as the management and maintenance of church buildings and land, engagement with the local community and global environmental campaigns and also the environmental impact of the personal lifestyles within the congregations.
Dr Tom Chilton, the church’s environmental officer and member of their ministry team, said, “I am absolutely delighted that our church has been given this award! We have an active Eco Team that has looked in detail at all aspects of our church life, and I’m pleased to say that our work has been recognised by this national scheme.
“The challenge now, for our church community, is to do more and more, moving from bronze to silver and gold! The problems facing our planet can feel immense, but we can all do our bit to help. And we’d love to be able to help people in our community to do something positive to reduce their environmental impact.”
Presenting the award to St Stephen’s Eco Team, the Reverend Anthony Bennett, a temporary priest working with the church, said, “It’s wonderful to have been able to present the Eco Team with this award. They’re a dedicated bunch of people with big ideas about how to tackle climate change in their church.
"With the Church of England’s commitment to become net carbon zero by 2030, we need all our churches to rise to the challenge. We need the big ideas! We need the dreams being dreamed at St Stephen’s.”
As part of their harvest celebrations on Sunday, October 2, from 11 am, St Stephen’s are planning a special day focussed on some of those big ideas. If you’d like to help St Stephen’s on their eco journey, or learn about the things you can do to live more sustainably, why not go along? To find out more please contact Tom Chilton at St Stephen’s, by phone on 07821 955885 or email docno2020@gmail.com, or check out the church’s website at www.ststephenschurchsteeton.com.
For further information on the Eco Church awards programme, managed by the Christian charity ‘A Rocha UK,’ please visit www.ecochurch.org.uk.