Diocese of Chichester

The day opened with worship led by the Revd Zoe Eborn, curate at St Peter’s, who led the church’s inspiring young choristers drawn from local schools. 

Polly Eaton, Eco Diocese Officer at A Rocha UK, followed with a compelling and urgent message about the need to raise our voices for the sake of God’s creation. She spoke passionately about the climate crisis and the role each of us can play: “We don’t have to do it all, but we all do need to do something.”

A wide range of workshops, expertly led, helped participants explore practical ways to engage with environmental stewardship. Topics included Net Zero Buildings, Climate Stewards, Eco Church Awards, Communicating about the Climate Crisis, Race, Climate and Survival, a meditative walk in St Peter’s churchyard, caring for oceans, seas and rivers, and a fundraising display from the Friends of St Nicholas’ Children’s Centre in Nakuru, Kenya.

The team at St Peter’s, Bexhill, offered a warm welcome and generous hospitality throughout the day. Local organisations and charities also hosted informative stalls, including Christian Aid and Bexhill Environmental Group, whose display highlighted local projects and opportunities for involvement. Energise Sussex Coast shared practical energy-saving advice, while Green Christian offered prayerful support and encouragement.

Gareth Martin, Diocesan Net Zero Carbon Officer, said: “Climate change is a major threat to God’s creation and the interconnected world on which we all rely. The Environment Day was an excellent opportunity for us to share experience across the Diocese in how we can respond to the climate challenge. One tangible action is to improve the heating and lighting in our church buildings which, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, can make them more comfortable and welcoming. Such practical actions can be visible demonstrations to our local communities of hope in the future.”

Judith Rigby from St Michael and All Angels Church in Bexhill said: “It was a fantastic day. It helped me to understand my carbon footprint and also to understand the struggles with our global neighbours. There was much to take away. Thank you.”

John Huggins, an ordained member of St Leonard’s and St Lukes, Seaford, said his interest in eco-church lay in his concern about the climate crisis, and a believe that Christian theology calls us to be active in engaging constructively with the problem.

John has completed some research about why a subset of Christians are involved and active in this area, with his sights set on a university PhD and a book. He said the goal is to tap into a wellspring of ideas to engage more in the church, to become active in their care and action regarding the environment, particularly focussing on the challenges currently happening because of global warming.

“I thought the Environment Day in Bexhill was excellent, because it involved a range of talks and activities, engaging our minds, our willingness to act (with ideas on how) and our hearts. It also gave us opportunities to network, which was particularly helpful. The diocesan net zero officer was there to point the way towards help for parishes, and the ALM scheme for training lay people to minister with an eye to the environment was also mentioned. However, I suspect that many incumbents need more help to engage with this area, because past training would almost certainly not have equipped them to deal with challenges in this area, theologically or practically.

The Revd Buff Stone, Diocesan Environment Officer, said: “As the climate and nature crisis deepens, with some of the most powerful in the world turning away from their responsibility to address the harm humanity has caused, our responsibility before God to care for all creation and especially those most impacted by catastrophic weather events, crop failures, water shortages, and the loss of homes and livelihoods, increases. So our work to help the whole Church engage with the climate and nature crisis through prayer, action and advocacy continues.”

A Rocha UK’s Eco Church programme supports churches of all denominations to care for creation. It provides a practical framework through an online survey covering five key areas: worship and teaching, buildings and energy, land and nature, community and global engagement, and lifestyle. Churches can work towards Bronze, Silver or Gold Eco Church awards as they grow in their commitment.

Eco Church continues to grow as more congregations seek to demonstrate their love for God’s earth. Often, it begins with a small group or even one individual taking the first step.

For those looking to start or develop this work, support is available through the Parish Environment Support Network in the Diocese of Chichester, led by Revd Buff Stone. This online community meets monthly, alternating between daytime and evening sessions, and offers encouragement, resources and shared learning.

Upcoming opportunities include:

• Parish Environment Support Network meetings (next: 6 July, 7pm) Follow the link here
• “Getting going with Eco Church” sessions (3 August, 2pm; 3 September, 7pm)
• “Going for Silver” (5 October, 2pm) and “Going for Gold” (2 November, 7pm)
• Carbon Literacy™ training (30 June; 7, 14 and 21 July, 7–9pm) Follow the link here

All are welcome to take part and continue the journey of caring for God’s creation.

More photos from the Environment Day in Bexhill can be found on our Facebook post and below is a short video giving a flavour of the day accompanied by the singing from the youth choir.