Being an Eco Church: It's easier than you think!

Salvationist catches up with four corps on their Eco Church journeys.

Beccles

How are you finding the processes involved in being an Eco Church?

Our church and community are a hive of activity, so it can be hard to find time to complete the online surveys from A Rocha UK in such a busy place. That doesn’t stop us striving to be more environmentally friendly.

How are your corps and community engaged in caring for creation?

We believe in leading by example – so we’d like to think this transfers into people’s personal spaces too. There has to be a willingness to go the extra mile to care for creation.

Have you made progress as an Eco Church?

Definitely. We’ve made good progress since our Bronze award. We’re praying that a new boiler/heating system will be installed at our corps and that we may then qualify for Silver.

What could help you on your journey?

We’re always in need of more volunteers, especially in the garden we’re so blessed to have. We’re thankful for our community and all their input to support what we do.

Penzance

Have you made progress as an Eco Church?

In February 2024, we received a Bronze award, recognising our efforts to encourage environmental responsibility among everyone who uses our hall, including weekly group users. We installed LED lighting, which has reduced greenhouse gas emissions. We’ve also seen significant improvements in recycling, including food waste. We plan to conduct another eco survey in 2026.

How are your corps and community engaged in caring for creation?

Our new courtyard garden, The Sanctuary, provides a peaceful space that attracts birds, insects and butterflies. It has had a profound impact on wellbeing for all. We are now preparing to plant bulbs and other plants.

Redbridge borough

How are you finding the processes involved in being an Eco Church?

The eco surveys from A Rocha UK are great as they show us ways to do things and remind us of what we can do. We completed surveys for Ilford and Woodford, and both have been awarded Silver. We are about to reclaim another space at the side of the hall at Ilford, to grow herbs for cooking classes and our brunch drop-in. We have a new community garden at Woodford and are working on an ecumenical environmental project. We have also grown vegetables in the garden at Malachi Place.

How are your corps and community engaged in caring for creation?

There is a massive shift in thinking, culture and how we do everything, especially among staff and volunteers. We’re also aware that, as we embrace the territorial mission priorities, it needs the same amount of focus as the others.

Have you made progress as an Eco Church?

We’ve moved from Bronze to Silver and set up a team for Eco Church matters.

What could help you on your journey?

The surveys are great for making you think and see what you can do. We encourage people to do them!

Southport

How are you finding the processes involved in being an Eco Church?

We have achieved our Silver award. The Bronze survey was relatively straightforward. With a bit of effort, some intentional teaching and mindful behaviour, it didn’t take too much work to achieve. Silver was a bigger challenge and we continue to think about how we use our buildings, land, energy and products. Is it easy toe let bad habits kick in – we have a small team who are trying to maintain momentum!

How are your corps and community engaged in caring for creation?

Caring for creation doesn’t have to be complicated. Small actions make a big difference. The latest change in law about recycling has certainly helped and people are becoming more mindful of how to dispose of and recycle waste. Composting has become much more of a habit in our kitchen and coffee shop, with coffee grinds and vegetable peelings heading straight to the garden!

Have you made progress as an Eco Church?

Gold is more of a challenge and requires significant work. Equally, it is easy to become complacent, thinking that Silver is good enough. However, we are determined and passionate about becoming the best we can be, so Gold is the goal! 

What could help you on your journey?

Trying to garner support from a wide team of people is vital. This isn’t a one-person project; it's a collective responsibility. Our next step is to work on ingraining eco habits in the daily lives of people inside and outside our corps building. It’s about helping people see that this is an expression of our discipleship and needs to be lived out seven days a week.