Last autumn marked a significant milestone for Eco Church as we celebrated the achievement of 2,000 awarded churches since the program’s launch in 2016. Just one year on, we have now surpassed 3,000 awarded churches!
Most recently, Holy Redeemer Church in Lamorbey secured the 41st Gold award. Holy Redeemer’s ‘Nature’s Haven’ front garden has become a cherished retreat for church members, the local community and wildlife. A mini oasis in the suburbs, the garden boasts a remembrance area, a prayer trail, bug hotels, hedgehog houses fashioned from recycled materials, mini-ponds in repurposed washing-up bowls, an undisturbed grass wildlife area, and a meticulously planned mowing and watering regime. Additionally, a disused strip of land has been transformed into an allotment enjoyed by a nursery group involved in planting and cooking their harvest. Church members shared, “At Holy Redeemer, everything we do aims to restore and rebalance what has upset the diversity of God’s Creation. Our garden is hope in action.”
In October, nearly a third of the congregation greeted the Gold Award Assessment Team, guiding A Rocha UK representatives through the delightful church garden and grounds and passionately sharing about their transformative journey as an Eco Church since registering in 2016. The harmonious melody of birdsong from various feeders in the church garden accompanied the group and evidenced how integral the creation care ethos is to Holy Redeemer’s church life.
Their story exemplifies how churches progressing through the awards are making a tangible impact on nature, aligning with A Rocha UK’s vision of having “at least 25% of churches in England and Wales engaged in deliberate and ongoing action to care for nature practically on church premises, in the community, and by using their voice.”
The pursuit of awards, especially the Silver and Gold tiers, serves as a benchmark for continued practical care for nature, especially when governmental initiatives seem less inclined to prioritise this cause. Thus, our second goal, to witness “12% of total churches in England and Wales awarded with at least a Bronze award by the end of 2025,” is as crucial as the first.
By acting collectively, churches across the UK can significantly impact nature, maintaining the integrity to continually advocate for others to do the same.
*The total number of awards made exceeds 3589, as some churches have multiple awards.
Head to our Eco Church stories page here for more inspiring Eco Church examples and stories.
Image below: members of Holy Redeemer’s Green team
