The Methodist Church celebrates 100th Eco Church award and, two more Eco church gold award announcements

A Rocha UK is delighted to celebrate the Methodist Church’s 100th awarded church – Wellspring Church, Wirksworth – a Methodist and Baptist Local Ecumenical Partnership which recently achieved a Silver Eco Church award.

A further celebration for the Methodists is the achievement of a 2nd Gold award, this time for Romsey Methodist Church. The church’s activities have included everything from Green Fairs to Curious Cafe talks, a significant Renewal project (of their spiritual foundations as well as their built ones), engagement with their MP undertaking practical conservation projects, and work in collaboration with others across their community. This includes Transition Town Romsey, the Test Valley Borough Council and providing encouragement to other churches such as The United Church, Winchester who recently gained an award on their Eco Church journey. 

The Methodist Church centrally has provided significant long-term financial support towards the running of Eco Church since it was launched four and a half years ago. Without this the scheme simply could not have developed as fast as it has to the benefit of all denominations.  We are delighted to see local Methodist churches making excellent use of the scheme, and innovating in such an inspiring way. 

Continuing the Gold theme, St Mary’s Church, Beaminster have just become our 12th Gold awarded church. Their weekly intercessions include prayers about environmental issues and they are supporting a local Special School in their work towards a Silver Eco Schools award. Like Romsey Methodist, they also work extensively with others including Transition Town Bridport and Turn Lyme Green (to a plastic free town).This is exactly what Eco Church is about – well done to all involved at both Romsey Methodist and St Mary’s churches. 

Finally, just a reminder that we are now receiving award applications and new registrations on the EC app again. Thank you for bearing with us while we were offline for further development work.