“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea tell you. Every one of these knows that the hand of the Lord has done this. The life of every creature and the breath of all people are in God’s hand” Job 12:7-10 (NCV)

ECO Church is about connecting our faith to our concern for the environment. 

Our activities centre largely around our beautiful churchyard where we are creating a wildlife haven and contemplative space. 

CHILDREN'S PRAYER GARDEN:  
The children of our church family loved planning and creating their own garden in the church grounds. This then became the site where the young families gathered for outdoor worship during August 2022. Our beautiful garden includes, raised beds to grow seasonal flowers, vegetables and herbs, recycled materials such as tyres (retrieved from the Poole recycling Centre) and pre-loved welly boots - both items are used as planters. We also made use of some logs from a tree that had recently been chopped down, to make a border for the entrance of our garden. The garden includes a wonderful bug hotel, an apple tree that we planted, a well, bird feeders (which the squirrels love to get involved with), a frog house and a bird drinking bowl. We also have a regular robin who comes to visit the garden. We have recently expanded the area to create a more natural play area for the children where they have built a den and we have incorporated a mud kitchen. This children's area is an ongoing creative space and project and is being added to all the time.  

OUTDOOR WORSHIP: During August 2022 we took Church outside, gathering at the Children's prayer garden to enjoy fellowship with each other. Using nature inspired, child friendly liturgy and activities we drew closer to God and each other.  

TODDLER LEARNING: During the summer term 2023 our Church Toddler group have been learning about taking care of God's Creation.  Our little ones, and their families, have been learning about the animals we share our Churchyard with, climbing trees, going on a bug hunt, litter picking around the grounds, learning how to recycle and looking at cleaning up our oceans. We also made wild seed bombs and a wood pile by collecting lots of sticks and branches. All our crafts have been related to the topics and have been made out of recycled materials. 

 

HEDGEHOG HOUSE:  On a very wet afternoon during the Easter holidays some of the young families enjoyed a wonderful session with Daniel from the Parks Foundation who came to teach us about hedgehogs. We made hedgehogs out of clay and sticks and then Daniel helped us make a hedgehog house which we positioned in the church grounds.

 

TREE PLANTING: As part of our Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, the children planted a tree as part of the Queen's Canopy project. 

 

BAT PARTY:  In partnership with the Bats in Churches project and thanks to a gift from them, we held a Bat party for the children of our church and community, with their families, to come and learn about the Bats that roost in our church. Children came dressed in batman costumes, we made bat boxes, and we finished with a batman decorated tea party. We also had Bat pinatas and went home with bat filled goody bags. 
                    
Photo above: BAT PARTY 

Churches complete the unique online Eco Survey about how they are caring for God’s earth in different areas of their life and work. The answers a church provides will collect points towards an Eco-Church Award – the more your church does, the more points you get!

If your score doesn’t gain you an Eco-Church Award straight away don’t worry – the idea is to complete further actions in order to gain the points necessary for an Award. For example, you can switch to a green energy company or start using Fairtrade tea and coffee supplies to gain Eco-Church Award points.

The survey takes you through five key areas of church life:

• Worship and teaching
• Management of church buildings
• Management of church land
• Community and global engagement
• Lifestyle

There are three levels of Eco-Church Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold. In order to qualify for an Award you must attain the required standard in each of the areas covered by the Eco Survey that apply to your church (some churches do not have buildings or land). Once your Award is confirmed, you will receive a certificate and plaque from A Rocha UK to mark your achievement.