Talking Faith, Talking Creation: Mersey Synod Meeting looks at faith and the environment
Caption: Anne Perry, Director, Faiths4Change presents Understanding Climate Justice, Taking Action at the March Mersey Synod 2024
Our theme at the March Mersey Synod Meeting, held at Trinity URC Wigan, was ‘Talking Faith, Talking Creation’ and we looked at how faith informs our approach and attitude to the environment. We also celebrated the news that URC Mersey Synod has achieved both the Bronze Eco Synod Award and the Bronze Eco Church Award Certificate.
Eco themed workshops at the Synod Meeting included sharing ideas and successes from Synod Community Church Gardens, looking at Where to begin the Eco Journey, Lobbying MPs, and Understanding Climate Justice, Taking Action.
The workshops helped those across Synod to discover more of what the bible says about how we look after God’s creation as well as what it means to be a part of the created order.
The idea is to become more confident about environmental issues and able to talk confidently about why looking after creation matters but also be inspired to implement changes in your own lifestyle to help become more eco-friendly.
Revd Geoff Felton, Moderator for Mersey Synod, welcomed everyone to the Synod meeting: “It gives me great delight to read through the reports and discover some of the things happening across the Synod.
“The Talking Faith initiative continues to encourage and raise challenges. Could I encourage all our local churches to ask the question ‘How are we encouraging one another to talk faith’?
“This initiative has been picked up by other Synods and as they recognise the need to talk faith, they are exploring how it can be rolled out in their own contexts. It feels like God is on the move.
“Finally, can I thank all the volunteers here at Trinity Wigan for hosting us today and for all they continue to do to be good news in their community.”
Caption: Images below were taken at Mersey March Synod by Revd Geoff Felton
Eco Awards
The Bronze Eco Synod Award was achieved in recognition of the Synod’s efforts to care for God’s earth in its work.
The Bronze Eco Church Award Certificate was given in recognition of the Synod’s efforts to care for God’s earth in the following areas:
· Worship and Teaching
· Management of Buildings and Land
· Community and Global Engagement
· Lifestyle
You can read and consider the URC Mersey's Environmental Policy, and Objectives . If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with our Green Apostle Richard Pearce Greenapostle@urcmerseysynod.org.uk
The URC Environmental Policy encourages local churches in England and Wales to achieve Eco Church status and progress through the award levels, and Synods in England and Wales to develop and implement plans to progress through the Eco Synod award levels.
The URC worked with A Rocha UK to develop Eco Synod as a tool by which Synods can encourage local churches to engage in wider creation care. The two awards are designed to complement each other, encouraging both Synod-level and local church-level engagement with Eco Church.
Find out more at ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/eco-synod
MERSEY DOES MERCY
A reminder was also given to sign up for this important event. The Mersey does Mercy event on Saturday 11th May 2024 at Hoole URC is a perfect opportunity to renew your engagement with global justice.
But what does that mean for churches across Mersey Synod and what will happen at the event to support this? Please read the below link for more information.
EVENT FEATURE: WHAT IS COMMITMENT FOR LIFE AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MY CHURCH? — URC Mersey (urcmerseysynod.org.uk)