Environment
Caring for the whole of creation is part of who we are as Christians.
It is part of one of the strategic priorities in our Diocesan Vision: We will work to ensure that ecological concerns are integral to our life together as we care for our single island planet home.
It is named as one of the Anglican five marks of mission: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
As a Diocese we have made a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030 in line with the national Church of England commitment. We are also working on broader environmental commitments through the Eco Church Award scheme. We were awarded our Bronze Eco-Diocese award in November 2023 and are now working towards Silver.
We see the environment as underpinning all Christian mission and ministry. As we share Good News against the backdrop of climate and nature crises, we need to be able to express the hope that our faith in Christ brings, and how it enables us to move beyond despair to action. We also need to consider the negative impact that climate changes has on the world’s poorest, sometimes called ‘climate justice.’ Human concerns too drive us to care for the home that feeds us. This means that the environment is not one competing priority among many but the backdrop to all our concerns.
Eco News sign up
Subscribe to our EcoNews emailed newsletter. This ad-hoc publication keeps you up to date with latest resources, news about our Eco Forums and encouraging environmental stories from around the diocese. Click on the link to subscribe and to view past issues.
Eco Forums
Eco Forums are held three or four times a year, in-person on online. They are for everyone on the creation care journey to join, to learn together and share ideas and enthusiasm. You can view past online Forums here.
Eco Chaplaincy training - is God calling you?
We’re building a network of chaplains across the diocese. If you’re already a parish Eco Rep, this will really simply mean sharing your experience with churches in a wider area. Could God be calling you?
The primary purpose of this voluntary role is to encourage and support churches to respond to the climate an ecological crisis, by advocating for environmental action, resourcing others, and helping churches on their Eco Church and net zero journey. The role is supported by the Diocesan Environment Officer and Net Zero Carbon Adviser.
The next training course takes place over Wednesdays 17 & 24 June, from 1:30 – 3:30pm in central Norwich. The training sessions will cover the theological context of our climate and biodiversity crises, our missional response to them, and how to signpost parishes to practical support on working towards net zero, improving biodiversity and progressing through the Eco Church survey.
For a more details of what the role commitment and responsibilities are, please see the role description HERE and/or contact Barbara.bryant@dioceseofnorwich.org 07876 634867 for a chat.
You’ll need to be able to commit to attending both dates, but do not need to commit to the role until after training is completed. You will need to have the agreement of your parish priest/incumbent. Please contact Barbara if you would like to book onto the course.
Environment News
Events
Useful external links:
Church of England Environment Programme
We believe that responding to the climate crisis is an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God's creation and achieve a just world.
Green Christian
We are a community of ordinary Christians from all backgrounds and traditions. Inspired by our faith, we work to care for Creation through prayer, living simply, public witness, campaigning and mutual encouragement.
A Rocha UK
A Rocha UK is part of the international A Rocha family, a network of Christian organisations present in more than 20 countries in six continents.