Four new Eco Chaplains were commissioned by the Bishop of Thetford at Cathedral Evensong on Sunday 22 June.
Norman Johnson, Sam Ruddock, Richard Beach, and James Lee have been trained, to help parishes embed creation care in their mission and ministry, through worship, witness, teaching, pastoral care, discipleship, witness, buildings and land across the diocese.
The primary purpose of this voluntary role is to encourage and support churches to respond to the climate and ecological crisis, by advocating for environmental action, resourcing others, and helping churches on their Eco Church and net zero journey.
The Revd Peter Doll, Vice-Dean and Canon Librarian delivered the sermon on the centrality of creation care in our expression of Christian faith. Bishop Ian charged the Chaplains to be “encouragers and supporters of churches as they seek to respond to the climate and ecological crises.” Each Chaplain was gifted with a hazel sapling as a symbol of their growth in this new area of ministry. Also, because Mother Julian of Norwich, the fourteenth century mystic, held a hazel nut in the palm of her hand and three truths were revealed to her about all that God has made: “The first is that God made it; The second is that God loves it; The third is that God looks after it”. The complete service sheet can be downloaded HERE James was unable to attend the service, but was prayed for and commissioned in his absence!
The Dean kindly hosted a small reception in his garden following the commissioning for the Eco Chaplains and their families and supporters from their parishes.
The role is supported by the Diocesan Environment Officer and Net Zero Adviser, the Environment and Net Zero Working Groups, and means being the ‘port of call’ in their area for parishes who would like further help as they take action on climate change. If you’re not sure if they cover your area, do check with Barbara or Ed first. You can find out a little more about each Eco Chaplain below, along with their contact email.
Norman Johnson
Norman is an LLM in the Heart of Norfolk benefice. He will be available to support parishes in West and Mid-Norfolk. “I have a long time interest in ecology and it was part of my studies for an Open University BSc. I firmly believe that the Church should be a leader in environmental concerns. For too long our faith has been humancentric and we need to return to Old Testament values of stewardship and remember we are part of creation not above it.” Norman can be contacted at: nwjohnson@btinternet.com
James Lee
James is a recent graduate in Environmental Science from the UEA. He worships at EAST church (St Thomas, Norwich). He will be available to support parishes in the greater Norwich area. “As Christians we are called to be the light of Jesus to all creation. As we do this we get to see people and nature come to life once more and begin to become all they were created to be. I have experienced this in my own journey with Jesus, and it excites me so much that I now get to participate in this adventure!” James can be contacted at: james.lee@weareeast.church
Sam Ruddock
Sam is currently an ordinand in training, based at St Matthew’s, Thorpe Hamlet. He will be available to support parishes in the greater Norwich area. “Eco Chaplaincy is a response to the groaning of creation; a call to shepherd nature and people toward God’s healing and goodness. Environmental respect has been at the centre of my work for decades. I believe in the jubilee imperative toward environmental stewardship and social justice. The environment is at the heart of my faith: in the quiet liturgy of the woods, the whisper of the wind through stone chapels, in the Godly love of animals, and the indwelling presence of God in every person. This vocation is a covenant—to bear witness to the divine in every living thing, and to walk with all of humanity in reverent response to the cry of the Earth.” Sam can be contacted at: samruddock@hotmail.com
Richard Beach
Richard is in Newton Flotman, and runs the Climate Care group there. He will be available to support parishes primarily in the Depwade Deanery and surrounding localities. “I love the natural world and believe it is God’s gift to us. Caring for creation should be part of our love and worship of God. Climate breakdown is terribly unjust- the poorest suffer – as Christians we should oppose injustice.” Richard can be contacted at: richard.beach1508@gmail.com