Revd Sam Ruddock never expected to become a priest, or an eco chaplain, but said: “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.”
For 20 years the new Wymondham Abbey curate was a bookseller, festival programmer and event producer, until he was called to faith and then ministry.
“I believe that the good news of Jesus is good news for all of the earth’s creatures and ecosystems, including humans.
“Eco Chaplaincy is a response to the groaning of creation; a call to shepherd nature and people toward God’s healing and goodness,” he said. “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.”
As Wymondham works towards becoming a gold award eco-church he hopes to ensure environmental concern is integral to every area of his ministry. He will also support eco projects in other churches.
And Sam, who is married to Megan, said: “The challenge is far from hopeless. We live in a time where we have to hold many truths at once: the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss are real and growing, the progress we have already taken is real and growing, and we need to push even harder in the future. This is the time for legends to arise, who can lead us into the better future that is possible and within our grasp, if only they can tell the story of our journey to becoming the good stewards that God created us to be.”
Find out more about Eco Chaplaincy here: Eco Chaplaincy training – is God calling you?