On 18 September, Bishop Nick Holtam (C of E spokesperson for the Environment) preached at a Diocesan wide service celebrating creation tide. In opening, and reflecting on the pause that covid-19 has given us, he said; “… the care of God’s creation is global and requires us to act together.  In these strange times we have felt the earth breathe and the air clear, a bit like a Jubilee for the earth, a sabbath rest, slowing the pace of life and limiting our consumption.”

Our Diocese in Europe is on a journey, to take Bishop Nick’s words, to heart collectively. In 2018 we began encouraging chaplaincies to embrace ARocha’s ‘eco-church’ auditing scheme, so that all of our church communities can work towards a more eco-friendly place in the world. Our aim is to become an ‘eco-diocese’.

We have recently held our first Diocesan wide Creationtide service celebrating the beauty of God’s gift of our world and reminding ourselves of our part to be played in its care and nurture.  About 135 people took part worshipping God together from all over Europe, representing many different Christian communities.   There's a story in the October issue of European Anglicans on the service.

We have a growing Diocesan network of environmental representatives for each archdeaconry whose work is to spread the good news of our eco-journey together. We are forming a group to steer our Diocesan response to the General Synod’s call for a net zero carbon footprint by 2030. This will involve changes in the way we view our buildings, our travel, and our discipleship as good stewards of God’s generosity in creation.

Archdeacon David Waller