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April 2007
Creation Challenge newsletter
Welcome to the April edition of Creation Challenge!
Soon the Church will again be remembering the events of that first Easter – the desolation of the cross and the renewal of the resurrection – and in that story we can declare the hope we have in our Creator God for the sustaining of Creation and reflect upon our role in both its harm and harmony.
In our last issue there was a lot for you to respond to. The level of response on the logo and questionnaire has so far been rather thin on the ground. We thank those that have responded and are giving everyone else another opportunity to do so! The reference group for Creation Challenge is due to meet on Wednesday April 18th so it would be great to receive any comments you have before then.
As always we want to hear any other news, tips, experiences or questions that you would like to share where churches' and your own engagement with the environment are concerned.
Best wishes,
Dave Coaker
Creation Challenge, Coordinator (acting)
Network
Creation Challenge – logo: We’ve managed to get our name sorted, but we'd like a logo to go with it! The following are some rough ideas which we'd like you to comment on. Look through them and email in your thoughts or any designs of your own. Our thanks go to David Jolly and his students for these ideas.
Questionnaire: To help us develop the network we would really appreciate your feedback. If you could take a few moments to fill in the following, and maybe a bit longer for some of the open questions, to help us make the network work better for you!
Church Action
Read about St Andrew's Methodist Church in Worcester, an Eco-congregation Award winner, on the local BBC website here.
The Church Times Green Church Awards: Why not give your projects some publicity by entering your church for an award? Key players in the Christian environmental movement have come together – not least for the sake of the world’s poorest people – to acknowledge the outstanding action already being undertaken by many churches. With awards in several different areas there is something for everyone here.
Tips/Resources
Need a speaker about climate change? Try www.climate-speakers.org.uk which is a site set up by Climate Concern UK, a group of agencies working on climate change issues, and keen to get the message out there!
Recycle your ink cartridges.
Christian Aid is teaming up with Environmental Business Products Ltd which aims to raise £12,000 for developing countries over the next twelve months. Christian Aid will get £1 for every recyclable ink or toner cartridge sent in. EBP will supply big collection boxes or special Freepost envelopes to churches.
For further information ring EBP on 0800 435576 quoting ‘Christian Aid’. Or email christianaid@inkagain.co.uk. Churches requiring support materials should contact Christian Aid directly on 020 7523 2225.
WDM- Climate Change Calendar
2007 has seen WDM grab the headlines with their Climate Calendar. It demonstrates the startling fact that by 8th January the average person in the UK will have already caused as much damage to the environment; by producing harmful CO2 as the average person in one of the world’s poorest countries will all year. The calendar includes dates for other countries, so if you have ever wondered how the average UK citizen compares environmentally to someone in India, China or Sweden you can find out at www.wdm.org.uk
A Rocha is an international and interdenominational Christian environmental charity, with emphases both on biodiversity conservation and also on practical local action (e.g. lifestyle change). Each year they produce resources for Environment Sunday which will be June 3rd this year, and for which they are producing a pack on ‘Climate Change’ (available during March for £10).
www.arocha.org (main website, and for UK only www.arocha.org.uk)
www.livinglightly24-1.org.uk (lifestyle challenge and resources)
www.climatestewards.org.uk (the only Christian-based carbon mitigation scheme)
Reviews
None this month, but have you read something you’d like to review for us?
Or would you like to review Caring for Creation - a book giving biblical and theological perspectives on environmental concerns published by Bible Reading Fellowship in 2005 – get in touch; and the person with the most interesting reason for wanting to review it will be sent a copy!
News
Swindled! If you were concerned by Channel 4's "Great Global Warming Swindle" here is a critique of it by Sir John Houghton the chairman of the John Ray Initiative.
Draft Climate Change Bill was published on 13th March. The Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches will be responding to a DEFRA consultation on the Climate Change Bill. Our Churches are asking for your views. Please contact Steve Hucklesby of the Joint Public Issues Team for more information on this consultation and how to get involved. For the background on the Climate Change Bill read the text on the Defra website, the BBC and the Church Times reporting of it.
Creation Challenge – The Video … We are putting together a short video clip to help raise awareness of environmental issues and of this network. This initiative is running behind schedule but we hope to have something available by the summer.
Events
Dr Tony Campolo speaking on A Christian Responsibility for the Animal Kingdom - 15 April St John's Church Waterloo, London 6.30-8.30pm Service organised by the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals
EARTH OUR HOME 2* Lincoln Cathedral 21st April 9.30 - 3.00 The whole of the cathedral is given over this Saturday to celebrate the Lincolnshire Churches new Environmental Policy Framework for Action . There will be a huge range of workshops from greening the church, to waste recycling, biodiversity, eco-housing, environmentally friendly transport, as well as talks, drama, the labyrinth, Celtic spirituality workshops, art and so on. The day will end with a celebration in worship for the new Framework for Action with the presidents of Churches Together led by the Bishop of Lincoln. (* Earth Our Home 1 was in October 1996) details: 01522 504072, or 07712931354 email
Methodists for World Mission – Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick 1st - 3rd June 2007. 'The Earth is the Lord's' What is our Response - ability? Keynote speakers: Tom Stuckey & Robert Bradnock. Conference arranged by Methodists for World Mission in partnership with The Methodist Church, Christian Aid, Christians Aware, USPG
Please get in touch if you have material you would like to submit for the next e-newsletter which will be distributed around the end of May 2007.
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