Eco-congregation and Catch the Vision

Following on from the 'Catch the Vision' Day, we were pleased to note that Eco-congregation was mentioned several times and that the comments were positive, noting that the challenge that Eco-congregation brings to the church is valuable, and our response as a church to the pressing environmental and human issues of our day is an important Christian witness.

After some discussion within the group, we are asking the Church Council to continue to support the Eco-congregation group in challenging the whole church to continue to make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith, and respond in practical action in the church, in the lives of individuals, and in the local and global community. In partnership with other groups, we would like to focus this year on climate change, especially as it affects the poorest people of the world.

As illustrated by the recent Christian Aid campaign, there is a lot of concern that climate change will have a devastating effect on poor people, undoing much of the excellent aid and development work that has already been carried out.

We would also like to explore how the Methodist Church's Environmental Policy might be applied to, or adapted for, adoption by St Andrew's; so we can make a permanent commitment to change.