Eco Church

Our Journey to Silver

Caring for Creation is central to the Gospel we proclaim at St Mary’s.  We believe that through connecting to creation we can discover more about our creator and by managing our buildings and our churchyard for the environment we can be a sanctuary not only for people but also havens for wildlife.

We encourage people to think about the impact they’re having on the planet, not only in Church but also in their own lives. We should all adhere to the basic principles of reduce, reuse and recycle. Through buying green, local and ethically sourced goods we can produce change in the world.

In September 2023 St Mary’s Old Basing and Lychpit received the Eco Church Silver Award in recognition of our work to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth through:

•  worship and teaching,
• management of our buildings and churchyards,
• engagement with the community and the wider world, and
• lifestyle.

This accomplishment is a significant milestone in our journey towards creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly community.  Receiving the Silver Eco Church Award is not just a recognition of our efforts but a reflection of our shared dedication to caring for God’s creation. We have all worked hard to implement eco-friendly practices within our church, from conserving energy to reducing waste and promoting environmental education.

Some of the key initiatives that contributed to our Silver Eco Church Award include:

• Energy Efficiency:Continuing reduction of our energy consumption by education, moving to energy-efficient bulbs, and optimising our heating systems.
• Waste Reduction: Our recycling and composting programs have reduced landfill waste.
• Conservation: We are very fortunate to have the PIOCC Team and the continued hard work they put into the Conservation Area.
• Community Engagement: We have actively engaged with our community promoting eco-awareness.
• Eco-friendly Worship:Our worship services increasingly incorporate themes of environmental stewardship, reminding us of our responsibility to care for God’s creation.

While achieving the Silver Eco Church Award is an incredible achievement, we are now setting our sights on the Gold Eco Church Award! This is not only an ambitious goal but also a reflection of our commitment to continuous improvement in environmental stewardship.

As we embark on this journey towards the Gold Eco Church Award, we will focus on the following areas:

• Renewable Energy: Exploring opportunities to transition to renewable energy sources such as solar power.
• Biodiversity:Continue to enhance the natural environment around our church and involvement with the St Mary’s CoE Jnr School and Basing Infant School.
• Sustainable Practices: Encouraging sustainable practices and exploring ways to reduce our carbon footprint further including the installation of bicycle racks.
• Community Outreach: Expanding our environmental outreach programmes and partnering with local organisations to make a broader impact.

We invite you all  to get involved in this exciting endeavour. Together, we can continue to make a positive difference for our planet and future generations.

As we celebrate our Silver Eco Church Award and set our sights on the Gold, let us remember that our efforts in caring for God’s creation are a testament to our faith and commitment to being responsible stewards of this beautiful world.

A key element of being an Eco Church is our management of the churchyard. We aim to make the churchyard a living sanctuary, not only for ‘wildlife’ by encouraging biodiversity but also for humankind as a ‘green space’ for rest and reflection.

Our weekly bulletin sent out via email regularly includes eco tips and guidance.  If you would like to be included on the mailing please contact Debbie on admin@stmarysoldbasing.org.uk

Look out for updates on our progress toward the Gold Eco Church Award, and let’s continue to work together to make a lasting impact on our environment.

St Mary’s Eco Church Team – Rev Jo, Jeanette, Robert, Mark, Rebecca & Tim

Click here (https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/) to learn more about Eco Churches  

Click here to see our Churchyard Management Plan

Click Here to download our annual lifestyle survey

9 things you can do about climate change:

1. Make your voice heard by those in power. … write to you Senedd Member and Member of Parliament
2. Eat less meat and dairy. … just a little less meat and dairy has a big impact on climate change
3. Cut back on flying. … we live in such a beautiful place, why not take the time to enjoy it rather than jetting abroad on holiday?
4. Leave the car at home. … Walking is good for your physical and mental health so why not leave the car at home?
5. Reduce your energy use, and bills. … Save money and our planet by reducing your energy consumption and insulating your home
6. Respect and protect green spaces. …
7. Bank and invest your money responsibly. …
8. Cut consumption and waste
9. Talk about the changes you’ve made… Sharing ideas and encouraging others is how our little changes will add up to change the world.