Highlights from the 23rd Meeting of the Creation Care Network

The 23rd meeting of the Creation Care Network took place on 28th September  at Knock Methodist Church, East Belfast. Hosted by the church’s Sustainability Team, led by John Stothers, the meeting fostered dialogue on faith-inspired environmental stewardship across diverse community and faith representatives.

Key Themes and Reflections

John Stothers opened with a reflection, drawing from the material Jesus Died to Save The Planet by Paul Kunert. He explored the biblical view of “working the land” as sacred service, positioning environmental care as an act of worship. Attendees from a range of faith backgrounds including Methodist, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Catholic, Bahá’í, Vineyard Church, and others, shared updates on their environmental initiatives, discussing successes and challenges in their creation care journeys.

Community Efforts in Environmental Stewardship

Various representatives highlighted ongoing projects:

  • Jubilee Farm and St John’s Orangefield Church emphasized community engagement with projects like pollinator gardens and eco-awareness.
  • Hillsborough Presbyterian expanded their focus to involve youth and held creation-centered prayer meetings, also addressing challenges in maintaining wildflower gardens.
  • Local Government grants for community gardens and planting were discussed, with Mia Taylor sharing insights on funding opportunities available until the end of October 2024.
  • Bahá’í Community and Newtownbreda Presbyterian reported sustainable renovations and gardening projects, including a polytunnel for growing food and promoting environmental consciousness through “Messy Church” and “Messy Prayer.”

Progress Towards Eco-Accreditation and Awards

Maureen Rowan presented Knock Methodist Church with an Environmental Awareness Award, making it the third church in Northern Ireland to receive this recognition. She outlined goals based on the Environmental Council of Ireland (ECI) and Methodist Church of Ireland (MCI) guidelines, covering spirituality, practical sustainability, community involvement, and global awareness. Specific actions included waste reduction, energy-efficient lighting, water conservation, ethical purchasing, and wildlife-friendly land management.

Maureen shared an example from her own Dublin-based congregation, which transformed a neglected plot into a productive garden with the help of local refugees. The project fostered community integration and goodwill, illustrating the transformative power of environmental service. Maureen shared both the successes and challenges her church faced in its sustainability journey. They developed an action plan, securing grants for insulation, window upgrades, solar panels, and a bicycle parking area. By monitoring energy and water use—such as turning off unused lights and fixing dripping taps—they achieved significant savings. Efforts to raise energy conservation awareness among congregants also proved effective. However, complications arose when integrating solar power with the main grid; they encountered outdated wiring and asbestos, requiring costly upgrades that weren’t covered by the grants. Additionally, they needed to fund planning permissions for structural changes and the bicycle cage installation.

Closing and Next Steps

Bertie Stirling from A Rocha UK/Creation Care closed the meeting, reminding participants about the ECO Congregation Candle, a symbol of unity in creation care. Dr. Mark Dick will ascertain the availability of  his church in Ballymena as a venue for the next Creation Care Network meeting.

Posted

in