Going for Gold: Devon Church celebrates Eco Award

One church in Devon has been awarded gold for its incredible efforts to become more eco-friendly.

In a service on Sunday 4 May, St Mary’s Church in Dunsford celebrated being presented a Gold Eco Church Award.

The Eco Church Award scheme is from Arocha UK, a Christian charity that work to protect and restore the natural world and is committed to equipping Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environment.

The Eco Church Award scheme allows churches to register and work towards a bronze, silver and gold award by taking practical steps to care for creation.

The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison, presented St Mary’s Church in Dunsford with their Eco Church award plaque in a special service, recognising the church’s hard work in becoming environmentally friendly.

During the service Bishop Mike was interviewed by Sarah Charker, Creation Care Engagement Officer, sharing his reflections on creation care.

Bishop Mike reminded the congregation that the first commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength, and that one of the ways we can fulfill this command is to love and cherish His creation. By doing this we are also loving our neighbours by protecting the environment we all share.

Bishop Mike also shared this thought, ‘The thing that endangers the environment the most is believing that someone else will take care of it’.

Sarah said, “Bishop Mike reminded us that although we may feel small in the face of a big challenge, to remember creation and the example of huge stalactites and that ‘every drop makes a difference’.

“Bishop Mike encouraged us to take responsibility in the here and now, and to be heartened in the knowledge that God loves to partner with us and amplify our efforts.

“It was wonderful to hear how Bishop Mike is leading by example and making changes in his own garden, sowing a wildflower meadow area and exploring creating a tree nursery to fulfil his dream of giving every church a tree to plant.”

During the special service, Bishop Mike blessed a new chair which will sit in the churchyard, and sunflower plant that children had grown. After the service, Bishop Mike and the church congregation went into the beautiful sunshine to plant a tree whilst the children planted the sunflowers they had grown.