I didn't attend the last Earthing Faith Gathering because I was babysitting while Mark was one of the speakers. He was afterwards asked to talk on the same theme of exploring eco-theology at the Oxford Christian community hOME and the talk can be heard on their website.

Rather belatedly I'd like to mention - I was delighted to see that October's Xn magazine covered the wonderful news that St John Bosco's, Woodley were the first church in the country to receive CAFOD's Live Simply award. The magazine also advertised the first Owen Jewiss Memorial Lecture which was held on United Nations day at Owen's home church St Barnabas Church, Emmer Green. Again this was something I was unable to attend but glad to hear that it was strongly supported and that the plan is to hold future lectures in various locations in Reading.

Tablet Article

Ellen Teague, who led the assessment for St John Bosco, Woodley's Live Simply Award has written an article about the award and specifically about this church in the 1st September issue of The Tablet.

Greenbelt

This year's Greenbelt was entitled Saving Paradise, inspired by Brock and Parker's book of the same name. There were certainly more events with an environmental theme this year, mostly situated at the Eden venue - I caught Paul Kerensa's entertaining/thought-provoking climate change sketch there as well as David Nussbaum from WWF a while later. I'm looking forward to downloading some of the others in the near future (Greenbelt with children means fewer talks but beautiful puppet shows, paper cinema and great magicians . . . ). I was delighted to learn that talks from a few years back are now available to download for free (I can see the prospect of ironing actually becoming positive).

It was certainly the muddiest Greenbelt Cheltenham has ever seen, more due to the weight of torrential downpours than their duration - not surprising in the wettest summer for 100 years. I know no one event can be attributed to climate change, but . . .  The above picture is of Bruce Cockburn in the Big Top (before it became a total quagmire).

Second Eco-Congregation Award for Caversham Heights Methodists

I've just spent a lovely morning at Caversham Heights Methodist Church - I was presenting them with their second Eco-Congregation Award. In 2008 I was one of their assessors when they became Reading's first Eco-Congregation so it was great to be able to come back for this and to let them know how many churches have been inspired to follow suit. They'd included many songs on a Creation theme in the service this morning and had their  Traidcraft stall available too.

This awful summer

The trending article Facebook offered me today was was from The Independent headlined: Sir David Attenborough: 'This awful summer? We've only ourselves to blame...'- it's the first explanation I have come across giving an explanation of how it might be directly linked to climate change. Meanwhile the BBC are reporting that the rain has been, according to the National Trust, 'almost apocalyptic' for some wildlife. That wildlife includes butterflies, so now I am resolved to work harder at making the garden more butterfly friendly and planning to join in the Big Butterfly Count.

RCEL July Meeting

At last night's meeting we heard that Reading Springboard's generous £1,000 donation to Solar Schools has now been received by the schools and appears on their websites.
Exciting green news from local churches includes:
Trinity's plans to host the True Food Co-op in the near future (depending on getting enough volunteers to help run this) and to start reducing their energy use through loft insulation.
St John Bosco's application for the Live Simply Award and their newly installed solar panels (pictured above being blessed).
Whitley Community Church's progress on an organic gardening and aquaponics scheme with unemployed young people.
Caversham Heights Methodist Church have recently been awarded their second EcoCongregation award.

Martin and Rachel reported that their planned meeting with Alok Sharma for the Stop Climate Chaos campaign has been postponed until 26th July. 
Joanna reported that the next Earthing Faith gathering will be on green theology and will be held in Buckinghamshire. Also she did not stand for re-election to the Reading Climate Change Partnership and Tim was able to report that someone from Transition Towns will now be filling the role of voluntary sector rep.

Earthing Faith Gathering

The first Earthing Faith Gathering in Reading was held at Trinity Church, Earley on 14th June. Despite the foul rain there were about 20 people there to hear about the very different experiences of three local churches trying to reduce their carbon footprints. It was very useful to hear about the varied approaches and to be able to quiz the Diocesan Advisory Committee Secretary about how to go forward with plans.

Gathering reminder - please do attend the first in Reading

Earthing Faith Gathering - 14th June, Reading

You are invited to the Earthing Faith network Gathering on Thursday 14th June 2012 at Trinity Church, Earley in Reading.
The focus of the gathering will be projects and church buildings, with short presentations from people behind a number of church projects from the diocese, as well as from Natalie Merry (DAC Secretary), who responsible for helping and advising churches on alterations and renovations to their buildings. The gathering is a space for sharing stories from projects around the Diocese of Oxford, and there will be an opportunity for everyone to share what they are doing, as well as space for prayer and reflection.
Please do join us – everyone is welcome.

Where: Trinity Church, Earley in Reading (RG6 5HZ - map - website)

When: 7pm until 9pm, Thursday 14th June 2012

Register: Please help us plan by registering to say you intend to join us.

Click here to complete the online registration form (includes lift share details) – alternatively rsvp via Facebook.

Shaping the new climate change strategy

Help shape Reading’s sustainable future – now! A new climate change strategy will set the framework for building a sustainable Reading over the next seven years, up to 2020. You can help shape this now.   The strategy is being developed through the Reading Climate Change Partnership, involving Voluntary and Community, Business and Public sectors. It is intended to be adopted by the Council and other partner organisations. This GREN event will:  explore the new climate change strategy themes drawn from workshops at the launch event in January enable you to get involved and ensure that environmental interests are brought to the fore in this important strategy and action plan. 10.00am - 12.30pm, Saturday 9 June 2012(Free event - refreshments provided) Room 3, RISC, London St. Reading, RG1 4PS All are welcome but it will help us plan if you tell us you are coming here http://www.doodle.com/5f7tex7eubanqatq Please forward this mail to any local contacts who may be interested - thanks and hope to see you there

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Can Climate Change be Funny?

Operation Noah are looking for a new way to spread the message about action on climate change - please watch Ruth's video here!