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.