We are members of a variety of Christian denominations and we currently meet on an ad hoc basis to organise actions to help Christians in Reading to relate their faith to their relationship with Creation as a whole.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is
'love God and love your neighbour as yourself'.
We believe that this commandment calls us to act to try to reduce the anthropogenic climate change which is already proving catastrophic for some of our neighbours in developing countries. We believe it also calls us to respect and cherish all of God's Creation, recognising how interdependent life on earth is.
'love God and love your neighbour as yourself'.
We believe that this commandment calls us to act to try to reduce the anthropogenic climate change which is already proving catastrophic for some of our neighbours in developing countries. We believe it also calls us to respect and cherish all of God's Creation, recognising how interdependent life on earth is.
We draw on the resources of development agencies (Cafod, Christian Aid, Tearfund) and enviromental organisations (CEL, Operation Noah, EcoCongregation etc). Several of us are also active in EcoCongregation green teams in our own churches.
Our history
The Churches Together in Reading Environment group has organised stalls at Forbury Fever (Reading Borough Council's annual environment day) for a number of years and operated as an e-mail network to share information on 'green issues'. In 2009 we were involved in organising Reading Faith Forum's Greening Faiths conference, after which we decided to affiliate ourselves to the national Christian Ecology Link and to try to be a more active presence in Reading. Since then
We have inspired Park United Reformed Church to become the first church in Reading to install solar panels on their roof.
We have contributed to the consultations on Reading's Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Transport Plan.
We have contributed to the consultations on Reading's Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Transport Plan.
We have organised stalls at events including showings of The Age of Stupid and at the Churches Together/RCN Midsummer Party in Forbury Gardens.
We have helped RE-Inspired with sessions on Climate Change
We have been involved in lobbying our local MPs about Climate Change.
We have helped to co-ordinate preparations for the Copenhagen climate summit (including encouraging churches to sign up to GREN's Message to Copenhagen and helping people get to the Wave)
We have supported members in their church-based events including the Walk to Church Sunday (which originated in Woodley), film showings etc
For three years RCEL members have been voluntary sector reps on the Reading Climate Change Partnership, recently helping to get more church leader involvement in considering the new climate change strategy.
We have raised funds for the Solar Schools project in Reading, primarily thanks to a generous donation from Reading Springboard.
For three years RCEL members have been voluntary sector reps on the Reading Climate Change Partnership, recently helping to get more church leader involvement in considering the new climate change strategy.
We have raised funds for the Solar Schools project in Reading, primarily thanks to a generous donation from Reading Springboard.
We are members of the Greater Reading Environment Network (GREN)
Owen, Rachel and Rita at Forbury Fever 2010
