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Church in Community

 
 

Who's going to get involved?

Probably nearly every parish has someone for whom the state of the planet is of burning concern. Those people are going to be important, but we all live in the world and are affected by what we all do, so involve a broader group, even if this means some ambitions are lowered. It could be that in the church or village there is already a group that works on environmental issues. As examples, perhaps there is a churchyard gang, or a fair trade stall, or a justice and peace committee. Or maybe there is a group of people who are thinking green about baking for the bazaar, or cleaning the church, or managing the investments, or choosing a new heating system. It could be that a village or town society is concerned with nature conservation, recycling, public transport, a new housing development, or whatever. Begin by just thinking if there is an existing group that would like to wave the environmental banner or whether a new group should be convened. Whatever is created or adapted, it needs to fit what the church is already doing and how it is organised.

Whether new or old, draw different people into the life of this environmental group. Think of the congregation and ask individuals if they would like to join; those who are more on the fringe may be particularly interested. Think too of other local churches and ask if they would like to join in. And there will be people who don't come to church who might join in too; this may mean the group needs a looser link with the church.

The environmental group could range from a network of friends to a formally constituted committee of the Parochial Church Council. But however it works, make sure there is some way the group can let the rest of the church know what is going on, encouraging the whole congregation in the enterprise. And don't let the good news stop there, tell your deanery and let the Diocesan Environmental Group know of how it is all doing - good or bad. Ask one volunteer to be the Link person on the diocesan group's mailing list and, we strongly advise, to be the 'Parish Pump' with the Conservation Foundation (they post out a really helpful newsletter to 'parish pumps').

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