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Bethesda Eco-Congregation

Bethesda is well-known as an "eco-church and was the first Methodist church in the Bristol District to receive the National Eco-Congregation Award which recognises its stewardship of God's Creation through practical action. After almost a decade of increasing commitment to live more "sustainably", it is one of a handful of churches in England to have received two national awards.

JP Award

First Eco-Award
presented by Jonathon Porritt

Second award

Second Eco-Award
presented by Martin Horwood

Traidgreen

Bethesda Traidgreen Stall

To read what's going on in Cheltenham Connect
click here

Autumn Transition Town Events include Jonathon Porritt talking on A Hopeful Future for Cheltenham: Communities at the heart of sustainable living?
Town Hall Oct 26
and a full range of lunctime film showings more info

To read current newsletter
click here

Find more about 10:10
and why you should sign up!

Please consider signing the Bethesda Green 10:10 Book

Bethesda has a flourishing "Traidgreen Stall" selling Traidcraft goods, low energy lamps and recycled paper alongside coffee after the morning service. There is a thriving recycling programme which collects mobile phones, used printer cartridges, spent batteries, spectacles, postage stamps and plastic bottle tops for re-use of safe disposal.

Bethesda Youth Group (BYG) has turned a small unused courtyard area into a green 'retreat' with furniture made from plaswood and scented plants and shrubs. The church is a corporate member of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Christian Ecology Link (CEL) and A Rocha. It also makes its facilities available to other 'Green' groups and arranged a community showing of the climate change film "An Inconvenient Truth".

The church is fitted throughout with low energy lighting, sells low energy bulbs on its Traidgreen Stall, and has its own carbon offset scheme funds from which have recetly been used to install a solar hot water system on an AIDS orphanage in South Africa. Gill & Keith emailed from Durban:

"The solar roof has been working perfectly; we are fitting a time switch to ensure the electricity is switched off whilst the sun is shining and at night. They have had as much hot water as they needed; thank you soooo much"

Bethesda recognised for 3rd Eco-Award

Following external assessment by Jerry Barr and (Rev) Simon Topping on Saturday May 29th, Bethesda has been granted its 3rd National Eco-Award - only the third church in England to have been so-recognised. More details will follow in due course.

Creation Challenge features Bethesda's Third Award

 

 

Climate Change News

The installation of solar PV panels on Bethesda's south facing roof is now complete.

Installing Bethesda PV roof

The panels are connected to the national grid and should generate upwards 7,000 kW hrs of electricty annually; we are eagerly awaiting the launch of feed-in tarriffs which will help a generate some income whilst reducing our carbon footprint.

More details on BBC website
See also Christian Ecology Link

Read Archbishops of York's Lecture - March 2009
Renewing the Face of the Earth

 



Report: Hope in God's Future

Downloads available as follows:

Full (66 page) version
Condensed (22 page) version
Conference draft statement

Hope in God’s Future’ is also available from Methodist Publishing, priced £5.00
(Phone: 01733 235962)

CEL
Christian Ecology Link

Eco Congregation
National Eco-Congregation

Gloucestershire
Wildlife Trust

Access Creation Challenge
Joint Website of Methodists, Baptists and URC
A Rocha "Living Lightly" initiative
/www.arocha.org.uk/livinglightly

| Backpackers | Eco-Congregation| Outreach | Available |


Bethesda Church > Eco-Congregation Page

Last updated on 21 November 2010