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First Eco-Award
presented by Jonathon Porritt
Second Eco-Award
presented by Martin Horwood
Bethesda Traidgreen Stall
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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 elctricity 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
Hope in God's Future
Methodists launch major report on climate change
British Methodists are being offered the opportunity to make their views heard on climate change, as part of a new Church-wide consultation. The consultation concerns the draft Methodist Conference Statement on climate change, entitled ‘Hope in God’s Future: Christian discipleship in the context of climate change’
During our recent assessment for a 3rd EcoAward, the assessors highlighted this report and encouraged Bethesda, as a "beacon" eco-church, to send in its own carefully considered response. The final document incorporating the views of the Methodist people will be presented to Conference in 2011. Once adopted, a Methodist Conference Statement becomes the official view of the Church on a particular matter. and is also referred to by key Church committees, such as the Faith and Order Committee, when deciding on related areas of doctrine. |
Climate Change News
The installation of solar PV panels on Bethesda's south facing roof is now complete.
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
Consultation response form
‘Hope in God’s Future’ is also available from Methodist Publishing, priced £5.00
(Phone: 01733 235962) |
