Congratulations to Moldgreen United Reformed Church in Huddersfield has recently been awarded Silver Eco Church status by the A Rocha UK.
The church was kickstarted into action when Elder Kevan Shuttleworth, a vegan cyclist, nature lover and champion of all things eco, led Moldgreen’s first eco worship session and a series of workshops to help the church recognise and understand the need for change.
Kevin became the church’s “eco warrior” encouraging all in the fellowship and recording their progress with A Rocha.
Moldgreen URC is also indebted to the hard-working worship group, who worked with the church’s minister, the Revd Sarah Fitton, to achieve the worship and teaching aspects of the Eco Church requirements.
The Maintenance Team put in lots of hard and innovative work for the buildings category, installing water butts, cycle racks, low-energy lighting, extra insulation, new windows to name a few things.
Rosie Buxton, Church Related Community Worker, also worked with local schools to the turn the church garden into a community-centred greed space.
Member Christine Hall said: “None of the above was done in isolation. Displays were put up and invitations were sent to all the users of our building to become involved raising funds for toilet twinning, switching off lights for ‘Earth Hour’ each spring and taking part in the RSPB’s birdwatch.
“It has been fun, the church has learnt a lot and has worked hard. More importantly there has been a shift in the thinking of Moldgreen URC and opportunities to engage with the users of our building and the wider community demonstrates how we, as Christians, can play a role in the care of God’s creation.”
Learn more about Eco Church here.