Southern and Thames North Synod’s efforts to tackle climate change have each gained a Bronze Eco Synod award from A Rocha UK.
Southern is now the sixth across the URC to reach Bronze status and Thames North becomes the seventh.
Ian Moore, Green Apostle for Southern who also serves as a trustee forA Rocha UK, explained some of the steps his synod took to gain the Bronze award: “We’ve done lots of work over the years, for example putting the synod’s financial investments with Epworth (a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on investing for both people and planet). We’ve updated our manse policy that puts the goal of energy performance certificates at C or better for all manses, and of course lots of local churches have carried out their own work.”
One such church is Oxted URC which gained Silver Eco Church Award in January for taking steps such as launching a 60-step plan that people can take towards a more sustainable future which has been circulated widely within the church and its community.
“What I see in the most engaged churches, like Oxted, is how caring for God’s creation has become a natural part of how the whole church lives,” continued Ian.
“I love how enthusiastic people become, often as much about the smallest touches like Toilet Twinning as about the big projects like solar panels.”
Currently 30% of local churches within Southern Synod have joined A Rocha UK’s Eco Church award scheme.
Thames North Synod was praised by A Rocha UK for its work towards championing the environment – from annual Green Days which in 2024 had a nature focus, to a comprehensive environment policy which includes references to net zero, protecting and encouraging biodiversity, and engaging and supporting young people about the climate and nature crises, and an eco-fund to support local churches. Out of the synod’s 105 churches, 54 are registered with the scheme and 27 have received an award: 20 bronze and seven silver.
Roo Stewart, URC Head of Public Issues, said: “The successes of both synods have undoubtedly been through the work of the Synod officers, local churches receiving Eco Church awards. Also, a run of brilliant Green Apostles like Alex Mabbs, Nadene Snyman, David Pickering, Ian Moore, Terry Hinks, Maggie Hindley and a vibrant Thames North Green Team.
“This new award means that we now have seven synods within the URC that have received a Bronze Synod Award, and we are hoping that all of our synods will reach Bronze Award level very soon.”
The National Synod of Scotland is part of Eco-Congregation, which operates differently.
Youth Assembly and its Executive also received a commendation from A Rocha UK in 2022 in recognition of the leadership that it has shown in encouraging the whole church to act swiftly to develop how it cares for the environment.
Congregations that would like to know more about greening their church or joining Eco Church (in England and Wales) or Eco-Congregation (in Scotland) can find out more information at urc.org.uk/greenerchurch.