Early in 2024, we registered with the Eco Church scheme and completed the Eco survey to better understand what we are doing well already and where we can improve further. With a few quick wins, we were able to achieve the Bronze Award in April. Hopefully you have seen the further improvements across the 5 areas of 1. Worship + Teaching – Creation services, prayers2. Buildings - Energy conservation / usage, recycling3. Land – Land management , wild flowers and mowing policy, bird boxes / bird feeders4. Community & Global Engagement – Repair Café / litter pick on prayer walks5. Lifestyle – Fairtrade Church By taking these actions we have now been awarded a Silver Award In September 2024. This is an amazing achievement but we are keen to take even better care of nature and engage with the whole community to raise awareness. We welcome help from any members of the congregation or wider community to join us on the journey. https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/
In August 2024, St Mary has renewed its commitment to be a FairTrade Church. The commitment requires the church 1. To use Fairtrade products where possible and at a minimum serve Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar.2. To promote FairTrade within the community, our services/events and at Fairtrade Fortnight.For more information visit https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get-involved/get-involved-in-your-community/places-worship/
The PCC recently formed a special Working Group to focus on environmental 'green' issues and in particular meeting the Church of England's Net Zero by 2030 target. An important part of this work was to register with Eco Church and complete the online Eco Survey to better understand how we are caring for God’s earth in different areas of Church life. The survey examines five key areas of church life: Worship and teaching / Management of church buildings / Management of church land / Community and global engagement / Lifestyle.The answers a church provides will collect points towards an Eco Church Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold. Completing the Eco survey highlights where we can improve further and we have already started working to gain the points necessary to progress to a Silver award. If you want to find out more or help in the journey, please get in touch with a member of the Eco Working Group (Margaret Bobby, Margaret Wooding-Jones, Bart Woodhouse, Nigel Hewitt, Ben White & Gareth Lloyd-Evans) or take a look at the Eco Church website https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/
Donors in St Mary Greenhithe are among the first in the Rochester Diocese to be making use of the new online service from the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) which provides a flexible and secure way to make regular gifts to St Mary Greenhithe by Direct Debit If you're interested in donating this way, simply download the attached document, and click on the link or scan the QR code with your smartphone at the bottom of the page to set up your donation securely.
