10 things to do for Environment Sunday - A Rocha

Environment Sunday
Embracing God’s Creation
10 things to do for Environment Sunday
A Rocha UK is asking church congregations and Christians to consider some simple steps that can begin to shape our
response to the biblical mandate to care for God’s creation.
Mairi Johnstone, CEO of A Rocha UK says,
“Environment Sunday is a great opportunity to respond to the command to care for God’s earth. Practical care towards
our planet is a demonstration of the Christian hope for God’s world. Churches and Christians can all shake up their
Sunday on 9 th June and do something different by way of taking steps to consider and care for God’s creation.”
A Rocha uk
10 ACTIONS TO TAKE
5 FOR CHURCHES
1 Our worship: What songs can be used in the service to remind the church family about
God’s creation?
Consider the following:
Light and power, air and sky, water and ocean, land and food, life and biodiversity, humankind and the
environment; how can these different elements of creation be prayed for in the service?
A Rocha UK has a number of resources suitable for church services and small groups, many of which can be
downloaded free of charge from www.arocha.org.uk/resources
2 Tell the creation story to children
Look at the creation story again in Genesis chapters 1 and 2, and re-tell it to young ones. Consider whether
the story can be brought to life through different ways e.g. through the use of puppets, drawings, light and
shade, colour and texture, word puzzles and plays?
3 Our green space
How is your church garden and green spaces looking? Do they need some tender loving care? Can the space
be used by the congregation for services or other activities in the summer? Perhaps the congregation can
pull together on the Saturday and invest some time in the church green space? Children could look for local
wildlife and identify different species.
4 Our fellowship: Walking and looking
Environment Sunday is a great opportunity to take in local beauty spots and look at God’s creation as part of
our rest and relaxation. Local parks and nature trails and walks can be taken after the service. Churchgoers
can bring their own lunches and bring and share some food for the rest of the church family.
5 Taking greener steps: Procurement
Many churches have already taken steps to procure recycled goods and install low energy bulbs and lighting.
Is there any more that can be done? Is there any expertise in the congregation that can help the church to
consider these things? If the church is considering new buildings or modifications than perhaps grants could
be tapped into to help save energy. Your local council may be able to advise. One way to take steps to ‘green’
your church is to become an Eco-Congregation – see www.ew.ecocongregation.org or contact David
Hughes on 01142 636421, or email him at ecocongregation@arocha.org
JOIN A ROCHA UK and help us to be good news for God’s earth. We need your prayers and your donations.
You can receive our monthly enews, including prayer requests, by sending your details to uk@arocha.org
You can donate to A Rocha UK by sending a cheque to A Rocha UK, 18-19 Avenue Rd, Southall, Middlesex
UB1 3BL, or by going to arocha.org.uk/donate

Environment Sunday
Embracing God’s Creation
10 things to do for Environment Sunday
A Rocha UK is asking church congregations and Christians to consider some simple steps that can begin to shape our
response to the biblical mandate to care for God’s creation.
Mairi Johnstone, CEO of A Rocha UK says,
“Environment Sunday is a great opportunity to respond to the command to care for God’s earth. Practical care towards
our planet is a demonstration of the Christian hope for God’s world. Churches and Christians can all shake up their
Sunday on 9 th June and do something different by way of taking steps to consider and care for God’s creation.”
A Rocha uk
10 ACTIONS TO TAKE
5 FOR INDIVIDUALS
6 You can find plenty of really useful information about care for creation from
A Rocha UK here: www.arocha.org.uk/resources
7 Saving water – you can find out more about saving water through your
local water supplier, through their website. You can find out who your water
company is, and their contact details here:
www.ofwat.gov.uk/consumerissues/watercompanies/map
8 Switching to energy saving light bulbs and lagging we have all heard of, but
there are some other A Rocha UK handy hints to save energy in the home:
www.arocha.org.uk/saveenergy
9 Recycle household waste where possible. Only 1 out of 4 items of clothing
are recycled (A Rocha UK), so there is more that could be done here. Take
unwanted clothes to charity shops; jumble sales and car boot sales are great
places to sell clothes. Buy clothes that you really need and consider buying
clothes secondhand: www.arocha.org.uk/nearlynew
10 Volunteer with local organisations
Offer support to help keep green spaces green and accessible. A Rocha UK
work with local communities to offer advice and rejuvenate local spaces.
Take a look at our website to see what we do.
See also www.arocha.org.uk/volunteering
JOIN A ROCHA UK and help us to be good news for God’s earth. We need your prayers and your donations.
You can receive our monthly enews, including prayer requests, by sending your details to uk@arocha.org
You can donate to A Rocha UK by sending a cheque to A Rocha UK, 18-19 Avenue Rd, Southall, Middlesex
UB1 3BL, or by going to arocha.org.uk/donate