Congratulations to the four winners of the 2018 Eco Synod Photographic Competition. They are

"Creative Caterpillar"        by Keith & Sylvia Bailey from Oakengates URC
"Resilience"                        by Jaimee Twamley
"CO2 No More!"                 by John Standring from Cheltenham URC
"Restoring Waterways"    by Carole Marsden from Shrewsbury URC

One of the most important things your congregation can do to improve its green credentials is to change energy suppliers.

Unfortunately, many energy suppliers are locked into sourcing energy from fossil fuels. But things are changing. You can now source your energy needs from green suppliers.

Green Journey has been doing audits right across the Synod. Mark Rudhall from Green Journey is currently meeting up with congregations to do a carbon footprint audit. This is a helpful exercise. It helps congregations track and plan the reduction of they carbon usage.

Wombourne URC has agreed this week to switch over to 100% renewables. Wall Heath has switched over the a mix of green and fossil fuels. We applaud them for this useful first step with the hope that soon every one will switch to 100% green. Many congregation members are also switching. This is good news for the planet.

There is a debate about cost, however. Sometimes switching to green energy means that no savings are made, or that slightly more per annum has to be paid. Sometimes churches baulk at that proposition. Some argue that we must be 'good stewards' of God's resources.

The prior question is whether church MONEY determines its actions. That is to ask whether the church serves Mammon or the kingdom. No: we must serve God first and foremost, not bank balances. Being 'good stewards' ought not to be confused with 'saving money' at any cost. Just as we refuse to profit from unjust business, we cannot sacrifice the planet so that the church can save a few bob.

If you want more information on Green Journey, you can contact them directly at [email protected]