Historic Churches 2023

BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON H ISTOR I C CHURCHE S 30th ANNUAL ED ITION 33 ECO CHURCHES Restoration and renewal in a rapidly warming world Helen Stephens A S THE year draws to a close, it is almost certain that 2023 will be the hottest year on record as climate change continues to accelerate. In May, the World Meteorological Organisation published research indicating that ‘The world is almost certain to experience new record temperatures in the next five years, and temperatures are likely to rise by more than 1.5⁰C above pre-industrial levels, scientists have warned…’ leading to dire consequences. There can be no doubt that we are on an uncharted and unprecedented trajectory towards a warmer world in which the future survival of creation, ourselves and every other living thing on this planet, is at risk. Most of the hottest years on record have occurred since 2000. The wonderful BBC ‘Wild Isles’ series earlier this year showed us the stunning wildlife and diversity of habitats across the UK. Yet, we live in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Globally, the abundance of all wildlife has declined by an average of 69 per cent since 1970 according to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022 . Our biodiversity is at risk too. As people made in the image of God, we are called to respond, to care for the earth and to work to protect and restore it. This is our mission at A Rocha UK, a Christian charity working to equip Christians and churches to protect and restore the environment, for God, nature and all people. We have a heritage of beautiful historic churches and cathedrals in the UK. The labourers and stonemasons who worked on them, sometimes hundreds of years ago, would struggle to make sense of the world we live in today. However, these buildings were constructed in honour of God as places where people gather to worship Him, creator of the earth and the cosmos. And I hope they would draw comfort and pride that these monuments to God are often still filled with life and worship. How though can these historic churches be sustained as places of worship and promoted for the benefit of all in a world facing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss? A Rocha UK launched Eco Church Churches Count on Nature survey of wildflowers at Llanidan Church, Anglesey, North Wales (Photo: Nia Hall)