Historic Churches 2023

BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON H ISTOR I C CHURCHE S 30th ANNUAL ED ITION 35 energy usage, a key first step in being able to reduce it. Climate Stewards, in conjunction with ourselves, produced an energy footprint tool, 360Carbon which goes step by step through the key inputs to derive a church’s carbon footprint. We’re increasingly struck though, by the sanctuary of our buildings, with many having taken part in the ‘Warm this Winter’ initiative as well as opening their doors to provide a cool sanctuary during the extreme heat of last summer. Increasingly, churches are on the frontline of the need for climate resilience and adaptation. Land and how we manage it in the future is critical in both efforts to reduce carbon and restore biodiversity. A Rocha UK’s roots are in conservation, the protection and restoration of the environment, and we encourage churches and cathedrals to manage their land for nature which, as well as improving biodiversity, can also contribute to carbon sequestration. A goal has been set to see 75,000 acres of land owned by UK churches (and cathedrals), organisations and individuals being managed for nature. Eco Church contributes a small but not insignificant amount of support for how churchyards and cathedral land is managed. We encourage any church to protect and restore the land they have for nature, even if it’s a small strip or a paved area around the perimeter of a building. There are loads of examples of what churches are doing with their land, whether they have a small or a large area. Lichfield Cathedral A three-year management plan was written for the cathedral in 2022 with aspects of rewilding in one corner of land, leaving areas unmown elsewhere, which convinced people to put aside a larger area for meadow. They’ve improved flower beds, introducing species that would have been familiar to medieval pilgrims. Creating new unmown areas has benefitted wildlife and inspired the community. Over 50 pupils from Lichfield Cathedral School monitored flora and fauna during the Churches Count on Nature survey, unearthing the biodiversity surrounding the cathedral. They discovered over 100 different species, including the amazing blue mint beetle, black medic (plant) and forest cuckoo bumblebee. Community and global engagement is the fourth category of Eco Church and also the one that is perhaps the most about partnerships. We know that it’s the poorest and most vulnerable in our own communities, and globally, who are the ones that are already suffering the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. This section includes campaigning, partnering with others, local engagement, food and a host of other activities which have at least a bearing on carbon reduction, if not also significant opportunities to influence our country’s national commitments to net zero emissions, which, from recent reports, are not going in the right direction. There’s a huge amount that we can do, even starting with something simple and seemingly low key like a litter pick which, as well as improving the visual aspects of our places of worship, also helps to protect spaces for nature. Lifestyle is the final part of the EC survey and looks at how, corporately/ collectively, we can encourage each other to make changes in our everyday lives with our travel, ethical investment, and measuring our own carbon footprints. Even where such emissions are not included in a church’s own carbon footprint, the potential to encourage each other to take small and then bigger steps, when multiplied thousands of times over, is hugely significant. Caring for creation and reaching net zero are something for all of us to play a part in, not as a project to be implemented but as an attitude to life, as part of obedience to and worship of our creator God, including service to others. Though this may take time, it also leads to a deeper focus on our beliefs and values, which is a benefit to the wider mission of the church. Eco Church provides a comprehensive framework for facilitating worshipping congregations to do this together. Further reading Eco Congregation runs in Scotland and Ireland: Eco-Congregation (www.ecocongregation.org ) HELEN STEPHENS is a sustainability manager with over 12 years of experience. She is currently working as church relations manager at A Rocha UK. CHURCHES ON ANGLESEY CASE STUDY Delyth Higgins A few years ago, the church at St Ceinwen in Llangeinwen on Anglesey, (a silver- awarded church) looked at the Eco Church scheme and found that they were already aware of and addressing some of the themes outlined. They had already switched energy suppliers to Good Energy, but without a water supply to the church, many activities were becoming hard to maintain. They considered the option of connecting to mains water, but it was a very difficult and costly process, and so, explored composting toilet options. They chose to have it supplied and fitted by a company from within Wales, which is always their preferred consideration with suppliers and materials. After much research, the work started and was completed in 2019. Going beyond just providing a toilet, the building has a bird box installed and gutters leading to a water butt to catch and store rainwater, which is then used to water the garden and outside area. St Mary’s Church , a Victorian church in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, (a bronze-awarded church) is in a scenic and popular location along the Wales coastal path on the Menai Strait. In its church hall, the light fittings have all been changed to LEDs, an efficient water boiler has been installed, and bags have been placed in the toilet cisterns to save water with each flush. As a church, they have become more aware of how their buildings are used and have reminders above light switches about switching off and generally being more aware of energy efficiency. This is a vital part of informing and engaging the congregation as part of their journey. Llanidan Church in Brynsiencyn (also a bronze-awarded church) has renovated a ceiling in one part of the church and insisted on using chalk and lime plaster to allow the area to breathe more naturally. They are very shortly looking into what eco alterations they can make with their lighting too. Many of the island’s churches are keen on doing their bit for biodiversity too. Llanidan Church (amongst others) held community events as part of this year’s Churches Count on Nature; a joint initiative run in partnership between Caring for God’s Acre, The Church in Wales, The Church of England and A Rocha UK. The event started with a service that focused on the environment and caring for God’s creation, which was followed by refreshments and an opportunity to browse the large displays of books, leaflets and other items on various aspects of flora and fauna. Some 32 people took part in the survey of wildflowers, insects and birds and lists were compiled in Welsh, English and French as a Breton gentleman took part! There were nearly 80 different species of wildflowers identified as well as a variety of insects and birds.