Diocese of Oxford - Living Faith for the Earth

Earthing Faith is a collaborative website to resource and encourage us as we connect our spirituality and faith with the earth.

The website is hosted by the Diocese of Oxford to provide a space to share ideas and experiences around the environment.

Visit Earthing Faith to spark some ideas and connect you with other peoples experiences and share your own story.

Find out more at www.earthingfaith.org

Earthing Faith

Living Faith for the Earth

Journeying together towards a greener life

Churches across the Diocese of Oxford are journeying

towards a greener life. Reducing our carbon footprints,

running environment projects and calling for change.

Find out how you can get involved.Contact detailsPost: Environment Officer, Diocese of Oxford, North Hinksey, Oxford OX2 0NB

Tel: 01865 208745 | Email: [email protected]

Web: www.oxford.anglican.org/environment | www.earthingfaith.org

Does your church or group want to explore ways to engage with environmental issues? How could you include the environment in the life and mission of your church? We may be able to help you find speakers, facilitators and resources to help you think through the options. Get in touch using the contact details below.

Speakers, facilitators and courses

Resources

Further information and resources to help you on your journey contact the Environment Officer using the details below or visit

www.oxford.anglican.org/environment.

Environment

Living Faith is a vision that summarises the key priorities of holistic mission and a sustaining spirituality for the Diocese of Oxford. It aims to help us join with

God in creating a caring, sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part

of the diocese of Oxford.

For further information see: www.oxford.anglican.org/living-faith

The Diocese of Oxford believes the church has a biblical basis for caring for the earth which God made for his glory and his people's enjoyment. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the earth and its people today, and will impact on every aspect of human life and the natural environment. The church must take this challenge seriously, and so we encourage and resource churches in the diocese to care for creation and respond locally to the global climate crisis.

What can I do?

Diocese of Oxford

Why the environment?

As part of the Living Faith vision we want to see the integration of an active concern for the environment and climate change into the life and mission of the whole diocese and its churches, and, thereby, affirm our commitment to the Fifth Mark of Mission: ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’.

Our environment work aims to support churches in the diocese as they engage with climate change and environmental issues, and explore the environment as a key component of their mission. There is no one-size fits all response, so we encourage the sharing of ideas, stories and resources that will spark and encourage reflection and action.

"For the Church of the 21st Century, good ecology is not an

optional extra but a matter of justice. It is therefore central to

what it means to be a Christian."

Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams

Churches across the Diocese of Oxford are engaging in environmental issues at a number of levels. People are changing the way they live to reduce the carbon footprint. Local community projects are being initiated to care for the earth. Churches are installing the latest green technology to provide low carbon and energy efficient buildings. Campaign groups are calling on governments to take global action to slow climate change and ensure those hardest hit by the changing climate are supported.

The first step is always the hardest. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Me and my family

Could you reduce the carbon footprint of your household? How could you encourage the ecology of your garden and neighbourhood?

My church and community

How does your churches mission embody environment and climate change issues? How could you make your church building energy efficient?

My world and global neighbours

How could you lobby your MP for global action on climate change? Could your church support the Climate Justice Fund?

For further information on all these ideas see www.oxford.anglican.org/environment/get-involved