Over the year, we have been opened our churches for collection and recycling of lots of different things - things that often don't appear to be recyclable.Across our Benefice of 5 small churches, we have collected and taken for recycling a huge, and I mean HUGE, number of used medication blister packs, 4 sacks of bras for repurposing or reusing through Breast Cancer charities, many pairs of spectacles, used stamps, and so far over 30,000 aluminium cans to raise over £400 for the Tearfund WASH initiative that seeks to create safe and clean hygiene services, like loos and sinks, for communities that otherwise would be without - this is hugely important in bringing more people to a good health level, saving children's lives and improving levels of poverty. This is a wonderful encouragement to us all when we think that most of these could otherwise end up in landfill, on the side of our roads or still here in a thousand years. So no effort or action is too small - just one small, or even big, thing each one of us does to care for our wonderful creation makes a difference to the whole of our world, both human, plant and animal. Pop into any of our churches to see our Eco displays and be surprised at all the ways you can join in!
November the 19th is World Toilet Day, raising awareness of the billions of people who live their daily lives without a toilet or access to clean sanitation. Toilets are a place for peace. Toilets protect our health and safety. Toilets are a platform for progress. This essential space, at the centre of our lives, should be safe and secure. But for billions of people, sanitation is under threat from conflict, climate change, disasters and neglect. Faster action to improve and safeguard people’s access to sanitation is critical to building a fairer, more peaceful world. Find out more at https://www.unwater.org/news/world-toilet-day-2024-toilets-place-peace
The inventiveness of our volunteer leaders keeps on amazing us - this week the kids made oranges into lanterns as they explored Jesus as the light of the world - Sophie and Poppy certainly enjoyed making theirs!Come along any Sunday from 9.30am to join in with as church here in Bawtry, with our lively and welcoming all age service, where the young people can learn about faith and Jesus in a fun way as part of our Sundayz Cool gang!
As part of our commitment to caring for creation across our whole lives in partnership with the ARocha Eco church scheme, we are encouraging everyone to seek to be a little greener this Christmas. The most obvious thing might be to buy something second hand, or buy a locally grown Christmas tree you can plant out after Christmas and use each year, or offset the carbon created from the meals you might eat out. We write one Christmas card per church, where everyone writes a message on one recycled card and then share it with each of our congregations. Here are lots of other suggestions to be dreaming of a green Christmas...The 12 Days of a Green(er) ChristmasOn the first day of ChristmasBuy a real Christmas tree from a sustainable source. After Christmas plant it, or take it to a local recycling centreOn the second day of ChristmasIf you need some new Christmas lights or electrical goods don’t bin the old ones, donate them or take them to your local recycling centre. On the third day of ChristmasBuy recycled Christmas cards, send an e-card or make your own. On the fourth day of ChristmasThere’s nothing worse than smiling a grateful thanks for a present you don’t really want, so give consumable presents, buy a membership or an experience day or go for a luxury meal and/or the theatre.On the fifth day of ChristmasAre you buying presents that use batteries? If so, why not add recycled batteries and a charger?On the sixth day of ChristmasWhen shopping use your LOAF(Local ———————– Organic ———————– Animal friendly ———————– Fairtrade)On the seventh day of ChristmasBuy eco-crackers or, in the best Blue Peter tradition, make your own. all you need is a few toilet tube rolls, newspaper and some small gifts people might actually want.On the eighth day of ChristmasGo for a walk, decorate a tree for wildlife (suet balls etc), but make sure it’s where the birds can see the cat coming, or use twigs to create a 5 pointed star and find other natural things to decorate it with.On the ninth day of ChristmasUse the wrapping paper recycling test: scrunch it up into a ball, if it stays in shape you can recycle it. Alternatively use magazine articles the recipient will enjoy reading and they get two presents for the price of one.On the tenth day of ChristmasWhere possible freeze leftovers rather than binning them.On the eleventh day of ChristmasHad time to read all those magazines you subscribe to over the festive period? Why not pass them on to a friend?On the twelfth day of ChristmasMake a New Year’s Resolution to get in touch with the seasons and/or seek out local adventures. Or simply make your own eco-resolution (and keep to it!) Jean BurrowsHutton and Shenfield Union ChurchA Rocha UKCons
