By virtue of their antiquity many churchyards and cemeteries can support habitats, which are relics of former countryside and may therefore support a wide range of rare or uncommon plant species. Often the soil between graves has been left undisturbed by man for many years. In the past sheep have grazed the grass. This would have prevented coarse grasses from spreading and swamping wild flowers. St Peter's Church grounds have never been enriched with artificial fertilisers and it is the current policy not to use weed-killers, which further encourages biodiversity. In this age when natural habitats are continually being lost to development, churchyards such as this one is increasingly important to Britain’s wild flora and fauna.In tending this ancient Churchyard, we hope to attract wildlife by reducing the frequency of mowing in certain areas and planting native trees and shrubs wherever possible.We aim to mow according to four distinct regimes to suit both people and wildlife. These include areas of short mown lawn around the Church and current burial areas. Medium length grass areas around the ‘Lower New Graves’ and two areas of long grass forming spring and summer meadows to the south and east of the Church. These areas will be cut after spring/summer flowers have set seed. In addition, there are strips of tussock grass around part of the perimeter.Want to help?*On the first Saturday of the month (March-October) we have a ‘Operation Churchyard Day’ when people volunteer an hour or two of their time to carry out gardening tasks.*We would be grateful if people refrain from using weed killer around graves.*Later in the year, we plan to carry out a botanical survey of the space around the Church. Look out for a poster asking for willing helpers! In the meantime, if you have an interest in ecology, gardening or the great outdoors and would like to help develop the Churchyard. Please contact our Church Council Secretary, Jim Cable, on 0784 0615695.You are welcome to picnic in the Church grounds. Please recycle your waste in the bins provided by the tower. This is a space for conversation, exploration and quiet reflection.Our first ‘Operation Churchyard’ Day of 2020 is Saturday 7th March, from 10am onwards.
It is a time when lots of people make time to think carefully about their life. For Christians, this means trying to live God’s way and remembering all that Jesus did. Why we have Pancake Day Pancake Day is also called Shrove Tuesday and is one last chance for a big party before Lent begins with Ash Wednesday the next day. Long ago, Christians traditionally used up all the eggs and fat they had in store by making pancakes and feasting on them. This was because when Lent came, they would eat less food, or even fast (do without food sometimes) to help them focus on God and not on the things they wanted. This tradition has been passed down the generations. Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter, a date which changes every year. This year, we’ll be eating our pancakes on 25th February, before Lent begins on Wednesday 26th February. With eggs, flour, milk and butter, anyone can join in with Pancake Day.Why is Lent important?Lent is a time of getting ready for Easter. When Jesus was just getting started with his work, he went into the desert for 40 days to be all alone with God. He even went without food and prayed, and was tempted away from what God wanted him to do in all kinds of ways, but he resisted that temptation. You can read that story here in the Bible: Matthew 4:1-11.During Lent, Christians often do something different too, like praying every day or reading the Bible. This reminds us of Jesus’ time in the desert to focus just on God and feel closer to him. The good news is that Sundays are still celebration days – so you can take a break from fasting! The last week of Lent is called Holy Week – during this time, the church remembers Jesus’ death on a cross. Even young children can take part in Lent. For example, giving up a sweet treat every day might remind children that we can live more simply.St. Peter’s in Lent Churches may look quite different during Lent. You might notice the colour purple, or there may be very few decorations and few to no flowers. This is because it’s a time to concentrate on God and remember how Jesus gave up his life on a cross to save all of us. Because Lent is a time to reflect, church music and songs will tend to be more reflective and services don’t usually include the word ‘Alleluia’ – a very joyful word to express praise for God. It’s a big contrast when Easter Day arrives, when the colourful decorations come out, there’s lots of celebration, ‘Alleluias’ and joyful music! Why not go along to a Church service in Lent and play a game of spot-the-difference – how is it different to other services you have been to? Then go at Easter and play again! Talk about how each service feels and why they have these different moods. Come and join us at our Lent and Easter Church services, usually held at 11am on Sundays
St. Peter’s Church Norbury, is working towards becoming an Eco Church. To become an Eco Church, Churches complete the unique online Eco Survey about how they are caring for God’s earth in different areas of their life and work. The answers a Church provides will collect points towards an Eco Church Award (Bronze, Silver, Gold) – the more our church does, the more points we get!The survey takes you through five key areas of church life:1. Worship and teaching2. Management of Church Buildings3. Management of Church Land4. Community and global engagement5. LifestyleOver the next 12 months, with your help, we would like to gain the Bronze award and in two years’ time have applied for the Gold Award.Why do it?We are all Stewards of God's Creation and have been given responsibility to care for our Planet and try and hand it over to the next Generation, better than we found it. There is no Planet B.Since the start of the Industrial revolution in Ironbridge, Climate Change and the warming of the planet through our actions, has created a number of significant issues.Including the huge loss of habitats on a global scale and mass extinctions of creatures that have coexisted with Humans for millennia. For us in the UK, the heating of our atmosphere is also causing more droughts, as well as more extreme weather, leading to increased flooding. Warmer winters are also allowing pests and diseases that would be usually killed off, to survive and flourish.It is not only beneficial to the environment that we should try live more sustainable lives, but financially beneficial too. For example, insulating your home properly and having an efficient heating system, can save you more money than you could currently earn in interest, from an ISA or savings account. How can you helpYou can help us care for our planet - God’s Creation in many ways. Even if it is only in a small way it will all add up.For example, can you help with the management off our Churchyard? On the first Saturday of the month (March-October) we have Churchyard day.In the future this may involve:• Establishing a mowing plan (and collecting the cuttings) to encourage more wild flowers• Installing bird boxes, bug hotels, hedgehog boxes, bird feeding stations• Planting more plants that will benefit birds, bees and butterflies• Please don’t use weed killer, except on the paths (gravel or slabs only)• Help us by spending an hour undertaking a wildlife survey in the ChurchyardYou could also help us by joining us at future ‘green’ events.Finally, you could help our planet by carrying out a personal carbon footprint audit and reducing your personal energy consumption (switching to LED bulbs the next time a bulb blows), insulating your loft/installing water butts.
It is three years since we launched our appeal to raise funds for this project and thanks to the generosity of people in the parish and grant funding they were installed in January.Grants were received from: - Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust- The Lumley Trust- Allchurches Trust- Councillor Mark Winnington - Community Fund- Waitrose Community FundWe would like to give thanks for the new heaters and the support we have received in a special service on Sunday 7th April at 11:00am.We hope that you will be able to come along and enjoy the warmth of our beautiful Church.
