Creation Challenge

“Living Hope: Green Churches, Green Schools” is a day conference being held at Great Missenden parish church and school on the 6th of March. It is supported by A Rocha, Bucks County Council, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Christian Concern for One World, The Diocese of Oxford, Earth Abbey, Reading CEL Group, Tearfund and Traidcraft, as well as the parish church of St Peter and St Paul Great Missenden and the Great Missenden CE Combined School.

The day is intended for anyone who is interested in Christian care for creation.

There will be several keynote speakers: Dave Bookless from A Rocha, Paula Clifford from Christian Aid and Chris Sunderland, from Earth Abbey. Also planned are over a dozen interactive workshops. These will include:

the very practical (churches and schools sharing stories about how they installed renewable energy sources in their buildings,sessions for “eco-congregations” and “eco-schools”, a “clinic” by an energy expert on easy energy saving tips, churches talking about their work with community groups)

those focused on prayer (creating and experiencing a “green” prayer walk, creating worship that includes thanksgiving and prayer for creation, “spirituality, community and reconnecting with the Earth”)

those that help us understand the broader issues (a scientist talking about the science of climate change and taking questions around some of the recent controversies, discussion of campaigning on climate change) and many more.

There will also be a marketplace, at which agencies, local groups and churches, and companies that offer environmental products (such as solar panels) will be giving materials. There will be worship. Finally, there will be a Fairtrade “Big Brew” — Paul Chandler, the CEO of Traidcraft is coming to do a workshop on “Fair Trade and Sustainability” and will open the Big Brew.

All are invited. Registration Form. The cost is £5, payable on the day.