The Methodist and United Reformed Churches are a part of the Environmental Issues Network (EIN) which operates under the umbrella of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and meets three times per year.  EIN aims to raise levels of awareness on issues relating to the environment and sustainability. It also helps member churches and other organisations explore together their theological understanding of creation and its ethical implications for environmental policy and action.  Membership of EIN is drawn from the churches of Britain and Ireland along with agencies and associated bodies which have responsibility for advising on environmental and ecological issues, both national and global. 

June’s meeting included sharing news:

·        Operation Noah – working at the Lambeth Conference, Greenbelt, and promoting the no-flight pledge campaign. www.operationnoah.org

·        Eco-Congregation – the 100^th Award made to churches in England and Wales (now 110!)

·        Work by agencies and churches on the Climate Change bill

·        The Hope for Planet Earth tour which ran from Feb-March 2008 which was jointly organised by A Rocha, Christians in Science, John Ray Initiative, Share Jesus International, and Tearfund with over 5,000 school pupils and 3,000 adults participating. To get involved in the planned 2009 tour visit www.hopeforplanetearth.moonfruit.com

and a seminar:

With the Institute of Welsh Affairs where David Boomer, Head of Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Institute of Directors Policy Unit giving a talk “Making Business Sense of Sustainable Development” and an opportunity to discuss environmental issues with people having a secular perspective and from a business background.

The network provides a sounding board for individual initiatives and the opportunity for resources to be shared. Which the URC did by sending all the members a copy of the June Reform edition that focussed on climate change!

David Coaker