A new guide from the Church of England offers church leaders a template for a year-long programme of practical action to reduce their congregations' carbon footprints, as energy prices head upwards.
The book, Don't Stop at the Lights, has already won praise from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London among others.
Launched today by Church House Publishing, Don't Stop at the Lights includes sermon ideas and extensive Bible study notes drawing on ancient theological themes which aim to reconnect the church to the natural world and the roots of its faith. It inspires priests to make churches beacons in their community, offering case studies linked to the Church's year.
These include setting up a decorations swap shop during Advent for people to exchange unwanted decorations; using Lent as an opportunity to carry out a complete internal environmental audit and to set targets, beginning on Ash Wednesday;
re-establishing the tradition of beating the bounds at Rogationtide to help refocus congregations on God's gifts and the role of the Church in preserving justice and extending charity; limiting the number of nights that the church is floodlit and then inviting members of the congregation and wider community to 'sponsor' an evening's illumination in memory of a loved one or to mark an anniversary.
