Chester registers for Eco-Diocese

The Diocese of Chester has registered its intent to work towards Eco-Diocese status. 

Bishop Mark signed the paperwork earlier this summer meaning that the diocese's commitment to work towards achieving Eco-Diocese status has been received and registered by A Rocha, the Christian charity behind the environment scheme. 

The decision to work towards Eco-Diocese status was taken by Bishop's Council earlier in the year and was put forward by the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, Ian Bishop.

To achieve bronze, silver, and gold status, the diocese must fulfill a set of agreed activities. This includes providing details of local churches that have registered their intent to work towards Eco Church status. 

How Eco Church works

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.

There are plenty of free resources from A Rocha, giving churches lots of support and advice about how to make the changes needed to become an Eco Church.

There are three levels of Eco Church Award – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. In order to qualify for an Award, churches must attain the required standard in each of the areas covered by the Eco Survey. 

Find out more on the A Rocha website. 

More about the environment in the Diocese of Chester

	Exploring Eco-Church in Higher Bebington In a short video local Vicar and co-chair of the diocesan Environment Forum, Revd Mike Loach, shares some of the small environmental projects they're pursuing as part of the Eco-Church scheme.
	Greening Grange The Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, was invited to "break the ground" of a new community garden at St. Andrew's, Grange. The garden will be planted on the site of the old church hall and will be designed to help increase biodiversity in the area as well as provide a space for the local community to enjoy.