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- Bishop of Salisbury welcomes update to environment guide
The Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment has welcomed a new update to a guide providing advice and resources for parishes on tackling climate change.
Don’t Stop at the Lights, first published in 2008 by Church House Publishing, will be issued with a new booklet giving updated information and practical tips to churches on incorporating the environment into the Church year.
The 2015 Update to Don’t Stop at the Lights: Leading your church through
a changing climate is available to download from the Church House
Publishing website here, and hard copies can be ordered via publishing@churchofengland.org.
People who already have the book, co-authored by Claire Foster and David Shreeve, can either download the update or apply for a free copy by email.
Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, writing in the update, detailed
practical action taken by churches including work on energy efficiency,
renewable energy and care for churchyards which are havens of
biodiversity.
All churches are committed to shrinking their
carbon footprint and there is a growing movement to pray and fast for
the climate on the first day of every month, he added.
“I do hope
this book helps clergy and congregations to see how the environment can
matter throughout the year and how it need not be yet another burden to
add to an already heavy workload, but a real contribution to our
service and commitment,” Bishop Nicholas wrote.
David Shreeve, the
Church of England’s environmental adviser, said: “So much has happened
since Don’t Stop at the Lights was first published in 2008 – the update
provides new website links including vital information about how
churches can prepare for the forthcoming Paris climate change talks.
“Don’t
Stop at the Lights takes the whole of the Church year and gives advice
and ideas to churches on how they can include the environment throughout
the Christian calendar year. You don’t have to wait for Harvest
festival to do something on the environment.”
The update has been
issued after faith leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury signed
the Lambeth Declaration last month warning of the “huge challenge”
facing the world over climate change. The declaration includes a call on
faith communities to recognise the pressing need to make the transition
to a low carbon economy.
For more information about the Church of England’s national environmental campaign see http://www.churchcare.co.uk/shrinking-the-footprint.